A Guide to Swedish Midsummer: Food, Flowers & Festivities

This Friday marks one of the biggest days on the Swedish calendar – Midsummer's Eve – and it's one of my absolute favourite celebrations of the year.

Rooted in ancient pagan traditions, the Swedish Midsummer is a joyful celebration of light, nature, and the arrival of summer. For centuries, Swedes have gathered to mark the longest day of the year with music, dancing, and feasting – a tradition that remains deeply cherished to this day.

If you're in Sweden over Midsummer, you’ll notice the city streets are deserted as many make their way to a corner of the countryside to dance around the maypole with wildflowers in their hair, and then tuck into a feast of pickled herring, new potatoes, and sweet strawberries – all under the glow of the summer solstice.

Fancy holding a mini celebration at home? Here are the key ingredients...

Forget perfect floral arrangements – Midsummer is all about embracing nature’s wild beauty. It’s customary to head out and gather wildflowers from the hedgerows and meadows, using them to decorate the Midsummer pole, dress the table, and weave into carefree flower crowns.

It wouldn’t be Midsummer without a flower or two in your hair – or, if you want to go all out like the Swedes, why not weave yourself a flower crown? There are plenty of great YouTube tutorials to guide you through it.

A key moment during Midsummer celebrations is dancing around the maypole while singing traditional songs – the most famous of which involves hopping like a frog (yes, really). It’s tradition for villagers to gather and decorate the maypole together with foliage and wildflowers before the dancing begins.

Now, I’d be seriously impressed if you put up a four-metre maypole in your garden and started jumping around like a frog – though I’m sure your neighbours would be very curious about what was going on! But if you'd like to give a subtle nod to the tradition, why not make a miniature version as a table centrepiece?

Tuck into a relaxed feast of pickled herring, new potatoes with dill, gravlax, crispbread, Västerbotten cheese, and a big bowl of fresh strawberries with cream. Wash it all down with elderflower cordial, cold beer, or a shot of schnapps – and don’t forget to sing a few songs to bring a little Midsummer cheer!

It may be summer, but you never quite know what the Nordic weather gods have in store. Even so, it’s customary to celebrate outdoors, come rain or shine – after all, as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. If you’re planning to do the same, make sure to have a few blankets at the ready!

In some parts of Sweden, the sun doesn’t set at all over Midsummer – but even so, candles and lanterns look especially beautiful twinkling at dusk. They add a touch of warmth and atmosphere to the celebrations, helping you carry on the revelry well into the small hours.




I hope these ideas have given you a little inspiration to join in a Swedish Midsummer’s Eve celebration from afar. Or perhaps you have your own Midsummer traditions – if so, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below!

Looking for more Midsummer inspiration? If so, be sure to check out these posts:

5 steps to hosting a Swedish midsummer
A short and pretty guide to celebrating midsummer
A pretty midsummer table setting

We’ll be celebrating with 24 friends up at our summer cottage this Friday – it’s going to be so much fun, but there’s a lot to prepare! I’m afraid that also means I won’t be posting on Friday (but perhaps you’ll be celebrating Midsummer too?).

So, I’ll take this chance to wish you a wonderful rest of the week – and Glad Midsommar!

Niki x

 


Credits: 1.vogue portugal 2. katyaklema 3. Larissa Miller 4. Jennifer Wohrle 5.The New Republic 6.Wilde House 7. Wild Free Paper 8. Camille styles 9. Lipa Edet 10. Olga Zdyarskaya

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Hagestad Nygård: A Dreamy Österlen Farmhouse Full of Character

Hejsan! How was your weekend?

As long-term readers will know, I live in Skåne, in southern Sweden, and this time of year it really comes into its own. Have you been here in summer? The fields are glowing, the beaches fill with life, and the little cafés and farm shops buzz just enough to feel alive, but never rushed.

Tucked into the rolling landscape of Österlen is Hagestad Nygård, a farmstead with over a hundred years of history. Built with care by Esbjörn Persson, it still carries that sense of craftsmanship and calm. And since 2020, it has been cared for with a lovely blend of preservation and gentle modern updates.

The property comprises three separate buildings, which serve as separate dwellings and also a relaxation area, complete with a small, lush indoor pool. And outside, a saltwater pool awaits on warmer days.

The interiors are warm and expressive, with earthy tones, bold accents, and just the right amount of dramatic flair. And each room feels thoughtful, but never staged. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger—throw open a window, make a coffee, and stay awhile.

