Greige (aka gray-beige) paint colors tend to be warmer than gray paint colors, yet reflect natural light better than beige walls. With just a hint of gray-beige, you achieve an elegantly neutral color for your space, just like in this beautiful Swedish home. Lighter shades of greige are a great alternative to plain white walls, yet a darker greige wall color with brown undertones just like in this bedroom can add a lot of character as well.
Gray-beige, aka greige in a living room with lots of natural light
The warm undertones in this greige wall color make the living room windows, door frames, white trim, and heating covers stand out in a lovely way. The elegant greige paint color is combined with a contrasting dark gray sofa for a slightly dramatic look.
The sofa is the darkest color in the space, as the rest of the furniture and soft furnishings were chosen in a beige, white, and natural palette. The white trim and the off-white fireplace are the lightest color in the space.
How can I find the perfect greige paint color for my home?
Greige, or gray beige, is a bit more complicated to get right in your home as the daylight your room is getting can have such an impact on the way the undertones come out. Warm undertones will be highlighted in a space that receives an abundance of daylight, while a west-facing room will bring out the cool undertones in the greige color scheme.
Make sure to sample the paint color (always do this, but especially with more complex color swatches this is necessary) in the room and take a look at it during different times of the day. Paint samples work so much better than swatches to get an idea of the effect of the paint color in your room.
Go for a light color of greige paint when you want a subtle effect in the room, or go for a darker shade when you want a more moody effect. When unsure, you can always go for an accent wall, which is great to get a first feeling before painting the whole room.
Best greige paint colors to give a try
Elephant’s breath from Farrow and Ball* is a warm gray with a hint of magenta. While it will seem almost lilac in the cold light of west-facing rooms, in rooms that receive warm daylight this is a warm gray paint color that is so much more sophisticated than beige walls.
Drop Cloth from Farrow & Ball* is a gray-beige wall color with yellow undertones and stands in perfect contrast with lighter finishings like white trim, similar to what was achieved in this living room.
A grey kitchen with white metro tiles
Rather than going for gray walls in the kitchen, it was kept white to enhance the daylight coming in from the windows. The gray kitchen cabinets combined with the white metro tiles fit well in the space and complement the gray beige walls in the living room.
A round gray dining table with warm wood tones in the chairs
The gray round kitchen dining table has cooler undertones, which contrast very nicely with the warm tones in the wooden dining chairs. At the same time, the green plants in the kitchen add a fresh touch to the space. It’s accent colors like these that elevate a gray-beige color palette.
The Linden Palais is the latest coworking space project by the office group by the hand of renowned Norm Architects in the former French embassy in Berlin. The coworking space is located in a historic building on Unter den Linden which was later extended by David Chipperfield architects. The space has a relaxed atmosphere that promotes community for entrepreneurs, freelancers, or startups.
This luxurious design haven is not your regular coworking space, to say the least, have a look!
Linden Palais coworking space Berlin
Linden Palais is probably the most luxurious coworking space berlin has to offer at the moment and it offers office spaces of diverse sizes. Similar to other Berlin coworking spaces, features can be rented and adapted according to changing requirements and a solution can be composed of several services including hot desks, fixed desks, meeting rooms, or also virtual offices. Along with regular amenities offered in any coworking space, the building also offers open kitchens, lounge areas, a spacious roof terrace, and a courtyard.
The palace version of Berlin coworking spaces
The original building was completed in 1908 and is it’s one of the few Berlin historic locations that wasn’t destroyed during WWII. The coworking space’s exclusive location tells stories of time and has striking original ornaments, mosaics, stucco, and marble inlays.
The color palette of the interior is inspired by the colors of the original entrance ceiling: a warm palette of heavy colors brought to life by marble, gold, wood, and stone, which have been interpreted by the designers in more subtle color references to obtain a minimal look. The contrast between the historical details and the modern minimal elegance in the space is simply striking.
The lobby: perfect for networking events
The historic authenticity of the building was a big inspiration for the designers at Norm Architects, which they aimed to highlight in a contemporary way. The ground floor of the coworking space, which is opened towards the boulevard, has a grey-tiled floor that resembles the pavement outside.
Concrete floors and tactile industrial materials emphasize the reference to the city on the ground floor. The reception and lounge spaces can be experienced as an outdoor space with reference to the trees outside. The ground includes an open public space and more enclosed work zones, forming an experience of moving between exterior and interior spaces.
Coworking spaces in a heritage apartment
The second floor of the lobby of the Berlin coworking space has been covered in oak wood and is characterized by Herringbone flooring, detailed paneling, and arched windows.
The space combines a beautiful kitchen, flexible desks, and a lounge area that aims to invite collaboration. The striking contemporary design language is complemented by artworks that decorate the wall and rugs and bookcases that accentuate the homey feeling of the coworking space.
The kitchen, living room, and library
The Linden Palais coworking space spreads out over four floors was designed to awake a feeling of domesticity, hence the names of the coworking spaces: kitchen, living room, and library.
