Get The Look From A Serene Family Home in Berlin

Why, hello there! How was your weekend? I'm feeling way to relaxed for a Monday morning. My family and I spent the weekend at a friend's cabin in the woods (can't wait to share a few pictures!) and my hair still smells of bonfire - don't you love that?! The Southern Sweden sun even shone for us - wonder of wonders! I hope you had a great weekend and the sun shone for you too! I always think it's a good idea to start the week as you mean to go on - calm! And boy, do I have a serene home to share with you guys! Fashion, hair and make-up artist Viktoria (AKA @tthese_beautiful_thingss) has decorated her beautiful, old Berlin apartment using soothing, earthy tones and beautiful design pieces to create a haven in which she, her partner and three children can truly switch off and relax. I really wouldn't mind spending the week here - once you've seen the tour, perhaps you'll want to join me! 

Pretty serene, right?! It's the kind of home you could never imagine getting in a mess (bet Viktoria is having a good laugh at this comment - we all know what living with kids is REALLY like!!). Even so, I bet it always feel calm. 

Here's a quick round-up of some of the beautiful items in Viktoria's home:

Get The Look

1. Mantis BS2 Wall Lamp
2. Söderhamn 3 Seater Sofa Cover
3. Knitted Cushion Beige
4. Large Knitted Pouffe
5. Vitra Nuage Vase
6. Aura Table Mirror
7. SERVEit tray table with tray
8. Cooee Design Ollie Sand
9. Table S + L rectangular
10. Gejst NEBL Mega Grey
11. 50X70 Miss Annie Poster
12. KK 4 Fold Soft Rose
13. Rafa Kids TROLLSTIGEN Wallbars
14. EOS Micro Light Brown
15. Georg Jensen Ilse Vase
16. House Doctor Wall Lamp
17. Rafa Kids F&A120 Bed
18. Rosendahl Clock
19. Kizu Table Lamp

I've featured so many Berlin homes in the past - all of which have very different looks! Here are a few of my faves:

The Berlin flat and country home of Our Food Stories
Bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin apartment
Grey and greige in a wonderful Berlin home

Have a fabulous start to the week friends. Stay calm!

Niki

Photography: Viktoria /@tthese_beautiful_thingss

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A Beautiful Southern Sweden Home (With An Adorable Pooch!)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Per is from Sweden's eighth largest city - Helsingborg. It's a fairly small town (says the Londoner!) but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm. The town is characterised by pretty squares lined with cafes and restaurants, cobbled streets and wonderful views over the Öresund strait to Kronborg castle in Denmark. It's not often I feature homes from the town, so I was very excited to stumble across Hannes Mauritzson's apartment earlier this week. Hannes lives with his partner Alexander and beloved dog Charlie in a building that dates back to the late 19th century. When Hannes isn't at his desk in a PR firm in Malmö, he's styling and capturing his home for his inspiring Instagram feed @hannesmauritzson. I caught up with my new Nordic friend to find out more about his adorable furry friend, interior design and life in Helsingborg. 

Charlie seems to have captured the hearts of many near and far, can you tell us a little more about him?

He always charms people. Whenever I ask people what they would like me to publish its always more pictures of him! 

I'm not surprised, he's the cutest! What breed is he?

Charlie came into my life about two years ago. he's an Irish soft-coated wheaten terrier with lots of energy, there's no denying that! But I think that's one of the things that makes home so loveable. He greets everyone we cross paths with and sees everyone (including other dogs) as a potential best friend! 

Charlie keeps guard over a rattan and wood bench from HM Home (I've got my eye on this along with the chair!). 

Your home is so beautiful, do you work in the field of interior design?

I work in PR and Digital Growth at a Malmö-based PR firm. When I'm not in the office, I use my time to be as creative as I can. I love interior design and have started appreciating photography more and more. I love spending hours figuring out what to photograph and how to stage a picture to post on Instagram. 

It's fun to peek inside a Helsingborg apartment - can you tell us a little more about it?

Our apartment dates back to the late 19th century and is in a lovely town called Helsinborg, Skåne (Scania), in the southernmost part of Sweden. The city is by the Öresund, the strait which forms the Denmark-Sweden border. Our apartment has four rooms. 

Muuto coffee table*

Did it need a lot of work when you moved in?

