Hanna's Swedish Home:Where Time, Books and Light Meet

There’s that famous Patek Philippe line about never really owning a watch, just looking after it for the next generation, and I think the same can be said of houses too. This L-shaped home in the forest outside Grums, Sweden feels like a perfect example. Swedish journalist, author and radio/ TV host Hanna Hellquist inherited it from her father thirteen years ago and has since cared for it slowly and thoughtfully, turning it into a wonderfully cosy second home.

When Hanna first took it on, the house needed plenty of love. There was mould on the panelling, no two windows matched, and much of it felt overwhelming. For a long time, it was hard to know where to begin. But years later, encouraged while looking at summer houses with her then-boyfriend, she returned to Grums and started small. New windows came first, then a little more each summer.

Finally, the large open plan dining and library area took shape, and during the pandemic she devoted her free time to bringing the house together room by room. Today it feels warm, lived-in and full of character, a home that has been carefully looked after rather than completely rewritten. Let's take a peek around! 

Personal, cosy and full of character.

There are so many pieces, ideas and details to love here, but if I had to choose just one or two, I’d start with the glass partition that separates the sitting area from the main bedroom. It keeps the space open and filled with light, yet if you look closely, there are blinds ready to be drawn at night for privacy and to block out the midnight sun.

I also love that a book or magazine is never far away, which means that even on rainy days it would be almost impossible to get bored. And finally, the mix of furniture and accessories from different eras and styles brings everything together, creating a space that feels entirely personal and unique.

I’d love to hear what stood out to you about Hanna’s lovely home too.

If you’re a regular reader, you can probably guess what’s coming next. Yes, that’s right, it’s time for yet more lovely homes to peruse, best enjoyed with a coffee in hand. Here goes.

A charming rural cottage by a fjord

Lina's soulful home, designed for slow living
Snapshots from a swedish family home in the countryside

I hope Hanna's home and the tours above have filled you with inspiration today! 

Niki

Photography: Idha Lindhag (shared with kind permission)

Styling: Tina Hellberg

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Where Colour Meets the Simple Danish Summer Life

Well hej there, friends! We’re back in snowy Malmö and dreaming of… summer. A dangerous game when it still feels so far away. But in the former Danish home of Sofie Amalie Rolandsen, who works at a design agency, sunshine never seems too distant.

Sofie loves to play with colour. You might remember her former Copenhagen home, which I featured way back in 2018, and you’ll see the same joyful approach in her current home, shared frequently on her Instagram @thusthefuss. She’s known for painting just about everything — walls, floors, ceilings, and more — in a plethora of bright, uplifting hues.

But in her former summer house, Sofie took a different approach. Here, the walls, floors, and ceilings were kept neutral, allowing the details to do the talking: kitchen cabinets in a beautiful sky blue, a cobalt lamp here, a green stool there, and burgundy shelves and a sofa. These carefully chosen touches bring her signature style to the countryside, while still keeping things simple and letting the surrounding nature shine.

After all, summer cabins are all about downing your tools, kicking back, and embracing the simple life — surrounded by family and visiting friends. Ready to take a look?

Did you notice how Sofie subtly mixes things up? Mustard and burgundy sofa modules combined, two very cool fire-engine-red garden chairs paired with traditional outdoor furniture, contemporary lighting mixed with 1970s rattan… the list goes on!

Could this be a sign that we should all be a little more daring in our homes? Quite possibly! Nothing creates a talking point quite like a standout piece — and I guarantee, everyone will love it.

You can see more of Sofie’s style (and gather plenty of colour inspiration) over at @thusthefuss.

And for more Danish homes with their clever use of colour, take a peek at: 

Prints, splashes of colour and playful prints in a Danish home
Embracing the blues in a Danish home
12 simple ways to add colour to your home, Danish style

I’ve been incredibly organised this week and am looking forward to returning on Thursday with a very cool Swedish home to share with you. In the meantime, I’ve been busy working on another article for IKEA — this time all about how to get your pantry in order. I actually learned a lot myself while writing it, and our kitchen has never been in such great shape… not a single stray strand of spaghetti lurking at the back of the cupboard to be found! For the moment. 

