Before and After: A Portland Home Gets a Beautiful Makeover!

On the fourth consecutive day of rain in southern Sweden, there's only one thing for it: comfort food. And this is what led me to Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva shares mouth-watering daily recipes on her instagram feed @evakosmasflores - all of which have a wonderful seasonal flair (trust me, you'll be drooling!). I couldn't resist having a delve behind the scenes to find out more about the person behind the camera. 

It turns out, Eva is a Portland-based photographer (I've got my eye on her workshops!), keen gardener and a dab hand at interiors. Eva and her husband Jeremy recently transformed their old Portland home from a dated property into a beautiful home - and I simply had to share the before and after shots with you today!  So, get cosy guys, this one truly inspiring revamp! 

Kitchen before 

Eva described the original kitchen as the 'eye-sore of the house'. It featured mint green, almond cabinets with a golden oak trim and lots and lots of formica and linoleum. For someone who cooks and bakes as part of their work, the 70s appliances were also problematic. Needless to say, the pair were keen to renovate it as a matter of priority! 

Kitchen after

Eva and Jeremy hired in a contractor to help with the huge renovation - which included blocking off a doorway, removing the arch and ripping out the entire kitchen and starting over. The results are beautiful - but the project wasn't without its problems. Eva has shared a really honest account of the issues they experienced along the way here. 

Sitting room / dining room before:

Sitting room / dining room after:

Eva and Jeremy decided to tackle the dining area and sitting room alone - taking 10 months alongside their own work to transform it into a living space with beautiful dark wood floors, re-plastered wall and vintage pieces. A real labour of love! You can read about the details and trials and tribulations here. 

Bedroom and bathroom before

The second floor of the house felt uninviting, uncomfortable and totally impractical when they first moved in. The pair set about remodelling the space in order to create a dreamy, light-filled and functional master bedroom and bathroom.  

Bedroom and bathroom after

Eva and Jeremy hired a contractor to help with all the structural work such as tearing down walls, opening up ceilings, drywalling, plumbing, electricals etc. They then worked on the details to create a dreamy space with their own signature touch. Read more about the work and finishing touches here. 

Wow! Such a beautiful transformation! 

I could live on that top floor alone - just add a small kitchenette and I'd flit about as happy as Larry (I wonder if they say 'Lars' in Sweden? I'll have to check that with Per later). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Follow Eva's blog / website and instagram for cooking inspiration, workshops and her latest renovation projects. 

And see more inspiring before and after tours here - honestly, the vision of some people simply astounds me! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: Eva Kosmas Flores

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A Relaxed Family Home With Beautiful Bones - And Toy Strewn Floors!

I was so happy to see so many enjoy yesterday's Danish cabin tour - it really was a beauty and certainly brightened up 'blue Monday'! Speaking of which, I learnt a new phrase yesterday: 'oxenveckorna', A Swedish term meaning 'the ox weeks' - used to describe the long, dark, 'sluggish and heavy' weeks between Twelfth night (epiphany) and Easter in Scandinavia! But it's not all bad, right? After all, homes can feel so cosy this time of year - and after enjoying a little 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life) it's perfectly acceptable to snuggle up on the sofa for hours completely guilt free! I think it's this sentiment which led me to today's home tour. Located just outside Frankfurt, the apartment belongs to Mexican born Alejandra (AKA Alex), her husband and their two children. 

What struck me is how the family home is so full of soul. It's awash with warm earthy tones and lovely lights hang from the ceiling. But best of all, we get a glimpse into a children's bedroom with desks and floors strewn with colouring books and toys. Hurrah! Enjoy the tour friends, I hope it helps your load feel a little lighter today! 

The 'Blade' ceiling light is from George's store. Alex isn't sure of the name of the colour on the wall since it was already in place when they moved in. However, if you'd like to do something similar, you could try something like Minty Breeze by Jotun (Allie has it in her room and I find it really calm - even if it's not quite the same shade). 

I love how some German and Scandinavian apartments have these great big hallways! It's a dream of mine  - probably because ours is tiny and has five doors coming off it and like Piccadilly Circus in the mornings! What does your hallway / landing look like? 

When I first moved to Sweden, I was baffled by the two single duvets on a double bed. I've since learnt from you guys that this is quite normal across many countries in Europe - and I've grown to love this too! 

