When Niki Brantmark moved from London to Sweden in 2004, she quickly embraced the effortless and ethereal brand of Scandinavian design beloved across the globe. Over a decade ago, she founded My Scandinavian Home, a home decor blog that has amassed over 350,000 followers on Instagram. Here, Niki shares more on her design journey.
Estee Semi-Flush Mount. Design: Niki Brantmark.
What sparked your interest in interior styling and design?
My environment has always been important to me, I remember at university spending a lot of time organising and styling my room. When I moved to Sweden in 2004, I was mesmerised by the simplicity and calming nature of Scandinavian design – and just how effortless our Nordic friends find it to create a beautiful home.
You started your blog back in 2011. If you could give your 2011 self one piece of design advice, what would it be?
It’s far wiser to save up for and invest in high quality, timeless pieces – and seek out unique items in secondhand shops and on travels than go for a quick fix. A home should be layered over time and tell the story of who you are.
Corinth Pendant. Design: Niki Brantmark.
As your blog’s following continues to grow, what has been the most exciting opportunity that has come out of your online success?
I feel so incredibly honoured to work in a field that is also my passion and hobby. The online interior community is incredibly positive and supportive, and I love being a part of it. I have met so many wonderful people along the way. I am especially proud of my books, including Lagom, The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life and The Scandinavian Home.
What are the most significant differences between British and Scandinavian interior design? Was there anything that surprised you about the difference in the two culture’s emphasis on the home?
‘Less is more’ is the key philosophy behind the Scandinavian home – which means homes tend to be pared back. British people on the other hand, tend to have more ‘stuff’ although, of course there are exceptions!
The climate and cultural differences also play a part. Scandinavian winters are very dark (in the far north it never really gets light) so Scandinavians work hard to draw in as much natural light as possible and opt to decorate with white and other light colours to help bounce the light around into the darkest depths of the home. Whereas in Britain, homes tend to be poorly insulated, so there is a focus on heavy curtains, carpets and other items that help to keep the cold at bay and create a cosy feel.
Nora Pendant. Design: Niki Brantmark.
What’s your favorite part of the design process?
I love looking for inspiration online (Pinterest, Instagram etc) or in books and magazines. And also love the moment when you have decided on the paint colour and items and it’s time to implement. For me, the most stressful part is choosing the furniture and accessories – I am not very good at making decisions!
When picking out lighting for yourself, what elements are you looking for? Do you have any tips for picking out the right fixture?
I am obsessed with lighting! It is the single most important aspect in the home. You need way more than you think and getting it right can completely transform your living space and the way you use it. Before investing in lights take stock of the room and how you intend to use it. For example, in the living room you might socialise, watch TV, read etc.
All of these activities have different lighting requirements which centre around:
Task: directed lighting which helps you to do specific tasks such as reading and chopping vegetables.
Ambient: lighting that makes everything in the room more visible, it’s often dimmable in order to be able to create a cosier, nighttime setting.
Accent: lighting that helps to emphasise certain aspects of a room
In order to satisfy all these demands, you’ll need different types of fixtures including overhead ceiling lamps, wall sconces, table lamps, reading lights etc. From there, it’s to pick out the lighting fixtures you love!
Do you have any advice for designers looking to grow their presence on social media?
Social media is a great way to build your brand (or a signature look and feel). It’s therefore important to think about what you post – is it good enough quality? Does it reflect my work/my values etc? What does it add? From there, social media is all about being ‘social’ and building a wonderful community/relationship with others. It’s important to take time to engage with others via the platform.
Is there a tenant of Scandinavian design that you think everyone should implement into their home?
Scandinavians tend to invest in beautifully crafted, timeless pieces that are designed to stand the test of time. It’s a more sustainable way to live and will also help to create a truly unique and personal home.
Barron Pendant. Design: Niki Brantmark.
