My Scandinavian Home: Best of 2017

I can't believe the year has almost come to an end! Is it just me or did 2017 whizz by? It's been a strange twelve months, with many disturbing happenings throughout the world. I like to think of My Scandinavian Home as a little bubble in which to escape each day: somewhere you can pour yourself a cup of super strength coffee (got to get into the spirits of the Scandinavians after all!), put your feet up and transport yourself into a world of interiors - and hopefully walk away with a few new ideas too! I hope you experience this! Here's a round-up of the top 5 My Scandinavian Home blog, Instagram, and Pinterest posts of 2017 - as well as a few other highlights.....



1. A magnificent family home in Amsterdam

2. My sitting room make-over

Photo - Niki Brantmark Styling Genevieve Jorn

3.  My dream holiday home (and garden room) - and yours too it seems!

Photo - Marnie Hawson

Holly's inspiring sitting room make-over

Holly Marder

5. Lovely blues and greens in a Swedish home

Photo: Anders Bergstedt. Home-owner/ stying: Caroline Ulkner /  Entrance.

I used to dabble in it a little, but if there's one thing that's truly taken me by surprise this year - it's just how much I've fallen in love with Instagram (do you have an ever so slight obsession too?!). I was thrilled to reach over 115,000 friends this year - thank you for making it such a fun place to be, and for all your interesting and passionate comments (and to Vogue UK for including my feed in the top 12 interior instagram feeds to follow (*strikes a very happy pose*). Here are the top 5 My Scandinavian Home instagram posts of 2017:

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1. Living room in a magical mountain cabin
I'm so happy to see a corner of the living room from Marianne Vigtel Holland's magical mountain cabin which James Gardiner and I had the pleasure of capturing for The Scandinavian Home book.  Marianne made so many items for her cabin it was crazy! In this picture alone she knitted the chair cover, sewed together the cushion covers, created the art on the wall and crafted the side table out of tree trunks - I'm not kidding! Check out the full tour of her beautiful cabin here.



2. Josi's hallway in Berlin
Aaaah, how I love this hallway (the bench is available here - just saying!). In fact, I love everything about Josi's entire Berlin home, it's so charming and relaxed - don't miss the full tour here.

3. Sitting room with a boho vibe
The modern bohemian vibe captured our hearts and minds in 2017 (once again)- and this Polish home designed by Magdalena Milejska was up there with the most inspiring! Take the full tour here. PS is this is totally you're kind of style don't miss the bohemian home archive (goooorgeous spaces).



4. Credenza and books
A wall bursting with books, a beautiful mid-century credenza, layered rugs. What's not to love about the relaxed, boho home of Madewell's lead designer - Joyce Lee! See the drool-worthy tour here.



5. Put a ring on it (see what I did there?)
A beautifully wrapped gift by Finnish blogger Local Artisan in all its crinkled paper and pine wreath glory has already racked up over 7000 likes in the last 24 hours! In fact, it's so pretty that I'd be happy to receive this without a gift inside, how about you? (Note to man - don't take this last sentence too literally). If you haven't wrapped your pressies yet - see our complete round-up of beautiful nature inspired gift wrapping ideas!

Aaaah, Pinterest you'll always be my go-to for moodboards and styling inspiration (if only I could actually tear myself away to do any work - do you find this too?!). Here are the top 5 My Scandinavian Home pins of 2017:

1. This cosy bedroom from a charming Swedish apartment decorated in white and wood
has totally captured pinners hearts having appeared on Pinterest over 590,290 times. How crazy is that? Then again there is so much to love about this little space, right?

Photo: Maria Sahlander Styling: Emma Fischer for Bjurfors.

Rember that green sofa we all fell in love with in a sitting room in Yeabridge House? Combine it with a fabulous mix of old and new and you get the top My Scandinavian Home *power pin* of 2017 (yes, this really is a thing - it's measured in terms of clicks and saves in case you're curious!). Whatever you do, don't miss the full tour here - it was one of my favourites!

Photo - Benjamin Edwards Home-owner - Mark Homewood

While green sofas are always fab, greige is a bit of a safer bet  - which is why this elegant Swedish sitting room created by H&M Home was hugely popular! Get the complete look and feel here. 

