An open-plan apartment can enlarge smaller floorplans and natural light can flow freely into each space without obstructing it. There are some obvious disadvantages of connected rooms, however, I find a glass partition a perfect solution to combine the best of both worlds.
Create a division with a glass partition wall
The glass allows the natural light to flow into the open spaces, yet the door can be closed to separate the rooms in a high-quality fashion without having to build a solid wall that makes the space look smaller. You can even place a curtain behind the glass which can be closed for complete privacy when necessary and the glass divider wall will also offer sound insulation in case you need it. You can see a beautiful example of a curtain behind a glass partition in this bedroom I wrote about a while back.
If you live in a small studio apartment and are looking for some inspiration on how to visually divide the functional areas, have a look at this post where you can see some beautiful studio apartment examples with creative separators. Check out this blog post if you want to see more applications of glass partitions and glass room dividers in different apartments small and big.
Other room divider ideas and ways to visually separate the different functionalities in the apartment
Different shades of Grey walls for a calm and serene look
I think the interior design in this Scandinavian apartment is relatively modest, yet the warm gray walls in combination with the light fabrics and furniture look very calming and serene to me. The black metal frame around the glass partition adds a lovely texture and contrast to the space and I love the way it frames the bedroom when looking in from the living room.
Other than adding a serene touch to the interior design, the different shades of grey on the walls also contribute to separating the different functional areas. The deeper grey color above the bed contributes to separating the bedroom from the rest of the open-plan apartment.
Art prints and area rugs visually outline areas with different functionality.
The gallery wall above the bed provides a visual separation between the bed and the wardrobe and the area rug contributes to outlining the bed in the space. The dining room is small yet fits well in between the kitchen and living room. By adding some picture frames on the wall the dining area is visually separated from the rest of the space, even though it’s all one room. The area rug underneath the sofa visually separates the sofa area from the rest of the space.
Wall candle sconces can have such a cozy and relaxing effect on your interior. This can be especially cozy during winter. You might remember the old-fashioned candle sconces found in a grandmother’s home. There are beautiful and modern designs available though that match modern interiors.
You can hang candle wall sconces in any space that can use some gorgeous accent lighting to set the mood. Add a great atmosphere to your entryway to welcome your guests, or use them in your dining room. Group them for an even more impressive effect.
Eye-catcher sconces on the wall can work in any interior style. Your eye will be drawn to the flickering flame when you enter the room. To fit a modern interior, go for clean lines, geometric shapes, and organic forms. You can choose from a range of gold candle sconces, a brass finish, matt black, or even mirrored versions.
In the list below you can find the best candle wall sconces that fit perfectly with a modern interior.
Clip wall sconces from Audo Copenhagen
These affordable minimal sconces from Audo* are inspired by medieval designs and come in a black or brass version. You can combine these candle wall hangings together to create an arrangement and the drip tray allows both block and tapered candles to be used with the design.
Sconce pendel from Skultuna
The Sconce Pendel designed by Pierre Forssel for Skultuna is my personal favorite in gold. I can imagine a set of them hanging in a contemporary living room flooded with natural light. This design looks so balanced and the pendulum contributes to the design language (hence the name).
Pierre Forssel designed for Skultuna between 1955-86 and has become an icon. The vintage Sconce pendel pieces are much sought after in second-hand platforms (keep an eye out for his designs at 1stdips* or Pamono if you prefer a vintage piece over a new one). I think this is the best taper candle wall sconce as the classic design of the pendulum elongates the taper candle.
Flambeau designed by Kroyer-Saetter-Lassen for Menu
The Flambeau candle sconces designed by Kroyer-Saetter-Lassen for Menu* are inspired by French modernist lighting fixtures and the design resembles a flickering flame. It’s a brass candle sconce with a sculptural design and a playful presence where the backplate magnifies and reflects candlelight to create a cozy ambiance in the dining room, living room, or any modern interior design. I think the effect of the enlarged reflection of the candle on the brass plate is striking.
Copenhagen-based design studio Kroyer-Saetter-Lassen also designed the famous Torso lamp for Menu, a modern lamp with a timeless look that became a staple favorite in my home and is now available as a USB-powered version as well.
