Lacy's Beautiful Family Home in Earthy Tones

Men hejsan! They say a picture can speak louder than words and today is one of those days. 

Photographer Lacy Hoysradt's childhood home was a fixer upper which she witnessed her parents renovating by hand. And now she and her husband Reed have also caught the bug - and have been very busy doing up their 70s house in Austin, Texas despite their three young children. How have they coped? Lacy explains: "There is a beauty in the process... it's okay if your life and your home are currently under construction." Words to live by as we take a tour of their beautiful home today - and as we start a brand new week! 

Keep an eye out for earthy, warm notes of brown and green, a smart breakfast nook, lovely ways to display family photos and vintage finds. 

Welcome to Lacy's world! 

So many beautiful corners!

You can see so many more snapshots and find out about where she sourced items over on Lacy's instagram. Lacy has also shared some some of her and Reed's amazing DIY projects on the blog at Bespoke by Lacy

I hope Lacy's lovely home has filled you with inspiration! 

I have shared many homes located outside of Scandinavia on the blog before - see the entire international homes archive for more tours. 

Stor kram!

Niki

PS Thank you for your request to see a picture of my gold boots in the comments on Fridays Norwegian home tour featuring a fabulous walk-in closet - I'll see if I can take one for you soon! Everyone needs a pair, I tell you! 

Photography by Lacy Hoysradt, shared with kind permission. 

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White and Brown tones in a Serene Swedish Attic Apartment

Tjena! Welcome back to the blog on this bright and sunny Monday! Oh, have I got a lovely Swedish apartment to share with you. but first, allow me to set the scene. 

When I was at Edinburgh university in Scotland, my flatmates and I always rented a top floor flat without a lift. It was what we could afford at the time and our young legs could bound up the four flights morning, noon and night without a problem - although it was infuriating to get to the ground floor only to realise you'd forgotten something. 

This beautiful maisonette in Gothenburg is located on what us Brits would refer to as the 'second floor' (Swedes would say third floor) - which in my mind is way more manageable. Plus, your efforts are really well rewarded thanks to stunning decor! Think dark wood beams, white-washed stonework, charming wood floors and a rooftop terrace high above the streets of Sweden's second largest city! Not only that, but it's been impeccably decorated in a sea of milky, natural tones. Be still, beating heart! 

If my university flats had looked anything like this, I'd still be there today! I hope you feel inspired by this beautifully decorated Swedish apartment too. 

It's all about the curves when it comes to the coffee table, Pacha-style armchair, Lato side table, vase and pendant light (the Nelson is similar). 

Can you spot the TV? 

Look at the layers of texture too - the sheepskin, blankets, wall hanging, curtains all help to add warmth, 

A little nook by the window is used as a home office space - perfect for capitalising on natural light. 

A Best lite, antique desk and In-between chair make a great combination. Sadly, my desk does not look like this today. 

Warm brown tones in the kitchen have been paired with white upper cabinets to ensure a light and airy feel. 

A Ferm Living desert lounge chair in the corner of the kitchen is perfect for a morning coffee!

It's common to have a washing machine in the bathroom in Sweden (unless there's a communal laundry in the basement of the flats).  

I was asked the other day about the lack of clothes in Swedish homes. Looking at the above hallway, it's a valid question! Despite the Scandinavian 'less is more' philosophy, owning one coat, one bag and one pair of shoes is a push for even the most dedicated of minimalists. Trust me, the average swede has way more kit than this! Some of the homes I show, like this one, are on the market and have been styled for sale - which means a whole load of stuff has been removed. One of the thoughts behind this is that removing personal items such as photos and clothes makes it easier for potential buyers to imagine themselves in the property. Makes sense, I think! 

Overall, a really lovely apartment - could you imagine living here? I certainly could! 

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem with thanks.

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When A Swede Styles A Beautiful Sicilian Townhouse

You might recognise the name Marie Olsson Nylander from her unique interior style and her TV show 'Husdrömmar Sicilien or 'Sicilian House Dreams' (fans out there will be happy to hear there's a new series starting in September). If you're an avid reader of My Scandinavian Home and have a great memory, you might also recall this feature I wrote about her incredible house in Höganäs, Southern Sweden a few years back. Either way, her unique style and passion for one-off vintage pieces means it's hard to forget any space she has turned her hand to. These days, Marie spends most of her time in Sicily - and her instagram feed has taken on a wonderful 'rustic, eclectic, palazzo' vibe as she shares daily shots from her own Sicilian home and those she encounters through her work (trust me, it's worth a look!). I was particularly taken by her latest 'Sicilian Autumn' campaign in which she styled a house in Modica, Sicily using objects from her own home as well as handpicked items from the Ellos collection. Can you spot the Scandinavian influence?  