Nowadays, working remotely is part of everyday life, hence the newfound comfort and elegant feel-good atmosphere of the different coworking spaces and offices. Coworking is a nice change of pace from working in your private home and can be especially inspiring for solo entrepreneurs.
The top floor: meeting rooms and a conference room in a dark color palette
The top floor has a dark color and material palette, which is contrasted by the abundance of daylight coming through the rooftop windows. The dark wall panels add a tactile and stimulating sensation to the space and enhance existing architectural features like the herringbone parquet floor.
On the top floor, you can find open-plan offices, remote working locations, meeting rooms, and conference rooms for collaboration in a quiet environment, with minimal distractions for optimal productivity. The curtains you see in the meeting rooms help with the acoustics and add a beautiful tactile touch to the space.
The rooftop terrace located in Chipperfield’s extension is the perfect spot for events, or for hosting workshops in summer or after-hour cocktails with like-minded night owls.
A coworking space with Norm Architects’ signature
While coworking spaces are public spaces and therefore are designed in a certain way so it’s comfortable for a community of people with many different needs and additional services, I think you can clearly see the signature design style of Norm Architects, which is also visible in their private projects.
You can clearly see a resemblance between the Linden Palais coworking space, this private residence, this private residence, and the beautiful New Mags flagship store in Copenhagen. I love that even though this Berlin project is of a much larger scale, the design language integrity is clearly present.
Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen & Sandie Lykke Nolsøe
Take a look at this beautiful one-of-a-kind home that features many points of visual interest: a spiral staircase in front of a wall filled with custom floating shelves, a minimal white attic kitchen with grey limestone countertops, and a moody attic bedroom with an interesting wall texture in shades of brown. This space is the work of WTP studios and has been long in the making.
A white kitchen with limestone countertops and floating shelves
The crisp white kitchen is one of the most important rooms in any home and the design of the Nordiska Kök kitchen in this apartment certainly does not disappoint. The minimal white cupboards pair up nicely with the grey limestone countertops and backsplash, which adds an interesting texture and surface to the space.
The beautiful limestone backsplash goes all the way up, following the lines of the slanted ceiling. The limestone is used for a set of floating shelves as well, which adds an effortless style and elegance to the space.
Grey Limestone countertops
Limestone countertops are easy to clean, extremely durable, pleasant to touch and offer so much more texture and elegance than regular countertops because of the natural experience they add to the space. Limestone can stand the test of time and is a great material for countertops.
The grey tone of the limestone matches perfectly in a minimal kitchen design like this one and I love that it adds a cooler tone to the warm tints that can be found in the living room and bedroom
Floating shelves behind a spiral staircase
In the living room, the warmth coming from the custom-design floating shelving is striking and the wood surface is a perfect fit behind the spiral staircase. The wood shades of both the shelving and the exposed beam ceiling work really nicely together and the round dining table is the perfect fit to go along with it. Since the floating shelves take up so much attention, the area with the beige sofa is decorated very modestly in tints of white and beige.
Just like the limestone shelving in the kitchen, the shelves in the living room follow the layout of the room. Where the spiral staircase is located the shelves are less deep, which is a great space-saving solution and it ensures the shelving works in the space.
Various shades of brown in the bedroom
The bedroom has a deep and moody brown color on the wall, which is quite a daring color to choose for a small room, but it works great in this space. The design of the custom headboard matches the different shades of brown in the wall color and in the frame of the little antique mirror. The different brown shades are contrasted with a vintage wall lamp and simple white sheets finished off with a single beige throw pillow.
A unique design for a unique layout
The design of this small loft home is unique and features a combination of warm and neutral materials for a characterful and elegant look. The floating shelves in wood and limestone add a bespoke element to the space which works great with the style and elements of the architecture.
The clean white kitchen with limestone countertops has a light and airy style that is timeless and of great quality, which ensures it can stay in the home just as it is for a decade at the least.
Since you can find Ikea cabinets in almost every single home, it makes sense to want to make it your own and give it a little update. Superfront makes custom fronts for a wide range of Ikea wardrobes, sideboards, bathroom, and kitchen modules in a variety of colors, materials, and textures.
Since Superfront offers tops, sides, cabinet fronts, legs and door handles, you can completely revamp your Ikea furniture piece and customize them into your own, similar to what you can do with the custom slip covers Bemz makes* for the Ikea sofas.
Since the Ikea cabinets lend themselves to creating your own modular storage modules, with the help of Superfont, you can now make it completely your own without the help of a carpenter. Simply said, you can buy the base cabinet at Ikea, or reuse one you already have at home and dress it up with a custom top, side and doors, and then finish it off with the legs and door handles of your choosing.
