An Inspiring Dutch Home With Colourful Accents

Hejsan hoppsan! My family and I are staying in Torekov this week, a little fishing village on Sweden's West coast where we're on eat, sleep, repeat mode with a little beach life thrown in for good measure (just how summer days should be spent, don't you think?!). Let's hope the sun shine's on Sweden's football team this afternoon for their world cup bid too (heja Sverige!). Even so, I thought we'd venture to Leeuwarden Holland today and a take a tour of the lovely home of Marrit de Lang. Marrit is a photographer, blogger and mum to little Mia and has decorated her house in a mix of design pieces and high street finds against a back drop of earthy tones including plum, powder, grey and blue. Welkom!

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Ligne Roset Togo chair, DLM table*

Louis Poulsen Panthella Floor lamp*,  Hay Tray Table*, wall colour from Little Greene Paint Company

 Eames bird*, Flos 265 wall lamp*, Series / chair in rose*

Ferm Living Socket Pendant, Belly baskets*, Portrait H print* by Gurilla (I have the same one in my office!)

IKEA kitchen
 

Upstairs landing: rug from West wing. 

Upstairs sitting room: Dutch bone lamp, macrame plant hanger*, picture by Amber Devreng

 

Such an inspiring home, I particularly love the colours!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

See more of Marrit's home on her blog: Done By Myself and Instagram. And a lorry load of beautiful Dutch homes in this archive.

I'd love to linger and I did promise to share a few more shots from Gen's sitting room today as well as a round-up of all the details - but I have two little girls standing next to me in their bathing suits, towels slung over their shoulders, eagerly waiting to head to the beach! Better go!

Have a lovely, bright, sunshiny day!

Niki

Photography: Marrit de Lang /  @sabine_buro_binnenhuis and @hansmossel

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Gen's Cosy Sitting Room Make-Over with Bemz!

Sponsored: 

Often, when you take a step in a new direction in one room, it has a knock-on effect on the next room - and before you know it you're re-doing the entire place! Have you noticed that too?! When my friend (and interior designer) Genevieve Jorn, renovated her bedroom here in Malmö a few months back, she was thrilled with the results and wanted to continue the look through to her sitting room. Her and husband Kasper, didn't want to invest a huge amount since it's fairly newly renovated, but still wanted to find a simple way to inject similar colours (sand, grey etc) and natural materials such as linen to give their living space a cohesive look. Since they already had a Karlstad sofa and were very happy with it, Bemz* - who make beautiful design covers for IKEA furniture - was the ideal solution to bring more linen into the space. Here's the low down...

 Before

The Design

Sample selection  

You might already be familiar with Bemz* (I've been a partner of theirs for a while and am a huge fan having used their design covers in my sitting room and bedroom). But, just in case you're not - the Swedish brand makes the most beautiful design covers for IKEA sofas and armchairs as well as cushions, curtains and bedroom fabrics (and have over 150 fabrics to choose from - I'm not kidding!).  Such an awesome way to make the most of what you already have and give it a whole new lease of life! 

Gen chose a cover in Simply Linen Graphite Grey which has a craaaazily soft 'peach-skin' finish.  It's also really durable and machine washable making it ideal for saucepan lids (for the non-British out there, that's cockney rhyming slang for ''kids'!).  Side-note: Gen's little girl Olivia is as cute as a button, but even the most angelic of children can leave a fingerprint or too (check-out Olivia's own bedroom here)!

Room design

Gen was keen for the area to feel cosy, personal and warm. She opted for a sandy wall colour (chosen to match her bedroom) as well as warm natural materials in the form of light wood, soft linen and rattan, with the slightest hint of black and grey (get the complete run down on the furniture, wall colours and light fittings here!). 

 After

...be still my beating heart!

The combination of natural textures (which include soft linens, cotton, wood, rattan and paper) and muted, earthy tones have such a calming, cosy effect - which was especially important since it's quite a large open plan room (the dining area is on the other side of the room).  

The majority of the sofa cushions* are also by Bemz. Combining different colours and textures is a perfect way to add warmth and somewhere you want to sink into and chill all day!

Isn't it beautiful?! I seriously could have stayed all evening, perhaps the week (like a true surf coucher!). However, we weren't quite finished with the shoot...

How about Ivy?

As I mentioned, one of the beauties of Bemz is that you can easily update your furniture. I have a spare linen cover for my sitting room sofa so that if something gets spilled (a regular occurrence in our house - bah!), we can whisk off the covers and throw them in the machine.

As a reserve (and an update as the mood takes her!), Gen went for the Loose Fit Urban Brero Lino Ivy. Here it is: same room, same setting:

Isn't it smart?! I love the loose fit urban style and beautiful Ivy hue. It's amazing how each of the colours pick out details in the room, making them more pronounced.

The cushions (covered in the same Pure Linen Brero Lino - Ivy*)  fabric are pretty too as you can really see the texture and piping.

