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5 Lessons to Learn About Adding An Accent Colour From A Lovely Malmö Home

Millennial pink. An earthy, powdery, achingly cool shade that the interior world never seems to tire of. And when you see apartments like this one (currently for sale in Malmö, Sweden) you can understand why. The owners have added subtle touches in a spectrum that range from pale powder to a deeper brown-pink in every room. Pink not your gig? There's still a load to learn about how to add an accent colour that gives your living space that seamless flow seen in the homes in interior magazines! And the good news is that you only really need one or two items in each room. You may find you've naturally already achieved a great flow, but in case your home needs a helping hand here are 5 'accent colour' lessons to learn from a lovely Southern Sweden home: 

1. One or two will do! It's tempting to go overboard and add your chosen colour to everything: walls, furniture and accessories, but actually it's enough just to go for one or two things such as a chair and a few accessories (like the cups seen on the shelf below) in each room.

2. Stay on the spectrum: There's no need to stick to the exact shade, slightly different tones of your accent colour will work as long as they're on the same spectrum. For example, in this Malmö home all the pink hues have a blue undertone and feel earthy and soft. 

3. Add balance: I was umming and ahing about including this picture because I didn't want the colour-coded books to distract from the pink (we all know there are a LOT of strong opinions out there about how to arrange books!). Anyhooo, check out the artwork on the sitting room wall, the int of pink picks up the colour in the chairs in the kitchen and helps to add balance and tie the rooms together. 

4. Pick a statement piece: To really set off your accent colour opt for one or two pieces that really make a statement - like the owners of this apartment have done with the Hay Mags sofa*. I understand many like to go for a safe bet when it comes to choosing a sofa or armchair since it's a rather large investment. Having said that, if you choose an accent colour that you're naturally drawn to and have always loved rather than an on-trend hue, you'll never tire of it. 

Tip: If in doubt, try an IKEA sofa (which you can pick up for a song second hand) and invest in a beautiful designer cover from Bemz* with you can swap out at any time (like I've done here). 

5. Something in every room: try to add at least one small thing in your accent colour to every room in your home, even if it's massively subtle like a cushion (seen below) or a vase (on the windowsill in the sitting room) or a few folded textiles (above the dresser in the last picture). This will help to tie your home together in a subtle way and create a cohesive look. 

What do you think? Has this been helpful? 

In my home I've used a rust / chestnut colour as an accent. I have to admit I haven't been entirely consequential with it and having seen this home I think it would be nice to do a little more.

Do you have a colour that you're particularly drawn to?

In case you're undecided, I love these archives for colour inspiration: 


Oj oj oj! I do believe it's Friday people! I love it when the weekend comes around that fast, don't you?! I know it sounds strange, but I spent so much time with my little family over the holidays that I've kind of missed them this week, do you ever feel like that too? I'm looking forward to hanging out with them this weekend. 

I hope you have a great one! 

See you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bo-laget

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Step Inside Maiju's Delightful Home in Vaasa, Finland

I once visited Helsinki in November and was greeted with a sign that said "Nobody in their right mind would come to Helsinki in November. Except you, you badass. Welcome". It's since been hailed as one of the greatest tourism posters ever made! With temperatures hovering around 3 - 4 degrees Celsius in Helsinki this week, they certainly have a point. But there's also a certain beauty to Finland in wintertime, especially if you travel a little further afield. Maiju Saha, husband Janne and three children Paavo (12), Aina (7) and Theo (3) moved to a house in Vaasa on the south west coast of Finland two years ago. Dating back to 1941, Maiju has transformed the house into a beautiful oasis with deep green, blue and grey accents, while ensuring the original features remain intact. The result is a calm, cosy home and a perfect base from which to explore the city, nearby Kvarken archipelago and forests as well as experience the Northern Lights! 

I love this window nook; it looks so cosy and is a great way to capitalise on extra space so that the dining area doesn't take up too much space. The beautiful lamp over the table is a le Klint

Maiju designed the kitchen herself and got it built by a local carpenter. The cabinets have been painted in NCS S7005-G20Y and the walls in Tikkurila 'Merino'. 


The dining area has been painted in Jotun 'Tidløs'. The table is from Finnish firm Peltola Oy and the chairs are a mix of Ton Banana chairs and the Nattavaara chair from Jotex (which only appear to be available in black now). 

But my eyes are on that daybed (which Maiju built herself) - what a perfect little spot to chill! 

Source a similar vintage rattan side table here* (I love this plant stand* but since it's vintage, there's only one. Hurry if you're keen!)

Maiju has painted the living room in Farrow & Ball 'Old White' and used neutral accents and a large rattan rug (this one is similar) which adds a load of depth and texture to the space. 


The pretty wallpaper in the stairwell is Arbutus Woad 7 Russet by William Morris


If you are as taken by Maiju's lovely home as much as I am,  you might want to follow her delightful instagram @maiju_saw and blog Maiju Saw. Her DIY and ikea hacks are great (can you spot the ikea hack in this tour? You'll find the answer and step by step here - it's translated into English at the bottom of the post). 

It'd be rude not to share a few other Finnish home tours with you today:


This post has really got me in the mood for a trip to Finland, I hope an opportunity crops up soon! Have you ever been? 

Hauskaa päivan jatkoa! (I hope this means 'have a nice day' in Finnish!). 

