Snapshots From A Charming Swedish Family Home

Hallå! It's been an early start for Per and I today as we needed to come up to the cottage to take some measurements for the kitchen renovation. It feels like the rest of Sweden are still asleep after yesterday's Valborg celebrations (more about this at the end of yesterday's post)! Perhaps we should all tread lightly in today's home tour, just in case?! The pretty home belongs to Emma Johansson, a freelance writer and photographer and the creative behind @whatdecoratesmyday, her sambo (live in partner) and two young children. Located in central Stockholm, the living space is a beautiful mix of vintage classics, antiques and contemporary items - and plants and flowers are never far away. Välkommen in!

A Söderhamn sofa from IKEA has been covered in a Bemz loose fit white linen cover for a relaxed touch. I know many panic at the thought of a white cover with children around, but the beauty of removable covers is that they can just be thrown in the wash. I bet that fluffy brown rug feels so cosy under foot too, don't you?! 

Love the climbing plant, it really adds to the space (see my guide here) -mind you with those windows to play with..... 

I wish I had a bigger picture of Emma's room as it looks so pretty! But just from this snapshot you can at least get an idea of the details - which include a Natalia rattan headboard, little antique side table  (customised with a concrete surface) and a cosy dark grey wall. 

The children's room is equally charming - from the vintage cast iron bed* and moroccan carpet (this is a great source*) to the wallpaper (by Hanna Wendelbo) and little alcove. How I would have loved this room as a child, how about you?!

Although these are all slightly more 'pulled-in' images, I hope you can still get a sense of the beauty of Emma's home - and get some ideas for your own home! 

If you'd like to see a little more, it's worth checking out Emma's lovely instagram and blog. 

Right (*slaps thighs*), I'd better get on with that kitchen measuring - in the meantime, I'll love you and leave you with these beautiful homes:

The boho home and atelier of a Swedish artist and florist

A charming Gothenburg Home with a Hint of English Style

A vintage style Swedish home full of soul

Oh so lovely, don't you think?

Ha det så fint!

Niki

Photography: Emma Johansson

Affiliate links marked with *

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Feeling The Zen From 'The House of Silence'

The House of Silence. What a lovely name. And the space certainly lives up to it. Designed and visualised by Maria Marinina in 2018, the 62 square metre (667 square foot) is surrounded by woodland and combines a wealth of natural materials from cool stone to warm wood which add contrast and interest to the largely neutral scheme. The space also pays homage to many of the hottest interior trends right now, including pivoted screen doors (love these!), sculptured furniture, asymmetric mirrors, dried flowers and subtle textiles in cream, pink-rust and tan hues, all off which contribute warmth and softness to the open-plan living space. Welcome to the world of Zen!

GET THE LOOK

1. Fringe mirror / Ben & Aja Blanc (if you feel like getting creative, there's a DIY here!)

2. IKEA Stockholm 2017 bench

3. Safavieh table*

4. Pholc 150 wall light

5. Nauta wool rug

6. Mark Tuckey stool

7. Naina side table

I wonder how quickly your pulse would lower just walking through the door?! Sure, these pictures were taken immediately after the project was finished so unless you were a total neatnik you'd have a load more stuff (I speak for myself here!) - but I think the natural materials would still shine through and bring a huge sense of calm. 

Is this your kind of style?

See more pictures of The House of Silence, and the floor plan here. 

Thank you so much to Desire To Inspire for the tip!

Are you doing anything this evening? It's Valborgsmässoafton (try pronouncing that!!) here in Sweden. Known as Walpurgis night in English, every 30th of April local communities in Sweden gather around bonfires and sing to welcome spring to the northern shores! Let's just hope the rain holds off! 

Have a Zen day!

Niki

Design & Visualisation: Maria Marinina 

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A Considered Swedish Home In Soothing Neutrals

Hej Vänner! How was your weekend? Mine was going so well until I realised my beloved bike had been stolen - waaah! It really was one of my most prized possessions. I saved up to buy it years ago and my two little girls used to sit on the back to go to dagis (nursery). I've used it every single day rain or shine! Have you ever had anything precious to you stolen? I'm consoling myself in the only way I know how - by taking a look around a beautiful Scandinavian home! And I think it's working (momentarily!). Come and join me for a peek at the tranquil Swedish home of Amanda Axelsson. Amanda is a UX / Digital designer and self-confessed 'photoholic interior lover with a creative mind'. She's decorated her minimalist home with considered pieces and the slightest hint of black (for contrast) against a backdrop of wonderfully soothing shades. Enjoy the tour! 