Grey wall colors come in a wide variety of shades and grey paint is probably the easiest color to make work in an interior. Pick out a charcoal grey for a bolder and darker effect in the space, go for a light grey for a subtle effect that still has a bit more depth than regular white walls, or go for a soft grey to turn your room into a soft canvas for your soft furnishings and main furniture pieces.
While white walls can feel bright and tend to reflect the daylight in a strong way, they can make your home clean and bright, but can also be a bit harder to make cozy and inviting. By selecting warm grey tones for your living room (especially in rooms with a wooden floor) you warm the palette up and your walls become the perfect stage for your furniture and accessories.
A living room with pale grey walls and white elements
The grey walls in this beautiful apartment built in 1895 in Sweden accentuate the elaborate architectural features on the ceilings, doors, and windows. The light grey wall color makes the white elements stand out so wonderfully and the warm undertones of the white-soaped hardwood floors add a subtle warmth and luxe feel to the entire apartment, especially in the grey living room.
The historic green fireplace brightens up the otherwise neutral palette in the grey living room and the light grey wall color is brightened up by the white and cream tints in the sofa area. The white linen sofa (I believe this is the Ikea Vimle model with a Bemz custom cover*) combined with the lighter colours in the throw pillows, white cushions, and the fluffy white area rug add texture, and brighten up the grey palette and turn this space into a relaxing living room.
The natural materials of the two rattan armchairs add some warm shades to the mix and the black eye-catcher vase on the brilliant white marble coffee table combined with the black floor lamp add some different shades to the room. The monochromatic prints next to the fireplace stand out very nicely against the grey walls and the wooden floor, while as the books on the floating shelves are the only pops of colour in the otherwise grey scheme.
How to make a grey living room work
Grey living rooms come in a variety of shades and you can pair grey with different palettes to turn your living room into an interesting, cozy place to relax. Take this example of a very subtle grey living room just a few shades darker than white, or this example of a characterful living room with a powerful grey scheme that looks characterful and strong, paired up with a grey sofa.
Selecting the right shade of grey for you living room
Go for light greys in your living room (like Blackened* or Dimpse* from Farrow & Ball), just like in the pictures when you want a light look that reflects the natural light coming in and pair up with a light grey couch or even a white one to enhance this lighter look.
Got for a darker, or deep grey living room when you want a deeper, more characterful look and pair grey walls with a grey sofa or a grey rug to go for a tone-on-tone look where you combine grey shades and mix grey textiles for a subtle effect.
Neutral shades like wood and rattan, cool tones, and bright prints go well with a grey palette, as the grey living room walls act as a dark backdrop for everything that is placed in front of it.
When you select your grey paint color, you should always pay attention to the orientation of your room. The daylight in north facing rooms tends to make your greys appear cooler, while a south facing room enhance the warm tones in your grey.
In case you are unsure, you can always start out with a feature wall and always buy the paint sample to try the color out in the space.
A white kitchen with a beige natural stone countertop
Rather then the grey colour palette in both the living room and bedroom, which are painted a few shades darker, the walls of the kitchen have been kept white to keep it clean and to reflect the natural daylight in the best way possible.
The kitchen itself is built inside a niche without a window with direct daylight, so in this room, an all-white colour palette is preferable. Both the kitchen and the dining area are kept very light and neutral, with a few wood tones and the beige natural stone on the counter as the focal point in this room to enhance the natural light coming in from the smaller window in this room.
A grey bedroom with black accents
The bedroom with black and white accents shares the same modern grey colour scheme as the living room, yet rather then working with a white fluffy rug, a deep grey rug with a diamond pattern was added underneath the bed. The accent soft furnishings on the bed share the same colour as the textiles in the grey living room. The mixture of beige and white really stands out against the cool grey wall color.
The black wall lamps on both sides of the bed add a contrasting element, just like the floor lamp does in the living room and makes the mix of grey more interesting and characterful.
The sage green kitchen cabinets are most definitely the element that stands out the most in this lovely Swedish apartment (Styled by Living Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem). We don’t know for sure, but I feel like the design all started with the kitchen. The sage green cabinets set the stage for the color palette of the rest of the apartment, which is such a great example of a sage green color scheme in the different rooms of this place.
The kitchen and entryway share the same room. By placing a narrow kitchen island against the entryway wall, the two functional areas are separated from each other, while also increasing the available countertop space in the kitchen.
The living room walls are painted in a subtle wall color with green undertones, paired with a white sofa, a hemp rug, and wood cabinets and wall shelving. All these natural materials warm up the color palette in this space. The bedroom has darker sage-green walls, paired with warm wood tones for a cozy and inviting effect.
Sage green cabinets combined with black and natural tones
A beautiful combination of materials with a sage green base
Sage green is a great color for kitchen cabinets as it is more sophisticated than neutral shades, fresher than olive green cabinets, yet also a bit less bold than a more vibrant green. Sage green kitchen cabinets can be combined with warmer tones like in this example where a wooden countertop, beige walls, black cabinet hardware, and a brass faucet warm up the sage green.
