A Bargain Hunter's Fabulous Antwerp Home

Feeling super excited about today's home tour, it's a real beauty! Allow me to introduce you to Paulien Riemis. Paulien describes herself as "a 27-year-old full time internet adventurer, part time model and eternal literature graduate based in Antwerp, Belgium." Looking at her home, I would add interior decorator extraordinaire and bargain hunter to the list too. Paulien's Antwerp apartment (which she shares with her boyfriend Dan and their very cute and very fluffy cat) has the most fabulous bones. But extraordinarily high 3.5 metre ceilings can present challenges too and mean you need to work extra hard to create a cosy vibe. Paulien has played with the vertical space to turn the loftiness into her advantage and sourced furniture with rounded edges to balance the look. Her love of rugs, vases, ceramics, plants, polaroids and books has also helped to add a relaxed feel. Welcome to Pualien's cosy and truly personal world! 

After a long search, Paulien picked up the Travertine dining table for a song online. The chairs were also a bargain  - €2 each from a second hand shop! The perspex chairs are from IKEA. 

Paulien describes her fridge as 'a badass, American-style design object'! 

The sustainable IKEA Kungsbacka kitchen cabinets in anthracite make full use of the height. I am guessing there's a ladder lurking somewhere to reach some of the higher cabinets too.  

In the living room, a second hand marble coffee table rests on a white kilim rug*. I'm thinking a big round mirror would look lovely over that fireplace - but since Paulien describes her home as a permanent work in progress, I've little doubt there's already something fabulous in place. 

The brass Faye floor lamp looks great next to the blue velvet Harper sofa.

The bedroom floor has been painted in Levis white floor paint which makes the room feel even bigger and brighter. The bed was salvaged from Dan's old house and spray painted in gold paint. 

Pick up a set of Binga baskets here*. 

Step inside Paulien's dressing room and you're quickly reminded that she works as a model - imagine playing dress-up in here?! All those colours and patterns! 

What a fabulous home! 

Is the your kind of vibe too?  Is there anything that stood out to you in particular?

In case you're curious, you can see before pictures from her home over on her blog - Polienne. I also love her outfits and travel tips. Oh, and don't miss Paulien's instagram feed here. 

Only just getting started with the interior inspiration today? You might also love: 

The relaxed Antwerp home of a creative duo

An Antwerp home with a beautiful flow of light

I'm starting to think a trip to Belgium might be in order, how about you?! 

Kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of www.polienne.com and shared with kind permission

*Affiliate links

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In Sweden, Singing the Mid Blues In An Urban Apartment

I've been noticing mid blue is on the rise in homes in Scandinavia, and the good news is, its way easier to pull off than it's even darker cousins. This one-bedroom apartment in Gothenburg has been painted in Blåis by Jotun Lady, with touches of bright white for contrast, as well as subtle brown and beige accents. Look closely and you'll also spot many of the lovely original 1920s details, such as high ceilings, parquet flooring and a glass panel door. All in all, a truly lovely home, just waiting for someone to move in and make it their own! Gothenburg anyone?

The cabinet fronts have been spray painted in the same deep Blåis - Jotun Lady hue as the walls and for a cohesive, contemporary look.

Little Petra Armchair, Hay knot (sculpture), white linen curtains*

Try The Poster Club* for similar prints and frames (ships worldwide), Mirage blanket.

Hay Dot Cushion, Cooee Design Ball vase

What do you think? Tempted to go over to the dark side, even if it's just the one wall?! 

I love how this blue appears darker or lighter depending on how the light hits it. I actually thought each room was painted in a different colour at first glance, but Bon Interior assure me it's all one tone! 

In case you need a little more persuasion, here are some other lovely Scandinavian homes in dramatic, dark tones: 

Converted stables in dramatic tones, in Norway

A sophisticated Swedish homes in dark tones (love this one!)

A beautiful atmospheric Malmö home in dark tones

Or you could just snap up this apartment (it's for sale!). 

I'm off to take it easy after a very long day on set yesterday. It all went well though and I can't wait to share the results with you in October. Phew!

Do you have any fun plans for today? 

