In Search Of Beauty Sleep!

Did you know it's world sleep day? I've been thinking a lot lately about sleep (and lack of!). Firstly I'm the Mother of two, secondly I'm guilty of going to bed a little too late (I'm looking at you Netflix!) and finally, my husband and I have the worst bed E.V.E.R. Lurking under the beautiful set-up that is my bedroom is a double bed with one side slightly higher than the other and a super soft, 16 year old mattress! I kid you not! Knowing the importance of a great night's sleep (I even wrote about it in my Lagom book!), my new years resolution to look after myself a little better this year and the fact that we spend a third of our lives in bed, why do I put so much effort into creating a beautiful bedroom then scrimp on the most important thing?! Are you guilty of this too? This is my (surprising) journey in search of better sleep:

Now, you know me well. Comfort and good quality is essential, but it has to look pretty too. Which is how I discovered Carpe Diem Beds. After a little research (hey, I've been waiting 16 years, and it is after all, a 'big girl investment') I found that despite being a global brand (available in 20 countries) their beds are handcrafted in beautiful Lysekil in the archipelago North of Gothenburg, which is where my husband and I met! Fate?! A visit to Sweden's West Coast was totally in order (purely for research purposes, of course!).

In between blustery cliff walks, boat rides and the odd sauna, I learned that Carpe Diem Beds was founded by local chiropractor Börje Thuleskär, who was soaking up the sun on a bed of wild heather (found in abundance on the islands) and noticed the flora supported him and moulded to his body. This paved the way for the Contour Pocket System: a unique individually flexible spring system which works to follow the contours of your body and relieve pressure.

The beds are also built using the highest quality materials including frames of Swedish pine, bolsters of cotton and wool and mattresses upholstered with Talalay latex, wool, and cotton. They're also marked with the Nordic 'Swan' eco-label and individually signed by the person who made it! This also means you can decide the fabric, headboard and legs (love that!). 

 By the end of my two days I was sorry to leave (I stayed in a hotel with a Carpe Diem Beds bed and it was like sleeping on a cloud. For the first time in ages I woke up rested - body and soul!). It's absolutely no coincidence that I have since became an extremely proud ambassador.

Which brings me to the most important step in my search for better sleep - which bed to choose (each one is named after a place in the archipelago). Here are a few of my faves:

Malö

Their most popular frame bed, Malö, has an extra-high spring system, giving you a feeling of being weightless (loving the sound of that?!). 

Härmanö

Härmanö is a continental bed with separate spring systems and classic double mattresses for maxing out on the comfort and pressure relief (so tempting!).

Vindö

Set to launch soon, Vindö is designed to look like it's flying and has an app that lets you adjust the beds position, lighting and massage functions! Could. You. Imagine?! Would you ever get out of bed?! Here's their complete range of adjustable beds (just saying!).

So, what do you think? Do you have a favourite? I have mine. And my husband has his. Let's see who wins (to be revealed soon!).

Sleep... I'm coming for you!

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Carpe Diem Beds, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

Photography courtesy of Carpe Diem Beds.

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My Autumn Bedroom Make-over with an IKEA hack

Paid partnership with Bemz which includes affiliate links, all words are my own*

Hejsan! I'm curious: are you a fan of change? I love change and find that surrounding myself with a new environment always gives me new energy (Per's actually the opposite, which can be, shall we say interesting!). I often make small changes at home, but with Autumn looming (dare I say it!) I felt it was time for something bigger!

As pretty as it was, I've grown tired of the 'blushing peach' wall in the bedroom and felt it was time to change up our bedroom to give it a fresh lease of life. Per and I applied lime paint to the walls a few weeks ago, and I've since been layering the room with new pieces as well as beautiful textiles from Bemz (the Swedish brand makes luxurious designer textile covers, cushions and other accessories for IKEA furniture and I've been a fan ever since my sitting room make-over way back in 2017!). So, what 's changed in the bedroom? Here's the low down: 

Overall look

To me, a bedroom should have a wonderful element of calm. It should be somewhere that's easy to switch off - and also somewhere heavenly to wake up. I consulted with the MSH interior designer Helen - and we decided to go for soothing tones of white and soft beige as well as cosy Autumnal tones of cocoa, acorn and rosemary. So pretty together! 

