This Stunning Stockholm Apartment Could Be Yours (If Only It Came With The Furniture!)

Remember the Stockholm home of Lovisa Häger? It's just come on the market. I'm not kidding! Oh, how I'd love to buy it along with EVERYTHING in it! Sadly, that's not going to be possible (from my side, at least). But I'm excited to see that the (beautiful) pictures taken for Nomad Mäkleri give us a sneak peek into a few more unseen corners. Think dark grey, soft pink and beige accents and autumnal touches against crazily high ceilings, beautiful period features and a 19th century wood floor. Let's just hope it comes with the design classics and all Lovisa's handmade pieces. See you in Vasastan, Stockholm?!

Could you imagine living here?!

Unfortunately, it's not that easy to just upticks and move to Stockholm - but there's no reason why we can't steal some ideas - like how to play with contrast and use texture to add depth to a monochrome space. 

You can see more of Lovisa's incredible home on her blog An Interior Affair and Instagram @an_interior_affair - I can't wait to see what she does next, how about you?! 

It's kind of apt that I've featured a Stockholm apartment as I'm on my way to Sweden's capital city for the day! I'm holding a talk about Swedish culture / Lagom - one of my favourite topics! Still, I can't help feeling a little nervous. Wish me luck!

I hope you have a fabulous start to the week!

Niki

Photography by Elisabeth Daly courtesy of Nomad Mäkleri. Design Lovisa Häger. 

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Mia's Serene Stockholm Apartment is Full of Texture

I forgot to say happy halloween yesterday! Here, it was absolutely tipping it down all say so we had some very wet witches and ghouls appearing at our door. Full cred to them for weathering the storm for a handful of sweets! 

With all this rain, more rain and then some, everyone except the 'trick or treaters' have been hiding at home under a blanket - and this is where I think Swedish homes really come into their own. They are just so lovely and serene - like an oasis of calm even on the stormiest of days! 

Mia, a psychologist, and her family have a beautiful apartment in Stockholm which is the epitome of calm. Think soft, natural tones, lovely paintings and floral displays. Plus the entire apartment is layered with texture in the form of natural materials such as marble, sheepskin,  wood, linen and a very fluffy rug! 

I hope Mia's home leaves you with plenty of ideas for your own living space, I for one love the kitchen bench - such a clever way to squeeze in a table for four in a narrow space! 

Enjoy the tour!  

Lovely!

The wall mounted desk is such a clever idea - you can find a similar one here*. 

And those of you who have been curious about where swedes store all their clothes (winter, summer etc) I hope this floor to ceiling closet has provided some closure! No doubt, there is some kind of extra storage in the apartment basement too - there usually is. 

See more of Mia's apartment and the family's summer cottage on her instagram @madebymor. 

See more serene living spaces here: 

A charming blend of old and new in a Stockholm home

A stunning Stockholm pad in calming greens and greys (love the kitchen!)

This is not in Stockholm, but I just stumbled over this 'sofa make-over' Helen and I shot in her apartment   - it was such a fun day! 

Despite the calm home tour, it's all a little frantic here today. I'm on the early morning train to the IKEA headquarters in the forest for a meeting, and then racing back as my youngest and I are heading to London later today to visit my mother, sister and family (it's half-term here). Plus I am hoping to visit my wonderful editor from Simply Scandi magazine for whom I write a regular column. Guess what's on the forecast? More rain of course! 

Hope you're having a great week and that means your sunshine! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mia / @madebymor.

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Lotta Agaton's Elegant, Earthy Stockholm Home

Remember Lotta Agaton - renowned Swedish interior designer and the woman behind THAT dark interior trend a few years back? Well, her latest home in a former factory went on the market this week - and sold in the blink of an eye! Located in Kungsholmen, Stockholm, the apartment has a far lighter look than the cocoon-like aesthetic she rocked in her previous apartment and is awash with earthy tones, natural materials and layers of luscious of texture. Keep an eye out for the statement art, sculptures and fabulous lighting as well as the solid oak Tre Sekel kitchen and custom-made sink! Loving the outdoor space too!  

If you're looking for inspiration for your backyard, this last picture is great! Talk about moving life outdoors (which is key right now as we do our best to social distance!). Love the layout, sofas and table, but most of all the lighting! 

