A White Swedish Apartment with Lovely Outdoor Lounge Area

The leaves are starting to unfurl in Sweden which means gardens and balconies have been a hive of activity: sweeping, pruning, scrubbing down furniture - you name it. While we know in our hearts of hearts that the temperatures could very well plummet later this week, there's an optimism in the air that lunches alfresco are just around the corner! 

That's is probably why this fresh white apartment in Gothenburg caught my eye. It has all the trappings of an ideal My Scandinavian Home contender: a lovely mix of old and new, Scandi design pieces (keep a look out for the vintage Dux chair and Frama stool) and plenty of plants. But also, the small garden has been converted into a charming outdoor sitting room - complete with sofa, coffee table and parasol, offering the perfect place to relax with a book on a sunny afternoon. 

Välkommen! 

Here's the floor plan in case you're curious: 

Glossary: Kök - kitchen, Sovrum - bedroom, Bad - bathroom, Vardagsrum - sitting room, klädkammare / förråd - wardrobe / wardrobe, and uteplats - outdoor space. 

Lovely! So fresh, yet with a touch of charm. 

I think the garden design is really clever, with a semi-circular bush shielding the space from the communal pathway. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this Swedish home? 

See more white-themed home tours in this archive. 

Wishing you all a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem (currently for sale!). 

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A Lovely Pared-back & Contemporary Home In Bergen, Norway

Are you ready for a virtual trip to Bergen, Norway? Today, we're taking a tour of the beautiful home of Ole Anders Teslo - of real estate agent Eie and Catherine Bækken, a designer at Heem, a Norwegian studio focusing on subtle minimalism in the field of interior architecture and concept styling. Little wonder their home is a picture of Scandinavian modern perfection! The rooms have been painted in various earthy, calm tones - from a lighter blue-grey in the dining area to a dramatic deep shade in the bedroom - proving the background for an amazing selection of Scandi design pieces! The minimalist touch ensures a light and airy feel - and also allows each iconic piece to stand out. Look closely and you'll also see subtle textures which help to ensure a balanced feel. I think neatniks in particular are going to love this tour! Ready to take a peek? 

Eames wire chairs circle the table and a Penthella floor lamp can be seen in the corner. 

You often see lamps (like this Hay Cloche one) on the windowsills in Scandinavian homes. I've asked a few friends about this and they say that it helps to make your home look warm and inviting from the outside, making it nice to arrive home!

A pair of Jielde lamps are the only items on the wall in the kitchen (I love these lamps! I picked up a beautiful vintage one on Etsy a few years ago here). Try Icelandic brand Kalklitir for a similar chalk paint affect. 

A beautiful leather Tiki sofa pops against the dark wall and a mirror and Flos 265 light help to lighten up the space on darker days (it rains 239 days a year in Bergen - can you believe that? It's still one of my favourite cities though!).  

Wall mounted classic String shelves provide a perfect home for a collection of magazines, books and other treasures. 

I love this little home office space. Using a Ferm Living plant box* as storage for prints and frames is a great hack too (it could also be used in a children's bedroom for books!). 

I spy the iconic wishbone chair. Did you know these chairs take around three weeks to produce - including one hour for a skilled craftsman to weave the seat? They are so beautifully made! 

I love how a simple Thonet bentwood chair has been used as a bedside table. I also recognise the Noon print by Kristina Krogh (I have the same one in my bedroom!).

And just look at the storage system below! I can imagine this looking so different with a wardrobe like mine - but loving the idea, it turns the whole room into a walk-in-wardrobe! Could you imagine doing something like this?

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did and have come away with some ideas for your own home. 

If you'd like to see more of Catherine's style, check out the Heem portfolio - it's full of beautiful minimalist spaces! 

I'm really excited that this has given me the opportunity to dip into the Norwegian archive to find a few more homes for you to enjoy today (there are so many incredible ones in there): 

An idyllic Fjord-side summer retreat

A simple yet cosy Norwegian cabin by a fjord

A cosy candlelit cabin in rural Norway

A charming cabin on the water's edge

Oh, how I miss Norway! Have you ever been? It's a magical country. 

Niki

Styling: Heem

Photography: Dag Randen

This post contains affiliate links marked with * Thank you for supporting My Scandinavian Home. 

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6

Pattern, Prints and IKEA hacks in a Charming Swedish Cottage

Why, godmorgon! I hope you had a lovely weekend! I was up at the cabin and the light was so beautiful (you can catch a glimpse in this little film). Elsewhere in Sweden, illustrator and creator Kajsa Hagelin was also making the most of the late summer days with her family at their home in the countryside. Kajsa and her family have been renovating their quintessential red and white cottage by hand, sharing the inspiring kitchen transformation, Ikea DIY hacks and choice of wallpaper and textiles on instagram. Look closely and you'll also spot lots of Kajsa's own artwork throughout the house too. Ready to feel inspired?

Kitchen before

I'm not sure when the above 'before' kitchen shot was taken - it looks dated to say the least! Either way, Kajsa and her family decided it was time to strip it away and make space for a new kitchen!

Kitchen after

The pair installed an ikea kitchen themselves, adding custom handles for a traditional touch. 

I love this breakfast scene! 

A gallery wall in the dining room includes some of Kajsa's own work (namely the two top right pieces).  You can find many of her prints at Wall of Art. 

A pair of vintage rattan chairs ensure a relaxed vibe in the sitting room, while the gallery wall (which also includes some of Kajsa's own work) cleverly disguises a Samsung The Frame TV - can you spot it? 

Simple hooks hammered into the side of the staircase create a spot for children's coats and classic Swedish Fjellraven Kånken rucksacks. 

The wallpaper in the children's bedrooms is from Willam & Morris and the bedding above is from Garbo & Friends. But what really steals the show is the hand built wardrobe - made from an ikea Billy bookshelf as well as left over panelling and a wardrobe door. 

In the other children's bedroom, they've also worked their magic with a Billy Bookshelf, this time customising it with colour, knobs and fabric. So clever, don't you think? 

The wallpaper is by William & Morris. 

A less than attractive water boiler gave Kajsa the excuse to add pretty Svenskt Tenn fabric to the upstairs bathroom. Svenskt Tenn is a classic brand in Sweden having been around for nearly a century. Recently their colourful textiles and wallpaper have become really popular among a younger crowd! 

So many lovely ideas in this home, don't you think?  

I particularly love all the textiles, wallpaper and prints  - they add so much character. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more of Kajsa's home over at @kajsavisual and discover her work as an illustrator and creator here (she's so unbelievably talented!). 

Would you like to take a peek inside a few other creatives homes today? Here are a few to get your started:

The happy home of a Dutch illustrator and ceramicist

The Melbourne home of an illustrator and vintage bargain hunter

The studio and home of a Danish carpenter

Have a happy start to the week! 

Niki

Photographer Kajsa Hagelin, shared with kind permission. 

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