Votive designed by Oslo-based Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition
The Votive candleholder designed by Oslo-based Anderssen & Voll for &Tradition* has an organic shape dish behind the candle, which reflects the candle in a blurred way and casts a glowing light into the room. Each of the candle wall holders is made from cast brass with a brushed finish to give it a soft and delicate look and it’s the only sconce on the list that has been fitted for a tea light, rather than a taper candle, which makes it quite unique.
Glim candle sconces
Glim is a wall-hung candle mirror designed by Böttcher & Kayser for Gejst*. The mirror reflects the candlelight and the design is inspired by old lanterns. Glim comes in different shapes and sizes and can be grouped together for an impressive effect in a modern living room or contemporary style home.
Wall of flame candle wall sconces by Frederik Roije
Wall of flame designed by Dutch designer Frederik Roije* is a black candle wall sconce with a single arm made of metal tubes, bent into position. The candle holder tricks the eye making it come out of the wall.
Frederik Roije is known for his creative and innovative approach to design, and along with the Storylines bookshelf, the Wall of flame candle sconce is one of his most famous design pieces.
Ornament sconces by Frama
Straight lines characterize the Ornament candle holders by Frama*. The design has a simple yet strong geometric character, which provides warmth and curiosity wherever placed. These sconces, available in a round or rectangular shape are crafted from delicate steel and gently reflect the light from the candle.
Lampett by Våges
Lampett by Swedish brand Våges is a rustic candle wall sconce crafted by hand out of black metal. The clean lines and minimal design fit perfectly in a home designed with a neutral color palette and the design shines in its simplicity.
Lampett Tjärn
This organic candle sconce called Tjärn has an organic and graphic shape and its design is inspired by a Northern forest star. The sconce functions as a sculpture on the wall even when the candle is not lit and invites to create reflections with a tealight or normal candle.
STOFF Nagel: a modular solution to accent lighting on your wall
The iconic STOFF Nagel modular system* was expanded with a wall hanger in 2023, allowing you to choose your formation and attach it to the wall. You can go bold and expressive or small and subtle with your creation.
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Vintage furniture pieces can add so much to an interior as they always tend to tell a story and add character. I love them, especially when combined with modern and contemporary elements for a contrast between old and new and I think they look amazing in Scandinavian interiors.
Use a small antique desk as an impromptu home office
Antique desks tend to combine well with modern design styles or a contemporary interior just as well as in a Scandinavian interior. A small antique work desk can be the main item to create a home office corner in a dining room, living room, bedroom, or small spare room without having to dedicate a whole room to it.
Below you can see 15 beautiful home office ideas with vintage desks in bedrooms, living rooms, or hallway spaces. Each one of them is styled to perfection, sometimes painted (like in the first bold example), sometimes left in their original state, sometimes paired up with a retro desk chair, but always unique and perfectly blended into a Scandinavian interior design.
A pink-painted vintage desk combined with a petrol blue wall color
As if the bold color choice of this pink-painted desk wasn’t yet enough of a statement, the fact that it has been combined with a petrol blue wall enhances the bold effect of the vintage desk in this room. Modern interior elements like the white table lamp, the rice paper shade on the ceiling, and the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair contrast against the vintage look of the desk, and the blue hue of the wall come back in the art print above the desk.
Painting a vintage piece is an easy furniture makeover you can achieve with a piece you no longer like. You can even replace the handles if they are not to your liking or give the desk a more modern expression with a different handle. Beslag design has a really nice collection of nordic design vintage and modern handles if you are looking to give your furniture an upgrade.
I featured the full bedroom with this vintage desk in this blog post from a while back (have a look, the bedroom itself is so elegant and inviting). The small furniture piece is a vintage writing desk, which is perfect to do some small home office tasks or to reply to emails on your laptop. The sheer curtains combined with the white table lamp and the HAY About a chair in grey upholstery work perfectly together for a Scandinavian-style home office design in a modest, neutral color palette.
A vintage desk combined with a sage green gallery wall
I love the way the warm color of the wood vintage desk contrasts with the cool tint of the sage green wall color decorated with a gallery wall with minimal posters. The white Flos Gatto table lamp combined with the white metal chair balance out the warm color palette in both the wood of the vintage desk and that of the gorgeous wooden doors leading up to the bedroom. Make sure to check out the full home tour here.
