My Autumn Sitting Room Makeover

I love this time of year. The yellow of the leaves, the darkness rolling in at 4pm, the chill in the air (trust me, this feeling only lasts until January!). So, when Bemz, who make design covers and legs for IKEA furniture, asked if I'd like to update my sitting room for the winter and make it extra cosy, I was already flicking through their fabric samples before we'd said hej då! As you know, I'm a big fan of Bemz (you only have to look at my bedroom and reading nook to see!) and it was a perfect opportunity to try something new and amp up the hygge! So, here it is, my new, updated sitting room with warm light wood, natural linen and touches of spice and sage brown. Oh and a candle or two!

I opted for the Bemz cover in Natural Brera Lino linen by Designers Guild for my Söderhamn sofa. Although I also love the Urban Loose Fit I had before - the regular fit gave the room an instant lift and the linen means the look still remains fairly relaxed, which I love.

I chose cushion covers in Spice Linara (this one is no longer available but this Cocoa linen one is very similar) Spice Linara by Romo, Sage Brown and Unbleached Rosendal linen as a nod to the rich colours of the season (I talked about 'brown' being the 'it' linen right now in Wednesday's home tour and the warm tones are so perfect for this time of the year, don't you think?). 

I also swapped the original metal legs which the sofa came with for these pretty pins (namely the Terence legs that were designed in collaboration with Apartment Therapy). Aren't they fabulous?! These are a fairly new addition to the Bemz collection - see the full range here. 

All that's left to do is light a few candles! If you're looking for me this weekend, you'll find me right here!

In case you're curious about any of the items I picked, I've created a little 'get the look below.

Get the look 

Brera Lino Natural linen from Designers Guild, in a regular fit cover for my Söderhamn three-seat sofa and chaise longues
Terence, Chunky Wooden Furniture Leg 18cm/ 7"
Spice Linara by Romo
Sage Brown
Unbleached Rosendal linen

Funnily enough, a friend popped in for a cup of tea yesterday and said "wow, I love your new sofa!" She was so surprised to hear it was the same lady underneath!

Don't own an IKEA piece? Try your local online second hand store, you could always pick one up for a song and give it a designer revamp!

More Bemz inspiration to be found in my bedroom and reading corner. I also still love the previous cover I had on my sofa which you can see here.

Do you have a favourite look?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - vi ses på Måndag!

Niki

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 hand-picked businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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A Jewel In The Suburbs of LA

Tjeeeeena! How's your week going? I haven't had a chance to say a big THANK YOU for responding to my survey last week! Such invaluable help. It looks like my new project might just hit the ground after all. Watch this space! Speaking of entrepreneurship, allow me introduce you to Jaimi Brooks. Jaimi is a California based marriage and family therapist who also regularly conducts Entrepreneurial Women's groups and special topic group sessions at her wonderful house in Tarzana, LA. The house is located at the top of the Santa Monica mountains against Mulholland Preserve (please see my note below about the wildfires). Inside, the space has been given an incredible overhaul by interior designer Sarah Sherman - think 25 foot high ceilings, arches, white washed walls and contemporary pieces. Love this!

What a great space! I wonder if my new project will require me to travel to LA for one of the Entrepreneurial Women's sessions? A girl can dream, right?!

Did you see the 'hand' chair? Seriously, what are the chances of spotting two 'hand' shaped chairs in the space of one week (the other one was in this home in case you missed it)? Are we allowed to call this a new micro trend? If so, you heard about it first on My Scandinavian Homet!

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

You can see more of Jaimi's home and keep up to date with the latest news from her private practice here and on instagram here. The house is also available to rent as a location for photo shoots etc (is it Ok to take your bikini on a shoot?!).

Niki

PS Important note: I'm sad to hear about the deadly wildfires in California right now which have displaced  hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed thousands of homes. If you would like to do something to help, there are some helpful tips in this article.
Thank Dianna for sending this link through.

Photography: TSLR Lifestyle & Daniela Rey

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Subtle Seasonal Touches in a Beautiful Swedish Space

Tjohoooo! With the days getting slowly darker, I've noticed little twinkling lights starting to appear in my neighbourhood. Nothing 'Christmassy' - just subtle, cosy touches to mark the cusp of winter, which the Scandinavians do oh so well! You may remember that I featured the beautiful home of Swedish photographer and stylist Anna Kvarnström in before in 2016, but so much has happened since then - and Anna does cosy so well. Definitely time to revisit, don't you think?! Anna shares her house in Örebro with her husband, two children and furry friend, and has decorated it in a simple white and brown palette - but look closely and you'll see the real beauty lies in the carefully curated details. Välkommen in!

There's no simpler way to amp up the hygge around a dining table than throwing sheepskins* over the backs of chairs and lighting a candle or ten!

Leading image: Ikea Stockholm PS cabinet 

Above image: Z1 pendant, Menu WM String chair*, sheepskin throw*

...OK - and maybe a fire and the cutest dog ever too! 

Botanical displays have been kept strictly to whatever happens to be available outside  - a wonderful way of drawing attention to the season - just add fika! 

When I show a wall of open shelving, I often get comments asking about the dust. And to be honest it can be a bit of a nightmare. That's where one of these beauties come in. A glass cabinet (try IKEA) is ideal for showing off pretty items but keeping them dust-free at the same time. Note the candle storage - a vital element in any Swedish home! 

