Oscar Properties


One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to minimalism is that a minimal style and a mindful life automatically tie in together. It isn't necessarily like that... and believing that is a tad naive. I know a lot of people who are put off by the idea of minimalism because they see it as an excuse or a hypocritical form of consumerism.

Let’s all be clear in that minimalism, YES, is a way of life–maybe even a socioeconomic response–but it’s also a STYLE; and while both things can merge and create a life of simplicity and frugality, we shouldn't impose that vision on anyone. Like anything else, it's a personal choice.

The simplicity movement/stripped down interiors became a trend (as I mention it in this post) in response to previous movements, like the ones of the 70's and 80's that were visually impactful and often visually polluting. Everyone who took on the movement of "less is more" has done it according to their own beliefs and their own limitations.

Innovation is also part of what minimalism is. There are a plethora of ground-breaking work that has sprung from its evolution. Those who want to embrace every facet of minimalism should do it without having to dodge the angry remarks of people who dismiss it–and those who want to make it just about "stuff" can.

Minimalism can be as prudent or as lavishing as anything can be–and there are no rights or wrongs.











Oscar Engelbert, CEO & Founder of Oscar Properties, created his Architecture and Design Firm with the intention of developing modern homes that could blend the history of each building, visually-impacting modern design and the understanding of how people want to live. That’s why he’s focused on old and new buildings equally, making his primary concern to create strong and unique housing concepts, where architecture and design are important elements. Something that, in his opinion, goes a step beyond ordinary simplicity.

NYBROGATAN 19 is one of the firm's newest projects. The converted farmhouse is now two penthouse apartments that offer a series of accommodation. The focus for this project was to evoke "a feeling of peace" in each apartment, regardless of the size or price. The free flow concept allowed the firm to give all their attention to perfecting finishings (grey marble, light parquet floors, fully integrated appliances, etc), generous hidden storage and a harmonious and contemporary living quarter.












This project concludes one thing–and that is the premise of minimalism not being vague. It’s, in fact, something that can accommodate everything and everyone. Minimalism is a realm of things. It's style. It's a way of living. It's simplicity... whenever, wherever and however we choose it to be.

Images: Fantastic Frank

In recent years, minimal and Scandinavian interior styles have taken a dramatic shift and they’ve redefined our notion of a "clean" space by daring to add color, texture and rawness to what we thought should be "clean-lined", white and straight-forward.

The lack of sunlight in the Nordic regions (about 1,000 hours short of the amount of sunlight enjoyed in Sydney) is believed to be the foundation for the trend of bright and simple Scandinavian homes–a natural consequence to the color-charged past of the 60’s 70’s 80’s and 90’s.

What Scandinavian interior design is shaping up to create is a middle ground between the over-colorful past and the white-washed millennium. The transition was clear a couple of years back, when the fashion industry decided to bring back an array of strong colors mixed with a nude color palette–pulling back from an all black and white narrative.

Although many people are mentally prepared to accept new trends and change, I might be one to always stay on the more neutral side. That’s why I fell in loved with this apartment featured via Fantastic Frank. It’s living proof that we CAN have it all. It’s the softness of the walls, the functionality of the space and the boldness of an unexpected emerald green as the accent color.













The mention of having color in a home doesn’t necessarily have to make you cringe. Although I'm very indecisive when it comes to picking paint colors for my apartment, I do very well picking decoration items and furniture that might scare any hardcore minimalist...

I believe that’s because I share one thing with the Scandinavians (maybe it's because I spend most of my time cooped up indoors): their appreciation for nature. Not only that they have plants around their homes; but also that their passion for the outdoors is responsible for many of their trends–the colors in their designs, the materials they use, the art on their walls–it all adds to their sensorial experience.

So if you are also afraid to introduce color into your home, this beautiful open-concept apartment is the perfect example of how. Design, function and style. The clear floors, open space and use of natural material like rattan chairs and plants create a perfect harmony between the old and new trends.







Two words: Green. Marble.

Yes, the sadly overdone traditional white marble has finally taken a back seat to make way for a refreshing and envelope-pushing wave of stones. The Bursa Beige and Pink Onyx are the most used by the romantic "Soft Minimalists"–and thought I find any type of stone beautiful, this one here hit me right in the heart.

The peaceful and clean feel of this home isn’t affected by the mix of textures, bold colors, materials and preconceived notions of what minimalism should be. In fact, this is one place that can easily debunk the myth of a white-only Scandinavian design.

Don’t you think?