All in all, a beautiful space, little wonder it was snapped up so quickly!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Other beautiful Stockholm homes to feel inspired by this weekend: 

Get the look from the home of a Stockholm design hunter

A white Stockholm home in wintertime

A charming apartment where past meets present

By the way, I have exciting news for anyone looking for gorgeously soft linen bedding (seen in Liv's bedroom), easter table linen etc! Swedish brand Lovely Linen are offering 20% off with code 'myscandinavianhome' in their online shop until 21st March - and they ship worldwide! 

Right folks, that's it from me this week. I don't know about you, but I'm SO ready for a lie-in. The weather is set to be terrible here in Southern Sweden which I'm seeing as a perfect opportunity for an extremely last, relaxing weekend! I hope you have some great plans - or like me, get the R&R you need! 

Vi ses på Måndag (see you Monday!). 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Per Jansson with thanks. Design By Lotta Agaton. 

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A Beautiful Stockholm Pad In Calming Green and Grey Tones

Why, hello there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I'm not sure what's happened to the Swedish summer - it seems to have disappeared!! We've all retreated from the bathing platforms back into our homes and spending summer holiday days (it's not unusual to take up to 4 weeks off and 'staycate' here) cooking, reading and meeting friends for a 'fika' (coffee and a cake) - which, thinking about it, doesn't sound so bad! Some of my friends have actually shut down their summer cottages for the week and reappeared in the city. In honour of the occasion, I thought it would be nice to share a beautiful, calm turn-of-the-century Stockholm apartment with you! Located a stone's throw from Mariatorget ('Maria Square') in the relaxed Södermalm district, Emilie and Fredrik Camén have decorated their living space in calming, earthy tones of green and grey. I particularly love the kitchen, it may be small, but it makes up for it in style and ceiling height! Enjoy the tour! 

 

What a difference the William Morris wallpaper makes in the hallway! I love the way it matches the kitchen cabinets.

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

Incidentally, the word on the street is that Emilie and Fredrick have since moved - and their new place has also been captured by Jonas Gustavsson and Charlotte Frey Svidén. I can't wait to share their new home with you next week - keep your eyes peeled! 

In the meantime, do you fancy taking a nose around a few other Stockholm homes today? 

Get the look from a the fab home of a design hunter

7 small space tricks to learn from a beautiful Stockholm space

The fabulous Stockholm home of Lovisa Hager

Wishing you a great start to the week! Hope you're having better weather than us! 

Niki

Photography: Jonas Gustavsson

Styling: Charlotte Frey Svidén

Shared with kind permission. 

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One Swedish Sitting Room, Two Cosy Winter ways!

My Scandinavian home partnership* 

Last week I ventured across town on my bike to visit my friend Helen Sturesson, a talented interior designer who lives in Davidshallstorg, a charming square in the centre of Malmö. Helen has one of those apartments in which you feel instantly at home. Dating back to the 1930s, the rental has staggeringly high ceilings, large spacious rooms and a wonderful relaxed style - with a perfect mix of vintage, new Nordic design and locally made items. And there's always a pot of fresh coffee simmering on the stove. The reason for my visit? With the harsh Southern Sweden winter looming, her Stockholm 3.5 seater sofa had seen better days - just when the family need it most! So I arrived armed with samples from Bemz!

You might be familiar with the Swedish company as I'm a huge fan. Bemz sells custom covers for IKEA sofas and armchairs as well as accessories such as legs, cushions and curtains to match. With over 100 fabrics to choose from, you can always find the exact colour and material you're looking for! It's a genius concept, allowing you to give your IKEA furniture a whole new lease of life.

Helen worked with the fabrics to create two new, beautiful looks - a cosy winter white and a darker Christmas vibe with a touch of cool corduroy! I returned with my camera to capture them both (over a cup of coffee or two!): 

Look One: Cosy Winter Whites

For the lighter look, Helen worked with linens - centred around a cover in Chalk Simply Linen for the IKEA Stockholm 3.5 Seater Sofa and cushions in lovely warm tones including Acorn Simply Linen, Taupe Conscious Pinstripe, and Natural and Cocoa Brera Lino. 

The striped Conscious Pinstripe in Taupe is part of the new Bemz Conscious Collection. If you have a moment, you must check out the range! It's made up of pinstripe and herringbone patterns created from 100% recycled material and inspired by the sharp tailoring of menswear. The sofa covers are awesome!