The layout of this kitchen
This kitchen remodel was done with the flow of the apartment in mind, you can see that. Right next to the kitchen, the entrance door to the apartment is located. By fitting a small wall, the kitchen area and the hallway space are separated from each other. The wall doesn’t go the entire length of the kitchen however and where the wall stops, the sage green bottom cabinets continue for a modern solution that allows you to have a feeling of more space. I love that the lower cabinets have dual functionality depending on which side of the room you approach them from.
On the wall opposing the hallway, a few upper cabinets are installed, but the sink area has been kept minimal. The space above the farmhouse sink has been used to hang up those lovely black wall lights that add contrast to the sage green palette.
The tall cupboard in the corner of the kitchen gives the space a subtle farmhouse kitchen element, that is contrasted by the modern black wall lamps with the gold details.
The narrow peninsula kitchen island module that separates the kitchen from the entryway is paired with floating kitchen shelves in a soft wood tone that fits perfectly on this narrow kitchen wall with a subtle beige wall color.
The white porcelain farmhouse sink has a visible front, which allows for an impressive effect against the sage green kitchen cabinets.
A subtle and soft green color palette in the living room
The living room is an extension of the kitchen in terms of layout, and this space follows the design language and color palette perfectly. In the living room, a more subtle and lighter hue of sage green has been selected, which gives this space a lighter look with a touch of nature in the wooden furniture pieces and the hemp rug on the floor underneath the white sofa.
The beauty of the interior design of the kitchen and living room lies in the matching of the sage green color codes, which are different, yet complement each other perfectly. The round dining table is placed between the kitchen and the sofa area. It has a simple design, which is enhanced by a peg rail on the wall and a poster of a beautiful painting.
The white sofa stands out against the subtle wall color with green undertones and the mixture of beige, white, and dark brown colors in the furniture and accessories make for a balanced effect in this cozy space.
The natural hemp rug and the wood tones in the wall cabinets and wall shelving warm the color palette in the livin room.
A darker and moody green color palette in the bedroom
The bedroom has been painted in a more moody sage green, which has a characterful effect on this room. Tints of blue and green are great choices for a bedroom as the cooler undertones have a fresh effect on a bedroom. Green however is a color choice closer to nature and has a cheerful and reviving effect.
The darker hue of sage green in this bedroom accentuates the beautiful white doors and the crispy white linen sheets on the bed. The fresh green branches on the bedside table add an even fresher touch of green to the palette, which is a welcome change in the otherwise muted sage green palette.
Note how the deeper sage green color of the bedroom complements the lighter sage of the living room and is finally tied together with the beautiful shade of sage green cabinets in the kitchen. This palette ties the design of the apartment perfectly and gives it a cohesive look.
Sage green kitchen colors to give a try
Below are a few suggestions of sage green colors to give a try, yet you should know paint codes can always appear differently depending on the daylight and materials in the room. You should always test sample codes on location.
Farrow & Ball Lichen* is a mid-tone sage green color that is calm and muted similar to the one on the sage green cabinets in the kitchen. It has underlying blue tones, which gives it a subtle look and feel and works wonderfully combined with natural tones.
Farrow & Ball Vert de Terre* is a delicate green that is both fresh and soft. The blue undertone results in a soft atmosphere and is muted just like the sage green in the living room.
Colors that compliment sage green walls
You can combine sage green walls with warm and neutral tones like beige, wood tones, and other natural materials to bring out the warm undertones of the paint.
If you want to highlight the fresh gray-green shade in the paint color, you can think about pairing sage green with cooler elements like mint, white marble, or fresh green plants. For a more contrasting look, pair sage green with black accents or a dark forest green.
A yellow kitchen and a pink bedroom are two very characteristic elements to be added to one single apartment, but the owners of this beautiful Swedish home (Styled by Clindholm Design, photographed by Jocke Ono for Historiska Hem) were able to pick out softer shades of pink and yellow for a color scheme that is elegant and sophisticated.
A yellow kitchen with white tiles and black grout
Is yellow a good color for a kitchen?
Yellow sounds like quite the daring color for a kitchen, yet it’s all bout the intensity and saturation of the paint colour. A bright yellow might be too bold for your taste, yet a more nuanced shade like these mustard yellow kitchen cabinets has a sophisticated look with a visual warmth coming from the area.
What color matches a yellow kitchen?
Combine yellow kitchen cabinets with natural elements to accentuate the visual warmth of the space. In this beautiful Swedish home, the yellow cabinets have been combined with a natural wood dining table and chairs for an eat-in kitchen and the walls of the adjacent living area have been painted in grey with green undertones.
The white tiles with black grout add a certain lightness to the space and the beige marble countertops enhance the visual warmth coming from the yellow kitchen cabinets. The layout of the kitchen consists mainly out of base cabinets, with a few open shelves added on the top for a lighter look since so much of the white backsplash is visible.
