Snapshots From a Cosy Home in Smögen, Sweden

Tjena! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! I don't know about you, but what I really fancy doing this morning is chilling in this cosy space in one of my favourite parts of Sweden - the West coast! Almost every summer without fail we pay a visit to the Gothenburg archipelagos. Some of the islands are completely uninhabited, others have a sprinkling of pretty white wood board cottages and colourful waterfront fishing huts, and others are more lively affairs. Smögen spans several islands and is known for its long boardwalk lined with shops, seafood restaurants and bars - many of which play live music until the early hours (it's a great place!). The winter is a quieter affair, harsh winds buffet the coast and the scenery emits a raw beauty. Originally from Gothenburg, Interior stylist Sara Kjellemo has taken up year round residency in Smögen. As the summer sun starts to fade, her home becomes a cosy oasis, layered with fluffy rugs, cushions, candles and linen curtains all in subtle Autumnal tones. 

Sara is a talented artist too - her work includes this portrait in the kitchen and a white clay vase with black splashes  (seen on the coffee table).

Sara bought the art photography at Dear Sam.

Spruzzi jug / pitcher

So lovely, don't you think? The epitome of calm!

Is there anything that stands out to you about Sara's home?

See more pics here and for a little Monday escapism you might also like to take a peek at these Swedish island hide-aways.

The West coast islands are so beautiful at this time of the year, maybe I should start an annual winter trip? I'm curious: have you ever been to this part of the world? If so, I'd love to hear about your favourite places.

Have a wonderful start to the week - stay cosy!

Niki

Photography: Sara Kjellemo

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A Cosy Scandinavian-boho Family Home

Do you ever suffer from an interior style crisis? I love so many different looks that my home feels like a complete mishmash - each room a mirror of the style I love that week. Bah! I know I'm not alone, as one of my oldest friends says her home decorating has come to a complete standstill as she simply can't decide which direction to go! If you're anything like me, you'll see a home like yesterday's serene light coloured Danish home and have a light bulb moment, and then suddenly a cosy boho-style home like this one in Vendelsö, Sweden will crop up and you'll be like "oooooh, but this is pretty!"  The cosy home in question belongs to freelance interior stylist Elin Wallin of Studio Elwa (who I had the pleasure of meeting at an event a few weeks back), her partner Jonas and daughters Indra (9) and Edda (5). Elin describes her style as "a bit bohemian Scandinavian style and I'm kind of a more is more person - I just buy everything I like and this is how it has turned out!" As we move into Autumn, I can't help falling in love with the deep earthy greens, rust and light brown tones and the romantic wallpaper. Time to pour a coffee and get cosy....

The sitting room walls have been painted in Jotun Lady Minerals Varmgrå  which gives a cosy, textured feel.

Also seen: String shelving system   Rattan armchair   icelandic sheepskin*

I've got a total weakness for vintage drinks trolleys (and it helps that Friday night cocktails are on the radar too!) -  this rattan one is so pretty, don't you think? I found a few similar vintage ones here*. The wall has been painted in D2.15.55 from Nordsjö (apparently the shade looks slightly different from the picture which has a filter on it).

Yay - a 'real' kitchen. If you wake up on a Saturday and it looks like this, you know you've has a great night!

Love the use of a carpenter's bench as a breakfast bar, how about you? - Wonderful!

The kitchen cabinets have been painted in Intense le Havre from Nordsjö which looks perfect with the William Morris Pimpernel wallpaper.

Elin and Jonas' bedroom is painted in Anemon 656 from Beckers. The rattan headboard is from Teretta Living.

What a lovely bedroom for a sporty girl- this wall bar is similar. I also spy: a Dusty pink bed canopy, bunting and Minnen junior bed.

How's this for an idea if you have some left over wallpaper but not enough to cover an entire wall?! This one is the Ava from Sandberg & Friends.

The bunny wallpaper is from Photowall with a matching rabbit lamp. The vintage children's bed has been painted in D2.15.55 from Nordsjö. Check out the scalloped ceiling too - so pretty! And that mirrored cabinet - wow!

I must say, I'm feeling massively inspired by all the unique details in this home - how about you?!

Is there anything that stands out to you in particular or that you can imagine doing in your own home?

Check out more beautiful pictures from Elin's home here.

It's definitely got me in the mood for a cosy weekend - and I've got some blogger friends arriving soon in the shape of Trend Stefan, Agata Dimmich of Passion Shake, Elisabetta Rizzato of Italian Bark, Igor Josif (Happy Interior Blog) and Mette of Monster Circus - it's going to be a fun weekend in Malmö!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend ahead too!

Vi ses på Måndag!

Niki

PS Back to the 'interior style' crisis. One of the beauties of interior design is that you can do whatever you like - and tapping into the various styles you love will make it 'yours' - this is what I try to tell myself. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this too!

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A Serene Light Coloured Danish Home

Black, white, grey and cream. These four simple hues are all that's needed in Carla Sofie Molge's serene home in Horsens, Denmark.  To add interest and depth, the freelance interior stylist and CEO of Molge Decor, has worked with form and texture. Think layers of crinkled linen, lace, marble, concrete and cotton as well as delightful sculptural pieces and contemporary design. Scandinavian minimalism at its finest!  Enjoy the tour!

