My Swedish 'Fika' Just Got Peachy!

Sponsored* Have I mentioned how much I love a  Swedish fika?! For those of you in the dark - fika essentially means to enjoy a coffee break, often accompanied by a small treat of some kind. Yes, this happens in many cultures, except in Sweden - absolutely nothing, but nothing gets in the way of the fikapaus. It can occur any time of the day - morning, noon or night. It can be enjoyed at home, work, in a café or even by the side of a road. And it's not unusual to down your tools several times a day! As you can imagine, it was a ritual I was quick to adopt (when in Rome!). And today my fikapaus just got a tad peachier thanks to some pretty items from Danish brand Nordal's spring collection! Yay!

Those biscuits really did taste as good as they look (that moment when they melt in your mouth....). I can't help with the recipe I'm afraid (you know how bad I am at baking!) - BUT I can help you with a few of the items!

Stoneware mug

Stoneware cake plate
Terracotta napkin
Tea ball
Cast iron tea pot
Clip and spoon for coffee / tea

These links lead you to the wholesale page, however Nordal do sell throughout Europe. You can find an online stockist in your region here.

What's your favourite sweet treat?

Niki

PS I hope this post has inspired you to take a Swedish fika today too!

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Nordal. All words and pictures are my own. Thank you for supporting the hand-picked brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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An Art Exhibition In Your Home? Meet the Danish Women Behind the Concept!

In celebration of International Women's Day, I thought I'd shine a light on two inspiring women from the Scandinavian art and design scene who I've been following for a while! Meet Mette Helena Rasmussen, a graduate from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and Anne Aarsland, an art history and Visual artist graduate from the University of Copenhagen. The pair met through a mutual client in 2017 and founded KUNSTSALONEN through which they curate public exhibitions in private homes across Denmark. To date, they've held five successful exhibitions (FREDERIKSBERG SALONEN, AMAGER SALONEN, AARHUS SALONEN, ØSTERBRO SALONEN and KØBENHAVN K SALONEN (featured above) showcasing the work of over 35 artists at a time. I caught up with the pair to find out more about how the 'nomadic platform' works and their best tips for creating an incredible gallery wall!

A gallery wall in KØBENHAVN K SALONEN in the home of artist Lis McDonald (complete list of artists featured here). 

How did you meet?

We had been following each other on instagram for a while and met on a styling project for Artemide Lighting. The press event was held in Anne's apartment. 

A mother and daughter enjoy the exhibition in a private home in central Copenhagen last weekend. 

When did you decide to collaborate?

The press event turned out to be a cool experience and Anne enjoyed the guests, the talks and how her home was part of something different for a short period of time. We had a glass of wine (or two!) and talked about how we could do something together. We didn't really know what exactly, but came up with ideas for something like networking, exhibitions, social events, parties etc. 

Artists featured above all tagged here. 

How did you come up with the idea?

We wanted to contribute to the Danish art scene and somehow arrived at the idea of holding a curated art exhibition in Anne's private home. 

Work by Carsten Crone Caroc, Sarah Schönbeck, Mie Olise Kjærgaard, Martha Kramer, and Line Busch at last week's exhibition captured by Tia Borgsmidt.

What inspired the name?

Our first exhibition was called FREDERIKSBERG SALONEN inspired by the salons in Paris and the tendency to use homes for literature gatherings, music and poetry events. We were also inspired by the fact that people are starting to rent personal spaces through Airbnb and Gomore.dk. 

Eye-catching art by Kunstsalonen co-founder Anne Aarsland (left) in the KÖBENHAVN K SALONEN exhibition. 

How did you organise your first event?

We invited several contemporary artists and all of them accepted. We installed the art in Anne's home (seen in the last two pictures in this post) and invited everyone we knew. It was a huge success and gave us confidence to develop this active, nomadic platform for showing art and arrange exhibitions in other private homes across Denmark. 

Making final touches to the AARHUS SALONEN exhibition

How does it work?