On her instagram Alex is careful to blend in 'real' pics with more tidy pics. The below pic is inspirational in that I would love my daughters' desks to look as neat as this....

And the lic below gives me a great sense of relief to see that other children have desks as messy as mine (check out the full waste paper basket too - I recognise the creative process!).   

Tell me, are your children's desks / your own desk more like exhibit A (top pic) or exhibit b (bottom pic)?

I also love the pics of the children's bedroom on a tidy day, followed by a more 'real' pic of how a children's bedroom tends to look after hours of wonderful, creative play! 

On her instagram Alex expresses her internal struggle at letting go of the pressure of having to keep the house neat and tidy with young children: "when they play, I love it, they want to keep the magic for long, leave the toys or their arrangements for days. Whatever they (have) built or created, is OK I say, and I realise how much I have changed."

I recognise this from when I was young - and when my children were young. There's nothing more lovely than listening to a child lost in play! 

Hop over to @alessmalpica to see more pictures of Alex's lovely, relaxed home! 

See also: Keeping it real in a danish family home in the heart of Copenhagen. 

Have a lovely, relaxed day friends! 

Niki

Photography: @alessmalpica shared with kind permission. 

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Charming Details In a Danish Allotment Cottage

'God morgen' as they say in Danish! How was your weekend? I read that today is referred to as 'blue Monday' - considered by some the saddest day of the year. Apparently, it's down to a number of factors including bad weather (check), long nights (check) and of course this year, a certain word beginning with C! Well, not on my watch friends, because we're going to be wrapped in a warm bubble of 'glæde' as we tour a charming kolonihavehus (allotment cottage) in the Danish countryside! It may be pared-back - but it's also full of warmth thanks to the carefully selected vintage furniture - as well as the small, joyful details which give this little space, a big heart! Welcome to Danish knitwear designer and interior stylist Gaia Brandt's world!

Are you familiar with the 'kolinihave' concept? These little Scandinavian cottages are built on allotments - and were originally designed to provide shelter in between toiling the soil. These days, they have become a picturesque summer holiday retreat for many city dwellers. I've shared more details about this type of Scandinavian housing here. 

Usually, there are tight restrictions on how many days a year you can stay - and the water is turned off between Autumn and springtime. But come summertime, these little cottage communities come alive and provide a perfect summer oasis! 

As with most Scandinavian summer cottages, the look here is simple, with a focus on bringing the outdoors in. 

Look closely though, and you'll spot lots of wonderful details - a unique pot here, a wall-mounted dolls house there, and lots of mobiles, which draw the eye upwards. 

A simple Danish rag rug helps to protect the wood floor in the kitchen. 

Playing with over-sized items helps to bring the living room area alive! 

Could that be a TV behind the sheet? 

An otherwise disused corner of the room has been transformed into a display area for a vintage collection of hearts, dried flowers and other ornaments. 

On warm summers day, the doors are thrown open so Gaia and her children can flit between the outdoors and inside. 

I bet many a strong coffee has been enjoyed right here!  

So lovely, don't you think? 

I can practically feel the warmth on my skin from the pictures (taken by Gaia's sister Kira Brandt - a talented photographer - for Danish magazine Boligliv. 

I'm also finding this tour so inspiring for the tiny cabin Per and I are planning to build this year (more to follow very soon!). 

Did you get any ideas for your own home? 

I forgot to mention that Gaia is a real dab hand at DIY / crafts. Check out her styling work for magazines here and see pictures of her latest home over on her instagram feed. 

And - for more inspiration to brighten up the start of your week, you might like to check out: 

A charming little allotment cottage in Malmö

A danish artist's relaxed allotment cottage

An idyllic Swedish 'kolonistuga' 

Blue Monday? What blue Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Kira Brandt / styling Gaia Brandt for Boligliv - shared withy kind permission. 

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Weekend DIY: Simple Twisted Candle Hack!

Sculptural candles in sweet pastels: one of the biggest micro trends to hit Scandinavia right now. And guess what? They're actually not that tricky to make! Just to be clear I'm not talking making the entire candle from scratch - I know we're all spending copious amounts of time at home right now, but that could be a push (although I'd love to see the results if you do!). I'm talking giving ready made candles a funky twist that will make our Danish friends proud! 

Curious to try it this weekend? This film by the swedish queen of DIY Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner tells you everything you need to know! Can't access Instagram? There's another great tutorial on Youtube with more detailed instructions. 