On the other side of the space you can find a large built-in cabinet next to the niche that has been turned into a pantry. This is something that was carefully planned out together with the kitchen renovation. Note that the white tiles come back in the pantry as well, which is a nice touch to this L-shaped layout kitchen.
In the same color as the kitchen, a custom mudroom bench was installed with ample storage space for coats, shoes and baskets.
The living room includes a TV gallery wall with a storage cabinet underneath it, which stands out against the dark wall color.
A soft pink bedroom
The blush pink wall color has been used on almost every single surface in this small bedroom, apart from the ceiling and the door and window moldings, which have been kept white. The soft pink paint color has been complemented with wood accents and rustic textures in the many natural baskets that are spread throughout the space.
The open shelving in the little niche at the foot of the bed was painted in the same pink paint color, which gives the space a very cohesive look enhanced with little details in natural shades.
Is pink a good color for a bedroom?
You want your bedroom to be a place of rest and tranquility, so while a nude or soft pink works nicely, a hot pink would be way too stimulating in my opinion. Another aspect to pay attention to is pink tones that remind of little girls rooms, which pastels tend to do. Make sure you find the perfect shade and your bedroom will look sophisticated.
If you are unsure about making the commitment, you can always try an accent wall instead of a full pink room. Pick the wall behind your bed and this wall will serve as a pink headboard of sorts which you can match up with throw pillows in terracotta tints for a cohesive look.
A pink headboard is perfect for adding a touch of pink to the bedroom without having to paint your walls. Since a headboard is quite a large surface, it will have a similar, yet more subtle effect in the room.
Which pink colour is best for a bedroom?
The pink walls in this particular bedroom turn the natural light coming from the window into a soft glow, an effect you would only have with a nude pink paint color on the lighter spectrum of the color wheel.
I you are thinking about pink walls in your bedroom or another room in your home, it’s really important to settle for the right shade (you don’t want to end up with anything nearing hot pink or too pastel), so buying a tester is absolutely crucial as the shade of the paint can depend on the direction of the natural light coming into the room.
some pink paint colors you might want to buy a tester from:
Templeton pink from Farrow & Ball* is a subtle pink when much natural light hits the space, yet has a deeper touch when used in rooms with low light.
Sulking room pink from Farrow & Ball* is a warm, powdery pink for a more intense look which will add depth and pairs up nicely with whites and green.
Other pink bedroom ideas to take inspiration from
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out these other pink bedroom ideas to turn a boring white space into an interesting interior with pink walls:
A pink bedroom with pink drapes to separate the bedroom from the rest of the space here
A pink bedroom with blush pink walls and black accents in a gorgeous turn-of-the-century home here.
An eclectic pink bedroom with a pink headboard and vintage pieces here.
A classy bathroom with white tiles and black grout
The subtle pink drapes that are used in this bathroom are a hint to the colour scheme in the bathroom, which is such a nice touch. The green tiles and the classy freestanding claw foot tub add so much character to this space and the same white tiles with black grout from the kitchen can be found in the bathroom as well for a coherent use of materials.
White shaker cabinets, marble countertops, and a shiplap backsplash
The simple white shaker cabinets in this beautiful Swedish apartment look wonderful combined with the shiplap backsplash for a minimal, yet classy effect in the space. The white cabinets, white countertops, and white-soaped hardwood flooring have a very minimal effect, yet the shiplap backsplash adds an element of personality and texture that draws attention.
What to pay attention to when deciding on a shiplap backsplash
Shiplap backsplashes can transform a space and add a vintage touch, but can easily make the layout look heavy on the eyes. When it comes to picking out a shiplap kitchen backsplash, you can be as subtle or as elaborate as you like. You can contrast it with minimal kitchen elements, or pair it up with a farmhouse sink to enhance the vintage effect.
Keep your shiplap backsplash subtle
I feel like a subtle surface of vertical shiplap backsplash, just in the lower area above the countertops has a perfect balance. Note that in this example, the shiplap backsplash is only applied to the kitchen area that has base cabinets only, which allows the layout to breathe and have a better flow.
The practicality of a shiplap backsplash
Note also that a shiplap backsplash can be a great alternative to other surfaces, but be careful when selecting this treatment above the stove or sink as dirt and water might get stuck in between the gaps of the shiplap backsplash. Applying it above cabinets that are purely meant for storage like in this example might work best.
White countertops and white cabinets
The marble countertops brighten the white kitchen cabinets and completely transform the simple lines of the cabinets. In the area of the sink, the designers opted for a slim marble backsplash rather than a shiplap backsplash, which looks very elegant. On this side of the kitchen, upper cabinets are applied, so the layout is naturally busier.
A round dining table in a warm wood tone
The subtle soap-washed brown floor, the white cabinets combined with the sage green on the walls all have a very clean, and cool effect in the space, which has been balanced out by the different wood species in the round dining table, the dining chairs, and the wood shelves on the wall.
