A Cabin Escape in the Norwegian Wilderness

Hei hei, as they say in Norway! Friday calls for an escape, don't you think? And this lovely cabin in Aust-Agder, southern Norway, looks like just the place to get away from it all!

Sissel Bjerga and her family fell in love with this beautiful spot and decided to buy the cabin during the pandemic. They then set about designing a new addition, joining it to the old cabin already on the plot. And what a lovely place they've created! With warm wood, huge windows and views over the lake and forest, it must be such a wonderful place to escape to.

Inside, they've kept things lovely and simple, mixing old and new pieces, including a rustic gateleg table and a big comfy sofa (an absolute must for a cabin, don't you think?). And really, with views like these, you don't need much else!

When they're not curled up indoors, there's plenty to enjoy outside too, from wandering through the forest and picking mushrooms to taking a dip in the lake. 

Here are a few glimpses inside, with a mix of beautiful photographs by Mint Agency and relaxed snapshots of everyday cabin life taken by Sissel herself.

Lovely!It actually reminds me a little of our own cabin (although ours is a bit smaller, and we certainly don't have those magnificent views!). I can definitely imagine hanging out here this weekend, how about you?

One of the things I love most about these little getaways is that you really don't need much. A crackling fire, a cosy sofa and somewhere to cook up something delicious. There's something so relaxing about the simplicity of it all, don't you think?

You can see more of Sissel's beautiful cabin over at @snuppedupp.

And can we just take a moment to appreciate the Norwegian wilderness? If you've never been, it's hard to describe the incredible light, the solitude and the sheer drama of the landscape. It's truly breathtaking, and a dream country to escape to!

Speaking of which, shall we take a peek inside a few more Norwegian cabins? I think you'll love these:

A serene cabin stay in the Norwegian wilderness
A fjordside Norwegian retreat
A beautiful ski chalet in Hafjell, Norway

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments and emails about the new blog design, and for helping me celebrate My Scandinavian Home turning 15 – a true teenager now! I was amazed to hear that some of you have been following along since the very beginning. How wonderful is that? It really means so much!

I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing weekend, whatever you have planned. And as always, thank you for stopping by!

Niki

PS My latest piece for IKEA is out if you fancy a read here - and this time it's all about the IKEA museum, which I had the pleasure of visiting a few weeks ago in Älmhult. I learnt so much about Swedish culture, it was quite incredible! 

Credits Mint Agency & Sissel Bjerga, shared with kind permission.

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A Beautiful Swedish Country Home with a Timeless Touch

Meeeen, hej! Thank you for your patience while I spent time with family over höstlov (the Swedish half-term break). It was such a lovely week, and we even managed to squeeze in a day in Copenhagen (the girls and I) and a trip to Stockholm (Per and I).

And that's not the only thing that's been happening around here! You might just notice something a little different about the blog. If the new design has already gone live, then yes, you're in the right place! I felt it was time to give My Scandinavian Home a little makeover, after all, it turns 15 this week! Can you believe it? I hope you like the new look!

Anyhoooo, you're not here to listen to me waffle on, I'm sure. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce today's home tour! I first featured Evelina Lovisa Lind's beautiful home back in 2023, when it was all decked out for Christmas. It was as pretty as can be, but a lot has happened since then, and I thought it was high time we paid another visit!

Lovisa, founder of sparkling tea company Johlini, lives with her young family and dog in a beautiful country home in Alingsås, a charming town in western Sweden, not far from Gothenburg.

Traditional yet with a lovely modern touch, her home is filled with beautiful vintage finds, pretty floral wallpapers and earthy tones that bring the outdoors in. In fact, there's barely a room without a gorgeous old piece of furniture or a pattern inspired by nature. And isn't there something about that combination of soft colours, florals and natural materials that makes a home feel instantly calm and welcoming?

Of course, the lush green views from the windows help too! Ready to step inside?

So many pretty touches! Much of the wallpaper is from Sandberg, do take a peek at their full collection here, you might just find something lovely for your own home!

I also love how lush and green the garden looks in these pictures. Here in southern Sweden, the trees are now a beautiful mix of fiery oranges and reds, with leaves fluttering to the ground. It won't be long before the trees are bare and nature settles in for its long winter sleep. I'm trying to soak up every last bit of greenery and birdsong before it all disappears for the season!

And just how lovely is this home? Did anything stand out to you in particular? If so, I'd love to hear!

On another note, as the blog transitions to its new design, please do let me know if you spot anything a little strange or not quite working as it should. There may be a few teething problems along the way!

Thank you for your patience, and as always, for stopping by. It means so much to have you here!

Niki

Photography by @lovisaslind, shared with kind permission

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A Cosy Danish Beach House Reatreat in the Dunes

It's 'höstlov' (half term) next week, and friends are heading off to various places near and far. I love this time of year in Sweden. There's still a warm wind coming off the sea, the leaves are a vibrant array of colours, and a staycation is very much called for. Although we're likely heading to our own little cabin, I can't help but think how wonderful it would be to spend a week at this delightful cottage in the dunes of Tornby Beach, a wide stretch of sand on the North Sea coast of Jutland.

For Anke and her husband, staying among the dunes was more than just a holiday dream. They longed to wake up to the sound of the surf, wander barefoot down to the water for an early morning swim, and enjoy coffee in their bathrobes with uninterrupted views of the sea. In 2024, that dream became a reality when they discovered Rylereden ("The Crow's Nest"), a charming summer house tucked into a hollow between the dunes at Tornby Strand.

Dating back to the 1930s and protected as a historic building, the tiny cottage has been lovingly restored while retaining all its original character. Flooded with sunlight and sheltered from the North Sea winds, it's a place where life's simple pleasures take centre stage. Let's take a peek inside (and at the beautiful surroundings) and dream of a week at this enchanting Danish retreat. Who knows, a stay might just become reality for one of us!

One to save to the holiday list, surely? I mean, I could actually live here ALL year round, going to sleep to the sound of the waves, waking up to the sun rising over the sea. How about you?

You can find Anke's beautiful cabin to rent here. 

Did you see the simple stove? We have one of those in our cabin (although a slightly more modern version), and it works so well. Plus, it encourages you to make simpler food, which is great in its own way! I also love how the cabin has been furnished with vintage finds. It really adds to the relaxed feel of both the cabin and mirrors its surroundings.

Would you like to see more Danish coastal properties today? Here are a few I love:

A Danish ceramist's house by the sea

A light and airy Danish cabin by the sea

A windswept Danish cabin in the dunes

It's been a bit of a fraught week, hence this late post, but I hope it was worth the wait! Since it's the school holidays next week, I'll be taking a little time out with my family ad back again the week after.

Thank you, as always, for dropping by and for all your wonderful comments and emails. I love reading them all!

Oh, and if you feel like doing a little shopping next week, don't forget to make the most of your discount with the small Finnish furniture company Nordlif (code NIKI10). It expires at the end of the month. You can see my coffee table here (and it's available here).

Have a wonderful week!

Niki

Photography Mette Johnson / Gastraum

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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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