The Happy, Vibrant Home of a Finnish Designer

Finnish designer Pinja Rouger, her French husband and two daughters recently returned from a stint in the USA, setting up home in a traditional 1940s log house just outside Helsinki. When they moved in, the house was in need of a modern update. The pair have slowly set about renovating it room by room, adding their own fun, colourful stamp while being careful to retain the traditional charm. I caught up with Pinja to find out more about Finnish design, her love for colour, and their vibrant, happy home! 

Above: a Papu X Hakola pouf sits beside an iconic Ball Chair designed by Finnish designer Eero Aarnio. 

Day Velvet armchair by Hakola, rug from Anthropologie, The Botanical Shelf (designed by Pinja) 

Who is the driving force behind the interior? 

We both work in the product design industry, but I would say I'm more into interior design. I love to use colours, pastels and bright colours and like to have fun with my home interior. 

What do you do for a living?

I've worked as a product designer as well as a colour and material designer. At the moment I'm working as a freelance designer across the design field from graphic design to product and furniture design. A couple of years ago I designed The Botanical Shelf for house plants together with Rikke Kantinkoski (see her home here) - we were lucky to find a Finnish manufacturer: Adea.  

What does Finnish design mean to you? 

To me, Finnish design is a lot about functionality and purity of materials. Although I've always been a big fan of Marimekko and their bold use of colour and pattern. I would say Finnish design is a bit of a combination of pure functionalism and minimalism with a fun twist. Us Finns love simple, Scandinavian style, but we're not afraid to play with bold details and colour either. 

Above: Iconic Finnish design pieces such as the Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha teapot and Iittala Alvar Aalto vase sit beside books and other treasures. 

Above: IKEA glass cabinet, Eames rocker (RAR)*

Would you say the products you design are typically Finnish? 

When working on a design I want to be conscious about the design production process and strive to understand how the production process can be made more sustainable and simple. I think this is how a lot of Finnish designers think. We like to use natural materials and simplify the production process - for example, in furniture design we use a lot of wood. Recycling is also close to my heart and I like finding old furniture to renovate. 

How do you transfer your love for colour into your home?

I'm a person who always picks the colourful option and not the safe grey or black. Many colours inspire me. About ten years ago, I went to buy white kitchen tiles and I spotted bright red and glossy red tiles and I knew I had to have them! To me, colour makes things look more interesting and fun and I love to play with different colours and find new combinations. Also the material always affects how the colour appears and I love the tonalities even just one can colour can give depending on the material, light, surface and space. 

Have you always been into interior design?

I got much more into interior design when I started my blog (Pinja Colada) around 8 years ago. For me, it's always been a channel for inspiration, to get inspired and give inspiration.

Above: vintage Artek 69 chairs*, Berså wallpaper by Borås Tapeter

Thank you so much for inviting us into your wonderful home today, Pinja! 

You can see more pics of her vibrant family home over at Pinja Colada (don't miss the DIY ideas!) and on instagram: @pinjacolada. 

There's a ton of other Finnish homes to be found in this archive too!  

Anyone else feeling massively inspired by the colours in this home today?

Niki

Photography: Pinja Rouger

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Swedish Island Life: A Beautiful Limestone Farmhouse on Gotland

It would be weird not to dream about escaping to a pretty Swedish island on a Monday morning, wouldn't it?! And with summer around the corner (it's a whopping 25 degrees C / 77 degrees Fahrenheit in Malmö today) I can't help thinking how I'd gladly swap my house and everything in it for this rustic 18th century limestone farmhouse on the Baltic island of Gotland. And this one's for sale! Yep, I know! I mean talk about a summer paradise: sweeping lawns, a pool, old wood beams, pretty earthy tones and a guest cottage - not to mention a short cycle ride to the sea.  This place has everything I dream about in summertime and more! Välkommen in!
'

Forget tiles, stones collecting from the surroundings offer perfect flooring at the foot of the oven! Contemporary touches such as a TISCA rug and classic Series 7 chairs* help to bring the space up to date.

A green wall and kitchen cabinets break away from the white and light blue in a subtle, yet pretty way! The tone on tone works due to the different surface texture. 

The relaxed summer cottage vibe is carried through to the dining room with rattan woven chairs and a rustic farmhouse table.  