Niki

Photography: Maiju Saha, shared with kind permission

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A Beautiful Vintage-inspired Guest House in Reims

I've been writing my regular column for Scandi at Home this morning and it was all about investing in pieces that stand the test of time. And then I discovered Les Pénates in Reims, France on The Socialite Family - a perfect illustration of everything I'd been writing about! A former archive and artist's studio, the building was about to be torn down when Anabelle Bruny and antique dealer Brice Bérard took the reins. The pair lovingly restored the residence, creating a series of guest houses which have been fully furnished with beautiful secondhand finds. I particularly love Guest House One with its white washedwalls and touches of wood and leather which is available to rent both privately but also as a location for film and photoshoots. Did I mention that everything in it is for sale too? I think a trip to Reims might be in order...









Cheeky ending to the tour there!

But isn't this place just so charming?

It just goes to show that if you have the time and patience, hunting for second hand treasures can really pay off! When I was little my Mum used to take us to auctions at the weekends (I remember the huge halls being very cold!) - and she still has many of the items we bought today.

I might just scour the flea markets and antique fairs here in Southern Sweden this weekend... it's something I definitely don't do enough of.

Are you a fan too?

Another thing I'm keen to point out is that this space would actually have been relatively dark had it not been for the skylights, internal glass wall dividers and mirrors - all of which are clever ways to bounce the light around.

Find out more about Les Pénates and book a stay here. There's also a great write-up about the property over at The Socialite Family.

Other French delights:

A relaxed, vintage-inspired home in the French countryside
A charming white and neutral family home in Normandy
A wonderful, relaxed family home in the heart of the Beaujolais wine country

Oh la la!

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did!

Niki

Photograph credits 1,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 11 - The Socialite Family. 2, 9 & 10 Remodelista. 

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The Awe-Inspiring Private Kitchen of Noma Head Chef René Redzepi

You can kind of guess that one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the world would have an incredible kitchen. And the private sphere of René Redzepi - Danish chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin star restaurant Noma in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Denmark certainly doesn't disappoint. You'd think the hand crafted bespoke Garde Hvalsøe kitchen in oak, steel and burnished brass and Dinesen HeartOak plank floors would be enough to make a statement in their own right - but there's also that magnificent open fire place and those charming wood beams to contend with. While his restaurant was voted the best restaurant in the world in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, I'm nominating René's kitchen for the best kitchen 2020 award. Take a peek and see if you agree! 


A few months ago, I spent a wonderful evening at the Garde Hvalsøe headquarters in a former car assembly garage in central Copenhagen and I have to say, the level of craftsmanship that goes into their kitchens (and other cabinetry) is incredible. I wish you could run your hand along the surface and open and close these drawers! The supper was superb too (even if it wasn't made by René!).


There burning question (sorry, couldn't resist!), is what appliances does the head chef of Noma choose for his own kitchen? The answer: a Grand Cuisine hob and oven. 




You can really see the beauty of the Dinesen wood in the above picture. It's made from 30 mm thick planks in mixed widths (350-500 mm and length 2-6 metres) with a white oil finish. So stunning, don't you think?

So, what do you reckon? Is this also one of the most beautiful kitchens you've ever seen?

I'm also curious to know, have you ever eaten at Noma? I've tried to get a table a few times but never succeeded. It's still high up on my wish list though!

Curious to see a few other magnificent kitchens today?

A fresh mint green kitchen
A calm kitchen made from wood
The inspiring black kitchen of an interior designer

Also:

10 beautifully simple ideas to steal from a Swedish kitchen
Our summer cottage kitchen (plus get the look!) and a tour of my kitchen at home (if only it was this clean and tidy today!).

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Garde Hvalsøe and Dinesen

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Your 2020 Off-the-grid Getaway: Nolla Cabin In the Helsinki Archipelagos

Hello! Happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing break? Is anyone else back at work today and feeling as slow as anything?! I'm on my third coffee and nothing seems to be happening (send more caffeine!)! All the same, I think 2020 is going to be a fabulous year, don't you? I thought I'd kick it off with a tour of the magnificent yet basic Nolla Cabin, a 20 minute boat ride from Helsinki. What fascinates me, is that it's a cabin of two halves. It's both tiny and big at the same time. Located on Vallisaari island and measuring 9m2, it offers views over the beautiful Helsinki archipelago which is home to over 1000 butterfly species! Finnish designer Robin Falck's intention was to inspire visitors to come and enjoy the Nolla (meaning zero) cabin while living with a minimal footprint. Read on to feel inspired!

The little cabin is equipped with two camping beds, along with a Wallas stove for cooking and heating (the stove runs on Neste MY Renewable Diesel provided by the host).  

The electricity is generated by solar panels on the roof (we're warned that supply might vary!) and has no wifi - but with views like that and an island to explore, I think we can all agree that it's hardly needed! 

Visitors are encouraged not to bring packaged foods and cosmetics in order to comply with the zero-waste ethos. 

Also, being off-the-grid, the cabin doesn't have running water BUT fresh water is available at the guest port 400 metres away and there's a dry loo on the island too - phew

What about a shower? With the beautiful waters of the Helsinki archipelago on your doorstep you have all the cleansing water you might need (depending on the time of year and quoting Per: 'it's OK once you're in - and great once you're out!'). Hmmm...

Up for the challenge in 2020? 

The Nolla Cabin is only 20 minutes boat ride from Helsinki. The best news of all? Finnish renewable energy company Neste is donating the rent to the The Ocean Cleanup, who develop advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic. 

You can book your stay here

While on the subject of Finland - I think it's pretty cool that the country has recently sworn in prime minister Sanna Marin. At 34 years of age, she is the world's youngest serving state leader. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of her first policies is to reduce the working week to four days and enjoying a six-hour workday. Which potentially means more time to spend at places like this! I think I need to have words with the Swedish PM!

Up for a little more Finish design today? I love:


Have a lovely day friends, it feels good to be back! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Airbnb

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