Niki Brantmark, behind My Scandinavian Home, opens the door to her welcoming home.
Niki is the London girl living in Sweden, she writes about Scandi-inspired interior design and for Essem she have decorated her hallway with our Endless Hook by Anna von Schewen. We are so proud to share the result with you. Shop Endless
How do you create a welcoming home?
To me, one of the best compliments I can receive about my home is that it feels welcoming and homely. Warm lighting (by night) and cosy, lived-in furniture in which you can instantly feel relaxed is all part of creating a home that makes you want to pull up a chair and stay for a while! Most importantly of all though, a welcoming home starts in the entrance – it’s the first space you step – transporting you from the hustle and bustle of the public domain, into a private oasis in which you can truly relax.
Endless Hooks are made in recycled aluminium but available in many other colours.
What are your best tips for decorating an entrance area?
Entrance areas can vary hugely in size – but they all share one common factor – they are designed for you to make the transition from outside to inside and vice versa; so you need somewhere to store everything from jackets and shoes, to umbrellas, keys and other small items in order to keep the space organised and clutter free. Think about what you want to display (such as everyday items you can grab quickly) and what you want to hide away (lesser used items).
I also think a mirror is a good idea – firstly because it’s nice to be able to have a last minute check before you leave the house, but also entrance areas can often be quite dark and this will help to spread the natural light around. Good lighting is also essential, especially in wintertime when you’ll like leave / arrive home in the dark. Make sure you include good task lighting so you can clearly find what you’re looking for, but also soft ambient lighting to create a warm and welcoming feel!
"I love that they are made from recycled aluminium!"
Niki Brantmark
Endless, with its timeless shape and use of 100% recycled material it really embodies aluminium’s fantastic ability to be reused over and over again with minimal loss of quality. Shop Endless
You recently redesigned your hallway. What was important to you in the redesign?
We have an L-shaped hallway with built in storage – but we were keen to create a ‘grab and go’ area for coats and bags. It was also important to include a mirror for last minute checks before leaving the house and to brighten up and enlarge the narrow space. Finally, since the area is on display and one of the first things you see when you enter our home, I was keen for the hallway to look nice!
You decided to use the Endless hooks. What makes the hooks special for you?
Aesthetic design is always a draw for me – but having lived in Sweden for twenty years, I also appreciate the balance between form and function- and that the item should also have a highly practical value, especially when you’re talking about storage! I love that the Endless hooks have a seamless design, come in nice earthy tones and feature a soft curve to protect your clothes from indents. I also love that it is made from recycled aluminium.
More of Niki Brantmark
Instagram: @myscandinavianhome
Pinterest: @myscandinavianhome
Blog: www.myscandinavianhome.com