The sofa looks as though it could be the IKEA Karstad 3 Seater sofa with a Brero linen natural loose fit cover*. The prints are from Wall of Art. 

How cool is that Pholc 150 wall lamp?! 

I've got my on this Double Bubble lamp* designed by Eero Aarnio, isn't it fab?! I also love the Balance candle-holder* - it looks great rested on a book or magazine. 

Muuto Ambit pendant, Hay soft edge chairs*

House doctor wall lamp, Kristina Dam oak stool (bottom picture)

Wow! The entire home just feels so effortless! So lovely, don't you think?

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Take a peek at other soothing Swedish homes in this archive (it's never too early in the week to put your feet up!). 

Right, I'm off to find my bike. Funnily enough my friend Genevieve had a really rare type of bike stolen here in Malmö and it actually turned up on a second-hand site a few days later, can you believe that?! I think Gen ended up buying hers back because she couldn't actually prove it was hers. Imagine?  

Have a fabulous start to the week friends - and remember to triple lock that bike of yours! 

Niki

Photography: Amanda Axelsson - shared with kind permission. 

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5 Beautifully 'Lagom' Ways To Bring Spring Indoors - Swedish Style!

In Scandinavia the winters are looooong - which has never made the arrival of spring feel so good! But it's not us pseudo (and actual) Scandinavians that are buzzing with optimism, I've noticed the arrival of spring is contagious all across the northern hemisphere. Instagram feeds are awash with cherry blossom against bright blue skies and cafés are buzzing with alfresco diners. At home, we can finally throw open our windows and doors and flood our living space with glorious sunlight, morning, noon and night (in Malmö the sun sets at 8.30pm today!) - hurrah! If you're looking for ways to bring the spring feeling into your home this weekend, you might just feel inspired by these five ideas from the home of my talented friend (and wonderful new intern) Felicia Alm.  As with all things Swedish, think subtle, lagom touches that are not too little, not too much: just right!

1. Branch out
Spring is all about nature coming alive and in the spirit of Swedish lagom - simple branches in full bloom are an easy and impactful way to bring a taste of the season indoors!

2.  'Odla'
Bring your windowsill or a side table to life (literally) by growing your own vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed and create a small, indoor spring garden - hopefully, when summer arrives your plants will be ready to move outdoors.

3. Clothes in Bloom

People-watch from a Swedish café in winter and you'll see a line of black - but come April / May the crowds fizz with colour (OK maybe that's an over-statement, but there's certainly a hint of colour involved)! "Don't hide them away - let your prettiest spring clothes be part of the decoration! It's an easy way to add more texture and contrast to your home," Felicia advises.  

4. Lighten Up!

Now that we're heading towards the lighter and (hopefully) warmer season stow away your winter cushions in favour of lighter more colourful covers which are still in tune with your interior to give the room an instant spring lift! 

5. Set the Scene

Enjoy a cosy fika with a taste of spring. Get creative with your table setting by adding fresh spring flowers and branches for your very own spring garden, even on rainy days!

"Hyacinths will last longer and have a beautiful blue colour as well as a lovely scent." 

I love this idea. To achieve a similar look, simply remove the pots and place the hyacinth bulbs in a layer of soil at the bottom of of a large cylinder-shaped glass vase. Potted hyacinths make perfect decoration for outdoor tables too.

Oh so pretty and simple - thank you so much for sharing these ideas with us Felicia!

Please feel free to add your own suggestions for ways to celebrate the season in the comment section below, I'd love to hear your ideas!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend (I have to say, it's beautiful here today but looking decidedly shaky over the weekend - how typical is that?!).

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

PS This is the last weekend to make the most of our 20% discount. Whether you're looking to decorate an empty room, re-shuffle your living room, create a beautiful room for one of your children or even transform your garden shed into a guest bedroom we can help with a floor plan, furniture, colour suggestions and accessories. And it's all online so the service is available wherever you are in the world! Read more about the My Scandinavian Home service and sign-up here (to claim your 20% discount type in MYNEWROOM at check-out).

PPS I am super excited (and a little nervous) about by my summer cottage kitchen renovation (it hasn't been touched since the 1970s!). Read more about my plans and weigh in here. I'd love your input!

Photography and styling: Felicia Alm / @feliciaalm

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