Sage green paint on the walls for a fresh effect
While the interior design of the kitchen itself is kept white and simple, it’s the safe green paint color on the wall that adds that little something extra to the kitchen. The fresh sage green contrast with the subtle warm brown floor and dining table and the brass hardware on the cabinet handles and faucet.
The sage green paint color enhances the white of the kitchen cabinets and the shiplap backsplash. Imagine this wall color with gray cabinets or even black cabinets and it wouldn’t work that well together. Gray cabinets would go better with a warmer wall color, while as black cabinets might go well with black or white countertops and a contrasting light wall color.
Is sage green a good colour for a kitchen?
Sage green is a perfectly subtle color for kitchen walls as it is a nondominant color, but at the same time, when combined with light or white shaker cabinets, it can be a great focal point in an otherwise neutral setting. Sage green paint tends to make the room feel bigger and brighter.
Subtle sage green paint colors to give a try combined with white kitchen cabinets
Mizzle from Farrow & Ball* is named after the mixture when there is both mist and drizzle. This sage green is a lighter shade of grey with green pigments that diminish any cool undertones. Mizzle makes the natural light in a room feel soft.
Eddy from Farrow & Ball* is a calm and soft green that stands in close connection with nature, which makes it perfect alongside natural materials. This sage green paint looks fresh, yet calm and relaxing. It’s delicate in tone without going too much into a pastel tone.
This beautiful penthouse apartment studio (styled by Emma Fisher, and photographed by Henrik Linden, via Alvhem) has the most beautiful round windows, which let in such an abundance of daylight. The apartment includes a sofa area, dining area, open-plan kitchen, and a bedroom with a home office.
All these functional areas are included on a relatively small layout, yet the interior still looks spacious and not crowded. If you are looking for more inspiration on how to decorate even smaller spaces, have a look at my post about inspiring small studio apartments.
A penthouse apartment with exposed wood beams
The exposed wood beams in both the ceiling and the lower parts of the penthouse add so much character to this interior. The round window in the open-plan kitchen is so impressive and the width of the sofa (it’s the Ikea Soderhamn sofa with a Bemz customer cover*) was picked out to fit the space exactly. The white and natural color palette of the main furniture has been contrasted with some black elements which complement the grey kitchen with the white marble countertop in a nice way.
The small niche in between the sofa and the kitchen is used for an extra bench, which can be used when more people come over, but its main purpose is decoration. The art print on the wall turns this wall into its own little area and I’m sure the table lamp looks so nice when it’s on at night.
An L-shaped kitchen with grey cabinet fronts
The kitchen has been built into an L-shape in the middle of the penthouse where the ceilings are the highest. I believe the cabinet fronts are the regular Ikea Bodbyn ones in grey, enhanced with white glossy metro tiles and a white marble countertop.
A round dining table combined with a round mirror
On the other side of the sofa, a round dining table fits perfectly underneath the angled roof, resulting in a cozy and intimate dining area. The round mirror on the wall complements the shape of the dining table and reflects some extra daylight in this corner.
Bedroom and home office behind a half-wall
Just like in any small apartment, you have to carefully pick and choose where you place your furniture and how you plan your layout. More so even with penthouse spaces, because you have to take into account the lower ceiling heights and exposed wooden beams, which though beautiful, can be a little bit difficult to plan a layout around.
The head of the bed has been placed underneath the lowest part of the ceiling. Since you are rarely standing up where you sleep, this is the perfect spot for a bed. The home office has been placed right in front of the round window, which gives you a beautiful view while working from home and you also have some extra height in this area.
Ikea pax with a reflective mirrored surface
The big Ikea Pax wardrobe is fully covered in mirrored surfaces, which makes this element blend into the space. The mirrors on the Pax doors have the added advantage that they reflect the small penthouse space and add the same time multiply the already abundant daylight in this room.
A bathroom with white tiles and grey grout
The bathroom has been covered with white subway tiles with grey grout, which has a nice effect on the space. The straight lines of the tiles contrast with the angled lines of the walls and windows, which contrasts even more with the round shape of the bathroom mirror.
Underneath the window, where the ceiling height is really low, a small Ikea Eket module was placed for some extra storage. When you live in a penthouse with angled walls, you have to optimize every nook and cranny available and take any storage opportunity you can get.
Portable lamps are a must-have in my interior as they are an easy way to add instant coziness to any setting. There is no need for a wall outlet, which makes them suitable to be placed in spots like a bookshelf or they can also be used outdoors.
I have listed the best portable lamps for you below and if you are looking to introduce one in your home, I have good news: they are available in many different sizes, and shapes, from different brands with whom many great designers have given their touch to the cordless lamp.
Portable lamps are usually a smaller version of a table lamp, which turns them into rechargeable lanterns on the lowest setting adding coziness in any corner, or into task lamps and a great addition on a desk or as a night light next to your bed when utilizing the highest brightness levels. So many possibilities!
