Home Life

Londoner Takes On the Scandinavian Home In Popular Lifestyle Blog

When it comes to the Scandinavian home, it’s all about lagom.

If you find yourself flipping through Houzz or Pinterest, as soon as you see a minimalist design in the home, chances are you’re looking at a Scandinavian-inspired home. And speaking of Scandinavian Home, we caught up with blogger Niki Brantmark, who runs a blog with the same name – My Scandinavian Home – and whose book “Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life” goes on sale in the United States Oct. 3.

Brantmark grew up in London, but one serendipitous holiday in Malmö, Sweden changed everything: She met her future husband. Fast forward a few years, and she has three children, the My Scandinavian Home blog and three books under her belt thanks to that Swedish holiday. Her Instagram following is approaching 100,000.

Check out our Q&A where we talk about design, her favorite rooms and how anyone can incorporate a few tweaks to start embracing a Scandinavian Home vibe.

What inspired you to start the blog, My Scandinavian Home?

When I first moved to Sweden 13 years ago, I couldn’t believe how beautiful the homes were. I started my blog to document them and share with others.

What are some characteristics of Scandinavian design?

The Scandinavian style is very clean and minimalist. They are adept at combining form and function and like to keep to pale colors to maximize natural light.

What are some of your favorite elements of Scandinavian design?

Scandinavian design is heavily inspired by nature, and I find the natural textures (including wood, wool, glass and clay) add a lovely, warm feel.

From what we gather, when it comes to design, simple isn’t always easy. With the minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic, what are some design challenges you face when styling a room?

There’s definitely a fine art to it. A decluttered, minimalist space can feel cold so it’s very important to include lots of texture in order to keep the space warm and inviting.

We’re obsessed with your sitting room – and that staircase! What is your favorite room in your house and why?

I have two favorite areas (is that allowed?). Thank you! I get so much positive feedback about that staircase – although I’m still wondering if I should lighten the wood? Hmmm! I love my bedroom, which takes over the entire top floor – it’s very calm and full of light – like an oasis! I also love our open-plan kitchen, dining room and living room area – it’s where [we] hang out as a family and all the action happens – it’s great for parties, too!

Any tips for our readers to incorporate a little bit of Scandinavian chic into their own living spaces?

I would recommend starting with a good declutter – keeping only the items you love or [find] useful (or both!). You can then think about adding a light touch, including light or grey walls and plenty of plants to draw nature indoors.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I have a new book coming out, and there will be a U.S. version that goes on sale on Oct. 3. It’s called “Lagom. Not Too Little, Not Too Much. The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life.” It was a real pleasure to write – I was overwhelmed by all my Swedish families and friends’ generosity – sharing knowledge, tips, ideas, experiences and even prized recipes! The book includes a great section on achieving a Scandinavian aesthetic in your home – and have fun at the same time!