We curate and invite selected artists to showcase their work in a private home for a weekend. The generous hosts (who are passionate about contemporary art) invite us to use their homes for a week. People visit the exhibition and buy the artwork. It's a true pleasure to work on this project! 

A drool-worthy gallery wall in the home of Mette Helena Rasmussen.

How do you select the artists?
We mostly show Danish artists, but we have featured work by Swedish artist Johan Furåker, Norwegian artists Jeanette Sættre and Arne-Marius Skogås as well as Iranian artist Frank Shoi and Brit Nicholas Imms.

And finally, what are your best tips for creating a perfect gallery wall?
Our best tip is to collect great art! Organise your artwork in tones and colours that work well together. Combine large scale works with minor works and bring in three dimensional pieces to give the wall a vivid expression.



What a truly inspiring idea! Thank you for sharing this with us Mette and Anne!

If you're heading to Denmark, you might like to time your visit with their forthcoming exhibitions:

FUGLEBAKKE SALONEN, Frederiksberg, Copenhagen 10 - 12 May
MORS SALONEN, Jutland in August

Keep an eye out for more information here (and follow along on instagram here).

In case you're feeling inspired to create your own gallery wall this weekend - this guide might come in handy! Or perhaps, if you live in Denmark, your home might just be the location for their next exhibition! Would you be keen? I have a feeling I'd want to keep all the artwork!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend friends!

Niki

PS Stuck on a room and could use a little help? We're offering 20% off a new room design through My Scandinavian Home Studio online interior design service with the code MYNEWROOM until 7th May, 2019. We'd love to help you!

Photographs 1 to 6 by Tia Borgsmidt 

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The Fabulous LA Home of Garance Doré With Peachy Tones

I'm actually breaking every rule in the 'working from home' book this morning and tapping away at my laptop from bed (shock, horror!). The truth is, it's pouring with rain outside (will it ever stop?!) and I just couldn't bring myself to hop on my bike (nor, so it seems, wonder down the stairs!). I have to say, as a one off, it's kind of cosy! Anyhow, my point is, I'm still craving a few rays of sunshine this week, which is why I thought I'd share the happy LA home of Garance Doré. Garance is a French photographer, illustrator, author, fashion blogger and the creative force behind Atelier Doré. When she moved into her new build she was keen to put her own personal stamp on the space and sought the help of interior design guru Sarah Sherman Samuel. Together they shaped the living space into a stylish, modern home. I particularly love the colour scheme which combines soft white, earthy neutrals, pale peach, light wood, muted pink and terracotta accents. Look closely at the furniture too - there are some fabulous pieces! Little wonder the home is currently featured in the spring 2019 edition of Domino magazine. Here's a sneak peek:

I love the peach accent, it's so fresh and yet fun at the same time. Understandably her breakfast nook is making its way around instagram at an alarming rate too, isn't it fabulous?!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

The original feature in Domino lists many of the items here (in case you're curious). 

More peachy details spotted in these beautiful spaces: 

Peach and rust tones in a Norwegian home

Budget make-over, a dingy hallway becomes a bright, happy space

A thoughtfully curated Dutch home

On an entirely different note, Per and I went to the cinema to see Green Book last night, what a brilliant film! If you haven't seen it, it's a must!

I hope your day is, well... peachy!

Niki

Photography: J.F Rothenberg for Domino magazine

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15 Coastal Living Ideas To Steal From a Breathtaking Danish Home

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! 

1. Once you've got over just how stunning Pernille's kitchen is (*gasp*) look closely and you'll see items found in the great outdoors such as branches from the nearby beach or forest. They've been weaved under open shelving and used to dry herbs.

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. 

3. White washed wood cladding has long been associated with the coastal vibe  - and also helps to create a more relaxed feel in a contemporary setting.

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!

Living by the sea myself I feel so incredibly inspired by Pernille's home! We often sail to Hornbæk in the summer time as it's just up the coast too - it's a lovely place!

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
Affiliate links marked with *

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