Tina's Relaxed, Boho Home Full of Plants & Cats!

Why, hello there! I hope you had a great weekend! Love plants and cats? Or simply a relaxed look? If so, Tina's lovely home is for you!  I think the above picture sums up the look and feel of her Berlin prrrrrfectly. But do continue with the tour - there are lots of fun ideas to feel inspired by. Here's Tina to tell us all more about it! 

"I have lived in this wonderful apartment in the Köpenick district of Berlin since March.  It's one of my favourite parts of Berlin as it's where the water meets the forest. My apartment is 56 sqm and I live here with my two cats Eddie and Valenzia". 

"I became interested in interior design when I was eleven years old. My mother was always telling me to clean up my room and I found it so boring. Instead, I rearranged and decorated it! My passion grew over the years and I started to share my living space on Instagram (@tinalebat). Besides interior design, I also love to write. I write about interior design, minimalist details and also about my fears and experiences and share them with my community."

"I love the charm that old apartments exude. The walls carry a history and I, happy to be a part of it. I think it was built in around 1910." 

"It's really important to me that my home feels cosy and not too 'forced'. Plants give me strength and the care they require grounds me. I love to sit with my cats on the sofa and think about life while Lorde plays on my record player. For me, decoration is much more than just products, it reflects us and excites me when I see other people's homes."

Thank you so much for sharing your home with us Tina.

I especially love the way the climbing plants have been splayed across the walls like art - and of course, the cat steps / sling. Lucky Eddie and Valenzia! 

Is there anything that stands out to you in particular? 

If you love this look and feel, check out the plant archive (there are some amazing yours in there) as well as the boho style archive. Two of my favourites! 

Oh, and remember this cat walkway in that home the other week? 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS I'll be back blogging daily again, except Fridays (four days a week). Looking forward to stopping by tomorrow when I'll hopefully be showing you my bedroom update! 

Photography: @tinalebat

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The Delightful Danish Home Of An Art And Plant Enthusiast

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" - Pablo Picasso is famed as saying. And it's true. We have so many demands upon us. By surrounding ourselves with meaningful art and stopping to look at a painting, I mean, really look at a painting, we can get lost for a moment - and truly soothe the soul! It's the same with plants and a great book. Which is perhaps why, homes like this beautiful Danish one resonates with us so much. Charlotte (aka @cph.muse) lives on the edge of a forest in Søllerød in Zealand, Denmark with her husband, teenage son and puppy. The family bought the house in 2012 and have been painstakingly renovating the property while being careful to maintain the 1905 period features.  The result is a truly personal home and a perfect oasis in which to lose yourself for a while. 

"I love 'used' items - they always seem to have such a nice patina and usually tell a fun story. Virtually all of our furniture is second hand. I love vintage ceramics and glassware as well as plants, flowers and art." 

 

"Art creates a unique atmosphere in the home. Good art becomes more beautiful by the day and lasts forever. It makes me happy to look at something beautiful. I buy art through galleries, acquaintances and Lauritz."

"I love plants, gardens and nature. Nature makes me feel mentally calm. It's a real joy keeping plants alive and nurturing them so they become tall and beautiful." 

What a special home!

It's also made me want to go out and see what's available in the local galleries here in Malmö! Do you feel the same? Or perhaps, you already have a home full of art? 

It made me think a little of the Stockholm home of Karolina Modig (I love how she hangs her art so low!) and this Copenhagen home full of art, books and danish design! 

I also love that it's surrounded by nature - so beautiful! My childhood home was also on the edge of woodland and I'll never forget the noises we'd hear at night - from foxes screaming to the hoot of an owl. it could be a little disconcerting at times, but there was something incredible about opening the curtains each morning to layers of greenery. 

Do you live close to nature? 

Niki

Photography Charlotte / @cph.muse - shared with kind permission

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My budget bedroom refresh

I do love a challenge and when Benson for Beds asked me to update my bedroom for spring using plants, and second hand finds, I was rummaging through a bin at my local thrift store moments later! Truth be told, my home is teaming with plants and flea market finds already.  I've always loved the fresh feel of vibrant greenery and with second hand items, that each and every piece has a story to tell. To me, the combination is essential in creating a unique and personal space that's warm and inviting. Here's a step by step guide to my budget bedroom refresh - I hope you like the results!

1. I picked up this old bench at an online vintage store, and it's a great alternative to a chest - providing the perfect spot for books, plants and spare blankets at the end of the bed.

2. I found this peacock chair on a buy-and-sell site online and it adds a little decadence to the corner of my bedroom!

 3. This brass lamp is a local flea market find and adds a little shine to me bedside table as well as being practical. It sits atop an old workman's stool.

