A Beautiful Former Chapel on Gotland Turned Airbnb

Gotland has been on my mind lately! Any long-term readers will know that I fell head over heels in love with this beautiful Swedish island when we sailed there a few years back (see my guide here). The only problem? Living in Malmö, it's always felt a little tricky to get there, so we haven't visited nearly as often as I'd like.

But lately I've been dreaming about a girls' weekend at Sibbjäns, perhaps? Or a stay in a beautiful Airbnb? Which is how I stumbled across this gem!

Welcome to a former Baptist chapel dating back to 1912, in the little village of Fide, around 5 km north of Burgsvik in southern Gotland. Today, it's a much-loved family summer home, which the owners also rent out as an Airbnb. And it's not hard to see why it's become a guest favourite! Sleeping up to eight guests, the property is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with lovely cycling routes, a beach just 2 km away and its very own pool!

Inside, the chapel has been transformed into a wonderfully relaxed home, with soaring ceilings, wood-panelled walls, colourful patterned floors, vintage furniture and quirky artwork. I love the slightly eclectic mix, which feels so personal and full of character. And that glazed veranda looks like the perfect spot for long summer lunches!

Shall we take a peek around?

What a beautiful place! I love all the pattern and the eclectic mix of items which all come together beautifully, and the entire place looks like such a relaxed place to be.

Have you ever visited Gotland? And could you imagine gathering a few friends or family members for a stay in this old chapel? I certainly could! You can find it on Airbnb here, in case you're looking for something for next summer.

Oh, and one tip if you're planning to book an Airbnb in Scandinavia. Guests are often expected to bring their own bed linen and towels, unless otherwise specified, so it's always worth checking before you go.

I suspect this comes from the Swedish summer cottage tradition, where guests often bring their own bedding when staying with friends. It saves the hosts mountains of laundry, especially when washing facilities are limited. A small detail, but definitely worth knowing before you pack your bags!

Thank you so much for stopping by this week, here's to a relaxing weekend ahead!

Happy Friday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

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A Dreamy Thatched Cottage and Creative Haven in the Swedish Countryside

We've sailed to Varberg on Sweden's west coast on a number of occasions, as it's the perfect stopover on the way to the incredible Gothenburg archipelago. But it's also a lovely destination in its own right! Home to some of my favourite creatives, including Kristin Lagerkvist (whose Varberg home and French getaway I've featured here before), and not far from the beautiful Strömma Farmlodge, the area has a wonderfully creative spirit. There must be something in the air!

Sculptor and interior designer Patricia Trambevski is one of those creatives. She's transformed a beautiful thatched-roof house overlooking the rolling Halland countryside into an extraordinary home and studio. And now she's ready to move on and let someone else enjoy this little slice of paradise (tempting, I have to say – anyone fancy going halves?).

The house is a wonderful mix of old, new and rustic, with beautiful natural materials, earthy colours and plenty of texture. Think muted green cabinetry, pale wood floors, weathered antiques and handmade details at every turn. I especially love how Patricia's artistic eye shines through, from the sculptural stone basin in the bathroom to the oversized pottery and little floral arrangements that bring the rooms to life. And can we talk about that kitchen? The green cabinetry and dark range cooker are such a lovely combination, don't you think?

And then there's the incredible light-filled dining space, the greenhouse with its wicker chairs and cosy sheepskins, and the garden bursting with dahlias.  

And luckily for us, photographer Angelica Hvass was there to capture it all so beautifully. Come and take a look around, I have a feeling you're going to like this one! 

Aaah, so lovely! What a dream place Patricia has created. There are so many wonderful spots to gather with friends and family, or simply sneak off for a little peace and quiet.

Was there anything in particular that stood out to you about this beautiful Varberg home? I'd love to hear your observations!

If you're feeling tempted to pack your bags and move in (I wouldn't blame you!), the house is actually for sale – you can take a peek at the listing here. And be sure to check out more of Patricia's beautiful creative work on Instagram.