Obello table lamp designed by Bill Curry for Gubi
The Obello portable table lamp designed by Bill Curry for Gubi* has a frosted, mouth-blown glass shade and an iconic design that makes a strong statement in your interior. It can be used as a centerpiece on the table or a light point in your outdoor space. Curry based his design for the Obello collection on the form of a mushroom, taking inspiration from the atomic age, the space race, and pop culture-defining 1970s Los Angeles. The frosted glass casts a diffused light in the room for an ambient glow and cozy effect which makes it an ideal bedside lamp as well.
Como designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition
The Como portable table lamp* designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition is crafted from anodized aluminum and its sturdy tapered base with the mushroom-shaped shade comes in five finishes. The rechargeable lamp features a magnetic USB cable and has a battery life of 11 hours at the highest setting.
Torso portable lamp designed by Krøyer-Sætter-Lassen for Audo
The Torso table lamp designed by Krøyer-Sætter-Lassen for the Danish brand Audo has found its way into many modern homes ever since it came out a few years back.
The cordless lamp is a miniature version of the popular design* which takes design inspiration from childhood homes filled with handmade objects. This small light brings a cozy and intimate atmosphere to tabletops, replacing the need for candlelight.
The Torso cordless lamps come with a brass-plated sensor which enables you to turn the lamp on and off with the tap of a finger.
Arca Portable lamp designed by Philippe Malouin for Matter Made
The iconic Arca collection’s newest addition is a portable lamp that can be used for reading or as a task lamp when plugged in, yet can also run on its rechargeable batteries so you can take it with you.
The Arca portable lamp is designed by Philippe Malouin for Matter Made and is one of the best portable lamps when you are looking for a big-size table lamp that you can also use without a cord.
Follow me Lamp designed by Inma Bermúdez for Marset
The Marset follow me lamp* is a portable lamp designed by Inma Bermúdez, and being the pioneer in portable lighting, it has become a true design icon in a very short time. The oak handle invites you to pick the lamp up and the lamp shade can be tilted so the light can be directed to what you are reading.
This portable LED lamp is now available in several colors, and the wood handle is painted for a modern effect.
Kizu portable lamp designed by Lars Tornøe for New Works
The Kizu portable lamp is a smaller version of the popular table lamp which has a beautiful sculptural composition. The polished marble base (available in black, grey, or white*) has natural stability and feels comfortable to the touch. The opaque lamp shade casts light into the space, which makes this one of the best cordless lamps if you want a high light output.
Hashira portable lamp designed by Norm Architects for Menu Space
The Hashira Collection consists of a table lamp, wall lamp, pendants, and a floor lamp, with the Hashira portable version* being the smallest of the collection that takes cues from Japanese paper lanterns.
The lamp adds an ambient atmosphere to the interior and it’s probably one of the best portable lamps for a Japandi-style interior. The battery life is similar to the other cordless lamps from the brand at 10 hours when fully charged.
Camellia portable light by Andre Fu Living
The Camellia design is probably one of the best portable lamps for a classy interior as it is inspired by the poetic silhouette of an ivory camellia flower, hence the name. It has a subtle art deco touch and provides an ambient glow in your home. The cordless lamps in the collection are customizable with Cartier gold or polished gold with a grey or white lampshade.
PC portable lamp designed by Pierre Charpin for HAY
The PC portable lamp* is constructed in robust plastic with a matte scratch and water-resistant finish, which makes it one of the best portable lamps for outdoor use. The portable light has both downlight and ambient brightness levels and is available in a variety of color variants: full black, full olive green, or different colors on one design for a more playful effect.
‘Manhatten’ designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition
The Manhatten portable lamp* designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition has an industrial-style base made out of anodized aluminum and a cream canvas lampshade. The cordless lamp has three brightness settings and the battery lasts eleven hours at the highest brightness.
Pantop by Verner Panton for Verpan
The elegant Pantop line has recently been enhanced by a series of cordless lamps* in 12 different colors. The Pantop series was designed by Verner Panton in 1980 and is a staple piece in the collection of the Danish design brand Verpan. The bell-like shade is facing down, which allows you to create a cozy atmosphere in any room. The light can be dimmed with a three-stage dimmer and reacts to touch controls on the top of the lamp.
JWDA portable table lamp designed by Jonas Wagell for Audo
The classic JWDA table lamp* is now also available in a cordless lamps verion and just like the original design, it is inspired by traditional oil lamps and made out of contrasting materials. A full charge gives you 10 hours of adjustable light and the lamp charges via a concealed magnetic connecter and USB cable.
‘Raku’ designed by Sebastian Herkner for & Tradition
The Raku cordless lamp* is designed by Sebastian Herkner for &Tradition and is named after the traditional Japanese pottery technique. Raku is a compact lamp with a hand-sculpted ceramic base with a crackle glaze that varies slightly in each piece, combined with a bronze or brass lampshade.