I've also added a new mirror (we've never had a full body one so maybe I'll no longer look like I've been getting dressed in the dark!), various vases and a reading lamp (all Ferm Living)! 

Let's get started with the bigger pieces: 

Headboard

As you may have noticed, we've never had a headboard before. To be honest, I always thought it was impossible with the window. But I was keen to give it a go as I knew it would make our bed feel so much more sumptuous and 'grown-up'(!) come Autumn! 

This one is the STAVANGER / BORÖY headboard from IKEA which is perfect as it just slots between the bed and the wall leans. I then added a Bemz universal headboard cover which comes in different widths and a choice of 130+ fabrics, and it just slides on over the top of any headboard. How crazy is that? See the end of the post for details on discount and samples.

I chose a new linen fabric which launches this Autumn (more info to follow!),  however, there are a couple of other beautiful white linen fabrics available. 

Side note: the windowsill has always doubled up really nicely as a shelf for books, plants, my Anse vase and morning coffee  - and admittedly a whole host of other things like batteries, receipts etc *rolls eyes!*.  

The bed skirt

Are you a fan of bed skirts? Once considered twee and a little OTT (I am still scarred by some of the floral ones I witnessed in the eighties!), bed skirts have totally come into their own in recent years, have you found the same? 

I love them as they hide a multitude of sins under the bed including unsightly bed bases, storage and that ghostly black gap (hands up anyone who's ever checked under their bed before going to sleep). Plus, they add a wonderful element of calm to the room. 

My new one is the Boxpleat, Rosendahl Pure Washed Linen, Absolute White. It's so pretty - and has a lovely, relaxed feel about it. 

Bedspread

I love a throw. They make a bed look so much neater when made. This is the Loose Fit, Brera Lino by Designers Guild, Natural which has beautiful seams (if you're thinking of getting this, go big. My bed is 180 cm x 200 cm and I opted for the 240 cm x 240 cm one). 

I love the subtle contrast with the white bed skirt too. What do you reckon? 

Cushions

I'm not sure how these cushions slipped through the net (Per banned me from buying more for the house sometime a go) - but I'm so glad they did! I always think Cushions are a perfect way to add accent colours (this time I went for Autumn vibes in acorn, cocoa and rosemary)- and also to snuggle up against for some cosy bedtime reading. 

I picked out four larger cushions to lean against the headboard (size 60 x 80 cm) and then smaller ones to pile on (50 x 50 cm).  

Armchair

A bedroom wouldn't be complete without a 'chairobe' (your entire wardrobe of clothes waiting on a chair to be put away or worn...!), guilty of this? I am! 

We've had an IKEA Söderhamn armchair in our bedroom for donkeys, and I was keen to cover it in a retro bouclé, tweed or teddy from the new Bemz Tactile Collection. You'll most likely have spotted the trend for textured fabrics over the past 12 months and now we can all update our existing IKEA sofas and armchairs! Liking that a lot! 

I chose the Söderhamn Armchair cover regular fit, Boucle, ivory. All I need now, is a pile of books and a candle and I'm good to go! 

And that's it! 

I hope you like our new bedroom as much as Per and I do!

If you've got questions about anything you've seen just give me a shout and I'll be happy to help. I'll likely do a follow-up post highlighting the details soon (just in case you're curious about the vases, lamp, print etc!). 

If you're interested in buying a Bemz cover, I'd advise ordering samples first so that you can test out the colours and fabrics at home (it can be hard to tell online). 

Right guys, that's it from me. Wishing you all a lovely day! 

I'm tempted to go back to bed now, what do you think? 

Niki

Photography; Niki Brantmark

Styling: Helen Sturesson

This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with Bemz and contains affiliate links. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I absolutely love and think you will too (#Ilovemyjob!). Thank you for supporting the businesses that help bring fresh content to your mail box and make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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14 Ways To Add a Touch of Scandi Luxury To Your Bedroom This Winter

// Paid partnership with Carpe Diem Beds, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too*

The North of Sweden experienced its first dusting of snow this week - a sign that winter is on its way! Eeek! Here in the south, the mornings have become progressively darker and as the cold wind blows, we're starting to migrate indoors. And there's nowhere I'd rather be than in bed!  

