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Home tour | A sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden

June 3, 2019

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Happy Monday everyone! And apologies for the lack of posts over the last week or so – I’ve been in Copenhagen for its annual 3 Days of Design festival, before travelling straight on to Sweden for a press trip. More on all that to follow soon, but in the meantime I have another inspiring home to share with you. Located in Gothenburg, this wonderful apartment caught my eye because of the way it mixes stunning period features with contemporary furniture. And oh my, are the results beautiful!

First of all, the colour scheme works perfectly. The whole place is painted in pale grey and cream, with striking black, charcoal and chocolate-brown accents in the furniture and accessories. It’s a very soothing and sophisticated combination, and it contrasts wonderfully with the dark-stained floorboards. There are also lots of luxurious fabrics – heavy curtains, soft-pile rugs, velvet cushions and upholstery – which add texture to the apartment without detracting from the airy feel.

The living room is my favourite space, as it looks so understated and inviting. The sense of elegance is reinforced by lightweight, slimline furniture including a String shelving system (affiliate link) and a pair of Menu’s ‘No No’ coffee tables (affiliate link), and I love the way their clean lines offset the ornate glass chandelier. A sculptural mesh-covered wall light and a ‘Fly’ armchair (affiliate link) by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition add a few statement curves. There’s also an ingenious hidden cupboard built into the doorframe, now used as a bar corner.

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

The monochrome palette continues in the home office (which also doubles as a guest bedroom), but here it’s paired with russet in the form of bed linen, chair upholstery and wall art. Yet again the lighting grabbed my attention, especially the marble and enamel ‘Snoopy’ table lamp – an iconic piece designed in 1967 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni and now produced by Flos. I also spied marble desk accessories from Ferm Living (affiliate link) and a head sculpture by Stockholm-based artist Kristiina Haataja, whom I was lucky enough to meet in person in Copenhagen last week.

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

There’s another accent colour in the master bedroom: ochre. It offsets the black lighting, bedside tables and wall art perfectly, and creates a note of cosiness in the light-filled space. Other interesting features in this room include open storage for hanging clothes, formed from two rails (you can buy similar from IKEA) fixed to the wall above one another.

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

The other areas of the apartment are much simpler in terms of decor, but they’re no less appealing. All-white units and tiles make the compact kitchen look much bigger than it is, and the balcony has been turned into a small but comfortable outdoor lounge that’s ideal for curling up with a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

Home tour - a sophisticated blend of old and new in Sweden | These Four Walls blog

All in all, it’s a very inviting and sophisticated home, don’t you think?

All photography via Bjurfors

This post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I might receive a small commission from any resulting sales. Please be assured that you will never pay more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites concerned directly.

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HELLO

Abi Dare | These Four Walls blog

I’m Abi Dare – a stylist, photographer and writer based in Bristol (UK). I set up this blog to share interior design, travel and lifestyle inspiration for simple, relaxed living at home and beyond. You’ll find home tours, advice and tips, interviews, reviews, postcards from places I love and more – always with a focus on soft minimalism, muted colours and timeless, considered design.

‘Top 10 UK interior design blogs’ 2025, 2024, 2023 & 2022, Vuelio

‘Best Interior Design Blog’, uFurnish Home Awards 2024

Winner of the ‘Blogger’ category in the Sweetpea & Willow Home Influencer Awards 2023

‘Best Design & Architecture Blog’, UK Blog Awards 2019

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Eight years ago today. Carousel posts didn't exist Eight years ago today. Carousel posts didn't exist then so I'm using our anniversary as an excuse to share some of my favourite wedding photos.

I have so many happy memories from the day, but what I remember the most is all the laughter. And the funniest best men's (Chris had four!) speech I've ever heard. I wish we'd had a videographer just to capture that.

Anyway, thanks @small_round_things for the last eight years - and for the 13 before we actually got around to tying the knot!

Venue: @pyneshouse 
Photography: @taylorandporter
Back on the grid after more than two weeks. Thanks Back on the grid after more than two weeks. Thanks to everyone who sent messages checking I was OK - I just lost my Instagram mojo and needed a bit of a break. Anyway, here are some phone-camera snippets of life lately...

1.  Guard cat on duty while I work
2.  Evening light hitting the last of the Japanese quince blossom in the garden 
3.  Country drives
4.  Coming across 17th-century graffiti while house-hunting
5 & 6.  A lazy Sunday stroll on Clevedon Pier, on one of those hazy days where the sea and sky seem to merge into one
7.  Keeping drooping spring blooms going for as long as possible 
8 & 9.  Wisteria at @ntbarringtoncourt in Somerset 
10.  Brunch at the always-wonderful @lunitapasteleria 
11.  Enjoying the balmy spring breeze 
12.  Stunning mosaic floors at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire 
13.  Bluebell season
14.  My kind of wine
15.  Wild garlic 

#springhassprung #slowsimpleseasonal #cornersofmyworld #lifelately #blossomseverywhere #thisprettyengland #thelocalwayfarer #westcountry #littlestoriesofmylife #poetryofsimplethings #seeingthepretty #tinytinymoments
[AD - PR product] I've always loved marble as a ma [AD - PR product] I've always loved marble as a material, and the beige Kunis Breccia version of the @newworksdk 'Kizu' table lamp caught my eye immediately. I now have this design in three different colourways around the house, and this is definitely my favourite to date! 

#softminimalisthome #softminimalstyle #neutralhomedecor #simplehomestyle #minimalistdecor #simpleinterior #mycosyhome #neutrallivingroom #minimalistlighting #scandiinterior
A few weeks ago I travelled to Drammen in Norway f A few weeks ago I travelled to Drammen in Norway for the big project I'm working on (more on that soon), and while I was there I had a look around @askogeng's workshop. I've been a fan of their sustainable bamboo kitchens and furniture for a long time, so this was a real treat. And the space itself is full of the time-worn textures and beautiful details that always catch my eye.

#texturesandtones #warehousestyle #kitchendesign #scandinavianinteriors #scandinaviandesign #bitsofbuildings #ihavethisthingwithwindows #perfectlyimperfect

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