It was completely renovated when we moved in. But that didn't stop me from repainting it anyway! I bought about ten different colour samples for the bedroom, but ended up settling on something completely different without even getting a sample.

Ha! Been there done that many times! Which colour did you settle for in the end?

I love the texture and look of whitew3ash, so it as an easy decision to make. I decided on Washed Linen from Jotun, Lady Minerals. The colour turned out to be perfect! 

Cane headboard from Jotux, this brown linen bedding* is similar

What's your approach to decorating? 

When I decorate a room, I usually use colours that make me feel calm, like grey and beige. I try not to over furnish a space in order to create a room that is both visually appealing and healing. For example, I'd rather use one large vase than several smaller details. 

How would you describe your style?

My style follows the traditional Scandinavian household. Recently I've started to buy more antique and second hand items which is both kinder to the environment and my wallet! I feel the perfect mix of old and new contributes to a household that is filled with life. I love items that have a past. 

IKEA Stockholm bench

How do you make your home feel cosy? 

To compliment the neutral base, I decorate with vases, coffee cups, and dried flowers. Dried flowers hang all over my walls at home - it may look weird to some, but for me, it contributes to a home that feels comfortable to live in. 

Finally, can you share your three best tips for anyone visiting Helsingborg?

1. Enjoy a Swedish fika: If you ever decide to take a trip to the charming city of Helsingborg, I highly recommend treating yourself to a cup of coffee and a slice of cake at the lovely cafe Ebbas Fik. They serve a traditional Swedish fika, but with a unique, American-inspired 50s twist. 

2. Take a hike: After your fika, take a long but cosy walk along the strait until you reach Pålsjö forest. The view is spectacular! 

3. Go interior shopping: If you're more interested in interior design, which I totally understand, I suggest you visit Staken & Veken. They sell candles made from scratch in all different shapes, sizes and fragrances. They of course also have a wide variety of antique furniture that's impossible not to fall in love with. 

Thank you so much Hannes. I'm starting to feel like a trip to Helsingborg is in order! 

What a great way to finish off the week! I hope you felt as inspired by Hannes home as I am! 

In case you'd like just a little more inspiration over the weekend here are a few more southern Sweden homes from the archive: 

A charming rustic farmhouse in Skåne

The inspiring Skåne home of a photographer and interior designer

A Malmö apartment with a lovely Autumn feel

A wonderfully relaxed, boho Skåne home

Right, I think that's it from me for the week! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography: Hannes Mauritzson

Affiliate links marked with *

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London calling: Could This Be Your Next Home?

You know what they say, you can take a girl out of London, but you can't take London out of the girl. And these Victorian terrace houses get me every time. Except this one has been designed with a twist. A subtle country, oldy woldy yet contemporary twist - and a hint of Scandinavian style too. Be still my beating heart! I wonder who lives here? But more importantly, I wonder who is going to snap it up? You see, this fabulous two bedroom, split level apartment in Stoke Newington has just come on the market, and waiting for a new owner. Complete with quarry tiles, original oak floorboards, and the most fabulous stone fireplace, I'm wondering if it could be me. Bit small for our family though (my very own London a pied á Terre perhaps?) - hmmm. Maybe you'll just have to snap it up on my behalf and I'll pop over for tea from time to time. Deal?! 

 The owners have fitted the living space with black cast-iron radiators and put in a fabulous kitchen (loving the deep blue cabinets and that Smeg range*!).

An open storage rack on castors provides a perfect place for earthenware and Le Crueset* pans - but the real star of this corner is the Scandinavian leather safari chair (there are a few vintage ones available here*)! I'm starting to wonder if one of the owners of this home is Danish? 

The Frame circle shade lamp* is similar to the pendants over the table and in the corner I spy a Lampe Gras Wall Lamp*. 

This original stone fireplace though. 

I love how the mantel piece serves as a spot for pottery (the owners clearly collect pottery / ceramics). I feel like I'm playing a game of 'through the keyhole here' where you have to guess the owners. If anyone knows them, I'd love to hear if my guesses have been correct! 

Last night I spent the best part of an hour looking for a round mirror for my hall. I now feel like a bit of a pro! For the best results, choose a mirror that's about a third smaller than the piece beneath it. This one is super nice! 

How dare they have my favourite Flag Halyard chair. The little side table is also Danish.

