Don't mention the C word but...

Hej hej! Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Do you know what I did? Bought my first Christmas present (eeek did I just mention the C word?!) - yes really! And I'm not even an organised person. I have a 4 and 2 year old and I promised myself not to have another December like the last one so this year I'm going to buy my pressies from online shops  - like my wonderful sponsors - L'Affiche Moderne  and LET LIV. And like the Sweden based Artilleriet, in case you need any encouragement, here are Artilleriet's inspiration images:

Photographs: Artilleriet

A show of hands for those who'd be happy to receive a present from this shop please?!

Do you have any great tips for some 'to cool for school' online Christmas shopping tips?

PS although I mentioned the C word I have made a vow to myself that I will not actually post any Christmas pictures until at least mid November - son don't worry!

PPS this is not a sponsored post  I just love the pretty pictures :)

Swedish home with vintage finds: part II

Yesterday we took a peek around the wonderful  little children's bedroom from Johanna Gartmyr's Southern Swedish family home. And today I promised you the remainder of this fab home crammed full of wonderful retro flea market finds and timeless Scandinavian designer pieces. I particularly love how Johanna and her husband have balanced the splashes of colour in each room, for example the bright yellow lamp matches with the retro chilren's high chair in the dining area...

Photography: Lisa Wikstrand, Stylist/home/owner Johanna Gartmyr, Aprill Aprill.

I spy variations of the String shelves in the dining and sitting room areas. The IKEA black and white striped STOCKHOLM RAND rug in the sitting room and the 'round elefant' black tray from Svenskt Tenn in the last picture.

Such a fab, happy home! Is there anything you particularly love?

PS Thank you Johanna for your kind permission  to share these images (taken by sister, Lisa Wikstrand).

PPS My Scandinavian Home is finally on Facebook as of a month ago (although it has an identity disorder and thinks it's a Tumblr so if you like to have your day occasionally interrupted by a pretty interior picture it could be worth a 'like'. Oh and I am also a little addicted to Pinterest too, are you on there too?

Retro with a contemporary twist

Bold patterned wallpapers with motifs such as dogs wearing hats are at the centre of Swedish designer
Lisa Bengtsson's fabulous designs. And they are show cased with panache in her recently sold apartment here in Sweden, which features the 'Family Wallpaper' in the kitchen and the 'Tillsammans Wallpaper' in the kids room and sitting room. I love her mix of old and new interior style too, note the vintage lockers in the childrens bedroom, the industrial style coffee table and the green 'kakelugn'.

 

Source Svensk Fastighetsförmedling via La Maison D'Anna G

The great news is that Lisa's products can be bought in La Maison D'Anna G's shiny new webshop (approach with caution and the day after payday - you will want everything in the shop...).

Is there a particular wallpaper of Lisa's you could see in your home? Or do you prefer a more simple / clean look? Personally I think the 'Tilsammans' one is so much fun, just need to find a space for it and then convince my man. Hmmm, could take a while!

Danish knock on wood

In Scandinavia wood floor is obviously a huge part of any interior space. So I am often being asked what type of wood floor to go for, usually a tricky question. But today I think I have the answer - Dinesen. This Danish wood floor company does everything right. The distinctive wide wood planks made from Douglas Fir are simply stunning. And it helps that the spaces are too!

Dinesen 

Modern floor, classic, simple, white interior with incredible architect, I'm in love!

This post about wood floors raises the big debate and one I am always battling with as a Brit in Sweden. Swedes are forever asking - why do you have carpets in England? What is your take on wall to wall carpet versus wall to wall wood floor?

Clear storage the Danish way

After a little surfing around today I came across these images from the fab Danish brand Nomess via Norwegian blog Stylizimo. I love perspex storage, so practical yet so smart. Not only can you find everything you're looking for but it's also a great way to show off your beloved shoes / jewellery / hats & scarves etc while keeping them neat and tidy. Oh, and the styling around them is pretty cool and inspirational too. Thanks Nomess!

Nomess via Stylizimo

On another note, there's something wrong with my man. He keeps saying yes to everything. I'm getting nervous. Yesterday he said I could paint one entire wall of the kitchen in blackboard paint. Now I'm too scared to do it.....what?!

Decorating for little people

It's been a while since I have posted anything on children's spaces. I think they're the most fun room of all because there are so many cute things around and little people keep growing which gives you the excuse to keep re-decorating, perrrrfect! One of my absolutely favourite Swedish online shops is Mokkasin. I love their customisable letters, for writing cute messages on the wall, ooo and check out the confetti. This shop is utterly gorgeous!

See you there!

Have a great 'lilla lördag'!

Niki

Idha Lindhag for Svenskt Tenn

Morning! If you spend too much time looking at interior design pictures like I do, you'll have definitely seen some of Swedish photographer Idha Lindhag's images. Here's a shoot she did for Svenskt Tenn, a famous interior shop in Stockholm founded in 1924. I love, love LOVE these pictures.

Idha Lindhag for Svenskt Tenn

Svenskt Tenn has a distinct style with a combination of 'Viennese elegance and Swedish functionalism'. The webshop is so worth checking out - if only for the 2356 brass ceiling lamp.....to channel the brass touches in this home above. Any other brass tips for 2012?

A tranquil white space in Bergen

All hail white spaces! So calm, so pretty, so scandinavian. And this home in Bergen, Norway does it so well, with a perfect hint of antique rose, green, beige and cognac hues. 

IKEA Family Live

I love the touches of IKEA too (well, I did track this home in Ikea Family Live after all) it makes the look that little more achievable. Check out the personalised Celeber IKEA storage jars in the last picture for example.

And we all know that if we pop down to our nearest branch we can enjoy some meatballs and mash for lunch too - bonus!

If you fancy a little more home tour inspiration today (silly question?!) I firmly recommend taking a peek at the latest posts from La Maison D'Anna G and Mechant Design. 'Underbara!'

Niki x

Bespoke furniture by Norwegian photographer Trine Thorsen

Hej hooo!! How was the weekend? Are you feeling as blurry eyed as me this moring?! If we think we've got a lot on, consider Trine Thorsen, Norwegian photographer, and now designer and producer (together with her boyfriend) of timeless, classic bespoke furniture including shelves, benches, wood storage etc. And when Trine isn't busy with that she's renovating her early 20th century Norwegian home. Phew!  Impressive! More projects anyone?!

Photography: Trine Thorsen Via So-mee

If you're loving this furniture like I am, you can find out more info here. Have a lovely Monday! Klem! (as they say in Norway!)