Allie's Bedroom Makeover - From Tween to Teen!

Paid partnership with Elfa, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

The thing about children is that one minute they're tiny babies, the next they're whizzing off on adventures with friends! Take my daughter, Allie. She's turning twelve this October! Where has the time gone? Always a ray of sunshine, she can't go two steps without a cartwheel and loves to ski, play football (that's soccer to all my American friends!) and lately, has become passionate about fashion and interiors (hmmm, I wonder who she gets that from?). 

Needless to say, she grew out of her bedroom a long time ago - and a makeover was well overdue. Since I promised 2022 would be the years we'd organise our home (with my new wardrobe checked off the list last month), one of the key factors would be to ensure it had plenty of storage! It would also need to cater for Allie's needs - and of course, reflect her personal style and wish list. 

Before

I told you our house is messy / disorganised! I'm surprised there wasn't a pair of pants (UK version) on the floor! Chaos aside, this side of the room was dominated by low storage which was crammed with books, toys, cuddly bears and a load of other bits and bobs. 

I've noticed that the toys have slowly started to collect dust and her room has become a place to hang out with friends, do homework and experiment with fashion, hair and make-up - in between making TikToks and doing backflips on her bed - not always in that order!

I asked Allie what she felt was missing and we narrowed it down to:

- A desk area with drawers 

- A pinboard for small pictures, notes and general inspiration 

- Book shelves - with book ends! 

- A dressing table 

- Good lighting 

Oh, and the look and feel should have a hint of boho with lots of greenery, natural material and plants! 

Planning 

Above is the original design, which was created using the Elfa drag and drop online planning tool. Once the items arrived, we rejigged them a little to make use of the natural light (that's one of the beauties of Elfa - it's a flexible system so you can constantly adapt it according to your needs as well as add items over time). 

After 

Just like the wardrobe system in my bedroom, this shelving system is centred around a series of vertical rods, to which you can click-in a whole tray of items such as shelves, drawers, clipboards, mirrors, hooks and more. For a children's bedroom it's an absolute dream! Here's a breakdown of the items we added: 

The desk area

Above the desk we added a Storing Board with attachable hooks and boxes for small items like pens, paperclips and scissors (Per always marvels at how many 'tiny' items the girls amass, all of which are apparently crucial!). 

I particularly love that the desk height can be raised as she grows!

A mesh basket under the desk is used to store cables (her room is officially neater than my office!). 

And we also added a series of deep wire drawers with Décor fronts for all her notepads, paint etc. 

The shelves 

To create the shelving, we used a series of melamine shelves mounted on click-in brackets. Lesser used items are / old photos etc which Allie would like to save for the future have been stored away on higher shelves (we might buy a small footstool which could double-up as the dressing table stool) and the things she uses daily are within reach on the lower shelves. 

One of the niftiest items we discovered is the reversible shelf / tray which can be used as a shelf for plants etc or a tray for paper, prints etc with a ridge so they don't slide off.  

We also used a series of book supports and wallbands to stop tomes and other items from falling off the shelves (you haven't seen the chaos when Allie does gymnastics!). 

Sidenote: have you read 'The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse'? It's the sweetest book and a Brantmark family favourite! 

The pinboard 

I made the pinboard using a cork board covered with stretched linen.  

Slim hooks that click into place created a place for hairbands, necklaces, sunglasses... you name it! 

The dressing table 

A dressing table was highest on Allie's wish list! She's actually not allowed to wear make-up outside of the house yet, but she loves to experiment and have fun with it at home!

To create the dressing table area, we added a Decor Mirror - which is the same as the one I have in my new wardrobe. We also put a reversible shelf underneath it for nail varnish, brushes etc and a series of clear boxes (from the Elfa Studio in town) for make-up, jewellery etc. A simple lamp above lights up the area after dark. 

The drawer underneath has been fitted with a Decor accessory tray so that Allie has a place for her bits and bobs like earrings, hairbands, purses etc. 

And finally, we hung a Bracket hook rack on the side for her bags. 

Oh, how I'd have loved to have had this setup when I was a kid! 

The best thing of all, is that it's created so much space in the rest of her room, perfect for phase two of the make-over - rumour has it, Allie's planned a gallery wall with Per's old LPs, a garland of trailing ivy and there was a mention of a lava lamp! I'm looking forward to seeing the boho look unfold!