"My style is artistic, many call it eclectic but I do not like that word - it gets almost too extreme. I am dependent on texture, finding the right material is crucial to get the right feeling. Textiles and colours that go together well with brown tend to be my favourite, I love that. Brown makes everything soft, as does wood. I like drama, the unpredictable and a personal touch. I also like things which are hard to buy, but which obtained after years of life and commitment" - Marie Olsson Nylander. 

Beautiful! 

It looks lovely and cool - a perfect respite from the midday heat (I see it's going to be 35 degrees celsius (95 Fahrenheit) there this weekend - PHEW!). 

Is this your kind of style? If so, you'll most certainly want to hop on over to her instagram for more inspiration this weekend. And don't forget to take the tour of her Höganäs house! 

Here are a few other lovely spaces abroad styled or lived-in by a Swede: 

A Swedish photographer's home in the South of France

A Swedish family home in the French alps

The cosy home of a Swede living in Holland

I've got so many exciting things to share with you next week including the tour of my bedroom, my new yoga studio (probably sounds grander than it is - it's just a corner of the bedroom, but it does the trick and I love it!) and potentially a cabin update (the build starts soon and I've started to think a lot about the interior and might just need your help!). 

Wishing you all a 'trevlig helg' (lovely weekend!). 

Niki

Photography: Ida Lindhag

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A Cosy Malmö Home In Rich, Earthy Tones

This lovely Swedish home reminds me of the beautiful words by Leonard Koren: "Pare down to the essence, but don't remove the poetry." Located on St Knuts Torg, a relaxed, 'mysig' (cosy) and hip square in Malmö, Hannah Ingelsten has taken a minimalist approach to her apartment, furnishing it with only items she needs and loves. Think vintage furniture, handmade stoneware and layers of natural textures against a backdrop of rich, chocolate tones. Granted these are snapshots rather than full room shots, I hope you can still get an idea of Hannah's cosy haven on a cold Southern Sweden day. Välkommen in!

Hannah has kitted out the kitchen with IKEA cabinets and sink, spruced up with traditional brass fittings. 

Patterned linen gives the dining table a lift in the open-plan living space. This striped tablecloth from Lovely Linen (who are offering 20% off with code myscandinavianhome until 21st march, 2021!) is similar - and this striped one* is also pretty. 

We all know TV inspiration can be few and far between on MSH (sorry!) - so I'm excited to include this snapshot of Hannah's - which rests on wall mounted shelves. I particularly love how an old dough bowl has been used to store extra cushions (this rustic handcrafted one is beautiful!) underneath. 

In the living room area, an IKEA Karlstad sofa with stocksund legs has been dressed in a Panama cotton cover in Sage Brown* from Bemz. 

The bedroom wall has been painted in ecological 'Granite Stone' from Byggfabriken - such a cosy shade! A single print: 'Reading' By Fine Little Day* has been hung on the wall beside a dry floral wreath, 

The pretty 'frilly' bedding is from online Swedish store Ellos. 

A simple hanging clothes rail* has been installed in lieu of a wardrobe, while a smaller vintage cupboard houses more clothes. 

So cosy, don't you think?

Such a perfect home tour for a cold, overcast day in Malmö! 

You can see more snapshots of Hannah's home here: @Hannah.vivere. 

I'm busy preparing for a photoshoot in my kitchen this afternoon. It takes a little extra work as my kids were obviously in a hurry when they left for school this morning. There's breakfast stuff everywhere *rolls eyes*! If only it looked like this set-up in Hannah's home, I'd be all ready to go:

Sadly, it looks nothing like this! 

Those plates! Beautiful! 

Right, better get on, there's lots of work to be done. 

Wishing you all a lovely, cosy day!

Niki

All photographs by Hannah Ingelsten, except the portrait which is by Amelia Barklid

*this post contains affiliate links

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