One of the things I truly admire about Scandinavians is their ability to draw nature indoors. And it's all about subtlety. Sure, in some homes you might find more obvious touches like a fishing net, sail boat or even an anchor, but more often than not, the outdoors is seamlessly brought in through barely-there touches - designed to create a calm sanctuary and a connection with nature. The breathtaking Danish home of freelance interior stylist and graphic designer Pernille Grønkjær Taatø is a fine example of this. Situated in the historical seaside village of Hornbæk, North Zealand, the home perfectly encapsulates the subtle off-white shade of the shifting sands and serene blue-grey of the Öresund. Light and airy and pared-back, the space is inspired by Pernille's passion for a simple Nordic way of life. Here are fifteen inspiring ideas to steal to create your own waterside sanctuary!
2. The family dining table has been fashioned out of a beautiful aged piece of wood reminiscent of drift wood and perched upon a sturdy wooden frame. The imperfect surface breathes life into the space.
4. When my sisters and I were little my Father used to take us swimming on the British south coast. The building was inspired by the hull of a ship (I still remember doing backstroke (badly) and pondering this!!). If you look closely at the A-frame ceiling in this house, you might also make out the shape of a hull!
5. When you have a light, 'washed-out' colour scheme, texture becomes incredibly important. A simple grey sheepskin* has been draped over a wishbone chair* to amp up the cosiness and comfort!
6. In Scandinavia I always perceive the sea as a beautiful muted grey-blue (as a sailor you can imagine I've spent many, many hours gazing out over the water - more often than not, over the rim of a gin and tonic!). The white sofa and mix of muted grey-blue cushions in this window nook are are spot on. Pernille has kept the look relaxed by mixing up different cushion styles within the same blue colour spectre.
7. Simple glass vases filled with shells and pebbles offer a decorative touch on the coffee table.
8. The windowsill is a perfect spot to display age old driftwood washed up on the nearby beach.
9. Accessories such as this pretty ceramic vase reflect the beautiful grey-blue of the Scandinavian waters.
10. Artists often comment on the wonderful light in this part of the world - I regularly find myself stopping and commenting on how sharp it is in the summer months (often met by eye-rolls from my kids but one day I'm sure they'll appreciated it too!). A butterfly chair* has been deliberately placed by the window as a place to sit and contemplate. There's even a rustic stool* for your feet (or coffee!).
11. Designer furniture-wise nothing says 'coastal' like a Danish flag halyard chair, the name says it all!
12. A haul of pebbles and shells have been laid out on a desk beside two stacked pebbles (have you ever tried stacking pebbles? It's actually harder than you might think!). If you find the right ones though, their subtle patinas and sculptural shape are akin to a beautiful work of art!
13. Same desk, different day. Pebbles in two tones of grey found on the local beach sit beside art by Pernille which was inspired by the sea (Pernille is the artist behind all work seen in the house).
14. The blue-grey hue has also been injected into the otherwise all-white hallway with a striped runner. A long rustic bench* also adds to the coastal feel.
15. A striped rug, white panelled wainscoting and a white, blue and grey bedding theme bring the 'by-the-sea' feel to the bedroom. I'm also loving the simple industrial stool (source similar here*) used as a makeshift bedside table, isn't it lovely?! It looks wobble-free enough for a morning cuppa too - bonus!
But even if you're not living by the sea, there are so many ideas to steal from her lovely home.
Is there anything that caught your eye?
You can find out more about Pernille's freelance interior styling and graphic design work and take a peek at her blog over at Nordiskrum (she's also on instagram here).
I noticed Pernille rented her home out last summer via Airbnb - RESULT! If you're visiting Denmark this summer it's worth keeping an eye on the listing, just in case she decides to throw open her doors again. Imagine?!
I think it'd be rude not to leave you with a few more coastal Scandinavian homes do dream over today - these are a few of my favourites:
A dreamy Scandinavian-inspired beach house
A striking Danish home by the sea
A Former light-house keeper's cottage on Gotland
Happy 'Lilla Lördag' (Little Saturday),
Niki
PS If you'd really like to captured the essence of the Scandinavian coast in your home - try the Skandinavisk's newly re-launched range 'Hav' collection? The fragrance is divine!
Photography by Pernille Grønkjær Taatø and Trine Bukh
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