Natural linen bedding*    art by Kristiina Haataja

The Standard Table Lamp*

Malling Living Clothes Rack

 Ferm Plant Box*   By lassen view mirror
 

Mantis table lamp*

Mira 4 Opal light   Montana Free Shelving System   Series 7 Chair* 

Pholc Mobil 100 light*
 

 Object blanc no 25*   Concrete table House Doctor

 Pealing print*   Loulou Avenue Print*   Antibes print*

Raw vase Balance candle holder

It's been a bit of a hectic week - and this calm space is exactly what I needed today. Thank you Carla!

Have you enjoyed this tour too?

There's something so effortless about Carla's style and it really does prove that sometimes it's best to keep it simple! 

If you'd like to check out more pictures from Carla's home take a peek at her instagram and website.

A little news from my side. I mentioned yesterday that I was crazily busy with a tight deadline. Today, my The Home Viewings Exhibition has gone live at The Swedish Design Museum! There are already four homes to view with more to follow over the next few days / weeks! If you'd like to learn a little more about Swedish design and architecture come and join the fun! I hope you'll find it inspiring!

Thank you so much  to the Swedish Design Museum, Visit Sweden and Volontair for all your support!

Ha det så kul! 

Niki


Photography: Carla Sofie Molge
Affiliate links marked with * 

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A Swedish Family Home in a Former Museum

 A flyby visit today as I'm at Malmö library working away on a project that's set to go live first thing tomorrow - and there's still so much to do - eeeek! I can't wait to share the results with you! So, let's dive straight in today's house tour - and it's a goodie! A former museum, this beautiful 19th century house in Tellandska Gården, Lindesberg has become a dream family home for Elin (owner of interior design shop Tellandska), Tjodolf and their children Ebbe, Frede and Henny. Large spacious rooms have been filled with a beautiful blend of rustic, vintage and contemporary furniture. Lina Östling and Mari Strenghielm stopped by to capture these lovely pictures. Enjoy the tour!

Above: paint colour: Vallmofrö 1877 by Jotun (S4502-Y), Gervasoni Ghost Sofa

 Wood panels painted in grå umbra (NCS-kod: 3005-Y20R), Kitchen from Kvänum

What an incredible house! It has such beautiful bones and I love what Elin and Tjodolf have done with it. 

Is there anything that caught your eye? I really love the bench with the plants and sculptural objects! 

You can keep up to date with Elin's latest projects here and see more beautiful Scandinavian country homes here. 


Kram!

Niki

Photography: Lina Östling (shared with kind permission). Styling: Mari Strenghielm Featured in Sköna Hem and found via Planete Deco (thank you for the tip Lilly!).

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An Eye-catching Plaster Wall In A Swedish Home

I remember the first time I saw a deliberately unfinished wall. I was at a friend's house when I was 16 and asked her if her parents were in the middle of decorating. She said "I know it looks like it, but it's actually meant to look like this," and we both had a bit of a giggle before running upstairs and listening to our yellow sports walkman or whatever!! Fast forward err (too many) years, and it's a look that I've not only become accustomed to, but love (when done right)! In this Gothenburg apartment a rough plaster wall in the hallway and sitting room adds so much texture to an otherwise neutral scheme - it helps that the space itself is absolutely beautiful too!

Photography courtesy of Alvhem

Isn't it such a lovely space? It's actually for sale too - got to love that!

What did you think of the hall and living room wall? Could you imagine doing something like this in your home? 

In case you're curious, I dug around a little today and found three different styles of  'textured' walls and simple ways to achieve the look.

1. Raw Plaster Wall

James Gardener and I captured the bedroom above in artist Maria Øverbye's relaxed Oslo home for my book The Scandinavian Home. Maria was planning to give the wall a fresh new lick of paint but fell in love with the patina created by the raw wall, dotted with fillers and decided to leave it exactly as it was!

Here is another beautiful example in Karina's Berlin home.  The 'distressed' look works because everything else has been kept fresh, while a vintage table helps to balance the look.

Laura and Nora love using the texture of a raw plaster wall in their country retreat to add depth to the pared-back space. It looks particularly great on a half-painted wall and with industrial-style furniture, don't you think?


2. Hand-troweled plaster work

This beautiful wall has been created by plaster work gurus Tara Mangini and Percy Bright of Jersery Ice Cream Co. The layer of pigmented plaster has been hand-troweled using gypsum (you can also use Lime, Vemeitan or Tadelakt) and the finished surface is smooth rather than textured. You can tap into your inner artist and create your own look - or make the most of Tara and Percy's new service and get these guys to do it for you!

3. Subtle concrete

In our dining room and window nook we added roll-a-tex sand texture to the paint (Fjäder by Jotun). The more you add, the more textured the look. It was actually a total faff to put it on the wall with a paint brush (wrong tool perhaps?!) - but it was worth it in the end!

You might remember the Norwegian bedroom of Steffen Olsen from a few weeks back (FYI it went on to win 'Norway's best bedroom'!). Steffen used Lady Minerals from Jotun to achieve this dramatic aesthetic on the wall.

If you have any tips, please do share them in the comment section below, I'm sure there are a million ways to create the industrial-style plaster / concrete wall!

Have a lovely day!

Niki

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