The lighter cover totally brightened Helen's sitting room - especially in these darker days! The traditional style also worked beautifully beside her vintage cabinet (how cool is that cabinet? Helen bought it at auction from Bukowskis a while back). 

If you look closely, you'll see a variety of textures - including soft linen, knotted wool and stoneware - which, when combined with the plants, breathe life into the space (especially when the trees lie dormant outside). 

Green marble windowsills are a classic 1930s feature in Swedish homes and make a perfect spot for Helen's collection of ceramics, plants and other treasured items.

I love the way the brushed, peach-skin of the linen and cotton blend catches the light - it makes it look so inviting! Anyone else feel like they could pour a coffee, curl up in this corner and stay a while? 

Helen completed the look with a Bemz cover also in Chalk Simply Linen for her IKEA Karlstad Armchair  - to match the sofa. 

Love this light winter look? Here's a little about Helen's haul:

Get the look

1. Rice Paper Shade 

2. Åkervinda signed print by Annika Carlsson

3. House Doctor Precise Floor Lamp

4. IKEA Stockholm 3.5 Seater Sofa Cover in Chalk Simply Linen

5. Cushion cover in Cocoa Brera Lino

6. Cushion cover in Acorn Simply linen

7. Cushion cover in Natural Brera Lino

8. Paper Flower Pot

9. Karolina Brobeck Candle Holder

10. Brutus Coffee Table

11. Karlstad Armchair Cover (small model) in Simply Linen, Chalk Loose Fit

12. Cushion Cover in Taupe Conscious Pinstripe 

13. Artilleriet Black Urn

14. Chalk Flower Pot

Look two: Cosy Winter Moss

For the second look, Helen was keen to add a touch of Jul (Christmas) inspired by the nearby Beech forest in wintertime. 

To create the look, Helen chose the fabulous Corduroy cover in Winter Moss for her IKEA Stockholm 3.5 seater sofa. You probably won't have seen this before since it's part of the new Bemz Corduroy Collection, designed in collaboration with Maxwell Ryan of Apartment Therapy. If you love a little corduroy, check out the entire collection in all its super soft, wide 'wales' (ribbed) glory here. 

Helen combined the Winter Moss cover with cushions in Rose Simply Linen and Natural Brera Lino - and some very lovely Swedish Christmas touches! 

How cosy is this look? There's something about the deep green corduroy fabric that amps up the hygge. Add a little candlelight, a book and a steaming mug of glögg (spiced mulled wine) and you're good to go for the entire winter! 

I particularly love how the corduroy catches the light - and the contrast between the velvet and linen. Beautiful!

Pale pink with moss green has to be one of my favourite colour combinations for years, are you a fan too? The touch of pink maybe subtle, but it makes all the difference to the look - something to think about if you're selecting cushions for your sofa. 

True to Swedish style, Helen's Christmas decorations are super simple yet so pretty. A star here, and a bauble there. The candleholders are handmade by local designer Karolina Brobeck. 

If anyone's looking for me, I'll be curled up right here - chatting to Helen until the kids come home! 

If you love the 'Winter Moss' corduroy look as much as I do, here's the low down: 

Get the look

Get The Look

1. Oslo White Star

2. Stockholm 3.5 seater sofa cover in Corduroy, Winter Moss

3. Single Curtain Panel, Rod Pocket, Brera Lino by Designers Guild, Natural

4. Ikea Handmade Rug

5. Osaka Large Bowl

6. Charcoal Flower Pot

7. Terra ceramica Tea Mug 

8. Mini Pendants

9. Cushion Cover, French Seam, Simply Linen, Rose

10. Cushion Cover, French Seam, Brera Lino by Designer Guild, Natural

What did you think? Do you have a favourite?

I hope I can show more of Helen's home moving forwards, it's so inspiring! 

If you have an old IKEA sofa or armchair knocking about and would like to freshen it up in time for the new season - nthis is a great solution! Don't have an IKEA sofa but in need of a new place to curl up this winter? You can find a load of secondhand IKEA sofas online - throw on a Bemz cover, and it will look as good as new! Oh, and they ship pretty much worldwide. 

Get ready to order your free samples! 

Thank you Bemz for collaborating with Helen and I on this - and thank you so much to Helen for inviting me over! I really enjoyed capturing these two looks in the fading winter light!

Niki

Photos by me / styling by Helen Sturesson

This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with Bemz and contains affiliate links. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I absolutely love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that help bring fresh content to your mailbox.

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