Scrolling

My new book: The Scandinavian Home

Today is a very exciting day here at home .... my new book The Scandinavian Home: Interiors inspired by light has officially launched (*does a little dance*)! It's been a year or so in the making - having visited homes across Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. From a magical mountain cabin in Norway and a contemporary Helsinki town house to a beach house on the North coast of Zealand, Denmark each dwelling is as incredible as it is inspiring and has a wonderful story to tell.  I've arrived home brimming with ideas - but most of all I've learned that it's amazing what you can achieve with a little imagination.  I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to all of you for reading my blog and your wonderful support over the years, without you this book would never have been possible. And I'd also like to pass on my thanks to all the wonderful home owners who so gracefully opened their doors and welcomed us inside. I dedicate this book to all of you! Here's a sneak peek....










The Scandinavian Home by Niki Brantmark, published by CICO Books £19.99. Photography by James Gardiner © CICO Books

This is only a small selection  - if I could I'd have shared the entire book right here on the blog with you! But there is something incredibly cosy about finding a quiet spot and enjoying a cup of tea and a good book, don't you think?

I have so many wonderful memories from the experience. One of the most memorable of which was visiting the home of Norwegian interior designer Tone Kroken on a beautiful summers day. Her house is on an island in the Norwegian Fjords and accessed by a floating pontoon pulled along on a rope. Tone's house was full of items she'd picked up at flea markets and auction houses from all over the world. But she'd also transformed new items too. For example she'd bought a mirror for its shape but hated it's shiny new look, so she placed it in the garden for two years where it lay under autumn leaves, a foot of snow and in the scorching summer sun. It now takes pride of place on the mantel piece looking like a prized antique!

On the same trip we visited the wonderful Norwegian 'hytte' of Marianne, founder of Slow Design Studio. Inspired by a 'seter' (a traditional Norwegian Mountain farmhouse used for summer pastures), the family has transformed a small rustic cottage into a state-of-the-art cabin. Not only does it have magnificent vista's over the valley, nearly everything within has been handcrafted by Marianne including cushions, throws, wall hangings, side tables and clothes hooks. Truly inspiring! You may recall that my family and I went back to visit the hytte in January for a few days and it was equally beautiful in the snow!

If you'd like to pick up a copy and browse all the homes, it's now available on Amazon here (among other places).

I really hope you feel as inspired as I did writing it.

Have a wonderful day! 

Have a lovely Easter!

A little note to say I hope you have a relaxing time over Easter! I'll be taking a couple of days off with my family and and look forward to catching up with you again on Tuesday. In the meantime I'll leave you with this (eh hem) cracking decoration - perfectly imperfect inspiration for the Easter table, don't you think?!




Credit: sadly this lovely pic has been separated from it's owner - if you know who the photographer is please let me know so I can re-connect. 

Have a wonderful couple of days!

PS 5 beautifully simple easter DIY ideas

PPS if you're looking to buy some new limited edition art for your walls don't miss the fab reader offer!

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
3

Traditional meets new Nordic in a beautiful Swedish home

Hey there! I hope you've got some fun (and relaxing) things lined up over the Easter holidays?! I couldn't resist sharing one final home tour before I head off for some down time myself! This apartment in Gothenburg, styled by Emma Fischer is a beautiful mix of vintage finds, new Nordic design pieces and interesting treasures against a backdrop of soothing light grey and green walls. It took me a while to realise the bedroom is actually part of the open-plan living space rather than a separate room in itself (studio apartment owners take note!) - and yet there is still a wonderful un-cluttered feel to the space. A truly calm oasis and a beautiful home in the heart of the city. Enjoy!













Photography: Alen Cordic. Styling Emma Fischer. For sale through Bjurfors

What a lovely home, don't you think?