See you Thursday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @thusthefuss, with thanks. 

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The Craftsman Cabin: A Cosy and Simple Place to Unwind

I might need to rename this blog My Scandinavian Getaway. I can’t seem to stop sharing escapes that we can actually book. Sometimes I wonder if this little corner of the web is a subconscious reflection of my inner psyche, because every February without fail I announce to Per that it’s time to leave Sweden. Then spring rolls around, which leads to the magnificent summer, and I announce that I am, in fact, staying put. Relief all round! Do you have seasons in your country where you think they could do with being a little shorter?

That was a very long way of saying I have another, very lovely escape to share with you. This time, in the shape of a cosy and rustic Craftsman Cabin (the name alone had my ears pricking up, how about you?). Nestled on the edge of the Somerset Levels and Moors in southern England, this little cabin has its very own meadow, with uninterrupted views and big skies. It’s built by hand and feels wonderfully considered without trying too hard. There’s even an outdoor roll-top bath, perfectly placed for soaking while taking in the view.

Perhaps best of all, the Craftsman’s Cabin has been built entirely by hand and designed to sit quietly within its surroundings. Everything about it feels thoughtful and unfussy, from the way it opens out onto the Somerset landscape to the small details shaped by local skills and traditions. It's the perfect place to slow down, spend time outdoors, and enjoy being somewhere beautifully simple.

Let's take a peek inside!

What a lovely, cosy cabin! Life looks so simple and relaxing.  

I love the simplicity of the decor: plenty of textiles in earthy colours and patterns, paintings in various forms, relaxed open shelving and a singing kettle. But above all else, I would happily soak in the outdoor tub and watch the murmurations of starlings as they dance across the sky. Magical. We often see this wonderful sight in the nature reserve beside our summer cottage in late summer, and I always find it so mesmerising. Have you seen a murmuration?

Could you imagine staying in this cabin? If so, please do check out their website for more details.

Is there anything that caught your eye? Maybe the full English breakfast?!

If I've got you in the mood for more cabin inspiration today, check out: 

Riika's idyllic waterside cabin in Finland
Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin
A cosy, candlelit cabin in the Norwegian fjords

Speaking of getaways, with the school half term starting today we’re heading off on a small family road trip to the Alps. It's become at a great time as the girls have been working so hard this term with lots of important exams (I don't miss those maths lessons do you?). I hope it'a OK that I'll be off next week but look forward to blogging again on Tuesday 24th February. Have a lovely week and see you then.

Niki

Photography courtesy of @craftsmanscabin - including pictures taken by @davewattsphotography, @littlegreenshed, @luke_brady_johnson, @wishwishwish.

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From Stable to Sanctuary in Tasmania

Hallo Freunde, I’m scribbling this from Frankfurt Airport, where I’ve spent the past couple of days exploring Ambiente (more on that over on my IG).

As always, when travelling, the world opens up a little — and suddenly you feel like you could just keep going. Don’t worry, family. I am actually coming home. Still, I do have a long-held dream of visiting Tasmania one day, and I’ve just found another stay to add to my ever-growing list: The Stable Lofts.

Housed within a historic converted stable, The 'Pony' is a charming mudbrick loft set right in the heart of rustic Tasmanian country life. The listing describes it as being surrounded by lush gardens, serenaded by birdsong and visited by wallabies at dusk and dawn — a place where time slows down. The perfect setting for a romantic weekend escape. And, I’m completely there for it (virtually, for now).

I love the simplicity of it all: the whites and warm wood tones, the carefully chosen vintage finds, the sense of calm throughout. It looks like the perfect place to truly unwind. Come and enjoy the tour with me.

I'd happily escape to this lovely place, how about you? 

If you're curious to rediscover all the other Tasmanian properties I've shown, take a look here - for a years worth of stays! 

Uh oh, I need to run, my flight is boarding shortly for Copenhagen. I have to say, I'm looking forward to my own bed. There's a saying in Sweden 'borta är bra, hemma är bäst' - away is nice, but being at home is best. Would you agree with this? 

Have a happy mid week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of AirBnb / The Stable Lofts, with thanks.

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