4. My friend Tina Lekeberg recently gave me this bouquet of cut herbs as a gift. The roots are starting to grow so I'll transfer them to a pot soon - in the meantime I'm enjoying waking up to the fresh scent of mixed herbs! 

5. A second-hand sheepskin throw and linens are perfect for adding a little warmth on cool spring evenings!

6. I love the gentle whisper of an asparagus plant - the only tricky part will be keeping it alive as they require lots of water - eeek!

Photography: Niki Brantmark - My Scandinavian Home. Styling: Genevieve Jorn.

I have to say, I do love waking up in my bedroom now, it feels so cosy! May my room stay neat and the plants stay green for as long as possible!

If you fancy giving your bedroom a refresh you might like to check out four easy bedroom decorating ideas on a budget for more ideas. Oh and if you're wondering about any of the items you see, give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll point you in the right direction!

Have a lovely day!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Benson for Beds, however all the words, ideas and images are my own - and I loved participating in this challenge as it gave me just the incentive I needed to give my bedroom a much needed refresh! Thank you for supporting the brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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Spring is in the air in this lovely Dutch home

I love March, to me it's a sign that the long Scandinavian winter is coming to an end. And what better way to celebrate than with a Dutch home full of the joys of spring?! Photographed by Margriet Hoekstra, this light-filled three-storey apartment in West Amsterdam is the result of a major renovation by Rick and Linsey. After a re-configuration, the pair furnished the space with fab industrial / vintage finds, modern units and plants and flowers in every room. What a perfect place which to kick off the week, don't you think?!

 

VT Wonen. Photography: Margriet Hoekstra (with kind permission) Styling: Barbara Natzijl - BoulevardB.

I love the way Rick and Linsey have used a variety of plants  - from freshly cut spring flowers to year round cactus and big-leafed plants.

For more plant and flower display inspiration I've squirreled away lots of lovely images on my Pinterest board and can recommend this fab book.

Is there anything that stands out to you about this home?

More pics and full article here (in Dutch - google translate, we heart you!).

More Holland based homes full of the joys of spring here, here and here. 

Have a great start to the week! 

PS Don't forget to enter my give-away to win a String Pocket in a colour of your choice. The competition closes tonight (Monday 2nd March 2015) at Midnight GMT! Hurry!

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A Relaxed, Bohemian Orange County Home Full of Plants!

First a TV - now a loo. Whatever next?! Hahaha! Can you tell I'm making an effort to keep things real here on My Scandinavian Home lately? Plus, the 'powder room' in this house is so pretty, I couldn't resist sharing it (after all, we all have one and in need of a little inspiration from time to time, right?)! There is off course WAAAY more about the lovely home of Katie and Tyler Branch (AKA @branchabode) to feel inspired by too. Photographers by trade, the pair live with their young family in a craftsman-built house in Orange County, California dating back to 1909.  The house has been decorated with a wonderful blend of traditional, mid-century and industrial pieces in white, brown, black as well as plenty of lush greenery at every turn. Enjoy the tour! 

Katie and Tyler prefer to invest in classic pieces that stand the test of time. In the dining room mid-century dining chairs circle a round dining table* - and traditional cabinets can be seen in the background. 

Coffee table from West Elm, Pom pom blanket*, Tisca make a similar rug

A little nook by the window makes a perfect spot for a small home office and home for several plants! 

Source a similar mid-century desk here*. 

After a lot of hard graft (including ripping out an ancient wall-to-wall carpet) the master bedroom has become Katie's  favourite room in the house. I think I can see why, can you?!

Blue and white striped linen bedding*

When I came to this picture in the @Branchabode instagram feed, it stopped me in my tracks. If I ever get the opportunity to re-do my bathroom, I'd like it to look a lot like this. Do you feel drawn to this style too?

Ceramic tiles from Daltile, plant stand from Urban Outfitters (FYI - they have the most amazing array of planters right now - check them all out here), this Hammam towel* is similar. 

 

Shower head from Rubinet Faucet Company, Tiles from Daltile (as before)

I wasn't kidding about the loo - and what a pretty little space it is too, don't you think?

The family dine al fresco in the shade of the house under some colourful hanging baskets. The pretty outdoor dining set is from West Elm. 

I love it when I get loads of ideas from a home tour - and today I'm feeling full of inspiration from this abode! I hope you got lots of ideas too! 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular?

If you'd like to see a few more corners of this home, it's well worth hopping over to @branchabode. You can also check out Katie and Tyler's photography here and here. 