Rather than combining a vintage desk with modern elements and clean lines, I like how the stylist leaned into the vintage look and combined it with an old painting to enhance the vintage look and feel even more. This desk is used for keeping perfumes and cosmetics but can be a stand-in on home office days at the same time.
Just like in the first example, the wall of this bedroom (see the full apartment tour here) has been painted in a petrol blue color, which is a perfect cool tint to add some character to your bedroom. If you are looking for some more blue bedroom wall inspiration, check out this summary I made a while back: 13 inspiring bedrooms with blue walls.
A wood vintage desk in an all-grey bedroom setting
This bedroom consists solely out of tints of grey, with the exception of the beautiful warm wood color of the vintage desk and the wooden picture frame hanging above it. The Fritz Hansen Drop chair and the subtle olive branch add the finishing touches to this cozy work-from-home spot.
Just like the first home office example, this desk has been combined with the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair (€306*– $436*), while the warm grey of the wall has been matched by the Flowerpot VP3 table lamp designed by Verner Panton for &Tradition. Rather than creating contrast in this space, more warm elements were added to the room design to enhance this warm and inviting home office setup.
A black-painted vintage desk and an iconic desk chair
This beautiful black vintage desk has been fitted with a modern desk lamp: the popular HAY Matin table lamp (€184* – $165*) with it’s delicate pleads contrast so nicely against the black of the vintage desk and mirror. To finish things off, a Fritz Hansen Series 7™ Swivel Armrest Chair in leather (€ 1.837*–$2,139) was added, which is a true classic and iconic design piece that enhances the look and takes it to another level. The terracotta jug filled with a dried branch finishes things of nicely.
I love the bright look of this home office created in front of a bedroom window. The elegant white vintage desk has been finished off with a house plant in red tones and framed by these beautiful full-length beige curtains and a vintage chair. The pink comes back in the bedding on the bed as well, for a cohesive, elegant look.
Vintage pieces and indoor plants always go so well together I think. This work space has been combined with a classic Tolomeo Tavolo Desk Lamp in black by Artemide (€ 284,75*– $362*)- and the HAY Result chair in beige and lacquered oak (€ 359*– $374*) with a design that reminds of a vintage school chair, fitting perfectly with the rest of the home office setting.
A classic vintage desk combined with blue tints as a bedroom home office spot
The vintage desk in this beautiful bedroom with blue tints has such beautiful detailing and it looks like such a treasure. The blue in the art print on the wall finishes things off nicely and the small green plant that has been added on the desk in the Dora Maar bowl designed by Jonathan Adler (€55 – $50*) is such a playful addition to the setting.
Sometimes old buildings have these weird layouts, which are often a challenge to design. A small home office spot is the perfect setup to fit in such a small niche though, as you can truely optimize the space. I love the way the String system shelving (€142 for the shelves* + €69 for the sides*// $174 for the shelves* + $116 for the sides*), provides extra open storage on both of the walls.
A black-painted vintage desk combined with white and grey
The combination of black and white in front of the subtle grey wall works very nicely in this home office setup. The brass accents of the drawer handles and the rattan of the bentwood chair add elements of interest to this otherwise modest style.
This home office fits inside of a tiny room and even though it has a very similar style to the previous example (the same stylist designed both of these Scandinavian homes), I think the modern interior design touch distinguishes them from each other. Also in this example, the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair makes an entry and contrasts wonderfully with the black vintage desk.
While I think the power lays in the combination of vintage pieces with modern elements, this beautiful and characterful home office combines a vintage desk with a vintage desk chair and a vintage desk lamp.
A white vintage painted desk combined with a blue bentwood chair
The color combination of this home office setup in a Scandinavian bedroom is so intriguing. The blue-painted bentwood chair combined with the dark grey wall color works so beautifully and I love the way the space next to the wardrobe has been used in such an optimal way to fit in a small home office.
This antique secretary is one of those perfect writing desks for a guest room, as it also provides you with lots of storage space in the drawers and cabinet on both sides.
The warm wood of the secretary contrasts nicely against the white walls and the white-soaped flooring in this beautiful turn-of-the-century space and the warm tones in the accessories and art prints complement the look nicely.
A small vintage office desk painted in the same color as the wall
Smaller antique desks are perfect to add to a bedroom as an impromptu home office spot, but can also be used as a dressing table when combined with a mirror above it just like in this beautiful bedroom. The desk has been painted in the same color as the wall for a tone-on-tone effect and the XL mirror reflects the daylight coming from the window in a perfect way.
