A Dream Stockholm Apartment, Inside and out!

''Think with your head not with your heart'', they say when it comes to house hunting. In my mind, this is way easier said than done, do you agree? 

Take this apartment for example, I'd fall in love the moment I'd step in the door! Located in the oldest buildings in Södermalm dating back to 1640, the exterior is a dream, with an interior to match! Eagle eyes out there might recognise the apartment from this post back in 2020. It's fun to see some new angles, but above all else to discover that it's for sale and looking for a new owner. Could that be you? 

Keep a special eye out for the incredible architectural details, interesting colour scheme, blend of furniture, lighting and art! 

The predominant shade is a deep Almond beige by Jotun. 

I love the way art has been propped atop the wainscoting, so you can move it around on a whim. The glass wood cabinet is also lovely! 

The tone in the bedroom has a pink - red  tint to it giving a soft touch of romance. I'm pretty sure it's also a shade by Jotun, check out their pink range here. 

The Flowerpot pendant in beige red make such a pretty combination with the almond beige walls! 

It's fun to see gymnastic rings in one of the children's rooms. My daughter Allie absolutely loves hers - well worth me bumping into them every time I go into her room (she says)! Source similar wooden rings here*. 

Industrial blue has been on the walls and desk and a hint of pink adds warmth and contrast.  

All in all, a really fabulous apartment! I really love the colour scheme. 

Is there anything that popped out to you? 

If you're curious about where some of the items are from, head over to this post (I did my best to link to as many items as possible!) 

Could you see yourself living here? Word on the street is that there's a viewing this week. More details here. 

Take a look at other Scandinavian homes with noteworthy colour schemes here:

Bringing in the hues of the fells and fjords in a Norwegian cabin

Embracing the blues in a fabulous danish apartment

A danish home in a riot of colours!

Lessons to learn from a colourful Norwegian home

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS did you see the beautiful limited edition wishbone chair in slate in my bedroom / home office on Friday? 

Photography: Peo Bengtsson 

For sale via Bjurfors

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The New Wishbone Chair in Slate in my Home!

Paid partnership with Carl Hansen & Søn, all words are my own and I only work with brands I love and think you will too. This post has been edited with a correction. 

I love chairs. People often think that you need to buy a whole set, and that they're specifically designed to go round a dining table. But in my mind, chairs are like art. Functional art. And they can look just as beautiful and be practical anywhere in the home. Especially when they are as iconic as the Wishbone chair CH24. This classic Danish beauty, designed by  Hans J. Wegner is over 70 years-old, but you'd never know it thanks to its timeless design. 

I of course love the oak version, but I was also very excited to hear about a new collaboration between danish furniture company Carl Hansen & Søn and London-based designer Ilse Crawford. A partnership which resulted in nine new colour variants of the Wishbone Chair which include soothing earthy tones of Pewter, Hollyhock, Barley, Seaweed, Terracotta, Clay, North Sea, Slate and Falu.

This fine specimen in my bedroom is the 'Slate' variation. 

The chairs have then be finished in a translucent, non-toxic, water-based paint for depth to the familiar shape and also to allow the natural grain to shine through. Everything else about the chair remains intact including the FSC certified beech and natural cord (on a recent trip to Copenhagen, I watched the weavers in action and the level of craftsmanship was immense!). 

It's been a while since I've shown this little corner of my home. Per built these shelves over 15 years ago and they are still going strong! They're not very solid though, hence why they only hold a whittled down curated display including clay figures by local artists Simon Vendin and a bowl by Helena Gorne, a piece of drift wood picked up on a volcanic beach in Iceland, art by my children and lots of plants and photos! 

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, I think chairs can look lovely in pretty much all rooms of the home. Perhaps my favourite spot for this one is simply against the wall in my bedroom (beside the desk). I like that it means you can more clearly see the outline of the shape. 

Until of course, I cover it in clothes - I give it two days! 

I know it would look beautiful by the table too - either as an entire set or one at the end, perhaps one day I'll move it down, we'll see! 

Are you a fan of the wishbone chair too? 

If you're tempted, see the complete collection over at Carl Hansen & Søn. 

It's been ages since I've featured my home here, if you'd like to see more corners, check out my home  although, I'm starting to feel some updates are needed so maybe you're better off looking at my cabin or better still, there are also lots of beautiful home tours to discover in the archive if you'd like some inspiration this weekend! 

I hope you a relaxing couple of days, thank you so much for stopping by.  

Vi ses på måndag! 

Niki

NOTE I previously stated that this was a limited edition collection, which was an error. The nine CH24 Sift collection will be permanent. The post has been corrected accordingly. Sorry for any confusion! 

Photography & styling: Niki Brantmark - My Scandinavian Home. 

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Charming and Relaxed Boobialla Bungalow, Tasmania

This weekend I felt like spring was in the air in Malmö - even going as far as mentioning this in my instagram stories. What a mistake. We woke up this morning to a world blanketed in snow, yes friends, 'second winter' has arrived! I hope you'll forgive me for transporting us far south to a warmer climate on the blog today. 

There are several places on this earth that I have never been to, bit can imagine have a similar vibe to Sweden (although I could of course be wrong!). One day I'd love to visit Maine in the US, for example. But I am also drawn to Tasmania - there is something about the rugged, wild coastline and relaxed cabins I so often discover online. 

I've featured many holiday homes from the island in the past, and today stumbled across Boobialla Bungalow on the South Arm peninsula. A once forgotten 1930s shack, this charming and relaxed coastal hideout is a couple of minutes walk from the beach, and looks like a chilled base from which to explore the bay and beyond.

The majority of the furniture is vintage, adding to the chilled, un-polished vibe of the place. 