Oh, and in case you're wondering about the keyboard, there's space for it on the long desk but she might also use a stand instead. 

I hope you like the results as much as Allie does! Please do give me a shout if you have any questions - or if you have a children's room to plan, you can find out more about this system over at Elfa. 

I hope you have a relaxing, fun weekend planned. I'm heading off to Stavanger, Norway this evening to write a city guide for an English magazine - very exciting, Norway is my favourite country in the world! I hope I can squeeze in a trip to the fjords and a hike on the Saturday. If you'd like to follow along, I'll be sharing my trip on Instagram stories. 

Trevlig helg! Have a great weekend! 

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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A Serene Helsinki Apartment by the Forest and Sea

This morning I stumbled across the most beautiful instagram feed called @nordic_stories. Jenny's photos are like poetry - and give you a glimpse into her serene 1950s apartment in Helsinki - which she shares with her husband Joel (both architects) and the magical Finnish nature outside their door. Ready to fee the Nordic calm in all its raw, natural beauty? Tervetuloa! 

"I like to repair and give old things a new life. That's why most of our furniture is inherited or bought second hand. I also make small furniture, art and ceramics."

"We are both architects and fell in love with the 50s charm of the house. The old wooden floors, doors and very functional layout is something we both like a lot."

"The forest is just around the corner from our apartment, which I love."

So beautiful! 

Would you like to prolong your virtual journey in Finland today? See more corners of Jenny's home over at @nordic_stories and check out one these dreamy Finnish homes: 

Maiju's delightful home in Vaasa

Kati's charming 19th century log house in Finland

Ilkka's lovely rural retreat

It was almost impossible not to feel the calm from each and every one of these homes. I hope you're feeling a sense of serenity from today's post too! 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography @nordic_stories, shared with kind permission. 

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A Danish Country Home with a Striking Kitchen And Relaxing Garden!

Hello friends. Today I'm taking you to North Jutland, Denmark and the charming home of Diana Aud.                         An interior stylist, designer, and a portrait and product photographer, Diana has many strings to her bow, and her creativity shines through in her magnificent kitchen with its mix of patterns, shapes, materials and contrasting tones. True to her Scandinavian heritage, Diana's country home also has a wonderful sense of calm owed in part to the decluttered feel of the space, but also thanks to the nature-themed palette which helps draw the surroundings inside. But there are also plenty of places to relax in the shade outdoors too. Ready to take a look at some of the rooms? Another Studio paid a visit and took these pictures. 

Diana's lovely home has me dreaming of long summer days, how about you? My eyes on that hammock! 

I particularly love the large cabinet in the kitchen which is home to Diana's ceramic collection. The emerald green is so striking. 

You can see more of Diana Aud's lovely danish home over at @Diana.aud. And explore other Danish homes in this archive (one of my favourites!). 

Kram!

Niki

Photography: Another Studio, shared with kind permission. 

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I Found The Perfect Table and Chairs For Our Tiny cabin!

Paid partnership with  Skovby, all words and photos are my own and I only ever work with brands I love

Tjena! I hope you had a great weekend! We spent some time up at our little cabin and I'm really excited to share some snapshots of our new dining area with you. I can't begin to describe the feeling when we all sat down for our first family meal there (take-away pizza, so glam!).  

When it comes to furnishing a small space (30 m2 / 322 ft sq.) I've quickly learned that choosing less and choosing right is key, otherwise the space can quickly become cluttered.

These were the criteria I had in mind for our dining area:

1. The table needed to be small but still easily seat four

2. The table should be round to save space and avoid knocking into the corners

3. The table needed to be extendable for extra guests 

4. There should be extra seating which could be stacked to one side 

Danish brand Skovby has been a My Scandinavian Home partner for many years now - and I've always appreciated the high quality craftsmanship of their Denmark-made furniture (you might recall the glass cabinet, Per's desk, the coffee tables as well as countless other pieces). This little gem of a #120 dining table with white oil oak legs and a black laminate surface was the first to spring to mind for our cabin! 

The round table is a compact 102 cm in diameter and extendable with up to two leaves (available to buy separately), which means you can comfortably seat 6 or 8 people depending on how many leaves you add. Perfect! 