Aaaaaa, such a lovely space. She's managed to achieve that illusive super calm, yet super cosy balance!

Which look do you prefer?

Could you imagine hanging out here watching one too many Netflix series too?

If you'd like to achieve a similar look (even if you don't have an old IKEA sofa or armchair knocking about, you can always pick one up second hand online!) you can find more details here.  Oh and Bemz are offering free shipping exclusively to My Scandinavian Home readers until the end of July with code freeshipmsh (right in time for the mid-season sale too - yay!).

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. Interior Design Genevieve Jorn. 

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Bemz, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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A Dutch Home Infused with Warmth and Harmony

Hello Monday! I hope you had a great weekend? It was midsummer here so we're all nursing slight schnapps hangovers (lethal stuff that!). Nothing a double shot of coffee and a beautiful home tour can't fix though, thankfully! And have I got a charming home for you this bright, sunny Monday! Located in Monster (amazing name!), close to the Hague in The Netherlands, Tinta Luhrman's abode has a tremendously calm and harmonic feel thanks to the touches of beautifully crafted wood throughout. It's little wonder the owners have turned woodwork into a successful online business. I caught up with Tinta to find out more about interior design, her love of 'brown' tones and working with wood.

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Who do you live with?
I live with the most special man, Rutger, the most beautiful girl Dieuwertje and the best dog ever, Paxi!

Dining chair*, Era armchair*, Natural linen table cloth*

Selenelion Moon print by Stella Marie Baer, Olly Wood Surf Board


What do you do for a living?
My husband and I design and make furniture and also have a webshop selling handmade products. I am an interior designer and Rutger is a carpenter. After years of working independently, we decided to combine forces and start working together.

What is the essence of Woodchuck? 

Simplicity and natural materials are at the heart of our business. We live and breathe wood, literally ;-). From early on, I was drawn to the colours, smell and look and feel of wood and Rutger loves to work with his hands. Woodchuck is a concept that is 100% us. Everything we sell is created by us and passes through our hands. We love this old school way of working and believe putting that extra bit of love into a product gives it something special - both for us and the clients.

"Design is an ongoing process that keeps growing until it's finished. Nothing is so subject to change as wood and a creative mind."

Mobile by Laine Maison Makes, Art by Lily Nichols

You have a beautifully unique interior, how has this evolved?

Since I was little I have always surrounded myself with natural materials. I've always been into Scandinavian and Japanese style. I don’t follow trends, I've always stayed true to myself. I have a penchant for vintage items but also new designs. Every house needs a uniqueness. I always start with a white canvas and then I let the interior evolve. Every room has a different light and feeling so I use this as my base. The same goes for the colors I use.

"Everyone has his of her own color: brown is mine. It's a hue that brings me a sense of calm and happiness. And I eat chocolate every day ;)" 

 

Woodchuck shelf

Vintage fans*

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

I think wood gives your home warmth and the combination of using different kind of wood enhances this. But not every one loves it. Choose the wood you like the most to create your own look.

Bespoke wood wall by Woodchuck, Natural linen bedding*

Do you have any general interior styling tips?

Decorate your home in a way that feels good to you and dare to be different. Stay true to yourself. Surround yourself with beauty and try to have less storage space so you don’t buy a lot of things you don’t use. That’s why we have an open kitchen: we only have things in our kitchen that we use, not a pantry full of things we don’t.

Swedish Linens bed sheet

Thank you for welcoming us into your home Tinta. 

Anyone else tempted to add more wood to their home now? If you're looking for me today I'll be over on the Woodchuck website (or Tinta's instagram feed - looking for inspiration!), see you there?!

I also love the floor in the children's bedroom - I've got such a weakness for painted checks! Is there anything that struck you about this home? 

In case you're feeling inspired by all things wood you might also want to check out a Brooklyn home with reclaimed wood and the lovely home of ÉmilieDesjarlais (in case you missed it last week!) and also this guide to parquet floors.

Oh and this Dutch home features some lovely pieces from Woodchuck too.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

All photography: Tinta Lurhman / Woodchuck

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5 Ways to Celebrate Midsummer Like a Swede

Elle Decoration France

Midsummer is arguably the most celebrated day in the Swedish calendar - and my all time favourite! As with all Swedish festivities, the Swedes gather the day before on Midsommarafton (Midsummer Eve) for a beautifully rustic affair involving wild flowers, in-seasonal goodies and dancing around a maypole - no matter the weather! Even if you're not in residing in this Nordic land, why not channel the Swedes - wear flowers in your hair, eat, drink and be merry this weekend?! Here's my guide to five Midsummer musts!

1. Create a midsommarkrans - a crown made from wild flowers (or cheat a little and pick up some beautiful fresh blooms from your local florist!). There's a handy step by step guide in my Lagom book and online here!   

Anna Kubel

2. Dine alfresco - no matter the weather (in fact, midsummer weather in Sweden is known for being rainy and blowing a gale - but that never stops the revellry!).