So. back to my comment about subtle 'seasonal' touches! How pretty are these fir sprig stars? So simple too! Admittedly - I found this image in Anna's Christmas 2017 archive - but I think you could almost get away with these in November, right?

Granit ash hooks

Placing candles or lamps in the window is another clever trick Swedes use to make their homes look warm and inviting. It helps that curtains are often left open at night, off course. But also, I recently heard that in some countries the window sills are on the outside, so this isn't a possibility at all. The good news is, everyone can take inspiration from the candlestick holder base - which has been used for leftover candle stubs - kind of cosy, right?!

I love the simplicity of this whole set-up - from the linen cushions and sheepskin in off whites to the candlelight and eucalyptus wreath. So simple yet so pretty! 

Grey sheepskin*, natural linen cushions*, hanging wreath ring*

Flos Gatto Table Lamp*

Brown linen has to be the 'it' bedding of Autumn 2018 - and I love the warmth it radiates. It's kind of begging you to get in for a read and not climb back out again until spring 2019!

Dromedary double duvet and pillow case by Midnatt

Hemtex bamboo mirror, Bla Bla print by Lisa Wirenfelt 

Wow! Anna's home has left me with SO many ideas - I love it when that happens. 

I'm totally going to make those little fir sprig stars!

Is there anything that caught your eye?

Check out Anna's instagram and blog to see all her latest work.  

And for more homes with a chestnut and white theme, I'm loving this archive! 

Ha dett så bra! 

Niki

Affiliate links marked with *

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Tile style: Three Living Rooms, Three Different Vibes

Considering floor tiles for your living space? My sister's Goldendoodle (google 'Goldendoodle puppies' and your heart will positively melt) put paid to their wooden floor. So, in their recent renovation they opted for tiles instead. Growing up in a home with wooden floors and wall-to-wall carpets, tiles are a bit of a new area for me. So, for fun, I decided to experiment with three tiles from the Gemini Tiles floor tile collection available through CTD Tiles to create three different living room vibes. The brand offers an extensive collection of handpicked wall and floor tiles which take inspiration from both traditional and contemporary styles so there were a whole load to choose from! In the end I opted for the Cuban Black Block tile, Buxy Gris floor Tile and Cuban Silver Sky tile. I can't wait to hear which one you like the most!




Be still my beating heart! How fabulous is this Cuban Black Block Tile? Inspired by traditional hot wax paintings, the tile comes in size 223 x 223 mm and is made from glazed porcelain with a matt finish. The intricate geometric look instantly took me back to an elegant, eclectic contemporary Parisian hotel I stayed at last November. Think gold, luxurious velvet in deep earthy blues and emerald greens and the infinite depth and nobility of black marble.  I might just be willing to forgo my pattern shyness and go all out in my own home with this one - how about you?

Get the look:

1. Vitra Suita Sofa Designers Choice
2. Twice Ceiling Light
3. The Lily Candleholder
4. Ferm Living Marble Table Black
5. Gubi Bat Lounge Chair High Back
6. Embroidered Velvet Star Cushion
7. Boule Vase
8. North Shelf
9. & Tradition FLY Chair SC1 Smoked Oak
10. Gubi BestLite BL1 Table Lamp Brass
11. Fishbowl Vase





If the industrial look is more your thing - I picked the Buxy Gris floor tile for its cool, contemporary urban style. Think New York loft living meets Scandi minimalism! The grey porcelain floor tile comes in 600 x 600 mm and a 600 x 300 mm size and looks pretty fabulous with a cognac, grey, white and black palette. Throw in furniture made from cool metals, wood, leather and wool to bring natural warmth to the space. I love the fresh, earthy look of this style, and it's timeless too! Could you imagine incorporating this look into your home?

Get the look:

1. Tribeca Series Franklin Chandelier
2. Anderssen & Voll strip back the sofa
3. The Art of Fabric Print 3 
4. Vitra Eames Hang It All - Walnut & Chocolate
5. Lína Swivel Chair
6. Metal Candlestick
7. The MANTIS - DCW BS5 SW Wall Lamp
8. Carl Hansen CH28 Chair
9. Magis Lem Round Table



And last, but by no means less - if you love to rock a boho look, you might be drawn to this fresh yet cosy contemporary Mallorcan finca vibe. Inspired by traditional encaustic tiles, I feel the subtle colour palette and intricate pattern of the glazed porcelain Cuban Silver Sky tile in size 223 x 223 mm gives a space a lovely, cool look and feel. I love the idea of pairing it with beautiful natural wood finishes, rattan furniture, glass, brass and linen to add character while keeping the look calm, and cosy yet bang up to date. If you don't want to go all out, this is the type of tile which would also look pretty in the hallway or bathroom, don't you think?!

Get the look:

1. Gervasoni Ghost Sofa
2. Dutchbone Brute Side Table Aluminium
3. Binga basket
4. NORR11 Nomad Lounge Chair Bamboo Cognac Leather
7. Colton Coffee Table
8. Large Glass Vase
9. Genuine Moroccan Ottoman
10. Silk Cashmere White Cover Lamp
11. Round Metal Tray

Did you have a favourite style?

I could quite easily envisage all three in my home but if I had to pick just one I'd go for the third.  Perhaps that's just because the sun is slowly fading in Sweden and I'm pining after the med! Plus I've always loved pretty patterned tiles!

Niki

This post was brought to you in collaboration with Gemini Tiles, all words and styling are my own. Thank you for supporting the wonderful, hand-picked brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible! 

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