A desk with an exposed wood top and black-painted legs
When you discover a vintage piece, it doesn’t need to be perfect. You can always give it a small DIY transformation like in this beautiful example where the top has been kept bare, but the legs have been painted in glossy black for a more dramatic effect that pairs up nicely with the light grey walls and the light oak flooring in this beautiful apartment.
An antique secretary desk against a dark grey wall
The combination of the vintage secretary with the green vintage bankers’ lamp and the modern stool against the dark grey walls works like a charm. The secretary functions as a home office spot in the bedroom, yet at the same time, it offers storage opportunities in the drawers.
A grey-painted antique desk combined with a round wall mirror
This beautiful antique desk has ornate details and has been painted in a neutral light grey paint color that complements the deep green-grey wall color of the bedroom. The combination of the desk with the rustic table lamp and the large round mirror works perfectly and the black chair finishes the look off in an elegant way.
A simple antique wood desk against historic attic walls
The natural wood desk with three antique drawers fits perfectly against the rough white plaster walls of this attic apartment with exposed wood beams. The warm wood tone of the desk complements the dark wood beams and the natural oak chair. These three wood tones make for an interesting warm color palette in the space.
While I was designing my kitchen in both my studio home in Antwerp and my apartment in Munich, I was checking the inspirations on the Reform websiteconstantly, but once I figured out the perfect configuration with the Reform team and my kitchen has been finished for a while, I realized I haven’t been checking their beautiful inspirations for a while.
I love browsing through the wonderful inspirations with Reform kitchens on their website and here are my current favorites.
The owners of this historic Nyhavn apartment from 1845 in Copenhagenchose the BASIS design in red linoleum combined with a Calacatta viola marble countertop. This color combination brought a sense of vitality and texture that contrasted the already textural, slightly wonky architecture. The painted fronts matched with the rest of the apartment, integrating the space easily, while the red island gives a pop of color that ensures the space stands out.
The FRAME design in dark oak causes a wow effect in this family home in Copenhagen. This family knew that they wanted their kitchen to be the heart of the home. The kitchen and living room act as a large, open-plan room, and the owners say that this is where they spend the most time. As a result, getting not only the aesthetic but also the functionality right was essential. While storage was not the most important aspect of the dark wood kitchen design, the owners say that due to the kitchen island, they ended up with more than they ever thought possible. The fact that this is ‘hidden storage,’ as opposed to having high cabinets throughout the room, is exactly what the owners wanted.
Danish jewelry designer Sophie Bille Brahe chose the PLATE collection by Studio David Thulstrup for the kitchen in the new showroom in the heart of Copenhagen.
The BASIS kitchen in this beautiful open-plan Stockholm apartment is aesthetically integrated with the rest of the home. The kitchen was designed to look like it was meant to be part of the existing space. A custom beige paint was used on both the fronts and the handles, for a pleasing monotone that contrasts with the light gray marble countertops and gleaming white subway tile backsplash.
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I’ve heard brown is the new beige and while I still love the way beige can add such a calm and serene vibe to any room, brown has a similar effect, yet it can be much warmer and characterful. Both the living room and bedroom in this bright, light-flooded Scandinavian home have been finished off with shades of brown and I love the way it ties both rooms together.
The sheer beige curtains* in the living room warm up the natural light coming from the windows and the white linen sofa combined with the white fluffy area rug add the perfect base for the brown furniture pieces and accessories. Beige, terracotta, and brown textiles are added both on the sofa and the bed, which combined with the deep wooden furniture warms up the space even more.
While brown and beige play the main role in both the bedroom and living room, the kitchen has a different look. Here the white tiles and cabinet fronts are contrasted with a dark green-grey wall, which adds a lovely touch of contrast to the interior as a whole.
Scandinavian interior design and eclecticism might not be the obvious combination your mind goes to when thinking about styles to combine. With its clean lines, light color palette, and nordic cultural influences, a Scandinavian style couldn’t be more different than the eclectic interior design. Yet opposites attract and I think it’s exactly the contrast between the two styles that work well. Take this gorgeous apartment for example, where eclectic home decor adds character and personality to the otherwise clean look of the Scandinavian interior.
