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A Fuss-Free White Home
Featured in Sköna Hem

090809_skonaKitch.jpgOkay, so usually when we feature white interiors, the general consensus is something like, "Oh that's nice--but sooooo not manageable in my home!" Hey, we feel the same way: As practitioners of the "clean enough" philosophy, an all-white space is something to look at, not really live in. But this home, recently featured in Sköna Hem, has us rethinking that idea...

 
 

We think the appeal of this home isn't so much the stark-white cleanliness as it is the style: It feels warm and familiar but with elements of surprise and playfulness. Like many of our own homes, there's a mix of furniture that appears to have been gleaned over the years from parents' basements, mainstream stores, flea markets, and yes, even Ikea.

090809_skonaUpstairs.jpgThis two-story home is both rustic and industrial, thanks to the loft-like construction paired with gorgeous white planks lining the ceiling. The open space below is sectioned off into different areas. But to get to the ground floor, there's this option:

090809_skonaPole.jpgOr you can take the winding stairs:

090809_skonaBreakfast.jpgIn front of the stairs is a casual eating area with a corner banquette seating. The quaint navy and white plaid cushions with the vintage file cabinet softens the industrial quality of the stairs.

090809_skonaCab.jpgAbove the cabinet: A clothesline just for photos, keepsakes, and drawings. It adds a personal touch to...well, we're not quite sure what that silver thing is.

090809_skonaDen.jpgThe den area is located on the opposite end of the kitchen. With the denim sofa anchoring the area, the white armchairs and footstools still offer flexible seating arrangements. All the sofas here use tailored slipcovers--easy to throw in the washing machine!

090809_skonaSwing.jpgDetail of the cookbook area in the kitchen on the left. On the right: The red and white playroom, complete with a swing. Not sure if it's visible in the photo, but the back wall is actually wallpapered with a subtle rose pattern--a nice juxtaposition with the geometry of the ceiling.

Check out more photos of this home at Sköna Hem.

(Photos: Sköna Hem)

Tags

inspiration, Skona Hem, Swedes, white floors, white interiors

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Comments (13)

haha I am shopping around for homeowners insurance and one large, national company asked me if I had a fire pole in my house and I thought "who does that?!"...well, here's my answer!

posted by Enamorada on September 8th 2009 at 10:03am
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So open, so airy. Just lovely!

posted by mei-ling on September 8th 2009 at 10:05am
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Love love love! That stair is to die for. The only features I don't like are the pole and the swing - too Pamela Anderson for me! ;)

posted by Emily the Cat on September 8th 2009 at 10:07am
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I like these people they have a white house with a big ole black dog.

posted by alexis on September 8th 2009 at 10:58am
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that is a really, really gorgeous home. normally i shudder at white - too many years with a family who refused to paint walls - but the textures, details and interesting focal points really make this work. i love that it feels modern, rustic, and comfortable all at once.

posted by nikki moore - photography and vintage treasures on September 8th 2009 at 11:34am
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That "silver thing" is an old device for storing and filling coffee beans in cafés and coffee shops. I remember them from my childhood.

posted by midmodfan on September 8th 2009 at 11:59am
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White, white, WHITE, wHITE . . . ugh!!!!!!!!!

posted by ChrisToronto on September 8th 2009 at 1:36pm
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It's not a comment on this home in particular, but on AT's obsession with this decor tend. ugh!!!!

posted by ChrisToronto on September 8th 2009 at 1:37pm
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Is all-white decor really a 'trend'? I think AT is more obsessed with mid century design than all-white decor.

posted by slowdown on September 8th 2009 at 2:42pm
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slowdown: here in america modern and mid-century are synonymous. Its a little silly actually. If its not mid-century then it simply isn't featured, noticed, or dare I say, something.

So yes — AT is obsessed with mid-century.

posted by SeanG on September 8th 2009 at 10:48pm
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White isn't a "trend," and neither is antiquing or shabby chic. I'm more likely to purchase my furnishings based on texture, so that cabinet on which rests the coffee bean bag filler doohickey would never work for me. My dream home looks nothing like this, but I think this home looks clean, bright, and still I wouldn't feel uncomfortable putting my feet on the coffee table. Without shoes, of course.

posted by LaurelJRyan on September 9th 2009 at 2:41am
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Having a place "similar" in style to this (although, I get no direct sunlight thanks or no-thanks to the deep overhangs), I totally understand the the temptation to go all white however, white just feels so uninspired (so I am off to the paint store again - maybe I should post for some good ideas from the AT community). If the ceilings were left natural wood, the place would have a totally different feeling and another layer of texture. The devil is in the details and textures. There are some comfortable textures going on here, but I would like to see a little more color; even the dining room chairs are white.

posted by cliokitty on September 9th 2009 at 12:45pm
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