I guess there's nothing too unusual about that. They say the average person spends 26 years of their life sleeping (seriously?) add to that reading, and luxurious lie-ins and we're talking a serious amount of time in bed!

With this revelation in mind, winter looming, and a wonderful trip to visit the birthplace of Carpe Diem Beds on Sweden's West coast still fresh in my mind, I felt inspired to give my bedroom a complete Scandinavian luxury makeover just in time for winter. Here are 14 tips in case you'd also like to add a little luxury to your boudoir this winter! 

1. Invest in a bed that's just right for you! No amount of luxurious bedlinen can compensate for a mattress that's not suited to your needs! If you haven't already, speak to a bed expert to find out what type of mattress you need. Per and I tested a load of different beds before choosing our Sandö bed from Carpe Diem Beds a few years back. Each side has a different firmness, and it's transformed the way we sleep and how we feel when we wake up. I'm not going to lie, Per still snores though! 

2.  Invest in a good mattress topper: I promise, this will make all the difference to your comfort! Since the climate is really variable with cold winters and warmish summers in Sweden, we chose a mattress topper with a cotton-lined side for summer and a wool-lined side for winter (I just flipped it this week in fact!). There are lots of varieties on the market to suit all budgets so do take a look!

3. Use a mattress protector: not only will this protect your mattress - it will also make your bed feel even more cosy when you slip under the covers. 

4. Use the right duvet for the season: Depending on the climate you live in and how well the temperature in your room is regulated (according to research, the ultimate bedroom temperature is a relatively cool 18.3 degrees celsius / 65 degrees Fahrenheit) - you ned to make sure you have the right duvet to suit your needs according to the season. My daughter recently described our duvets as 'fluffy cloud' - high praise indeed! 

5. Use two single duvets rather than a double: Yes, REALLY! This might not come as a surprise to you if you live in Scandinavian or some parts of Europe. But it's really the only way to get the absolute BEST night sleep possible simply because you can choose your own duvet thickness, stick limbs out at will, and won't fight over the covers! 

6. Use a pillow (or two) that's just right for your needs: An essential element - as the firmness / style will  totally affect the way you sleep. My Mum also taught me to always use a pillow protector (this could be as simple as covering your pillow with an old, worn-out pillowcase which will then go under your a actual pillowcase). I've also added larger cushions which match the bed upholstery (Zaragoza Eggshell by Designers Guild) to have something to cosy up against while reading.  

7. Make your bed with beautiful linen! Let me in on you a secret, Per never texts me. If he does, it will be two letters, like 'OK'! But the other day after I'd prepped our bedroom for winter, he sent me a text that read: 'this bedding is incredible'. 

An unprecedented four words without prompt! 

The secret: it's all in the thread count - the higher the thread count the more luxurious it feels and our new Havbris bedlinen has an immensely high thread count of 500. Also, dare I say it - a simple iron makes a big difference too - boring! 

8. Keep a spare blanket to hand: just in case of drafts, extra cold feet etc! 

9. Add soft, warm lighting and a beautiful scent: Tap into all the senses by adding a lovely warm glow and a beautiful scent to the room. This hand poured Gryning candle smells divine! 

Word of caution, be vigilant- never leave a naked flame unattended and always ensure it's well away from anything flammable. 

10. Coffee and a good read: what would a luxurious lie-in be without either of these? 

11. Add somewhere to sit: hopping around the room on one foot while getting dressed / undressed doesn't spell luxurious - so make sure you include a place to sit- weather a bench, ottoman or footstool (the latter adds an instant 'dressing room' feel. 

12. Treat yourself to some heavenly nightwear: whatever your preferred style, make sure it feels wonderful against your skin and you can move freely (like this silk robe!). 