An eclectic dusty pink bedroom
While the living room of this characterful Scandinavian apartment interior has a few interesting pieces, the bedroom is definitely the most eclectic room in this home with its bold color choices. With its dusty pink walls, sculptural bed headboard, vintage art pieces, and blue sideboard, it has a very characterful and cozy look that I’m sure was carefully thought out and experimented with.
A subtle eclectic living room with a built-in bookcase
While the living room has been designed more modestly, here the vintage dining table and chairs forming the dining room combined with the large-sized artwork on the wall also look very personal and interesting. The vintage pieces really draw attention in the room and I love the addition of the Valerie objects wall lamp in this setting. The big corduroy pouf serves as a coffee table as well and the blue vintage lamp on the stool next to the curtains is a lovely addition.
This beautiful Scandinavian apartment has a gorgeous living room, which has been styled in black and white for a beautiful contrasting effect. The eye-catcher of the living room is certainly the fluffy area rug, which pairs up nicely with the white linen sofa and the sheer white linen curtains in front of the windows.
While there isn’t a trace of color to be detected in the living room, the bedroom combines a muted blue wall with a soft beige velvet headboard for a soft look that can be seen from the living area. In between the living room and bedroom you can find a round dining table combined with a walnut sideboard, which doesn’t have any direct natural light coming in, but I’m sure the round mirror on the wall reflects some of the daylight coming in through the other rooms.
It looks like every single piece of furniture has found the perfect spot in this rather small apartment. No matter how little space you have available, you can always find the perfect solution to make your home functional with a balanced look, without making it look too crowded.
In this home with beautiful herringbone flooring and a beige color palette, I love the way the kitchen has been fitted in a fairly small space, creating a rather small bedroom on the other side of the wall. Both rooms are connected to the living area, yet are visually separate in a nice way. In between the bedroom and the kitchen, a wardrobe was built in (closed storage space is so important, no matter the size of your home), which indents the wall of the greige bedroom, shielding it slightly from the rest of the space.
While space has clearly been optimized in the kitchen and bedroom, the living area feels very spacious and offers a spot for dining and lounging. The round white dining table fits four Wishbone chairs around it and is finished off with a fabric pendant light above it.
Danish design brand Menu has just released a collection of objects in collaboration with renowned stylist Colin King following the successful release of the Interconnect candle holder last year (more about this below). Expressive in both form and scale, each piece is intended to be the striking finishing touch in a space.
Colin King for Menu
Professionally trained as a dancer, Colin King found himself at the intersection between a dancer’s awareness of space and a stylist’s impulse to bring it to life before foraying into the realm of product design. Currently based in Tribeca, New York City, he finds himself in a balance between being on set, styling and designing from his studio. He is continuously inspired by life’s everyday rituals, gestures, and imperfections – made beautiful by their ever-evolving presence within a given space.
My personal favorite from the collection would be the Sentiment Paper Weight. The object transforms the humble pear into a beautiful hand-shaped sculpture that captures the essence of the fruit’s rich and ripe beauty. Cast in brass with an antique finish, the weighty design references the use of the pear in art, as an enduring symbol of abundance and femininity.
Colin King Interconnect candleholder
Last year Colin King and Menu took the design world by storm with the Interconnect candleholder (€238*– $274*): a sculptural centerpiece in oversized proportions yet simple geometric forms. The Interconnect candleholder is available in both polished brass and painted black steel and consists of a sphere, an angle, and a line. This is not just a mere candleholder, it’s a sculptural art piece for a special place in your home.
Autumn is in full swing, and I think you can start to notice the days are getting much shorter. Once this happens, I always try to make up for it with lots of candles lights and warm tones in my interior. This never fails to put me into a warm and cozy autumn mood.
I combined my newest artwork ‘Caramel Tides’with some new accessories from the Arket collection. I like their new vases*and candle holders*, which are such elegant pieces to add a touch of autumn in your home. On the table, you can find a combination of the Artichoke plates from Bordallo Pinheiro*, which add a playful touch to the table, while also being so stylish and elegant to look at.
In summer, I also made a table setting with the exquisite Bordallo Pinheiro plates, but there I used the flower version. I love how the plates in themselves create enough of a design element on the table, and they don’t need much else as they are so beautiful on their own.
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