Oh, and the sea is just a short bike ride away, and villages like Kåseberga and Löderup are nearby, full of character and that Österlen summer energy I always find hard to put into words.

Did I mention this place is actually for sale via Christies? Your new home, perhaps? Take the tour and see for yourself. You might just fall in love.

I love the relaxation part of the property - it's wonderful! Here are a few pictures: 

Such an incredible property! I love the sense of drama in those walls with their rich, time-worn patina.

Lately, I’ve been dreaming of a sunken bath that feels like a little pool. We definitely don’t have the space (or budget) for one—but a girl can dream, right?

What stands out to you most about Hagestad Nygård? Tempted to make it your home? It would be a big life change… but such a good one, don’t you think? You can read more about it and see more pictures here. 

How about a lovely, slow start to the week and a peek at a few more Skånegårds today? 

Step inside a traditional Skånegård in the Swedish countryside
A charming rustic farmhouse in Skåne
A charming farmhouse in southern Sweden

I hope you have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Christies, with thanks.

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All Things Bright and Beautiful: Inside a Joyful Danish Home

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small." We used to sing that hymn during school assemblies when I was little—maybe you did too. Funny how certain phrases linger in the mind, waiting to resurface at just the right moment. That line popped into my head the instant I stumbled across Tilde’s delightful Instagram feed, @vintherhome, where the Danish creative shares snapshots of her joyfully colourful home.

With 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen just around the corner (the city-wide festival celebrating Danish and international design), my thoughts have naturally drifted toward all things Danish—and design-related. If you're heading there too, I think we’re in for a treat. That’s how I came across Tilde’s vibrant abode just outside the city: a playful blend of bold hues, quirky shapes (palm tree floor lamp, anyone?), and cheerful patterns—all wrapped in that effortlessly calm Scandinavian aesthetic we can’t help but admire.

Oh, and keep an eye out for the “creatures small” too—she has a design-forward wardrobe to match the space!

So joyful! I absolutely love the vibrancy of her home – it gives off so much energy. Do you also appreciate the colours, patterns, and playfulness in Tilde's space?

The floor lamps are fabulous – such great conversation pieces! I wonder if they’re vintage? They’re definitely not something you come across every day.

Was there anything that stood out to you?

Treat yourself to more pictures of Tilde's home here. She has tagged quite a few of the items so you can find the source - but if you're curious and can't find the source, let me know and I'll do my best to help. 

Shall we celebrate more beautiful Danish design today? Here are five beautiful Danish country homes to love. 

I hope you've got some fun plans for the weekend. It's set to be fabulous weather here in Sweden, yay!

Happy Friday! 

Niki

Photography @vintherhome - shared with kind permission.

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Global Soul, English Heart: Inside a Layered London Home

"Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are," so the proverb goes. I think the same can be said about a home—or at least, it should be. After all, it’s the one place in your environment where you and your cohabitants have true autonomy.

That’s what struck me about this London townhouse. While we might not know exactly who lives here, the space offers plenty of clues about their interests, passions, and perhaps even their story. The eclectic mix of art, ceramics, textiles, and treasures from around the world suggests a deep love of travel—or perhaps a personal connection to different cultures, maybe even roots in places like Africa or Asia. What’s clear is that these aren’t just decorative objects, but items that feel meaningful. You could easily imagine one of the inhabitants running a small business sourcing and sharing beautiful, handcrafted pieces discovered on their journeys.

I love how these carefully chosen details pop against a crisp white backdrop, giving the home an almost gallery-like appeal. It keeps the space feeling bright, warm, and inviting.

Let’s take a peek through the keyhole and see what other clues we can uncover.

Wow, there are just so many details in this London house. It’s a real treasure trove—every item feels like it tells a story. I especially love the blend of pieces from all over the world, yet it still feels undeniably English, with its wall-to-wall carpets upstairs, Windsor chairs, and classic upholstery.

Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Do you think someone could walk into your home and tell who you are? If someone walked into ours today, I think they’d probably say, “Woah, this is one messy family!” Eeeek!

Fancy peeking into a few more English homes today? You might just fall in love with these:

Step into a cosy collector's house
Stay in this beautiful Victorian house in Nottinghamshire
A cosy cliff hideaway on the North Devon coast

On another note, I recently wrote a piece for IKEA about how sofa beds are no longer confined to the guest room, but have become a central element to the urban home - you can find my article here if you fancy a read! 

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, with thanks. 

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