An Inspiring Family Home Which Combines Old and New - Inside and Out!

Hej raringar! How was your weekend? Per and I are feeling revived after a night in Copenhagen. I was so overly excited to be back in the Danish capital (while being very careful, of course) - what a beautiful city. I can't wait to share some pics soon. Slightly further afield, Jessica Haas has created her own inspiring oasis at home.  Jessica lives in a beautiful house from the 1930's in Hamburg, Germany which she shares with her husband Christoph, their five-year-old daughter Greta (such a pretty name!) and two cats. The home is filled with some fabulous Scandinavian design pieces and calming pastel tones as well as warm wood, cane and rattan. Keep a look out for the before and after of the house exterior too. The perfect tour with which to kick of a shiny new week!

Spotted in the kitchen: eco and allergy-friendly hand wash and other items from Danish brand Humdakin. I use their cleaning products and LOVE them.

I spy a Skagerak side table and HK living stool in the sitting room. I'm not sure which exact shade of pink has been applied to the wall (I promise to update this post if I find out) - but Deco Pink from Jotun Lady is similar. 

Note the pink colour blocking above - with the lamp in a darker shade of pink against a lighter shade on the wall - a clever styling trick which never fails. 

"One of the most important things (to me) is the mix of old and new. During the renovation, we preserved a lot of the original elements. I love to combine vintage and handmade furniture with some newer pieces"  - Jessica

String shelves help provide a place to store items. The JWDA lamp* is from Danish brand Menu and the Slåtterblomma print is from Fine Little Day. The Eiffel coffee table* is from Hay. 

"Our home is clean, minimalist bit still cosy. I prefer soft and earthy tones. I like to take home decorating inspiration from interior magazines, Instagram and Pinterest." 

- Jessica

A Formakami JH4 lamp hangs over the bed, which has been covered in a beautiful waffle Anadia bed spread from Urbanara. 

I LOVE the family bathroom! Jessica has managed to turn fairly awkward angles into a design feature - and the wooden casing around the bath gives the room a warm, spa like feel. Beautiful!

The family have also done a lot of work with the exterior of the house, including revamping the original facade, creating a modern entranceway and adding a contemporary extension. This is what it looked like before: 

 And this is how it looks today:  

Incredible transformation! I love a good 'before and after', how about you?

We're thinking about building an outhouse / guesthouse in the garden of our summer cottage and this might just give me the confidence to go modern. Are you a fan of combining modern and old architecture? I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. 

Head over to Jessica's lovely Instagram @dekorationswut for more inspiring pictures of her home. 

Big news from the Brantmark: we have a birthday in the house - Allie is ten today! We had a birthday breakfast this morning, which involved her favourite 'kaiserschmarrn' (Austrian pancakes) - which her big sister made. And soon it's time for some after-school fun! 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Jessica Haas, shared with kind permission.

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Cosy Small Space Living in Gothenburg, Sweden

It's dawned on me that lately I've been featuring many homes with staggeringly high ceilings and large spacious rooms. But the reality is, more and more of us live in small urban spaces. The good news is, with the right decor, these living spaces can be equally beautiful! And Swedish interior designer Anna Mason, has got hers just right. In her teeny 36m2 (387f2) rental high up in the rooftops of Johanneberg, central Gothenburg, Anna has struck the perfect balance between light and airy and incredibly cosy - despite the low sloped ceiling. The trick, it seems, is utilising the floor space, which Anna has used to display art, boxes of treasured items, books, plants and other collections. I also love the mix of family heirlooms, vintage finds and contemporary pieces which add a relaxed, homely (or if you're in the US, 'homey') vibe. Perfect inspiration for anyone looking to transform a tight space into a cosy home! 

I'd be happy to potter around here all weekend, how about you? 

I particularly love the displays of books, art and other pieces on the floor, it gives the living space a wonderful, relaxed vibe.

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

These pics were taken by Johanna Hagbard who also has a lovely home. See the tour here! And don't miss her instagram feed for some DREAMY interior inspiration. 

Fancy taking inspiration from other small spaces this weekend? There's a TON in the archive, some of my favourites include: 

15 small space hacks to learn from a beautiful Danish home

Small space inspiration from Swedish attefall houses

A small Swedish place that will make you want to downsize! 

FRINALLY (still not tired of that phrase - or at least I can't stop saying it every Friday...). Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? I'm going on a press trip to Copenhagen to stay at a wonderful new hotel - and dragging Per along with me for the ride. So excited to be heading back to the Danish capital. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend too - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography and styling: Johanna Hagbard, shared with kind permission. 

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Oak and a Cosy Roaring Fire In A Swedish Cottage Kitchen

Warning: this kitchen might make you want to move to the Swedish countryside. Especially if you love 19th century architecture, wood beams, and a roaring fireplace! Laura and Nora of the incredible Our Food Stories (whose Berlin studio and German country home I've also featured), bought a cottage in Österlen, Southern Sweden a few years back. I've been following the renovation ever since and have loved the way they've been adding their own signature touch while being careful to maintain the property's natural charm. This week Laura and Nora revealed their recently completed kitchen - which combines a stunning oak Devol Haberdasher kitchen with Bertazzoni and Smeg appliances and vintage lighting. Oh, and a wonderful fireplace of course! 

I'd be perfectly happy to keep Per company from the Little Petra armchair while he ambles about in the kitchen. His cakes might not be a patch on Our Food Stories.... but he does makes a MEAN spag bol!

This jute rug* is similar (and biodegradable). 