Stylist: Lotta Agaton

The relaxed dining space in the Norwegian home of Maja Hattvang appealed to many - which makes me so happy as I love her edgy and relaxed style! See the full tour here (if you don't already follow Maja on instagram, you must!).

Maja Hattvang

And finally, I was so happy to see the delightfully simple bedroom in the Copenhagen home of Karen Maj Kornum of Another Ballroom - captured by James Gardiner and myself for The Scandinavian Home book! You can see a full tour of her home in the book and here and here (that's how much i love Karen Maj's home!).   

Photo: James Gardiner.  Stylist: Niki Brantmark. Featured in The Scandinavian Home book published by CICO.

I am so grateful for the support of businessed big and small without whom My Scandinavian Home wouldn't be possible (you can see a list of many of my partners and the different types of collaborations we offer here).  It's been a year of fun and inspiring partnerships - but I have to say I do have a little penchant for make-overs! Here are the top 3 from 2017:

Greenhouse makeover with Samsung and The Frame

Oh how I loved working on this make-over in a little greenhouse in Upstate New York with Emily Henderson and the Barbarian creative team. A special thanks also to Brady Tolbert for your amazing organization skills and interior design eye and Agata Helena for hair and make-up. See more pictures (and films) of the make-over here and here.

My sitting room make-over with Bemz

Photo by me, styling by Genevieve Jorn. See more here!

My new window nook with Nordal  

Photo by me, styling by Genevieve Jorn. See the full tour here!

I've been writing a way in my little corner of the world and was so happy to launch not one but two new books this year (still not sure how I did it, but it was a wonderful feeling to get them in my hands!) - Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life launched in September and is available in English US, English UK, French and Portuguese with 4 more languages to follow in 2018 - weeeeee! And The Scandinavian Home launched back in the spring!

Photo: Niki Brantmark.

Photo by Karin Björklund

Aaaah. it's been so much fun looking back over this year. Do you have any favourites from everything I've shared? Or perhaps you have some personal highlights you'd like to share - if so, I'd love to hear from you in the comment section below!! And please do also take it as an opportunity to let us know if there's anything you'd like to see more of in 2018.

Before we head off to enjoy the holidays I just wanted to say a few words of thanks.

I am constantly amazed by the incredible pool of creative talent in the online communities - not only among the professional interior designers and photographers, but also writers, artists, designers etc, all of whom contribute in some way and are kind enough to allow me to share their work. These 'creators' dare to put themselves out there for the world to critique (a scary prospect, I can tell you!) - and I thank each and every one of you who inspires us every day!

I'd also like to say a HUGE thanks to the wonderful team behind My Scandinavian Home - including my right hand gal Ana Degeneer ( a whizz at graphic design, picture research, writing and everything in between - she can even code - isn't that b*d *ss?!!). If you're thinking of starting a blog in 2018 (go for it!), Ana sells the most stunning blog design templates through her shop alongside her book '30 days to minimal blogging'.

I've also been lucky enough to work with the talented interior designer Genevieve Jorn - (we always have such a laugh and no photo shoot is complete without a chicken pasta from my local deli!) as well as the fabulous Sarah Brooks-Wilson who moved to Malmö earlier this year and is the speediest interior stylist I know (and always arrives with a smile and wearing the most fabulous outfit)! So happy to have you guys on board!

And finally - to all of you, who come here each day and make My Scandinavian Home a happy place - none of this would happen without you. Thank you for all your amazing support this year and making this little space on the web such a pleasure each day. Here's to a fabulous 2018!

Niki

PS those of you who like to reminisce might enjoy looking back at the 2016 and 2015 round-ups (so interesting to see how interior style has evolved!!).