Chair wise, I chose the #807 dining chair in oak white oil. You know me, I love wood, it has such a warm feel, and the shell shape has some flex which makes it comfy. But if you want to go all out on the comfort, this model is available with upholstery for a soft touch, and the #802 version also comes with armrests.

I also picked up some #840 stools (in oak white oil) which can be stacked to the side when not in use (we've also already used them as a bedside table, sofa side table and a footrest!).  

I love that its sustainably made from leftover production wood (I first spotted it during my visit to the Danish Skovby carpenter workshop earlier this spring and picked one up there and then!). 

I hope you like the table and chairs as much as we do! In case you're interested in any of these pieces for your own small space, Skovby is available almost worldwide (find your nearest stockist here).

Incidentally, the table is available in 9 different finishes including oak white oil and white laminate tops - you can see all the variations here. 

In case you're wondering about the ladder, it can be removed and placed elsewhere when needed - but I guess someone could perch there too!

Give me a shout if you have any questions about anything in these pictures -I'd be happy to help! If you'd like to add any small space tips and tricks of your own, I'm all ears as the cabin is far from finished! 

I hope to be able to share a post about our kitchen - including all the details - soon (look closely and you'll see the knobs are missing). Watch this space! 

Wishing you all a great start to the week! 

Niki 

Photography: Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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This Little Swedish Allotment Cottage is a True Summer Oasis!

It's that time of year in Scandinavia when everyone is falling over themselves to enjoy the long-awaited warmer weather (we're talking 16 C/ 60 F today - we'll take it!). While some will be looking forward to hanging out in their garden or local parks this bank holiday, there are others who will be cycling across town to their 'kolonistuga'. Nestled on koloniområdes or 'allotments', these, small and often simply-decorated cabins offer a perfect opportunity to grow your own veg and relax in a green oasis without heading out of town. In spring the water and electricity are turned on for the season and the allotment communities spring to life! This beautiful allotment cottage in Slottsskogskolonien, Gothenburg is a perfect example. Located on a plot far from the road, the 27 m2 / 290 f2 cottage offers all the silence and stillness of the countryside as well as comfy beds for an afternoon siesta or overnight stay - a true oasis! 

The exterior gives the impression that the cottage is rooted in the past, so I was somewhat taken back when I saw the interior pictures! On closer examination though, the cottage was actually built in 2020 and the older appearance lends itself to upcycled windows and doors - a wonderful nod to the previous property on the plot. 

The owners have added modern comforts and contemporary touches such as marble countertops in the kitchen and a wood burning stove by the sofa. However, to use the loo and shower you'd need to navigate the short distance to the communal bathroom nearby. 

I love how the wood floor has been painted different colours which help to carve out zones within the open-plan space. The storage is also really clever - doubling up as room dividers. 

When not in use, the ladder hooks to one side (we've emulated this in our own little cabin, it's important as they take up way more space than you think). 

It might be small, but the clever design allows space for four berths in twin beds and a sleep loft. I've had first-hand experience of sleep lofts recently thanks to the one we have built at our cabin. I also love the bed in the beams above the kitchen in this little cottage! When floorspace is tight, it makes sense to make the most of the height of the room. 

During the day, the twin beds double up as seating to form an indoor dining area. 

Naturally, the most important feature for an allotment cottage is the garden. This charming place benefits from a mature garden with plum, apple, and pear trees as well as favourites such as roses, tulips and daffodils and the more unusual Japanese snowball, Amer maple and flowering dogwood plants.  

So idyllic! 

Fancy one of these allotment cottages? I've got good news; this lovely abode is for sale. And if you happen to be in Gothenburg this Sunday or Monday, you can pop along to the open viewing! Maybe you'll be the lucky one to snap it up! 

Who needs a country estate when you can have a green oasis right there in the city centre?

See other little allotment cottages here: 

A truly idyllic Swedish kolonistuga

Charming details in a Danish allotment cottage

A charming little allotment cottage in Malmö

A pretty allotment cottage in summertime

Do you have something similar to this in your country? I'd love to hear about it if so! 

It's a bank holiday here tomorrow so I'm planning on spending some downtime with Per and the girls - hopefully up at our little cabin but we'll see! I hope you have a lovely, relaxing few days. 

Vi ses på Måndag (see you on Monday!). 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Svensk Fastighetsförmedling, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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