Annabell Kutucu

Bohemian aesthetics—densely packed homes, patterned rugs, mixes of textures and heavy wooden decoration was a thing of the "maximalists" and the "hippies". That’s how the world taught us to see it. Leaving out the wonder that is the intention behind it, which is the invitation of nature into one’s home and the freedom of mixing our decor to match our personalities, our memories and our cultures.

Though the vast majority likes to call the new wave of scaled-back bohemian trend "boho-chic"—I wouldn’t. Natural materials are the peak of elegance and they cannot be limited to only be one thing or to only be used by one certain interior style. That’s why more and more minimalists are bringing a little bohemian touch into their homes. Terra-cotta, natural rugs, baskets, unfinished wood, raw ceramics... you name it.

The reason behind the craze—I believe—Is that people are wanting to live an almost ludic experience at home—they want the privilege of coming home after a long day at work and not feeling cooped up by their surroundings; they want an escape from their daily routines—and in that aspect, bohemian aesthetics deliver greatly. It is impossible not to be transported to foreign dwellings when we decorate our homes parting from an organic, flexible and pure approach.




Minimalism and bohemian can go hand-in-hand even in the most modern of homes. To prove that, the images above would suffice... but as always, I’m here to help and so is the team at Furniture.com—That’s why I'll share a few tips and a few of their items with you.

Furniture.com is an online furniture store that offers a vast assortment of styles in an even wider variety of categories—furniture, rugs, lamps, decor and more. Trust me, it is very possible to lose oneself on their website and there is something for everyone—even for the fussiest of hunters (me). Furniture.com makes sure that you can 1. Find what you are looking for 2. At a great price—which they guarantee by maintaining wonderful relationships in the industry 3. With great customer service—and that makes for happy clients, don’t you think?

They offer unmissable weekend and weekday deals, 26 unique styles, over 150 brands and more than 10,000 products—needless to say, they can cover your bohemian, minimalist, maximalist or truly any of your needs.












If you want to introduce some bohemian touches into your home but feel hesitant, start easy. Do not overwhelm yourself with the many options that the new trends present you with but make choices that you’ll be able to live with (and not fall out of love with) fast.

Switch—or even better—mix natural material accents, think; natural, raw and hand-crafted—and combine that with the clean and often perfectionist feel of minimalistic decor. The proof that this works is the styling displayed above. Harsh concrete making the perfect canvas for rounded jute rugs, breaking the harsh straight lines of the room, modern industrial windows being embellished by big, exotic-looking green leaves and a wonderful handmade hammock, inviting paradise into an otherwise contemporary-blank deck.

Here are my top options for a starting bohemian style seeker, click on each image for more:









Your mindset through this process should be to expect a delightfully-unexpected shift in your mood and the feel of your home—and when it comes to plants (given you are not a plant assassin like myself) bring in however many makes your heart content.

Annaleena Leino-Karlsson

I’ve had Annalena’s home tour saved in my bookmarks for months now and as the stars seemed to have aligned this weekend and I got some time to myself (and some good reads) I decided to consume a handful of articles as if there wasn’t another weekend on the horizon.

In case you’ve been living under a rock or the online world isn’t one of your priorities (kudos to you) . . . let me introduce you to the master stylist, vanguard photographer and genius product-and-everything-else designer that is the one and only Annaleena Leino-Karlsson. I could very well cut this post short and the images of her home would speak for themselves—but no, I cannot just shut up about something that has positively and massively impacted me, as I’m sure you know by now.

Annaleena started as most of us do. A blogger with an immense passion for (in her case) interior, product design and minimalism. A short while after making her introduction into this world, she started creating her own products and soon getting recognized for her effortless style and work, which if I may say, are well worth our admiration.




Her home intentionally speaks of what she’s all about. Not only is it unique—I mean, how couldn’t it be when she designs most of her art and pieces?—but her home is also a therapeutic work of art. Based in Ekerö, Sweden, this is one of those tours that get people talking. We all want to know the story behind it: the what’s, why’s, who’s and where’s.

This open-concept home has been transformed into the perfect atmosphere for Annaleena’s work—the works of art of the minimalist design houses we all love and those of like-minded pioneers. The hall was converted into a private showroom for Analeena, while the stunning open living room combines some of her treasures: The classic leaf lamp by muuto, a large leather sofa, a stunning piece by Kristiina Haataja and her family-inherited piano make a perfect composition for the stunning nature-filled backdrop.

From Annaleena’s front door to her jaw-dropping concrete patio, this home is one for the books. That is why I insist that minimalism is worth a try—It simply allows space for true greatness.