No time for DIY / arts and crafts? I hear you! Here are some of my favourite sculptural candles right now - the only problem is, they're way to pretty to go up in smoke!  

1. Lex Pott 

Candle sculptures that will put a smile on your face - no holder required! He has also made some fabulous pillar ones in collaboration with Hay. 

2. Fabrek  

This Danish store sells pastel, sugar-coated-style candles that look good enough to eat (although I probably wouldn't!). 

3. Talbot & Yoon 

Funky blob-shaped 'Goobers' (guys) that add a little pastel-shaped fun to the home. 

What do you reckon? Are you willing to give the twisting a go? Or perhaps another candle caught your eye? Either way, if this trend is anything to go by, it's totally time to up the candle game! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends! 

Niki

Film shared with kind permission from Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner. 

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Warm Earthy Tones In An International Family Home in Denmark

The sun is shining in Malmö today -  a rare and wonderful site! Over the Öresund bridge, graphic designer Diana Mwabala, her husband Kadima and their adorable daughter Miriam are also enjoying the bright sunshine in their beautiful rental flat. Located in southern Denmark, the Mwabala family home has a wonderful, earthy vibe and has been decorated with a blend of thrifted, upcycled and handmade pieces. I caught up with Diana to find out more about her style, the warm golden tones she and Miriam's cute bedroom! 

We'd love to hear more about you and your family

My name is Diana, I am Romanian and moved to Denmark in 2013 to study. I stayed because I met my husband, Kadima, a Zambian whose been living here for over 16 years. So, we are a pretty International family - spanning two continents who found each other in little Denmark :). We have a two-year-old daughter called Miriam, and another little one on the way. I work as a freelance graphic designer / concept developer. 

How do you describe your style?

I aspire to a mid-century modern and Japanese / Scandinavian style. However, I think right now our home is more a mix of Scandinavian and bohemian (Scandiboho). 

Are there any references to your international roots in your home?

Yes, definitely. It means a lot to us to blend in our roots so it's not Scandinavian all the way. Evidence of this can be seen throughout our home. For example, the white rug on the wall was handmade by locals in a small mountainous region of Romania. And we also have lots of African / Zambian pieces such as the basket on the wall as well as smaller items on the shelves. Even the earthy clay colours remind me of our trip to Zambia and South Africa.

What is important to you when it comes to decorating?

I love it when things are practical, functional, cosy and pretty. I think these words define our home and our intentions. Our home should also be child-friendly, but without compromising on aesthetics :). I always look for pretty solutions to practical problems - often with Miriam in mind. For example, we built the shelves behind the sofa so we could hide a cup of tea there, instead of placing it on the coffee table, where she could come and spill it! 

Where do you find the pieces for your home? 

Most of our home is thrifted and upcycled or handmade. We love DIY! At first, I'd come up with the ideas and my husband would make them. But, with time I have learnt how to build things on my own, so now my husband knows that it's dangerous to leave me home alone! 

I love the golden tones in your home, can you tell us a little more about them?

I'd say our home is painted in earthy tones. We've used neutrals as a base, and then added colours through accessories. Some of the paint has a colour code, others I mixed myself using leftovers. 

Here are the colour codes / names of the paint I know:

- Wall behind dining table: Calm Nude from Flügger

- Bookshelf behind sofa: Marrakech from Jotun

- Miriam's playroom: 3357 from Flügger

- Our bedroom: self-blended but reminds me of Adventure from Jotun. 

Miriam's room is beautiful! Can you describe the creative direction?

It's the most colourful room in our home. I love her little universe, it's my favourite! We painted the floors yellow, chose a peachy colour for the walls and added a yellow bed and red wardrobe. Her room is like a fairy-tale if you ask me. I love the retro style and added old vintage finds, combined with playful and educational pieces and lots of pretty storage for toys. 

Thank you so much for inviting us on a virtual tour of your beautiful home today Diana. We'd better tiptoe away before we wake Miriam! 

You can see more of Diana's lovely home over on this little corner of the 'gram! 

Is there anything about Diana's home that stood out to you in particular? I absolutely love Miriam's room - it's full of pretty pieces - every time I look, I spot something new! 

For more Danish home tours today, check out the Danish home archive - which includes yesterday's 'thatched cottage' before and after. 

I hope the sun is shining where you are too today!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Diana Mwabala, shared with kind permission.

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