And while we're on the subject of creativity, I'd also love to give a little shout-out to small, independent businesses. Do any of you run your own? Or perhaps you have a family member or close friend who does? If so, please share it in the comments below and tell us a little about what you do. Let's help spread the word and support one another. I can't wait to hear what you're all up to!

Niki

Styling: FRÄSCHT Photography: Angelica Hvass for Kust Mäklarna

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Simon's Beautiful Stockholm Home Where Old Meets New

Friday calls for a lovely, inspiring home tour to get us all in the mood for the weekend, don't you think?

And today we're heading to Hornsgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm, where Simon lives in a beautiful 150-square-metre apartment dating back to 1905.

With its grand proportions, high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and beautiful old wooden floors, the apartment has all the makings of a dream home. But when Simon first took it on, much of its original character had been lost over the years. And so began a labour of love to bring back some of its former glory, while creating a home that feels very much part of the present.

It's perhaps no surprise that Simon has such a keen eye for interiors. After years working in sales and marketing, he decided to follow his passion and launched his own interior design and joinery company, Tosta Studios, in 2025, specialising in bespoke projects for private homes.

And his own home is a wonderful reflection of that creative spirit. Three years on, the result is a beautiful mix of old and new, where elegant period details sit alongside contemporary furniture, sculptural lighting and warm, earthy tones. It's sophisticated yet wonderfully relaxed, with just the right amount of unexpected touches to keep things interesting.

Come and take a peek!

I love how Simon has managed to honour the history of the apartment while making it feel so fresh and personal. 

And that kitchen! With its beautiful marble-topped island, traditional cabinetry and cosy window seat, I can see why it's Simon's favourite spot in the home.

When asked to describe his apartment in three words, Simon chose warm, personal and playful. But perhaps what I love most is his approach to creating a welcoming home. For him, the best sign that he's got it right is when friends come over and end up staying much longer than they intended. Perfect weekend vibe!

I'd love to hear if anything in particular caught your eye in Simon's home. If you'd like to see more, head on over to his instagram @simonsaids - there are so many more corners of this home to explore! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Niki

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A Serene Dutch Home Where Less Is More

I used to feature Dutch homes all the time, so much so that someone once wrote to point out that The Netherlands is, in fact, not part of Scandinavia! The real reason is simply that I’ve always had a penchant for Dutch style. While the two design traditions are of course distinct, there can be some lovely crossovers: a fondness for natural materials, beautifully simple forms, and interiors that feel considered.

Marloes’ home is no exception. Located in the Brabant countryside in the south of Holland, it has a wonderfully calm, minimalist feel, but there’s plenty of warmth too. Whitewashed beams and walls create a beautifully light backdrop, while tactile linen, wool, sheepskins and natural wood soften the look. I also love the slightly rustic, imperfect details: the old wooden door, sculptural ceramics, dried branches and pieces with a handmade feel, which stop all that white from feeling stark.

And eagle-eyed readers might spot a familiar piece of art, too. A work by Swedish artist Sara Bergman has made its way all the way to Holland! I once featured Sara’s own home here, and have met her on a number of occasions, so it was lovely to see her art pop up in Marloes’ space.

Here’s a little sneak peek inside the kitchen, dining area and sitting room…

Naturally, living like this takes someone who loves to edit their belongings and keep only what’s truly necessary, which isn’t always easy (especially for someone like me!). But that’s one of the things I love most about interiors: when you open the door to someone’s home, it reveals so much about how they live, what they love and what they need around them.

There’s an abundance of colour and pattern around right now, which is so fun, playful and charming. But it’s not for everyone. If you’re craving a calm oasis with very little visual distraction, a home like Marloes’ could be just the ticket.

I hope all you neatniks out there feel inspired – and perhaps also reassured that, whatever the trends might be doing, white is always right too!

You can see more of Marloes’ pared-back home over at @marloeswonen.

Niki

Photography: @marloeswonen

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