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The Calm, Earthy Home of A Danish Design Collector

Tjena! Hur är läget (how's it going?!)? I'm nearing the end of my first week back in the studio after the holidays and slowly cranking into action - but it's sort of painful! Know the feeling?  It's also distracting when the sun's shining and it feels like the rest of Scandinavia are still on holiday - including Danish photographer and stylist Marianne Jacobsen. Judging by her (pretty wonderful) instagram feed, Marianne is currently chugging through Europe by train. It's trips like these, as well as nature, Scandinavian design, minimalist spaces, light, art and architecture which inspire Marianne's daily work and the way she decorates her home in Aarhus, Denmark. Designed by famous architects Friis & Moltke in 1969, her house is full of timeless Danish design pieces as well as other collector's items in calming, earthy tones. I caught up with Marianne to find out more about her minimalist style and what's next on her wish list!

How would you describe your style?

My style is Scandinavian, minimalistic, delicate, eclectic and with a cosy / warm atmosphere (Danish!). I'm also very conscious about choosing a style that fits perfectly with my home. My house was designed by the famous Danish architect Friis & Moltke in 1969 and the architecture is inspired by Le Corbusier. I prefer to live with natural materials like wool, wood, stone, marble and leather. 

Le Klint lights

Alma light, Poet sofa*, The Poster Club* sells prints like this one (and ships worldwide)

How do you choose pieces for your home?

I love to live with carefully selected, beautiful Danish classic furniture and also timeless design pieces from other countries. I love Italian design like Cassina, but I do primarily opt for Danish design, since I love the deep roots we have in beautiful craftsmanship.

Montana Show shelves in 'latte' (I love this Danish storage - and have used the same brand in Allie's room).

Do you have a favourite possession? 

My absolute favourite is my Poet sofa* with sheepskin from House of Finn Juhl - such a beyond beautiful and timeless iconic piece. Likewise, I love my CH07 by Hans J. Wegner in walnut with leather seat and my Show shelves in latte from Montana!

Moebe shelves / desk, Series 7 chair, Gubi wall light*

What do you have your eye on next?

I'm dreaming about the Tabouret Méribel & Berger by Charlotte Perriand (Cassina) and the PK61 by Poul Kjærholm (Fritz Hansen).

Auping bed, VV Cinquanta Wall light

They million dollar question for us hoarders, how do you keep your home so clean and decluttered? 

I just love to live minimalistic and with calm, earthy tones. It's just the way I am since I'm an organised soul that loves to live with few, very beautiful and significant pieces in my home. My mantra is 'less is more'. It's natural for me to declutter my home, but not too much since I like my home to feel cosy. 

Thank you so much for taking time out from your holiday to tell us about your lovely home Marianne!

If you'd like to see more pictures of Marianne's home and latest photography / styling projects hop on over to her instagram or homepage. They are a feast for the eyes!

There's also a load more beautiful Danish homes to drool over in this archive (just saying!).

Anyone else a huge fan of Danish design? I noticed the other day, almost my entire wardrobe is made up of Danish design - with some of my favourite go-to brands being Day, Birger et Mikkelsen, By Marlene Birger and Stella Nova.

Eeeek. Suddenly feeling a trip over the Öresund bridge (AKA 'The Bridge') to Copenhagen is in order... the Swedish crown is so weak right now though, I might have to keep the trip under wraps - not sure how popular it would be with Per!!!

Have a happy Thursday guys - nearly POETS day - WOOHOO!

Niki

Photography and styling: Marianne Jacobsen

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The Secret to Creating a Calm & Organised Home, Scandi Style

Paid partnership with Elfa, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love. 

Minimalist, practical, calm, organised. These are just some of the words that people frequently use to describe a Scandinavian home. And they'd be right! Having lived in Sweden for over 18 years I am constantly amazed at just how neat and tidy people's homes are (with the rare exception, of course!). Life is messy, children are messy, so, just how do they do it? Simply acquiring less stuff - or having a good old declutter certainly helps. But there is something more at play. 

I put a lot down to excellent storage. 

Simply put - I've been told that by creating a perfect home for everything - no matter how big or small, keeping your home tidy, neat and organised will be way easier. 

The problem 

Now, I'm going to fess up. The Brantmark family home is messy. It's shamefully messy. Organisation is neither Per nor my strong point. Someone is always tearing around the house looking for something they've lost (is it just me or are children particularly bad at finding things?). And it's embarrassing. Is there anyone out there who feels the same? 