Mix and matching bedside reading lamps (the standing lamp is from IKEA, source a vintage table lamp here*) adds a relaxed feel. Note how the white, green and blue theme is brought into the bedroom using bedding too.

An outhouse has been converted into a perfect little cottage for guests! 

Don't mind me... I'm just busy checking travel links to the island of Gotland.... 

Could you also imagine spending your summers here?!

Don't miss these other beautiful Gotland homes today: 

A charming 19th century house on Gotland

Your island retreat

A former lighthouse keeper's cottage

A Charming and relaxed cabin by the sea

An idyllic summer cottage and caravan! 

Have a wonderful start to the week raringar! 

Niki

This home is for sale through Bertwig.se

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There's a new Danish mouth blown lamp in town, and it's beautiful!

Paid collaboration* 

You know that feeling when one of your favourite designers launches something new? That's how I felt when Danish artist Pernille Bülow (creator of the SKY pendant lamps over my dining table and vintage bar cart) announced the launch of her new SKY ceramic lamp this week. Yay! True to Trine's signature style, the beautiful lamp is made from mouth blown glass out of her atelier on the Danish island of Bornholm. It's also massively versatile: the lamp base comes in a choice of white, grey or anthracite and in sizes small, medium or large size and you can pair it with a glass shade in pink, turquoise, tea, recycled, golden, blue, bronze, clear or grey (also in small, medium and large). I immediately envisaged these beauties in Felicia Alm's home (Felicia is currently working with me as an intern and her taste is BEYOND!) - although I might just have to nab one or two for my own home , of course! Here are some pictures we took earlier this week...

We each had our favourite and this was mine: medium SKY ceramic lamp in anthracite. It looked perfect against the darker wall: subtle yet interesting but I could also imagine it silhouetted against a fresh white wall.

Felicia fell in love with the large SKY ceramic lamp with a tea coloured shade  - and I have to agree that it is very pretty! 

FYI it's common for Swedes to place lamps in the window (it makes a home feel more warm and inviting when you arrive home)  - and this lamp looked instantly at home in this spot by her dining table (you can imagine the warm glow at night!). 

And finally, we chose a lamp with a small SKY ceramic lamp in grey with a clear glass shade. It felt very dainty and perfect for lighting up a little corner of the home beside the TV. 

Isn't it pretty?

Do you have a favourite colour combination? 

The SKY ceramic lamp is available directly through Pernille Bülow's online shop - and they ship worldwide - hurrah! 

Where would you place yours?

Niki

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. Styling: Felicia Alm

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Pernille Bülow, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! 

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A Mini Yet Mighty One Room Swedish Attic Apartment

One of the things that first drew me to Scandinavian design all those years ago is just how clever they are at transforming cramped living spaces into practical, beautiful homes. Of course it helps that Scandinavian style is often characterised by light colours and clean lines which lends itself nicely to a small space. But there's also something else at play: their ability to whittle furniture down to the bare necessities and strike that perfect balance between form and function. And this lovely one room studio high up in the roof tops of Gothenburg, Sweden is a fine example. Enjoy the tour!

Check out how shelving has been tucked under the sloped ceiling to create space for little treasures! 

Lampe gras

Try The Poster Club* for similar prints, white linen bed set*

Loose fit linen sofa cover and cushions from Bemz*, Knot cushion*, Formakami table lamp*

IKEA Lerhyttan kitchen

Anyone else considering down-sizing after seeing this?! Or perhaps you have a large attic space that needs converting? Either way, I find this space so inspiring and would quite happily turn in each night in that little bed nook, how about you?! 

Check out more small space living ideas here! And for small backyards - hop over to yesterday's round-up (in case you missed it!). 

It's a public holiday in Sweden today and we're gearing up for the arrival of guests from the UK. of course, me being me I can't stop at making beds, I have to dive into town to pick up flowers, some curtains as the bedroom is way too light in the mornings and some other KEY bits and pieces (cue: major eye-rolling from Per!!)  Anyway - we can't wait! 

I hope you've got some fun plans for the next couple of days too. I'll be stopping by tomorrow with a final post for the week, and I think it's a goodie too - see you then!

Niki

Photography: Maria Sahlander

Styling: Nouvel Interior

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