The bedroom area reminds me a little of how my grandmother's bedroom used to look - the lace on the curtains, the chest-of-drawers - what a wonderful reminder of times gone by!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: bedroom: white linen bedding, Aröd desk lamp (IKEA). Dining area: Menu Afteroom dining chairs, try The Poster Club for wonderful prints like these. This and this grey marble tray are similar, pick up a white ceramic bust here. Kitchen - bistro chair.

For more lovely Swedish home tours this Easter you can always check out this archive (if this home comes up first just scroll passed).

Have a relaxing holiday!

PS If you're looking for some egg-cellent (eh hem) Easter inspiration, I think you'll love my selection of 5 beautifully simple Easter DIY ideas.

PPS And for a little shopping don't miss out on the exclusive 20% reader offer from Absolut Art. They'll even advise on the right art for your home if you send them a pic of your wall - how brilliant is that?!).

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
6

Exclusive 20% discount at Absolut Art!

Exciting news guys! Absolut Art, a subsidiary of Absolut Vodka (selling fabulous limited edition artwork made by some of the art world's most prominent and promising artists) is offering you 20% off beautiful limited edition photo art by Ruvan Wijesooriva. Ruvan has collaborated with Absolut Art for the passed year with fabulous prints such as Girl and Window and Blue Water Dots (note: only four left of the latter!) and has recently launched three new photo art works: Palm Trees (seen in my home here), Shadows Above and Swimming Pool (available in two sizes: 50 x 40 cm or 130 x 95 cm) soon. And, here's the exciting part, right now you can receive 20% off any of Ruvan's prints exclusively through My Scandinavian Home - hurrah! Find out how to claim your discount below. In the meantime, here's a sneak peak of some my favourites:







Prints in order of appearance:  

Palm Trees 50 x 40 cm (available in XL here
Shadows Above 50 x 40 cm (available in XL here)
Swimming Pool 50 x 40 cm (available in XL here)
Blue Water Dots XL (only four left!)
Girl and Window

To claim your 20% discount off photo art by Ruvan Wijesooriva: simply enter the code MSH20 at check out. This exclusive offer ends 19th April, 2017

Absolut Art ships worldwide and sells many, many beautiful limited edition prints. If you're having a hard time deciding, the lovely team provide some very helpful tools including an advisory service which invites you to e-mail a picture of your wall and they'll help you find the perfect piece! How brilliant is that?! Or if you fancy getting creative, you can use their online tool to design your own gallery wall.

You can also get lots of inspiration and keep up to date with the latest news by signing up to the Absolut Art newsletter

Happy shopping!

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Absolut Art. All words are my own - and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
0

Five beautifully simple Easter DIY ideas

With Easter fast approaching (yikes!) I've been scanning the web for some cute (yet simple) DIY craft ideas. I've narrowed it down to four beautifully simple ideas.  Think napkins shaped into bunny ears, delicate egg vases, the cutest gift wrapping, eggs with a floral crown and your very own Easter mug. Here are my favourite five:







How cute! I'm going to give all of them a whirl with my girls over the next few days. So fun!

Did any of these ideas catch your eye?

Get the know-how (might need good old google translate for some):

1. Frida Ramstedt of Trendenser's super quick bunny ear napkins
2. Nina Holst's delicate egg vases
3. Steffi's cute bunny rabbit gift wrapping
4. Flax & Twine's pretty floral wreath easter eggs
5. Jewelry & Stuff's fun bunny mug

If you'd like a few more Easter craft ideas you might also like to check out these wonderful easter DIY ideas I shared last year.

I also always love Norwegian blogger Nina Holst's easter inspiration - all of which you can find here. 

Happy crafting!

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
1

Rocking the 'greige' in a Swedish apartment

Wake-up it's a beautiful morning.... at least it feels like it inside this Swedish apartment.  Decorated from head to toe in this season's interior colour: 'greige' and furnished with items in soft white and light wood, this bright Gothenburg home looks way bigger than its 42 square metres (452 square foot) suggests. Could you imagine returning to this wonderful, calm oasis each day?











Photography: Jonas Berg. For sale through Stadshem

Just lovely, don't you think?

