The Nyblom family blends Scandinavian design with Southern graciousness at Leach Street Commons
Just outside her window on a January afternoon in Greenville, Heidi Nyblom got a reminder of her homeland thousands of miles away.
“Our yard currently is covered in white snow,” says the native of Finland. Last Christmas, when the temperature reached 75 degrees, “was hard for me culturally,” she adds.
She can’t do much about the South Carolina climate, but as a designer, she is making sure that her new hometown will get a touch of Scandinavia. With her husband, Konrad, she is a principal of BLOM Design Studio, recently named one of America’s Top 200 Residential Architects by Forbes Magazine.
The pair, who met as students at the College of Charleston and settled back in South Carolina after a few years in Helsinki, frequently work in tandem with luxury builder Cobblestone Homes, founded by Konrad’s father, Finnish-born Tomas Nyblom. Their aesthetic of “Scandinavian-inspired design and gracious Southern living” is evident in a host of projects around the Upstate—most recently Leach Street Commons near the Village of West Greenville.
Scandinavian design in Greenville
The obvious hallmarks of Scandinavian design—clean lines, neutral colors, natural materials, natural light—are immediately evident in the Leach Street townhomes. Less obvious, but equally important, are the deeper design principles.
“All the spaces in the homes are very thoughtful,” says Heidi. “Every space has meaning.”
The focus is on making the simplicity, efficiency, functionality and minimalism of Scandinavian design work with the graciousness associated with Southern living, according to Mia Johansson, Leach Street’s sales agent.
“It’s taking the best of both worlds and putting them together,” says Johansson, a Realtor with Wilson Associates and Tomas Nyblom’s daughter. Like her brother Konrad, she was raised in Greer after their parents emigrated from Finland. “The townhome concept really leads to that because you’re living in a dense, urban setting, but you’re also still living in a neighborhood.”
Demand for Scandinavian-inspired luxury design has grown in recent years, as many homebuyers have sought to simplify their lifestyles and create warmer, more functional spaces that promote serenity and comfort.
“The idea that form follows function is rooted in the origins of Scandinavian design,” notes Heidi.
A particularly eye-catching feature is the use of Thermowood on the exteriors, also prominent in Cobblestone Homes’ Norden on Stone townhomes. Imported from Finland, Thermowood is treated with steam and high temperatures to improve durability without harmful chemicals.
“It’s a way to bring natural wood into the exterior of a home,” Heidi explains. “We have a different climate here in the South than in the Nordics, so natural wood is not as common here, because the maintenance of that is huge.”
Overall, the Nybloms’ designs are sustainable in another sense as well, providing a simple, neutral, and versatile backdrop that can be customized with the homeowners’ own aesthetic sense.
“A big part of Scandinavian design is people,” says the designer. “It’s not just the house; it’s every single piece you own, carried throughout your life and passed down through generations. The personal items you bring in create your home.”
Leach Street Commons details
Leach Street Commons’ three- or four-bedroom townhomes range from 2,000–2,400 square feet and are priced from the $800,000s to $1.2 million. The first move-ins are expected in late spring 2026.
For more information, contact Wilson Associates at 864.640.8700 or visit LeachStreet.com.
