A beautifully serene Norwegian space

I've had the pleasure of visiting Norway twice in the last six months. Both times I've been truly amazed; not only is it the most beautiful country on earth, the people are so warm too! I've been welcomed into many homes - and felt truly inspired by what was within (you can see the results in my book The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light out soon - exciting!). Although I've never had the pleasure of meeting Norwegian architect and blogger Katerina Dima in person, we've been in regular contact over mail (us bloggers do like to keep in touch!). Originally from sunny Athens, Greece, Katerina lives in Sogndal with her husband and cat. Despite her background, she has always been drawn to the Scandinavian aesthetic and chosen to decorate her home in a 'cool tone palette' using soft greys and fresh white, adding a touch of yellow to the paint to add warmth. Sheer fabrics and natural textures such as wood, cotton, linen and wool add a wonderful softness to the space. Let's take a peek inside!

Photography: Katerina Dima / Only Deco Love.

I absolutely love the canopy over the bed - it's dream like!

Is there anything you love in particular about Katerina's home?

Get the look: bedroom - Skagerak mirror and Georg stool, relaxed light linen bedding and valence, (absolutely love this!),  Flowerpot lamp, Petits Papiers Mad et Len scented candle,
The Kinfolk Table. sitting room - le lampe gras wall light (also seen in Katerina's office), grey ruffled pillow (so lovely!), belly basket, Landmarks print.

You can keep up with Katerina's latest projects,  houses renovations, interior design ideas and whatever captures her eye in the interior world over at her lovely blog Only Deco Love and Instagram.

Got you in the Norwegian mood? You might also like to check out a cosy Norwegian home in the country, a serene home on a hill, the home of a Norwegian blogger - all beautiful in their own way!

Have a lovely day!

PS Looking for a new watch or a present for a friend? Don't miss the 15% discount off an Abbott & Mosley watch with a dial made from real Italian marble!).

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A Fabulous Danish Home In A Plethora of Colours!

So, mina raringar, here's the colourful Danish home I've been telling you about. And I wasn't kidding - colour fiends out there, are going to do a little dance when they see this!! It's fabulous! Located in leafy Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, this colourful bonanza of a home belongs to Cathrine de Lichtenberg, her husband and dog Pedersen. The trio occupy the ground floor and basement of the old Patricia villa which dates back to 1898! I caught up with Cathrine, who works at the fabulous flower design studio Poppykalas and also as an interior stylist, to find out more: 

Brumbury table lamp, Uno form kitchen cabinets, wall colour: Deco Pink 2782

Have you always loved colour?

Yes, in elementary school I would always colour match my belt, bag, socks, t-short and other details! The same with the colours on my bedroom wall - which were everything from pink to mint green- However, as a teenager, I became a little insecure (like most!) and found comfort in dressing like others. - so, I toned it down. But today I mix and match my clothes as I feel fit for the day, and I have a very relaxed approach to paint. If I have a feeling about a new colour, I just do it - it can always be redone! 

Vertigo ceiling light*, Series 7 chair*, Flower field rug from Layered. 

What are your go-to home decorating colours?

I don't think there are any main colours. However blue, light pink and lavender tend to appear in most rooms. 

IKEA stool painted in Dyrup metallic 'Shiny blue' 

Flower Field Wool Rug, sofa from Sofa Company, wall colour: Smooth White 8470

Scandinavian homes are synonymous with being white or monochrome, would you say there's also scope for lots of colour? 

Yes, colours are becoming more and more normal in Scandinavian style. Having said that, I don't think we have a typically Scandinavian style. Ours is a mix of everything we like - no rules! 

Montana storage units

What inspired the colours in your home?

A mood, a feeling, a fruit, a pattern, a photo, a dress, or whatever awakes the feeling in me and drives me to implement it in my home. 

Curtains from &Drape, pale blue bedding*

Do you have any tips for anyone looking to introduce more colour into their home?

Don't think too much, just do it! 

If four walls feel like too much, start with one... and if that still feels like too much, then add pillows and vases in the colour you love the most as a great starting point! 

I love using fruit and vegetables to add colour in the kitchen, and of course flowers! Place them in a colourful bowl on the table - it's an easy way to bring energy to the room. 

Well, well, well, where do I even start?! 

Maybe with Pedersen! Doesn't he look happy in this home? I don't blame him. 

I think the most exciting thing of all about stumbling across Cathrine's home on instagram (@cathdelichtenberg - in case you're curious!) is that it's unlike any Scandinavian home I've seen before. It really has put a spring in my step. 

I love her colour tips too, so simple! 

I'd love to hear what you loved most about this Copenhagen home! Has it tempted you to add more colour too?

In case you're feeling the colour therapy today, here are some other fabulous Scandinavian homes filled with colour:

An artful and relaxed home in Aarhus

Embracing the blues in the Danish home of Michael Schmidt

Spring has sprung in this delightful Copenhagen home

Happy lillördag friends!

Niki

Photography: Cathrine de Lichtenberg

This post contains some affiliate links which means I might make a tiny amount of money if you click on a link marked with * and buy something. 

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Pantone Colours of 2021: Illuminating Yellow & Grounding Grey:

You know the year is coming to a close when Pantone announces its colour of the year! For 2021 they've taken a slightly different approach with not one but TWO individual, yet complimentary colours.  After the year that 2020 has been, everyone had an inkling that the guys might just opt for a vibrant colour. And they certainly didn't disappoint, listing the first shade as PANTONE 13-0647 or “illuminating yellow” – a bright, optimistic and vivacious tone. The second, is a more muted PANTONE 17-5104 - named "grounding grey". 

"Something that’s been apparent across the board is how much we need each other, that these connections with others have given us strength and fortitude, as well as the hope and the positive outlook that are essential to our moving forward,” Pantone’s spokesperson said. “By choosing two independent colors, that helped us subliminally convey that message.” 

While grey has always held a place in my Scandinavian-design heart, yellow is not a hue I've ever gone for in my own home (despite appreciating it in the homes of others!). However, after a little digging around the net for inspiration, I might just have been swayed. Take a peek at these sunny rooms - you might just fall in love with it too, either way, the colour will certainly put a spring in your step! 

What do you think? Did you find these space uplifting too? 

I think Pantone’s choices are really on the pulse of what's happening around the world right now. And although this is not the first time Pantone has chosen a shade of yellow as their colour of the year, this feels like a very much needed lift to our homes in 2021! 

In case you're feeling inspired to add a drop of golden sun to your home, here's a round-up of 11 vibrant pieces: 

GET THE LOOK

1. Alphabeta Uno pendant
2. Lemon Print
3. Lean lounge chair
4. Restore storage basket*
5. Aalto stool E60
6. Mono blanket wool*
7. C.Lamp
8. Suede oven glove
9. DLM table
10. Hatch Ikat Flatweave Yellow Area Rug
11. Bellhop table lamp


Here's to a brighter 2021!

Niki


PS I'll be stopping by tomorrow for my last post of 2020 and excited to share a few ideas I have for My Scandinavian Home for the upcoming year, I'd love to get your input too! See you then!

PPS Thank you so much to Ana for helping me to compile this post - and for all her wonderful behind the scenes work over the year.

1. Luisa Brimble 2. Farrow and Ball 3. Laure and Joliet 4. Mattias Hamré 5 & 6. Elle Decor - Sean Fennessy 7. Anki Wijnen 8. Cindy Denekamp 9. Studio Rhonda

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