Our Food Stories

3. Tuck into sill o potatis - pickled herring and new potatoes are a midsummer staple - but you could go wild and create an entire Swedish smågårsbord. Extra points if you down your fork once in a while and sing a ditty en masse!

Honestly Yum

4. Eat the largest, juiciest strawberries you can find -  alone, with fresh cream,  in a pie or even dipped in chocolate. As long as they're red and dotty, you're totally on point!

Julicious

5. Drink something on the strong side - preferably homemade Akvavit (schnapps). My father-in-law makes a mean Akvavit, but I still like mine tempered down a little with wild elderflower syrup (that'll be the Brit at the table then...!).

An then the evening is yours to sing, dance and chat under the midnight sun!

Oh and I don't suppose you have a Maypole handy? If you do, it's customary to hop round it like a frog. Yep. Refer to point number 5.

And finally, Swedish tradition dictates that if a single woman gathers seven different types of flowers and places them under her pillow on midsummer day, she'll dream of the man she's going to marry! Well worth a shot, don't you think? It might just be that tall, blonde Swede sitting opposite you at the midsummer table!

Glad Misommar allihoppa! Skål!

Niki

Due to the Swedish holiday I'll be back on Monday, I hope you have a great weekend!

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6

The Lovely Home of Émilie Desjarlais

Why, hello there! How's your week panning out? Mine seems to be disappearing at a rapid rate, but I did find myself stopping for a very long breather when I stumbled across this beautiful home (take a look below and I'm sure you'll totally understand why!). I also couldn't resist getting in touch with the French Canadian owner Émilie Desjarlais of Brook & Peony to a find out a little more about her wabi-sabi home, which she shares with her adorable little girl. Enjoy the tour!

Where do you live?
In a 700 feet square studio in Saint-Lambert, Canada.

What do you do for a living?

I'm actually trying to figure out what would be the ideal career to have and a healthy balance with my young daughter. I'm currently doing visual content creation and interior styling.

Can you tell us a little more about your home?

I'm renting an apartment in a building from 1900. The owners kept most of the original structure including the claw foot tub, windows and floors. I'm very lucky to live in such a beautiful house and neighborhood. 

How would you describe your style?

My style is very bipolar. I can't stick with one particular style! It's influenced by inspiration, trends and my travels. I would say it's Minimalist/Scandinavian/ Beach shack/ Antique.

Has living in Montreal influenced your style?

Yes because our rents aren't as expensive as the rest of Canada so we can live in a place with a lot of space without going bankrupt! Since I've only lived in old apartments, I have learned how to make the most of what I have. Old apartments don't necessarily mean they're clean and in a good condition. This is actually the first place I haven't had to fix anything. I only need to paint it and change the light fixtures. 

What is important to you when creating a family home?
Since my daughter is very young, making it accessible and safe was my top priority. To keep my sanity I also made our living space very minimalistic. To make it feel like a home, I believe you need to surround yourself with objects and furniture you love and put your heart into it.

Your home has a lovely, organic feel to it. Do you have any tips for anyone looking to create a similar look and feel?

My best advice is to take your time. In August, it will be one year since we moved in and it's only just starting to feel like home. To create an organic feel you have to live somewhere for a while and observe the way you use the space. 

I understand you have a background as an artist, can you tell us a little more about your work?

I haven't created for two years. This is why I have turned my creative energy to content creation. I hope to be able to create again soon. For now Instagram is the best place to follow me.

Which are your go-to instagram accounts for inspiration? 
I'm very lucky to call @kara_bino, @audreyrivet and @oohdearjade my friends. And my favourite Instagram feeds for Scandinavian inspiration are @hej.mia, @mamoesjka_nl and @tintaluhrman. 

And finally, do you have any shopping tips for anyone visiting Montreal? 

I work at @cheznouschezvous a brick and mortage boutique in my town . The owner has a lot to do with my passion for scandinavian interiors! If you're in downtown Montreal you have to stop at @maison_pepin (www.thepepinshop.com), @prunellefurniture and @commedesenfants.

Thank you so much for welcoming us into your beautiful home Émelie! 

If you don't already follow Brook & Peony on instagram - it's an absolute must!!

And for more Canadian inspiration today I absolutely love this studio apartment in Montreal and an idyllic Scandinavian-style cottage overlooking Lake Huron. Guh! I'd so love to visit Canada , it's a dream of mine (and now we've got a whole load of shopping tips for Montreal too!). Have you been?

I'm heading off for a photo shoot on a beach this evening. The sun doesn't set until 10.00pm and it never really gets completely dark right now - as a result the light is absolutely magical! I only hope I can capture it (I've never done a beach shoot before - eeeek - wish me luck!). I'm looking forward to sharing the results with you in few weeks time, in the meantime, feel free to follow along on stories (all tips welcome!).

Have a beautiful evening!

Niki

All photography  © Émilie Desjarlais / Brook & Peony

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