Get the look from this Gothenburg space: sitting room - söderhamn sofa, Cos X Hay pion lamp (love this!), Hay tray table. office - Series-7 chair (also seen in dining area). bedroom: white linen duvet cover and grey linen pillow.

I really like the narrow bench in the hallway giving just enough space to sit down and pull on your boots - perfect! Is there anything that stands out to you?

I'm curious.... what do you think about the 'greige' trend? This beautiful Swedish space might help you make up your mind. If it's a thumbs up, you might find this guide to greige helpful. Tempted?

Have a lovely day!

PS I'll be back later to announce the winner of the Palm Print give-away (watch this space). And tomorrow, it's time for the My Scandinavian Home Easter edit - get that craft kit ready - these ideas are more simple and beautiful than ever - eeeee

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
7

The cheerful home / studio of a Finnish visual artist

Tjena! Hur är läget?! I got back from Milan late last night after a fab few days wondering around Salone del Mobile, various design quarters (including the Brera district and IKEA Festival at Ventura Lambrati) and of course taking in the wonderful city itself. As a result I'm feeling all inspired (if not a little bleary eyed!) back at my desk this morning! Having featured her new apartment here, I couldn't resist returning to the wonderful world of Finnish visual artist Saija Starr today. This time I'd like to share her cheerful former home and fab studio with you. Located in the heart of Helsinki, the apartment has a distinct sixties vibe and a fresh feel thanks to the white walls and bright pastel hues. Keep a look out for her artwork in the sitting room and bedroom - most of which is produced in her light-filled industrial-style studio. Love it!













Photography / home-owner: Saija Starr

What a lovely relaxed home - don't you think? I particularly love all the plants - said to be great for the air and your soul (I've been doing a little research lately - although I can't quite reveal the project yet!).

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look from Saija's home: kitchen - string shelving, string lights, blue Iittala jug. sitting room - paintings by Saija, Ferm Living Remix cushion, source a vintage mid-century arm chair here.

You can keep up to date with Saija's latest projects (and see snapshots of her home and studio as well as feel inspired by the Finnish way of life) over on her blog and instagram feed.

Have a great start to the week!

PS It's the last day to enter the give-away to win a limited edition Palm Print worth 3900 sek (around 400 euros!).... hurry!

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
2

My spring office update

Hello there. I love this time of the year - all the leaves unfurling on the trees, the fresh spring colours appearing in the shops and a wonderful abundance of light! Yay! I felt it was about time I dusted down the cobwebs at home and gave it a bit of a spring clean - beginning with my workspace.  I started with a much needed de-clutter and then added a few natural textures such as stone and leather as well as a plant (thought to increase happiness and productivity - worth a shot right?!). But the most exciting update is my new 'the MANTIS' lamp from Houseology. I can't tell you how long I've had my eye on this beauty! Designed in 1951 by Bernard Schottländer, the mantis DCW BS3 table lamp is part of a collection which also includes a ceiling, floor and wall lamp. I've always loved the helical shape of the lampshade, and specifically with the table lamp: that it can be adjusted to three different heights depending on how direct/ where you need the lighting. Perfect! Here's a sneak peak of my updated work space.... I hope you like it!







Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

And not a row of coffee cups in sight!

You might already be familiar with online interior shop Houseology since we often collaborate. Not only do they stock many of my favourite Nordic design pieces from brands such as Design House Stockholm, &Tradition and Muuto, they also offer interior design ideas, advice and inspiration - so helpful!

I'd love to hear which items you love to surround yourself with at work?!

Have a great weekend!

PS Please ask away if you'd like to know about where anything in my office is from. 

PPS See a load more  fabulous offices/  studios etc here
 
***

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Houseology. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with business I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses which make My Scandinavian Home possible.

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
8

Subscribe To My Scandinavian Home

Subscribe to My Scandinavian Home

skovby ad


 

site by ANAAR

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
MORE INFO