‘Bellhop’ designed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby for Flos
The Bellhop cordless lamp* has no less than 24 hours of battery life and has 4 brightness settings. The lamp was originally designed for the London Design Museum and it is characterized by the designers themselves as a modern-day candle, because of the atmosphere it casts around itself.
‘Bicoca’ designed by Christophe Mathieu for Marset
Christophe Mathieu designed the Bicoca light* with the optimism of brightening life as a companion to the good times, wherever you go. It’s an intimate light that adds warmth to your personal space and it’s made out of polycarbonate in a variety of colors.
‘Carrie’ portable lamp designed by Norm Architects for Menu Space
Carrie* is a sleek, functional lamp with a handle and a sphere of light that is nestled within the base, which allows you to take the lamp with you anywhere. The warm, ambient light can be adjusted to three different brightness levels and with a full charge, it can last up to 10 hours on the highest setting.
Panthella portable designed by Verner Panton for Louis Poulsen
Verner Panton designed the Panthella series in collaboration with Louis Poulsen in 1971. The collection consists of a floor lamp and different sizes of table lamps (read more about the Panthella mini here). Panthella stands out as one of Panton’s most significant design icons and its organic shape mirrors the soft light. The Panthella portable is available in a regular and a metal version*.
‘Setago’ designed by Jamie Hayon for &Tradition
‘Seta’ means mushroom in Spanish, which describes the mushroom-like proportions of the Setago cordless design lamp perfectly. Setago* is designed by Jaime Hayon and can be placed anywhere in your interior. The cord-free light has a discreet gold touch sensor dimmer with 3 brightness levels and comes in 3 beautiful color combinations. I own this lamp and on the lowest setting, it’s almost like a cozy candlelight in your interior.
Ray portable table lamp designed by Daniel Schofield for Menu Space
The distinctive silhouette of the Ray table lamp* is inspired by antique mining lamps, yet the modern design has been simplified to its essence. The powder-coated metal handle makes it easy to carry the lamp around so it can be used wherever it is most needed. The energy-saving LED bulb has three brightness settings and the lamp is available in black or dusty green.
‘Caret’ designed by Matteo Fogale for &Tradition
The Caret portable lamp* designed by Matteo Fogale for &Tradition is designed as a solution for the blurred boundaries between work and home. The portable light is inspired by traditional lighting with the classic green shade, known as ‘bankers lamps’ found in old libraries. The lamp has a modern touch and a timeless aesthetic courtesy of the lacquered steel available in two colors.
‘Cestita’ by Santa & Cole
The classic Cestita table lamp has been on my wishlist for a very long time and is now available with a built-in battery as well. The Cestita lamp set, which includes table and floor lamps in different sizes is designed by Miguel Milá, and the cordless lamps* are available in olive green or black aluminum, or as a wood version. The robust yet lightweight lamp can be used indoors and outdoors.
‘Pepa’ designed by Francesco Faccin for Astep
Pepa* has a solid wood shell surrounding the technology inside, which marries traditional craft with modern technology. The design is inspired by a pepper grinder and just like you would hold and twist to add pepper to your plate, the light is held and twisted to add light to your interior.
Flowerpot portable version designed by Verner Panton for &Tradition
The classic Flowerpot design is available as a floor lamp, pendant, table lamp, and now also a cordless lamp. Flowerpot is designed by Verner Panton and the cordless lamps* are just slightly smaller in size than the corded lamps. The rounded pendant that hangs from the semi-domed upper shade is available in 15 different colors, can be recharged via a USB port, and is deliberately lightweight so it can add a cozy atmosphere to both indoor and outdoor settings.
Tom Dixon Bell rechargeable lamp
Inspired by the chromed bumpers of vintage automobiles, the Bell light family* designed by Tom Dixon is an exercise in reductionism produced from pressed steel after which the light is plated with brass, chrome, or glossy black.
The reflective surface of the Bell portable light takes on the characteristics of its surroundings and has a luxurious effect on a modern interior.
Quasar portable lamp designed by Sam Rio for Petite Friture
The Quasar* rechargeable lamp designed by Samy Rio has a sleek design with a fun style and an included rope from which the lamp can be hung for practical indoor and outdoor use.
The dimmer allows you to set the lamp to three different intensities and you can adjust the light to your everyday needs by picking from three different hues: warm, neutral, or cold white.
Bon Jour designed by Philippe Starck for Flos
The Bon Jour* lamp collection designed by Philippe Starck has a naked, transparent base that can be customized by selecting the color of the base that incorporates the LED light source and a customizable shade.
Arum portable lamp from Ferm Living
The Arum Portable Lamp* is a petite lamp that is rechargeable via USB-C, allowing you to create a cozy setting anywhere in your interior. The design echoes the iconic Arum series and is crafted from powder-coated iron and aluminum for a sleek finish.
The rechargeable lamp includes a three-step dimmer with touch controls, providing adjustable ambient illumination at night or during the day.
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