13. Keep moisturisers to hand: skin dries out so much more in the winter!

14. Turn off your phone and relax!

All this writing about winter luxury bedrooms makes me want to go straight back to bed, and the clocks haven't even gone forward yet. 

I hope this has given you a few ideas for your own bedroom. Please do feel free to add your own tips in the comment section below! 

Sov Gott! / Sweet dreams! 

Niki

*This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with Carpe Diem Beds and includes gifted items. All words are my own and I only ever recommend brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the Scandinavian businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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My Dream Bed (In The Making!)

Post updated:

A psychologist friend of mine told me recently that one of the keys to success in life is self-care. I'm not just brushing your teeth in the morning - really looking after yourself. Taking breaks, putting aside time for the things you love and generally pampering the soul! Do you do enough of this? Having ended 2017 feeling a little run down, I decided to make this the year I am kinder to myself - and the first item on my list was getting a better night's sleep! Thanks to the Swedish luxury brand Carpe Diem Beds - and an instagram stories poll last month (so grateful for all your input!) I have finally decided on a new bed: Sandö.

Sandö is a continental bed named after an island in the beautiful Gothenburg archipelago.  What makes Sandö so comfortable are its three unique interacting spring systems that raise your sleep and ensure you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud. It also includes the patented Carpe Diem Beds Contour System, which looks after the body's contours and its protruding parts, such as shoulders, hips and buttocks. Combined with the depth of the spring system, this gives a feeling of weightlessness that must be experience (read more about the Contour Pocket System here). We're talking Princess and The Pea style comfort here! The question is, will I ever be able to get out of bed in the morning?!

The next step was to build it (each bed is handcrafted which means you get to choose all the details including mattress firmness, fabric, headboard and legs).  As someone into design, I couldn't be happier about this!

Getting Cosy!

According to The Sleep Help Institute, choosing the right firmness plays a huge role in getting a good night's sleep and reducing aches and pains.  

When choosing the firmness, there are several factors to consider including your own personal perception of comfort, your weight (the heavier you are, generally the firmer the mattress and vice versa) and your sleep position (whether you sleep on your back, side or front can have an impact on the firmness you choose - who knew?!). Since mattresses can vary between brands it's best to discuss this at the point of sale / directly with the brand.

Deciding On Fabric

I've never owned a continental bed before and love the idea of being able to choose a fabric that feels good and matches my room! Being a Brit I couldn't resist the fabric designed in collaboration with Designers Guild! I opted for the non-allergic Zaragoza eggshell, a soft chenille that I think will go well with the chestnut and blushing peach tones in my bedroom and adjoining home office.

But what about the headboard? Well, I can't tell you how much I'd LOVE an upholstered headboard (do you have one?) - they always look so comfortable! Alas, with our low bedroom window it just wasn't possible, so I opted for two plump headboard cushions made from the same fabric as the bed (available in store soon!).

And finally the legs - being a nature-lover, this was the easiest choice of all (despite a variety of styles and finishes such as copper and black aluminium) I went for the 13 cm OAK legs.

Something tells me I'm going to be a new person once this one arrives!

Have a cosy day,

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Carpe Diem Beds, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. You can find out more information about Carpe Diem Beds and their dealers here.

Photography courtesy of Carpe Diem Beds.

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A Heavenly Stay On Sweden’s West Coast

// Paid partnership with Carpe Diem Beds, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love

Have you been able to travel recently? This time last week I made my way up to Fiskebäckskil on the West coast of Sweden - and although it wasn't far away, boy did it feel like luxury! I consider the Gothenburg archipelagos one of Sweden's best key secrets. Characterised by a rugged coastline dotted with hundreds of islands and skerries (see my island hopping guide!), the natural beauty of this part of the world has inspired many a poet, artist and design idea. And it's the latter which brought me here this Autumn. 

Around 120 kilometres from Gothenburg (and a short rib boat ride from where I was staying) you'll find the tiny, picturesque island of Stora Kornö. Accessible by boat, the harbour was once a thriving fishing port, with fishermen and other locals residing in one of the 52 houses. Today, no one lives here year-round. Instead, it's a popular summer destination for those who own cottages, sailors (like Per and I) and day trippers. Locals also flock to the island in the Autumn to celebrate the start of lobster season, and as we pulled up in the rib, many had gathered in the harbour ready to lay their pots. 

