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A Fresh Take on Outdoor Living

There’s a quiet confidence to Melina Criborn’s world. From the soft geometry of her Japandi-inspired interiors to the layered calm of her outdoor spaces, nothing feels accidental — yet nothing is overworked. A salon founder and digital creator, Melina lives in a 1940s villa on Lidingö, Stockholm with her husband and three children, shaping a home rooted in feeling rather than formality. We visited in the early days of summer to talk about extending interiors outward, the joy of table setting, and why green stripes are having a moment.

What was your vision for your outdoor spaces – and did it turn out the way you imagined?

It turned out pretty much how I imagined, only cozier. Throughout the whole process, both my husband and I felt that we wanted a bit more charm, coziness, and vibe than the very sleek and minimal look we had initially planned. When you have such large open spaces, it can easily feel a bit cold. We also wanted to build a space that feels like a natural extension of the inside of our house.

What’s a must-have for creating a cosy and inviting summer table styling outdoors?

It’s almost impossible to pick one! One of my biggest passions in life is setting and decorating tables. So for me, it’s super important that everything comes together as a whole – with the tableware, flowers, candle holders, napkins, and so on. But if I had to choose something, I’d say small transparent glass vases that you can decorate in lots of different ways. I also love being able to see across the table and the person sitting opposite me. Otherwise, napkins and linen – I’m obsessed with textiles!

How do you play with colour, pattern, and texture outdoors compared to indoors?

I use a lot more colour and pattern outdoors! Inside, everything is white, beige, and off-white. I’ve always loved mixing different materials – I think it gives a luxurious feel – but right now I’m really enjoying playing with colour and pattern outdoors. A new obsession of mine is stripes and green, which is why I absolutely love Bemz’s Outdoor collection.

What’s your best tip for styling a small balcony or patio into an expressive oasis?

Treat it like an actual room, not an afterthought. Extend the room from the inside and don’t think, “Oh, it’s so small, we’ll just throw out a folding table.” Instead, decorate it like a large terrace, just with smaller furniture. And again: lots of textiles, an outdoor rug, cushions, a little parasol. If you’re handy, build a small custom bench that you can even sunbathe on.

Flowers and greenery can totally transform a space – how do you incorporate nature into your summer table styling?

I love using garden flowers and plants to decorate the dining table or other places around the home. In spring, I cut a few branches from our apple trees – it’s so stylish and beautiful. Big lilac bouquets when they bloom give a more romantic feel and an incredible scent as a bonus. I also often use fresh herbs to spruce up the table. A sprig of rosemary in those little vases I mentioned earlier is perfect.

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