“We found this semi-detached house some weeks after, with the first floor for sale,” Colbjørnsen shares about the home they found in a town called Strømmen. “It was really old and outdated, but we were on a hunt to do some renovation, so we could add a higher value to the space and eventually sell for a profit.”

The couple agreed on updating their space — but the two were on different wavelengths when it came to just how much renovating they’d be doing. 

“When we walked in this house, I could see so much potential and was blinded by the good natural light in the living room,” Colbjørnsen writes. “The house really has soul, and I was sold. Erlend, not so much, haha! He just saw all the work.”

But after Colbjørnsen shared her design visions with her husband, he was in, and it helped that they bought the two-bedroom house under the asking price. In just three months, the couple renovated the entire space and discovered she was pregnant. 

They’ve already done so much with their space — including painting and wallpapering the walls in bright colors — but Colbjørnsen isn’t necessarily finished. She’s already started brainstorming how they can transform their garden area. Until then, they’ve got a beautiful home to enjoy. 

“With the different colors, materials, and finishes, it’s like spring inside all year, and that’s so lovely when the weather in Norway contains mostly the darker and colder seasons,” Colbjørnsen says. 

• Hallway — Nordsjö “M2.05.86”
• Ceiling — Nordsjö “G3.16.88”
• Living room — Nordsjö “s 0515.R40B and C9.10.79”
• Kitchen — Nordsjö “s 0515.R40B”
• Bathroom — Nordsjö “s 0515.R60B”
• Bedroom — Nordsjö “s 6030-R30B and K7.03.87”
• Nursery — Nordsjö “K7.03.87”

• Rug — Trendcarpet 
• Amour art — Heimbryggen
• Kit-cat clock — Katteklokkemannen
• Abstract art — Desenio
• Lemon art — Desenio 
• Blue art — Desenio 
• Papaya art — Desenio 

• Rug — Jotex
• Söderhamn sofa — IKEA
• Stockholm table — IKEA (limited edition)
• Blue vase — Thrifted 
• The Frame TV — Samsung
• Bestå TV bench — IKEA 
• Pink basket — H&M home
• Striped basket — H&M home
• Colorful storage boxes — Lagerhaus
• Ceiling lamp — Ellos
• Stove — Aduro
• Tiles — Megaflis 
• Pink sky art — Desenio
• Henri-Edmond Cross art — Desenio
• Motifs de fleurs art — Desenio
• 03 Earth art — Desenio 
• Blue flowers art — Desenio 
• Whiskey sour art — Desenio 
• Yellow body art — Desenio 
• Blue and pink vase — H&M home
• Gingham pillows — Kid

• Dining table — Made by Erlend
• Chairs — Thrifted 
• Ivar cabinets — IKEA
• Mirror — Thrifted
• Cloud lamp — Hubsch
• Flower art — Desenio 
• Natural wine art — Desenio 
• Ceiling lamp — H&M Home
• Vase — Lagerhaus
• Candleholders — Thrifted
• Dried flower bouquet — Carousel Oslo

• Askersund kitchen — IKEA
• Appliances — IKEA
• Contactplast for the countertop — Lindas dekor
• Blue tiles — Modena
• Sink — IKEA 
• Shelf — Jollyroom
• Art — Mari Tomter
• Rug — Trendcarpet 
• Pastel glass cake stand — Miss Etoile
• All ceramics — Studio Fargedrøm (my own brand)

• Nightstands — IKEA
• Le Jardin art — Desenio 
• Papaya art — Desenio
• Exposicion art — Desenio 
• Bar code Oslo art — Lisa Tomren
• White lamp — Rusta
• Ceiling lamp — H&M home
• Bedsheets — Jotex

• Bed — IKEA
• Dresser/changing table — IKEA (painted another color)
• Rabbit felt basket — H&M home
• Elephant basket — H&M home
• Diaper basket — H&M home
• Pompom basket — H&M home
• Striped rug — H&M home 
• Table lamp — Thrifted 
• Shade to table lamp — Veslelampe
• Ceiling lamp — Came with the house
• Big rainbow basket — H&M home
• Curtains — H&M home
• Rug — H&M home 
• Antique cradle — Second hand
• Cat art — Inzpero
• Gepard art — Mari Tomter
• Shelf — IKEA 
• Clothes — Lindex

• Terrazzo floor tile — Modena
• Pink matte tile — Modena
• Offwhite tile — Megaflis
• Vanity — IKEA
• Sink — Megaflis
• Mirror — Megaflis

Thanks, Anette and Erlend!!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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