Just in case you'd like to extend your morning / afternoon coffee break, here are some other beauties from California: 

An inspiring and serene home in Napa Valley

A Relaxed, Boho home in Orange Country

A jewel in the suburbs for LA

You might also like to check out the ultimate guide to hanging plants and how to work with indoor climbers.  

Have a wonderful day!

Niki

Photography: Katie Tyler / Branch Abode

*Affiliate links

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5 Ways To Turn Your Home Into a Sanctuary

Weekend House by Gafpa architects

Whenever I visit interior fairs, I always intend to take it a little more easy, put my feet up here and there. And then I get there and there's so much to see and feel inspired by I end up running around like crazy and arrive at the press happy hour totally disheveled (and in desperate need of a glass or two!). Perhaps it was ironic then, that my favourite trend forecast at the wonderful Ambiente Fair - which focuses on international consumer goods - in Frankfurt this weekend was 'Quiet Surrounding'. Annetta Palmisano, Cem Bora and Claudia Herk picked this out as one of three 2019 trends alongside 'tasteful residence' and 'joyfilled ambience' - all of which have an underlying theme of sustainability, naturalness and recycling (hurrah!).

Noma restaurant, Copenhagen

So what is 'quiet surrounding' all about?

"Simply beautiful: natural, simple and useful products satisfying a yearning for calm and honesty. They create in soft colours unpretentious havens for everyday life free from stress. Respect for materials and creativity in the use made of them are of great importance here."

Sounds good to me - and something very close to my 'scandinavian heart', how about you? But how do we tap into this trend and create our very own sanctuary far from the stresses and strains of everyday life? Here are 5 simple steps:


1. Colour:
Think about introducing soothing, earthy, muted colours inspired by nature to your home. Walls, textiles and accessories in 'green moss', stormy sea' and rose dawn' are bound to help you lower your pulse and create a dreamy haven!

Pantone 466 C Pantone 16-09460 / Pantone 11-1001 TCX Cream Pink / Pantone 5655 C 16-6307 Agate Grey / Pantone 2177 C - 18-4711 Stormy Sea / Pantone 451 C 17-0636 Green Moss / Pantone 7504 18-1029 Toasted coconut / Pantone 7612 C 16-1522 TCX Rose dawn / Pantone 426 C 19-4006 TCX Caviar

Mark's 'Memories / Bigso notebook 

2. Natural materials:
This season is all about natural, honest, sustainable materials and are "combined with a love of experimentation and traditional handcraft techniques". Furniture and accessories in wood, stone, glass, paper and wool with a handcrafted finish will help you to reconnect with nature.

Uashmama washable paper bags

The beautiful patina from different types of respectful, handcrafted items made from wood tell a story and add to the warm and inviting, ultra cosy feel of the home. Plus they'll just get better with time!

Wooden Hanger by Aveva Design, Serving Boards by Stuff Design

3. Textiles
Linen tea towels, bedding, knitted dishcloths and blankets not only make you feel super comfy so you can relax anywhere in your home - but they also help to dampen noise for a calmer abode! OK, and they look pretty too!

Aspegren dish cloths, LinenMe Tea Towels and Lovely Linen towels

4. Plants and flowers
I always find it incredible how quickly you can be in the moment and unwind when surrounded by nature. Think about the last time you are in a forest, a meadow, the local park or walking along the beach - everyday concerns seem, to disappear (even if for a short time). It makes sense then, that bringing plants and flowers into your home are an instant mood lifter - and an essential part of our 'oasis'!

Climbing plants in the Stockholm home of Karolina Modig

Uashmama paper bag plant pot / Wooden vases by Danish Made By Bent

5. Wildlife
You might be lucky enough to have a wonderful furry friend rocking about the house, but for the rest of us pet-less folk - bringing wildlife indoors can help to complete your oasis! And I'm not talking about the two homing pigeons that made themselves at home in my bedroom last summer (I'm still worrying they'll be back again this year!). Search for beautiful Danish bird-shaped ornaments and nature-inspired art.  Or go a step further with an indoor 'Zwitscherbox' bird house with sensor chip: every time you walk past, the birds start to sing!

Finnish Illustrations by Teemu Järvi / wooden birds by Novoform

I'm feeling pretty inspired by this trend, I have to say - and was so excited to discover some of these items at the fair. I hope some of these ideas will help inspire you to make small changes to create your very own sanctuary at home too! 

Tweet tweet! 

Niki

PS you can hear about other news from Ambiente fair over on their blog here. 

Note: My trip to Ambiente fair was a paid press trip. All words are my own. 

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