Beautiful small space inspiration - Swedish style!

Hejsan hoppsan! When we were in Norway last week we shared a tiny log cabin with friends. At first we were in a bit of a panic about the size, wondering how we were all going to survive in such close quarters without a bun fight or two! Amazingly, it totally worked out and we put it all down to the owner's clever use of space (and one very relaxing sauna!). I wish I'd taken pictures now (although it does give me an excuse to return, right?!). I'm forever fascinated by small living spaces - and love how even the teeniest spaces can be beautiful (and practical to boot). This apartment in Gothenburg is a mere 38 square metre (409 square foot) and consists of one room and a kitchen, yet it looks spacious and calm thanks to muted, light colours and natural textures (loving the leather chairs!). I could totally imagine rocking about it here today, how about you?!

 Photography: Maria Sahlander Styling: By Bon interior for Bjurfors.

Oh, how I love this space! The tones (white, cream, tan, pale grey), the lovely light fixtures, the textiles. Everything! What a perfect little pad?!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look:

Main living room: white linen bed set, try My Own Bali for a similar wood and teak chair, ash hooks, the Schooley pendant lamp is similar, Söderhamn sofa (opt for 'without arms'), this blanket is similar.  Kitchen: pestle & mortar (love this!), Era chair, Georg Jensen candle holder (another favourite of mine!).

There are so many small spaces to love in this archive too. What they say about the best things and small packages - there's certainly some truth in that, wouldn't you say?!

Have a lovely day!

Bright and Beautiful Scandinavian Apartment

Hi, hope you're having a wonderful Monday so far! It’s Ana here again. Niki is enjoying some well-deserved holidays in beautiful Spain for the next couple of weeks–so you will see me pop in once in a while to share some content I’m sure you’ll love...



Like this gem of an apartment, located in (you guessed it!) Stockholm. This 57sqm wonder is a display of light and well-thought-out design. From top to bottom, from room to room, this home is clearly a project of love. Don't you think? I'm particularly drawn to the openness of this home, the pops of green from the plants, the clever use of space, rustic floors and intricate pieces of art on the walls-specially that gallery above the sofa.

The tall ceilings and characteristic white-crisp walls, make this my dream Scandinavian experience. I can almost picture myself, on that stunning balcony, enjoying a bright Summer evening. *sigh*

I can’t wait to read what you think about this home... BUT before I let you go, don’t forget to vote for Niki and My Scandinavian Home in the Domino design blog awards (voting closes October 31st and you can vote once a day). Thank you!

About The Author

Ana Degenaar → My Scandinavian Home Contributor

Author, Graphic and Web Designer.
Mindfulness is at the heart of everything Ana does—from work to life and everything in between.
For over five years she's focused on creating honest, intelligent and refreshing projects—believing that the best way to accomplish this is to dedicate herself to the essential and making things speak of their intrinsic beauty and purpose.

Beautiful photography inspiration From Lean Timms

I love taking photos (just ask my family - in their opinion I take way too many!) how about you? I find photography is one of those hobbies where the more you learn about it, the more complicated it becomes!). I think that's why I admire the work of professional photographers so much. One of my favourites is Lean Timms, a freelance shutterbug based in Canberra, Australia. Driven by natural light, unique composition and capturing a sense of a place, her love of 'nature, design, travel and the slower moments in life' shines through in her beautiful travel, food, lifestyle and interior photography. Here's a small selection of some of the incredible photographs featured in her portfolio!

All photography © Lean Timms (shared with kind permission)


So lovely, don't you think? Beautiful spaces!

You can see more pictures from Lean's portfolio here and prints are available to buy in her shop 'North: a visual affirmation to a Scandinavian love affair'.

By the way -  how inspiring are her pictures of the Faroe Islands (featured in the travel section and on her inspiring instagram feed)? I'd so love to visit - it's top of my places to visit, I really hope I get to go there one day! Have you ever been?

Have a lovely day!

PS This is such an exciting day - my book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life launches in the UK today! Look out for a sneak peek inside later! Thank you for the overwhelming number of pre-orders, you're wonderful! I hope my book inspires you as much as it has me!

A light and soothing small Swedish home

God morgon! How are you today?! Due to a super exciting make-over and photo shoot in my sitting room over the weekend (look out for the reveal later this week) I already feel like I'm well into the working week! I'll be taking my girls for our annual day out at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen shortly though, so you really can't feel sorry for me! I so love that place - have you been? Before I head off, I thought it would be a good idea to ease us in to the week gently with a tour of this bright and airy Gothenburg home decorated in an array of soothing shades and natural textures. Measuring a total of 37 square metres / 398 square feet, it's another fine lessons from the Swedes on how to design a small space (see the archive here!). Oh and there's that wonderful knot cushion in mustard again (someone's trying to tell us something?!) - enjoy the tour!

Photography: Maria Sahlander. Styling: Emma Fisher for sale through Bjurfors.

So simple, so soft and so easy to live with! Could you imagine incorporating this scheme into your home?

A few items I know and love: sitting room - flowerpot pendant, Hay table, knot cushion, Mantis floor lamp. Karlstad sofa covered in the Bemz urban loose fit linen. Dining area: posters and prints from The Poster Club, J39 The People's Chair by Børge Mogensen. Bedroom - source lovely white linen bedding here.

Oh and Skåne friends - due to my new sitting room make-over our beloved North sofa is now for sale on Blocket - although it will always live on in this post!

Have a great start to the week lovely friends!

A beautiful country home in Värmland, Sweden

Well hello there! It's been a while? I hope you're great? I'm feeling all happy and relaxed after two weeks in the USA - which included a NYC and a wonderful tour of Long Island (two things:  If you go to NYC take some time out to visit Montauk (fellow fans of 'The Affair' - the Lobster Roll exists!) - but above all else, visit the North Fork for farm shops, antiques, rosé tasting at Croteaux Vineyards and the best slow coffee ever at North Fork Roasting Co). As the Swedish proverb goes 'borta bra, men hemma bäst' (away is good, but home is best!) and it's great to be back in South Sweden too.  I was especially excited to stumble across the wonderful instagram feed of Therese Johansen via Trendenser blog this morning (thank you for the tip Frida!) and couldn't resist sharing a few of the lovely pictures of her home in Värmland, Sweden. Think modern-country style with a muted colour palette and lots of interesting details (how fab are the old windows?). Enjoy....

Oj oj oj - what a beautiful home?!

I particularly love all the displays, plants, and linens. Is there anything that stands out to you?

A few items I know and love from Therese's home: sitting room - the sofa looks like it's been draped with white linen  - or try Bemz for linen covers designed to fit IKEA sofas. Source a black and white Moroccan blanket with pom poms here. The Z1 lamp by Ay Illuminate is similar. Vases by Ernst. The Poster Club sells many of the prints seen on the gallery wall. Second living area - this round mirror is similar, Octopus candleholder, The Kinfolk Home and The Kinfolk Table books. Kitchen - Menu chairs. Bedroom - dark grey linen duvet colour and pillow case.

You can see more of Therese's home and follow her latest projects over on Instagram here. 

Have a great start to the week!

PS the down side of going to far away places? Waking up at 2am and not being able to get back to sleep. Siesta time!!