Emilia's Laid-Back Swedish Country Family Home

Are you in the mood for something cosy today? If so, activate your "do not disturb" - this Swedish country home is as 'mysigt' as can be! 

Emilia Nilsson lives with her family in a characterful early 20th century house with "worn wood floors and lots of laughter" in the Småland, countryside in south Sweden. 

Done up little by little, the house oozes charm from every corner with its beautiful selection of wallpaper, traditional earthy tones and simple array of natural materials. But best of all, the relaxed home is designed to be lived in - and a space where children can play freely, and dogs and cats are invited to lounge. 

Ready to see inside?

Traditional deep red, sage green and off white have been combined on the exterior for a warm look that fits with its surroundings. 

The large porch can be used for potting and lounging rain or shine. 

One of the things I love about Scandinavian furniture is that's designed to for functionality first and looks second. Just as this cat has discovered! 

Furniture built from solid wood will stand the test of time since it can be sanded down and refurbished - so it will never look tatty. 

Candle season has officially begun - with flames adding warmth at breakfast, lunch and supper - as well as all times in between. Please be extra vigilant though - never place a candle near anything flammable and or leave unattended. It's always good to keep the room well aired too. 

The wallpaper from Ulricehamns Tapetfabrik is made in Sweden - so pretty, don't you think? 

The circular window is a real showstopper! I love that Emilia has made it a feature by creating a quiet place to sit and reflect or read a book while looking out over the garden. The wallpaper is from Boråstapeter. 

Emilia has used wallpaper from Ulricehamns Tapetfabrik as a backdrop to sleep and play in the children's bedroom. 

Last summer, Emilia and her friend Clara started a small flower boutique for passersby. I think I got around 5 flowers in total in our summer cottage garden this summer so to have an abundance of flowers to sell like this would be the ultimate dream! 

It looks well manned by the resident kitty too! 

So charming! I love how much soul this home has, it's put me in such a great mood for the start of the week. I hope this tour has given your Monday a lift too! 

You can see more pictures and find out the sources for wallpaper and other items over on Emilia's instagram @millansvilla. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Why not take a peek inside a few other country homes today? I love: 

An idyllic red and white country home in the Swedish countryside

A warm rural swedish country home that combines old and new

Five Danish country homes to love

A charming rural Norwegian cottage by a fjord

Ilkka's rural Finnish retreat

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @millansvilla, shared with kind permission.

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A Small Swedish Apartment with Inspiring Touches

Woah, this week has gone fast, don't you think? I thought it would be fun to wrap up with a fascinating little Swedish apartment that's filled with quirky touches and lovely ideas for the weekend - what do you reckon? 

Formerly a milk shop, the 28 metres square (301 square feet) ground floor living space in Stockholm is made up of a kitchen, bathroom and one room that combines the hallway, sitting room and bedroom. While the overall look is earthy and calm, there are some fun details - like a blue door and stripes and other touches that bring a contemporary vibe to the space. 

I also love the use of textiles, sheepskins and cushions throughout which add a really cosy feel for autumn. 

Välkommen in! 

Repurposed textiles like antique embroidered sheets have become really popular as window treatments. Here, a lovely old sheet has been clipped up in the window to prevent prying eyes from peeping in - while still allowing light to flow in from above. 

I love the old coffee table too - so beautiful and warm! 

The entrance may be small - but the owners have more than made up for it with plenty of storage. The mirror doors help to bounce around the light and brighten up the space - as well as help the storage to fit in seamlessly. 

Doors can take up a surprising amount of space. Here, a cute yellow curtain has been used to close off the kitchen from the main living area. 

When space is tight you need to make use of every inch. Sorting boxes have been nailed to the side of the chest of drawers to keep paperwork in order. 

A simple curtain can be pulled across for privacy at night. 

Curtains have also been used in the kitchen to hide less aesthetic items like the recycling bins.

I love how the inside of the cutlery drawer has been painted blue for an element of surprise! Could you imagine doing something like this? 

I spoke about how doors are becoming a statement in their own right on Wednesday - and this blue one is no different! 

What a special little space - so well thought out and unique. 

Did you enjoy this tour too? Any ideas that stood out to you that you might implement in your home? 

You can see more small spaces in this wonderful archive over the weekend. 

Have a fabulous couple of days - thank you so much for stopping by and for all your thoughtful comments. I look forward to pouring myself a coffee this weekend and responding to reading through them all and responding to each and everyone of them. 

Stor kram and happy Friday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem

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A Cosy Swedish Cottage by the Sea

*This post contains a mention of my book / promotion of my own work.

Hands up who has always dreamed of living in a little cottage by the sea?  Surely most of us - especially after a tough day of work! I can confess that I've spent the best part of this morning wondering if my little family and I can move to Jönköping - 3 hours from here. I don't think they'll be too happy - but it doesn't stop me dreaming. 

This charming little yellow and white cottage in Bymarken was built in 1870 and has recently been put on the market. Built on a hill, it's a topsy turvy home - with the entrance, kitchen, dining room and sitting room on the top floor, and the bedrooms and home office on the lower floor - leading out to a lovely terrace. 

The owners sure are keen on wallpaper (something you'll have noticed has grown in popularity immensely over the years in Sweden), which adds to the cosiness of the home alongside kakelugn (masonry oven fireplaces). 

Ready to take a tour and dream away with me? 

In the trend forecasts for 2025 experts have talked a lot about the sensorial home - and it's something I have also touched upon in my Njuta book. 

The idea is that the home should tap into all your senses - the feel of the furnishings under your fingertips, the smell of the natural materials or something sweet rising in the oven, the sound of a roaring fire or an old wood floor creaking slightly under foot and of course how it all looks from a visionary perspective. It's these factors that come together to make a home. 

Notice the candles on the walls in this home which really come into their own in Autumn. By the fire in this room you can also spot an extinguisher made by the classic brand Solsticken. 

Yet another candle on the wall, this time in a gold bowl to reflect the light around the room - I am sure it looks so pretty in the evenings! 

Have you noticed how doors are often turned into a feature in the home tours here on My Scandinavian Home? Here, an old wood door has been sanded down to its original form and the rough texture adds warmth to the room. 

Notice also the old wooden floor, which has been sanded down and treated - beautiful! We recently sanded down the bedroom floor in our summer cottage and it made such a huge difference to the room. That's the beauty of solid wood - it's easy to give it a new lease of life! 

In the master bedroom, curtains have been used instead of sliding wardrobe doors - helping to add warmth to the room and also dampening sound. 

The units are made by Elfa - a Swedish brand which I have used extensively in my own home thanks to a partnership a few years ago. I am still so happy with it today and occasionally adapt it to bring our storage up to date. If you're curious, take a peek at my before and after wardrobe, laundry room and attic makeovers!  

So dreamy! I could so imagine myself living here - enjoying relaxing evenings on the terrace in summertime and cosy evenings by the fire come winter. 

Could you imagine living here too? Is there anything that you loved or noticed in particular about this cottage?

let's take a little look into some other cottages by the sea today - after all, there's nothing like a little mid-week dreaming, right? 

A traditional Swedish cottage by the sea with a splash of colour

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea

A warm and relaxed Swedish cottage by the sea

A cosy little cottage by the sea with stacks of books

Is there one of these in particular that you fell in love with? I am quite partial to the last one with all the books - plus. it's just down the road in Malmö! 

Stor kram (big hug),

Niki

Photography courtesy of Västenhem, with thanks

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