The downstairs bedroom also serves as a perfect home work space - flooded with light from the double French doors. 

Check out the skirting boards in dark blue. So lovely! 

Such a charming space, don't you think?

I loved playing the detective. I'll eat a tin of fermented herrings if at least owner isn't from Denmark! Did you see any other clues as to who they might be? 

And most importantly, could you imagine snapping up this London home?! 

Other London homes to love:

Tamsin Flower's cheerful London home

A London home with pops of pastel

Cate St Hill's Scandinavian inspired London home

Starting to feel a little home sick now, I must say! 

Have a wonderful day friends, nearly there - tomorrow's POETS day - hurrah! 

UPDATE! Thank you so much to Charlotte for pointing out the interview with owner Paul West (who happens to have the most beautiful instagem @consideredthings) in the comments! You can read about the renovation here and see if I was right with the Scandi influence....

Niki

Design Paul West. Photography courtesy of The Modern House (found via Planete Deco with thanks).  

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In Copenhagen, An Enchanting Home In Shades of Soft Sea-Green

Have you ever been to Copenhagen? There's something about the relaxed vibe and their love of all things hygge which makes me feel immediately at ease. It's been a while since I've been, so today I thought we'd take a peek behind a facade in the leafy area of Fredriksberg. Danish interior stylist, brand and visual storyteller, Sedsel Roug lives in a beautiful 145 m2 (1560,77 feet) ground-floor apartment with her Colombian husband Louis Carlos and three children Isabel (8), Luis (3) and Gabriel (3). The space has all the characteristics of a late 19th century apartment - including original wood floors, towering ceilings and large windows which let in soft pools of light. The harmonious feeling is accentuated by Sedsel's love for pale sea-green walls, fabulous vintage and antique finds and lots of art. I caught up with Sedsel to find out more. 

Your apartment has beautiful bones - can you tell us a little more about the history of it?

It's an old apartment dating back to 1860 with original wood floors and a ceiling height of 3.10 metres! 

How would you describe your style?

I like that my home is an experience and that one gets surprised from the blend of styles. I like to decorate with vintage pieces and art and mix all kinds of materials and shapes. I am particularly passionate about marble, brass and velour. 

"My favourite item of furniture is the Romeo Reha brass shelf from Italy, which I found at caution many years ago. It's timeless and like a work of art."

Would you say your home is typically Danish? 

My home is inspired by many different styles and countries. I have lived abroad (Brussels, Plymouth and New York for eight years) and love to travel to South Europe where I find inspiration for furniture and art. I also love to mix Danish design with wood details. 

What inspired your colour scheme? 

I'm very inspired by flowers and art. I mix all the wall colours until I feel inspired by the colour. I tend to go towards shades of green-grey / light sea green which has been made up using a blend of paint leftovers!

The tones are beautiful! Can you advise on similar colour codes?

Colour codes 3495, 4491 and 4502 from Flügger are similar to the walls in my home. 

Where do you source items for your home? 

I have bought many items at auction in Germany and Italy. Actually, most of my furniture and accessories are vintage. I also adore upcoming artists and collect ceramics and art prints. 

Any favourite artists? 

I adore Bycdesign Studio, Hein Studio, My Paradissi* and Aure Studio.

Finally, what do you love most about your home? 

I love how my home is constantly changing (I like to move furniture around!). I also love the light - there's not much natural light as it is a ground floor apartment - but the light that does come in is peaceful and enchanting. 

So lovely! There's something enchanting about Sedsel's apartment, don't you think? I particularly  love the sea green palette combined with wood furniture. 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Wanna see a little more? Take a peek at @sedselroug! 

In case you're curious about where some of the items are from (I know I was), here's a round-up:

Get the look from Sedsel's home

1. Bycdesign Mid Collection 08*
2. Ikea STOCKHOLM 2017 Cabinet
3. Hein Studio Ostrea ROCK Glass Vase
4. Afteroom Plus dining chair City Velvet*
5. The E1027 Collection No 05
6. H&M Cotton Satin Duvet Cover*
7. Hein Studio The wise man 01*
8. Skagerak Georg dining table
9. Bolia Lady Armchair
10. New Works Kizu Table Lamp

What amazing pieces! Time to go vintage bargain hunting...

Meet you at the antique market?

Niki

Photography: Sedsel Roug, shared with kind permission. 

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