Niki

Photography: Alen Cordic

Styling: Bon Interior

For: Bjurfors

*Affiliate links

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Before & After: A Dated LA House Becomes A Light & Airy Family Home

Why, hello there! I'm in Landskrona today filming and its BAKING (by Sweden standards at least) - but since the film is about natural light, it's all good! I can't wait to share the result with you soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd stop by to share the beautiful home of Molly Madfis. A perfect blend of amber, caramel, cream and white, Molly's style appears completely effortless. But just one glance at the before pictures and you'll see how much effort has gone into making this beautiful home.  Originally from Massachusetts, Molly is a work-at-home Mum and lives in LA with her husband Gideon, son Arlo and their three cats Bodhi, Lucy and Rocky. Molly frequently shares pictures of their home on instagram and her blog Almost Makes Perfect, so called because she feels she's never been able to do anything perfectly. When you see her home though, I'm sure you'll beg to differ! Enjoy the tour!

Sitting Room BEFORE

I couldn't find all the 'before' pictures for this house, but the ones I did find are proof that this home has been given one major refresh! Here's what the sitting room and entrance looked like before the renovation: 

Sitting room AFTER

Check out how deep that sofa from Interior Define is! I'd climb on, curl up and stay there all week if I could, fancy joining me?! 

Also seen: round cushion*, coffee table from cb2

Molly created the artwork over the dining table, and sells a similar print in her shop. 

Playroom BEFORE

This before picture shows how much they had to strip back in order to turn the house into the lovely family home it is today.

Playroom AFTER

Look at Arlo's cheeky grin - *heart melts*.

Someone's very proud of his room (and for good reason, too!).

Ikea cot,  mobile by electric sun creatives.

There are so many lovely things in Molly and Gideon's bedroom - but that Moroccan flatweave rug by Sarah Sherman Samuel (there's also a cushion* to match) and Odara throw have to be my favourites! 

I also spot a Sunset Vibes* print by Loulou Avenue. 

Bathroom BEFORE

Kind of dated, right?! 

Bathroom AFTER

Look closely and you'll see the new waaaay fresher bathroom has the same bones / layout as the original bathroom, but boy does it look different. And so pretty too with the lighter wood and hints of pink, don't you think?

Wall sconce from Triple Seven Home, handmade taps from Watermark Designs, sinks from Nood

I couldn't resist sharing a few pictures of the garden too, mainly because of the children's playhouse. I've never seen one like this before, have you? DIY idea perhaps? 

It's unbelievable how much inspiration can be taken from one home!

I hope you've got some ideas for your own home from this tour. 

Right, better get on with the filming (I need to concentrate, it's in Swedish - gulp!). 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography: Molly Madfis / Almost Makes Perfect shared with kind permission

*affiliate links

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Cosying Up My Sitting Room With A Fluffy New Rug!

Partnership with Natur Pur, all words are my own!: 

Tjena! I hope you had a great weekend! I thought I'd kick off the week with a little news from my own home. As with the majority of Scandinavian homes, we have a wood floor - and I have to say I'm the biggest fan. But it does mean we need to throw in a load of rugs to make our home feel cosy. Do you find this too?! On a visit to Domotex flooring fair back in January I discovered Austrian rug brand Natur Pur, a small, family run business based at the foot of the Alps. Their rugs ticked every box: they were super soft and fluffy, handmade to order, incredibly high quality and made from ecological, untreated, undyed sheep wool. Needless to say, we became instant friends! Our Beni Spezial 3230 rug in white and chocolate arrived a few weeks back and is now installed in our sitting room - just in time for Autumn! I have to say; she instantly became a part of the family. We love her! 

Fluffiness aside, one of the things I love the most about our new rug is its depth and weight. Our previous rug was really thin and kept creasing - even with an underlay and I am really pleased to have got my hands (or feet?!) on a rug that just sits in place - no monkeying about!

If anyone's looking for me this week, I'll be sitting right here, feeling super cosy!

In case you're on the look out for a new rug, you can see the complete Natur Pur rug collection here and find your nearest shop here. 

Roll on Autumn, we're ready for you! 

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Natur Pur, 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 small businesses which make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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