But we were here for a different reason: to walk in the footsteps of the brilliant Carpe Diem Beds founder, chiropractor Börje Thuleskär!

Story has it that Börje was relaxing on a bed of heather on the cliffs on the Southwestern shore, feeling happy and relaxed - and most importantly, supremely comfortable. He'd been disappointed by his inability to find a comfortable bed and marvelled at how the heather moulded to his body and gave him an incredible feeling of weightlessness. He immediately struck upon the idea of building his own bed - and the idea for Carpe Diem Beds was born. 

Today, the Swedish brand offers a range of luxury made-to-order, supremely comfortable beds (I'm not just saying that, I've had one for years and slept like a baby ever since!). Hand-built in nearby Lysekil, each bed is named after a local island and individually signed by the crafstperson - high quality Swedish design at it's finest! 

Back on the island of Skaftö and relaxing in my room at Gullmarsstrand Hotel, I marvelled at how a local business, has grown into a globally recognised brand, and sold in over 20 countries. You'll likely know someone who owns one of their beds - or might have been lucky enough to sleep in one at a design hotel as far and wide as Mauritious and the USA - or even the magnificent Ice Hotel (a dream of mine - have you ever been?). 

But this time, I didn't need to travel far. 

My room was heavenly! Sheer curtains bellowed in the fresh Autumn breeze and I could make out the church spire of Lysekil across the sound. Centre stage was the magnificent Vindö (AKA 'The Flying Bed') - the Carpe Diem Bed pièce de résistance, featuring several vibration massage programs, an automatic neck and lumbar support as well as adjustable head and foot rests! 

And best of all, I had it completely to myself. It was the perfect place to unwind, catch up on some much needed sleep surrounded by luxurious comfort and stay in bed on a Tuesday, with a coffee and a good book! How heavenly! 

All in all, a blissful few days and so hard to tear myself away from the wonderful rawness of the nature at this time of the year - and the cosiness and comfort of my room! Thank you Carpe Diem Beds and Gullmarsstrand Hotel! 

I only wish I could have stayed for lobster season. 

Next year!

If you're planning on visiting Sweden at some point, make sure you come to this part of the country - it's staggeringly beautiful! In the meantime, keep a look out for my post in the coming weeks about how to turn your own bedroom into a lap of luxury for the winter. I mean, if we're going to hibernate, we might as well do it in style, right?

Niki

This post is brought to you in paid collaboration with Carpe Diem Beds. All words are my own and I only ever recommend brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the Scandinavian businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Back to bed on a Monday....dreamy bedroom inspiration!

Hello Monday! I hope you had a great weekend? We headed up to the cottage on Saturday and woke up to a foot of snow! You can just imagine how excited the girls were (the man on the other hand, spent an hour shoveling out the car)! Did you get snow where you are too? It's sooo chilly outside that after packing my girls off to nursery in snow suits what I really wanted to do was go back to bed with a box set and a slice of this! But instead, I'll settle for drooling over this dreamy bedding by Crisp Sheets. Imagine having a bedroom like this? I'm not sure I'd ever get out of bed!

Crisp sheets. Found via TDC.

The items: Cozy plaid / Secret Garden duvet cover / Weekend lover duvet set / Light as a feather duvet set. Love the 'dots' bedding too. Do you have a favourite?

Other bedding I love: cosy organic wool blanket and a mega chunky knit blanket (could have done with these at the cottage this weekend BRRRRR!). This fab black and white Moroccan wool bed throw with pom poms. And handmade fresh white bed linen. Heaven!

More beautiful bedroom inspiration for 'back to bed Monday' include the calm Danish boudoir of Tine K Home owner, a Swedish bedroom in neutrals, and if you have a small bedroom - this monochrome Belgium space offers some great ideas.

Back to bed anyone?

Have a great start to the week!

PS this is not a sponsored post, I just love the bedding!

PPS twenty-four reasons why living in Sweden will ruin your life.

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