The solution

This year everything's going to change! Why? Because I approached global Swedish storage experts Elfa - who happen to be based locally here in Malmö - and asked them to help me organise my home, room by room! And I hope, by sharing the knowledge and various solutions with you - you'll also pick up some great tips and tricks too. Unless of course, you've already got a wonderfully organised home - in which case, please do share your tips along the way! 

Who is Elfa? 

If you've been following My Scandinavian Home for a while, you'll most likely be familiar with Elfa already. Their fab storage systems pop up in homes I feature time and time again (take this, this, this and this!).  The Swedish company was founded in 1948 and prides itself on providing a sustainable, functional and high-quality storage system and doors for just about anything and anywhere in your home including the bedroom, children's room, living room, kitchen, garage, attic, hobby rooms, home office and laundry space. Think flexible shelving, drawers, hooks, baskets, dividers and more which will give even the tiniest and most awkward items a home. 

And they also offer planning help and great online tools. 

Most importantly, I love the Elfa ethos: it's not only about providing a perfect place for everything in your home, but also about creating more space for you, and making your home a better place to be. 

That's me sold! But where to start? 

Home Edit

The best way to get started, I learned,is to take stock of existing storage and 'problem areas' in the house. Have you noticed; some parts of the home feel way easier to keep tidy than others? It might be a load of small items collecting on a side table in the hallway, heaps of clothes in a corner or a cupboard stuffed to the brim with clobber.  

I pinpointed four areas in my home: my wardrobe (still in one of my girls rooms), Allie's bedroom (going from tween to teen!),  the laundry room (enter at your own peril), and the attic (don't get me started!). I'm looking forward to sharing my room by room plans, and all the details (including before and afters - no matter how embarrassing!) over the coming months. 

Do you have any specific places in your home? If so, I hope you'll enjoy the forthcoming series. 

Right, time to get planning, I've got a house to organise! Watch this space! 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elfa. 

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Inspiring details from an interior stylist / photographer's home

Hey guys! It's Holly Marder here from Avenue Lifestyle, sending some inspiration to you from my home in Delft, the Netherlands. You have already seen my bedroom, which was featured here on My Scandinavian Home a while back, and while it remains my favourite room in the house for it's tranquil qualities and calming palette, I thought I'd stop by to share with you some snippets of my home I captured recently highlighting some of my favourite bits. I must be honest, we have been slowly renovating and decorating our home for just over two years now, and I get a little crazy thinking about all that I still want to do! I see a mental to-do list as long as my arm the minute I step inside, and sometimes forget to enjoy the lovely things we have done that do inspire me every day. Do you do that too?

 






Our kitchen is almost finished but some of my favourite details include my gorgeous wooden beaded pendant lamps by Australian designer Marz Designs made from walnut and oak (they were the first thing we bought for the house and remain a total favourite), marble countertops, brass display rails by Schoolhouse Electric and custom oak cabinetry by Koak Design (who designed this kitchen which I couldn’t stop thinking about).

 




My little vintage trolley, which I recently painted black, is also a new favourite. You can read more about it’s transformation HERE. Still love it so much and the difference it makes to our home, though a small addition. Sometimes we forget to celebrate the little things, don’t we?

 





This little wooden bench above in my living room is a new piece I recently bought for myself at The Fine Store by Japanese brand Karimoku New Standard, a little gift for my home after using it to style this bedroom for a client project recently. I love it simply styled in this little nook in the living room with piles of my favourite books and magazines all over it. So simple but inspiring none the less and so textural with the vintage Beni Ourain rug I brought back from my trip to Marrakech last year (find a similar one here).

I am a huge collector of art, mainly vintage pieces I adore hunting for, and I have created a gallery wall above our sofa. Vintage mixed in with modern pieces (in this image, the 'Eye Eye' poster from Fine Little Day and a print from Eeli-Ethel Polli) make me smile each and every day.

I hope this post inspired you to look more closely at thew details of your home which bring you joy and inspiration each day, to stop and enjoy them for what they are.

PS See a tour of my studio here.

PPS Niki will be back tomorrow with a truly inspiring home tour. Have a lovely day!

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