Home tour | A new-build apartment in soft, sophisticated tones

In recent months I’ve shared a few inspiring homes that prove new-builds needn’t be cold or soulless, and I have another fantastic example for you today. Set in the new Stockholm district of Haga Norra, this just-finished apartment (currently for sale via Fantastic Frank) is warm, cosy and very elegant, and it seemed like the perfect choice for my final home tour of 2020.

The inviting ambiance is largely down to a very clever use of colour and texture. Throughout, soft grey-beige walls are offset by splashes of chocolate brown, russet and forest green – hues that add a hint of depth and richness without overwhelming the otherwise airy feel. It’s a very sophisticated combination, and it’s warmed up even further by tactile velvet upholstery, handmade ceramics and snuggly woollen rugs and blankets. What’s more, the angular lines of the architecture are softened by semi-sheer linen curtains, vases of leafy foliage, and furniture, lamps and artwork with gently curved forms.

The living room is particularly beautiful. The open-plan space is fairly compact, but it’s been carefully planned to make the most of every corner. Menu’s ‘Offset’ sofa, which was designed by Norm Architects to provide a balance between chunky and more delicate forms, fits brilliantly at one end, and its pale upholstery contrasts with the warm grained wood of the coffee table. There’s also a striking contrast in the kitchen area, where matte-fronted cabinets are topped by worktops in shiny stainless steel – a material that’s fallen out of fashion in recent years, but which develops a wonderful patina as it ages. The dining chairs in the centre of the space, meanwhile, add a perfectly judged dash of colour that breaks up the swathes of beige at either end.

The decor in the bedroom echoes that of the main living space, but here it’s interpreted in a softer, more soothing way. The grey woollen headboard and linen bedspread give an air of calm, while the marble-topped bedside tables, velvet cushion and dark green blanket add a sophisticated twist. The lamps instantly caught my eye – they’re part of the ‘Daphne’ collection by Italian brand Lumina, and I love their smart yet functional appearance.

The apartment also has an office space – a must at the moment. It’s furnished with yet more curves and earthy colours, this time in the form of a Gubi ‘Beetle’ chair and Vernor Panton’s iconic ‘Flowerpot’ lamp. The white linen curtains and smooth white ceramics make ideal finishing touches and help brighten a corner that’s somewhat lacking in natural light.

All in all, it’s a stunning apartment with plenty of ideas to borrow. I’ll have more inspiring homes to share with you next year, but in the meantime you can see other examples of beautifully decorated new-builds here, here and here.

Photography by Mikael Lundblad for Fantastic Frank; styling by Jessica Lagerman