Home tour | A soothing Scandinavian-style sanctuary in Dublin

It’s time for another home tour, and today I’m taking you on a virtual visit to Ireland for a look around the beautiful abode of Ida Thun.

Originally from Sweden, Ida has brought Scandinavian simplicity to her Dublin apartment, which is wonderfully light and airy. I’ve been following her Instagram account for a while now and I’m always taken by the soft white and beige decor, which is offset by flashes of dark chocolate brown and sophisticated black. There are also lots of different textures, adding warmth and cosiness to the minimalist space. And I love the way she’s mixed furniture from IKEA with high-end lighting and accessories from smaller brands – a great way to add style and character without going beyond your budget.

I chatted to Ida to find out more about her interiors style, where she finds inspiration and her top decorating advice…

Hi Ida! Please can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and what you do?

“I’m a 28-year-old Swede living in Dublin, with a big interest in interiors and photography. I’ve just recently taken the step to work as a freelance photographer, and I mainly focus on content photography for businesses’ social-media accounts.”

Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?

“Home is a modern apartment, where I live with my husband and our dog, Elsa. We moved to Ireland two years ago and have been living here ever since.”

Ida’s bedroom showcases her love of restful neutrals, with white walls and thick beige curtains. The brown upholstered headboard makes a stunning focal point, with brass and black accents adding the perfect finishing touches. 

Have you made many changes to it?

“We were lucky enough to move into a brand-new property so there hasn’t been any need for renovation work. Our hallway is probably the only area that’s changed lately, with new furniture for better storage – unfortunately it’s a really narrow space, so it’s hard to get any decent photos of it! Since we live in a rental we’re not allowed to make any big alterations, anyway. I can’t wait until we have our own house where we can do whatever we want!”

How would you describe your interiors style? 

“I would say it’s typically Scandinavian. I like to keep things to a minimum, with neutral colours and not too many patterns. I get stressed when there are too many things going on, so I need my home to feel calm and relaxing. My favourite colours are beige and white, and I like to add some contrast with black details and furniture.”

Many of the larger items in Ida’s apartment are from IKEA, including the dining furniture. The bench is the ‘SKOGSTA’ model, but she transformed it into a unique piece by painting it black and wrapping rope around the seat. The light above the table is the ‘Molecular’ pendant by House Doctor, and the window is lined with a collection of Kristiina Haartaja sculptures from Cooee Design. 

Where do you find inspiration for your home?

“Instagram and Pinterest are my biggest sources of inspiration. I can easily scroll for hours without thinking about it!”

 What’s your favourite part of the apartment and why?

“Our living room is the heart of our home and I always feel calm and relaxed when I’m there. It’s our only big open space, and it’s the place where we always end up at the end of the day.”

And your favourite piece of furniture or accessory?

“I think I have to say my ‘Carl-Johan’ lamp from Olsson & Jensen. It’s a piece that I’d wanted for so long, so it was such a good feeling when I was finally able to buy it.”

Tactile rugs, woollen throws and sheepskins soften the minimalist sitting area, which echoes the colours used in the rest of the apartment. The white lamp is the ‘Carl-Johan’ design from Olsson & Jensen – it was inspired by the shape of porcini mushrooms (called Karljohan mushrooms in Swedish) and is one of Ida’s favourite pieces. 

Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?

“I’ve been having a hard time finding stores here in Ireland that suit my Scandinavian style, so most of the things in my home are bought online, usually from Nordicnest.com or Finnishdesignshop.com. I have a lot of favourite brands – STOFF Nagel, Cooee Design, House Doctor and Himla to name just a few. Most of our bigger items of furniture are from IKEA.”

Do you have any future plans for your home?

“I’m always thinking of ways to change things, but the next project will be our outdoor space. Since we’re spending so much time at home these days, we’ll try to make the most of it and create a cosy and relaxing area.”

In the kitchen, clean-lined taupe units are offset by gleaming white-marble worktops and splashbacks, creating a simple yet striking look. 

Finally, what’s your top interior-design tip?

“There’s beauty in simplicity, and you don’t have to make things complicated. It may sound a bit boring, but I find it very soothing.”

Thanks Ida!

See more of Ida’s inspiring home on Instagram, or visit bythun.com for information on her freelance photography services. 

All photography by Ida Thun