The mid blue helps to create a cosy atmosphere in the sitting room, and echoes the coastal location. 

A wood burning stove helps to heat the space in winter. 

The blue theme is continued in the bedroom. 

There's something about retro pink baths - my grandmother used to have one and this picture transported me straight back to my childhood! I love the combination with the dark green. 

Rather than grand outdoor seating around a fire, sometimes all you need is a few tree stumps! Speaking of which, are you ready for some outdoor inspiration soon? Even if there's snow on the ground right now here, I'm feeling confident spring is just around the corner (again!). 

Visiting Tasmania and fancy a stay here? Enquire more over at @airbnb and see more pictures at @boobiallabungalow. 

Take a peek at all the Tasmanian properties I've featured in this archive. 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: Renee Thurston, shared with kind permission from Shawn / Boobialla Bungalow

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A Waterside Swedish Summer Cottage with a Sauna

A wise person once told me 'everyone has a season' in which they thrive. Do you find this? While I try to embrace each season, if truth be told, my heart belongs to summer! In Scandinavia it's a really magical time of year - time seems to be suspended and the world is bathed in a luxurious pin-sharp light. And the locals know exactly how to celebrate it in style! 

This incredible summer cottage in Värmdo, Stockholm County transports me to the month of July, when many Swedes flock to the coast to make the most of the warm weather. Although understated, the property has everything a family need to make the most of the season: accessible by boat, it has an understated charm, a guest house and sauna. Ready to take a look around? 

Although pared-back, the sitting room still has a warm vibe thanks to a deep red and blue rug and a wood-burning stove. Shelves laden with sea-themed treasures help to bring in the coastal surroundings. 

The dining area is surrounded by windows, giving the space an outdoor feel and views over the water. 

I love the use of texture in the kitchen. Using different finishes like concrete and wood panelling adds interest (see this swedish apartment for a variety of finishes!). 

Open shelving in the kitchen is ideal for displaying summery items like picnic baskets and vases for flowers and also creates a relaxed grab and go feel. 

Guesthouse

A self-contained guesthouse - complete with kitchen, living room area, bedroom and bathroom ensures everyone has their own space - especially great for longer stays! 

The Hemnes sofa bed from IKEA provides an extra bunk when needed. 

Sauna house 

Your very own spa? Heaven! True to Swedish style, the sauna house is understated yet provides everything you might need to relax including a wood-burning sauna, relaxation room and easy access to cool off with a dip in the sea. 

What a place to spend summer. I can just imagine arriving from Stockholm by boat! 

Actually scrap that, get those fires roaring and the sauna going and it would also make a perfect getaway in the winter, don't you think? 

Could you imagine wiling away your weekends and holidays here too? The good news it, it's currently for sale! Shall we pool our money and share it between us? 

Dream away and feel inspired by other Scandinavian summer cottages today in this archive (if this comes up first just scroll down to a load more beautiful properties!). 

Ha det bra! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Norstrand Mäkleri with thanks. 

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Beautiful Limestone Barn on the island of Gotland (It's on Airbnb!)

Are you an early or late  holiday planner? I have to confess I'm a little of a last-minute traveller, but there's something to be said for having a wonderful trip to look forward to! If you're thinking of visiting Sweden this summer, I would suggest booking Kalkstenslada (Limestone Barn) early. I stumbled across the property on Airbnb this morning, and I've been dreaming about it ever since! 

According to the description, the barn is newly refurbished and nestled on a headland in beautiful Faludden, southeast Gotland, surrounded by meadows and paddocks. Tracks lead down to a sandy beach and a pretty harbour. 

If you go, I'd recommend hiring bikes and explore the island, it's one of the world's best kept secrets, with galleries, farm shops, vintage stores and cafes and restaurants waiting to be discovered! And once you're back at the barn, it's simply to kick back and relax in true Gotland style! Tell me I haven't got your summer sorted?

The concrete floors and chalk walls beautiful reflect the rugged nature of the island. 

Source similar vintage wood chairs here*.  The lovely table looks like it's been made by a local carpenter but do correct me if I'm wrong! 

You can achieve the mottled effect on the walls using lime paint (I use Kalklitir - and would recommend adding a topcoat). 

The main living room is completely open plan with a kitchen (the units looks like Lerhyttan by ikea), dining area and sitting room. The stairs lead off it to bedrooms upstairs. 

Rattan furniture with blue cushions adds a relaxed, coastal vibe while a map and bird motif art give a nod to the surrounding area. Two Gotland sheepskin throws* have been draped over the sofa. 

I'd be perfectly happy curling up here this weekend and leafing through those coffee table books, how about you? 

Blue and beige bedlinen matches the colour of the nearby beach, giving the bedroom a fresh, summer vibe! From some of the rooms, you can see the glistening sea in the distance! 

Gotland is breath-taking! Per, the girls and I sailed there one summer. We were only meant to stay for a couple of days, and Per had to drag me off after four! I'd have stayed all summer if I could have. See some pictures and my guide to island hopping in The Baltic. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? 

You can find more information about Limestone Barn and book your stay here. 

It would be rude not to share a few more houses on Gotland with you today. Here are a few of my favourites: 

A rustic summer cottage on Gotland with a pool (available to rent) 

Elsa's lovely summer cottage

A converted schoolhouse 

A 19th century house ready for summer

Right folks. That's it from me this week. I just need to wrap up a few things at my desk and then it's time for the WEEKEND! And we have a birthday in the house too - 'Grattis' Per! 

Wishing you all a relaxing couple of days, see you Monday! 

Niki

Images courtesy of Airbnb / Kalkstenslada

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