The Haberdasher kitchen is a handmade modular system, which features unpainted oak cupboards inspired by mid-century English interiors and a traditional gentleman's haberdashery - which makes it extraordinarily charming!

What oven do the girls with a foodie themed instagram feed that has amassed over 1 million followers use? A professional Bertazzoni range cooker, that's what! Now we know the secret to culinary success! 

The worktops are a mix of marble and handmade aged copper. The sink is also made of marble. 

The walls have been painted with chalk paint from Icelandic brand Kalklitir in 'calce' (I also used Kalklitir in my kitchen and I'm so happy with the nuanced finish!). 

Love that the unit in the above picture is also used for wood storage - it really adds to the cosiness of the space, din't you think? But above all else - look at that farmhouse table! *Sheds actual tears*! I've been looking for one like that for ages. I wonder if it was sourced in Sweden. I'm off to investigate! 

Before I head off - have you noticed kitchen cabinets made from natural wood have really come into their own in 2020? See also a calm, warm kitchen designed by Holly Marder and the awe-inspiring private kitchen of Noma head chef René Redzepi - beautiful! 

Could you imagine opting for wood in your kitchen? Or perhaps you're too busy imagining yourself in that fuzzy armchair by the fire to care! In which case, I wouldn't blame you! 

Wishing you a wonderful, cosy day friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Our Food Stories with thanks

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11 Ways To Make The Most of An Awkward Corner

What awkward spots do you have in your home? I've got a few - including under the stairs (currently used as a place to gather dust and odd socks),  the upstairs landing, and many, MANY corners. Considering a standard room has four of them, I think these angular spaces are the most under-utilised space in the home - and the funny thing is, there's an amazing amount you can do to make better use of them! Curious to find out how you can turn a dark, disused corner into an area of outstanding natural beauty, or better still,  highly practical? Here are eleven ideas: 

1. (above): home to a plant! Ever dreamed of having more plants in your home but can't figure out where they'd go? Pick a corner.... any corner, as long as it has some natural light. 

2. Table and chairs: always wanted your own creative corner? Or perhaps that extra table away from a more formal dining room. Add a small square or round table for a practical way to make more out of a disused corner. 

3. Art: Nothing adds interest and personality to a home quite like art - and it's perfect for brightening up dull corners.  Go single or make a statement with a gallery wall.

4. The corner office: If you've always wanted THAT corner office - it's time to promote yourself at home! Plus, desks that hug a corner make maximum use of desk space too! 

5. Shelves: when you're tight on space, squeezing in some extra shelving in the corner can make a world of difference and offer a perfect home for books and other bits and bobs. 

6. A reading corner: with everyone spending more time at home right now, it can sometimes feel hard to carve out a little spot to call your own. Why not gather your favourite books (or creative pieces), add a reading lamp, chair and something fluffy and you're good to go! 

7. Storage: never underestimate the power of a corner cupboard for extra storage! 

8. Heat things up: more of an investment this one, but if you've ever dreamed of having a wood burning stove but never sure where to put it - how about that cold, dark corner in the kitchen / sitting room / hallway....

9. Make it musical! Corners make a great place for a record collection, musical instruments or music listening devices. 

10. A space for reflection: Banish dark corners by adding a mirror. Not only will it brighten up the room, it'll also make it feel larger - and it's practical too! 

11. None of the above excite you? You can never fail with a castle!

Writing this post has made me want to rush home and start filling the corners with pretty things, how about you? 

Got a corner in mind? 

Niki

Photography credits: 1. This lovely image has been separated from its owner online - can you provide the credits? 2 & 3 Mathilde Engelund 4. the home of Kate Manning featured in Inside Out AU 5. Anders Bergstedt / Entrance 6. Jonas Berg for Stadshem 7. Cathrine de Lichtenberg 7. Svenska Mäklarehuset 8. Home of Vigdis Apeland Bergh photographed / design: Gro Sævik & Vigdis Apeland Bergh 9. 10. My Domaine 11. Home of Johanna Wikstrand Gartmyr captured by Lisa Wikstrand

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White and The perfect Light In A Small Swedish Studio

Remember the days when all 'on trend' Scandi homes (so it seemed) were black and white? You'll have noticed that over the past few years, the black accent has slowly evaporated, and a softer side has surfaced: brown - in just about any shade. This small, one bedroom Swedish home styled by Bon Interior features a beautifully serene, light beige / sand and white colour palette - perfect inspiration if you love blanc but want to add some nuances. Even though I'm sharing this home more for the colour inspiration there are a few nice ideas to steal if you're living in a one room bedsit all the same. Oh, and I think I've found the perfect lamp too...

Here she is: the 'Pendant Tropez' - from Globen Lighting (I know, because as soon as I saw it, I was on the case). It's currently out of stock right now *rolls eyes*, but a little birdie tells me more are expected on 23rd October, 2020 and I'll be the first in line! Isn't it lovely? 

Another favourite lamp (to the left) - the Flos Cocoon Gatto. 

Rare for me to say this - but I wasn't going to show a shot of the kitchenette as I'm not so keen on the style. BUT then I realised that the layout / corner wrap could be super inspiring for anyone dealing with a tight spot - such a clever use of space! 

I'm such a big fan of this palette!

Could you imagine opting for a white and light sand / beige scheme in your home? 

A beautiful Swedish home as white as it's snowy surroundings

50 shades of a white in a serene Swedish home

The serene white home of a designer

This lovely Gothenburg apartment is for sale here. 

Wishing you a serene day! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

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