Happy Midsummer!

Just popping in to wish you a very happy Midsummer's Eve! Here in Sweden, the revelry is about to begin with dancing around the maypole, followed by a party at friends' where we'll tuck into herring, salmon, quiche, new potatoes and strawberries, all washed down with beer and schnapps. There'll be plenty of singing around the table too, before we chat (and dance!) into the small hours. Best of all? The sun is shining on Sweden today! Hurrah!

I hope you have a 'glad midsommar' too!

Niki

These beautiful pictures are by Elin Lannsjö - and I felt they captured the spirit of a Swedish midsummer perfectly.

READ MORE...

3

A Final Peek Inside Kristin Lagerkvist's Beautiful Swedish Home

If you're a long-term follower of My Scandinavian Home, you'll almost certainly have heard of Kristin Lagerkvist. Kristin is a content creator with the most beautiful, relaxed sense of style and runs a store in Varberg, on Sweden's west coast, through which she sells lovely linen clothing. She also has an impeccable eye for interiors, creating spaces that blend Scandinavian design with a laid-back bohemian touch.

I first featured her Swedish home back in 2016, and since then she has also bought and lovingly renovated a house in France, which I've shared here and here. Today, I read that she is selling her Swedish home in pursuit of new adventures. I'm not sure what they are just yet, but I can't wait to see where life takes her next. Until then, I thought we'd take a fresh peek inside her home, ten years on from when I first featured it.

And what a home it is. Built in 1926 in the elegant Swedish Grace style, the yellow villa is brimming with character, both inside and out. There are beautiful original details at every turn, a pool and greenhouse nestled among the roses and lilacs, and, of course, Kristin's signature blend of Scandinavian simplicity and relaxed bohemian style, which makes the whole place feel effortlessly warm and inviting.

Ready to take a peek?

Such a dream!

It must feel like the end of an era for Kristin and her family. But I'm sure whatever they do next will be exciting! You can see more pictures and find out details about the sale and viewings here.

I'm especially envious of the garden. I love gardening and do my best with our summer cottage garden, but the soil is almost entirely sand, which makes it rather challenging! I dream of creating an English country garden right here in Scandinavia, filled with billowing peonies, hydrangeas and other romantic blooms. To me, that would be the best of both worlds! Do you enjoy gardening too?

A special mention, too, for the beautiful dining area and those blue and green doors - I absolutely love the tones.

Was there anything that particularly stood out to you?

It's a busy day here as we've been packing for our summer cottage, and Alice and I will be hitting the road this evening. The rest of the gang will follow in time for Midsummer celebrations on Friday - my favourite day of the year! Will you be celebrating too?

Niki

Photography by Kristin Lagerkvist, for sale via Bjurfors Varberg.

READ MORE...

7

Inside a Charming 1920s Danish Summer House

Hello friends! 

It's been a quiet week on the blog, but a very busy one behind the scenes. I spent a couple of inspiring days in Copenhagen for 3 Days of Design (if you've never been, I can't recommend it enough!), while also helping Skandinavisk celebrate the launch of their beautiful new EDP collection and the opening of their new flagship store in the city.

Needless to say, by 5pm on this Friday evening, I'm more than ready for a glass of wine!

But before I disappear for the weekend, I couldn't resist sharing a couple of images from a charming Danish cottage in Liseleje.

Built in 1920, it's the kind of house that instantly draws you in. Perhaps it's the soft green panelling, the painted woodwork, the well-worn pine floors or the cosy window seat tucked into the corner. Whatever it is, the entire place feels wonderfully unpretentious and full of soul.

And is it just me, or is there something a little Carl Larsson about it? The gentle green tones, simple wooden furniture, abundance of natural light and relaxed atmosphere feel wonderfully timeless.

I can imagine long breakfasts around the kitchen table, doors flung open to the garden, followed by walks to the beach and afternoons spent reading in that window nook. Which, after this week, sounds pretty perfect!

Enjoy the tour-and have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty and relaxed.

And a perfect way to lead into the weekend, do you agree? 

Wishing you a wonderful couple of days - and look forward to returning early next week with a new, lovely, longer tour. See you then!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Adam Schnack, with thanks

READ MORE...

3

A Relaxed Berlin Altbau with Warmth and Charm

Ready for an adventure? Today, we're off to Berlin (sadly not in person, wouldn't that have been great?), but in spirit! This lovely Altbau apartment belongs to Resi and her little dog Frida, and they have made a wonderful home for themselves.

I've been lucky enough to visit Berlin a few times and always come away marvelling at the city's wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. There's a certain ease to life there. Looking at these pictures, I can almost imagine the sounds of the city drifting in through the tall windows, the distant hum of bicycles and snippets of conversation from the street below.

What I love most about Resi's home is how perfectly it captures that laid-back Berlin spirit. The beautiful bones of the apartment, soaring ceilings, decorative cornicing and those glorious windows, are softened with natural textures, warm earthy tones and an abundance of plants and flowers. Every corner seems designed for simple everyday pleasures: lingering over a morning coffee in a sun-drenched window nook, curling up with a book as the afternoon light shifts across the wooden floors, or enjoying a cosy evening as lamps cast a warm glow around the room. 

Let's take a peek inside!

Coral sunset peonies - my all time favourite flower. I absolutely love the way they start off a deep and vibrant fuchsia pink before turning coral and fading into a light pink. Beautiful. 

Do you have a favourite flower?

Such a lovely feeling oozing from the pictures. A perfect city oasis! 

Are there any details that stood out to you? 

You can see more of Resi's home over at @residenz.bln.

Here on the blog, we have visited Berlin homes many times before, here are a few you might like to revisit: 

A lovely and relaxed artist's home full of plants

A light-filled family home with a Nordic touch
Get the look from a serene home in Berlin

Ha det så fint!

Niki 

Photography by @residenz.bln, shared with kind permission.

READ MORE...

6

An Art-Filled Industrial Apartment in Gothenburg

Finally Friday. The sun is shining and Malmö is a cacophony of horns, whistles, pumping music and students cheering as they graduate from high school, sailor hats perched proudly on their heads with their names emblazoned across the front. Do you have a similar tradition in your country?

Meanwhile, inside this wonderful apartment in one of Linnéstaden's oldest buildings in Gothenburg, a rather different atmosphere prevails. Once an industrial premises, the space is a beautiful blend of raw character and relaxed style. Exposed brickwork, hefty timber beams, original doors and soaring three-metre ceilings provide the backdrop, while a curated gallery wall, vintage furniture and splashes of cobalt blue add warmth and personality.

I love how the owners have embraced the building's history rather than trying to hide it. The result is a home with soul and full of character, creativity and charm. Welcome inside!

Such an inspiring home, don't you think?

Personally, I loved the play with scale, from the low shelving topped with oversized, bold artwork to the floor-to-ceiling gallery wall, as well as all the remnants of the property's industrial past. Wonderful!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

I feel this is the perfect excuse to share a few more fabulous homes with an industrial touch (it's been a while!):

Industrial meets cosy rustic in a Swedish home
The fabulous industrial style atelier of a creative
An artist's home in a former factory

And in case you missed it, I also shared a local guide to Malmö by the sea earlier this week, ideal if you're looking for vacation inspiration!

Wishing you all an underbar weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem, with thanks.

READ MORE...

10