Step Inside a Renovated 19th-Century Skånelänga With a Rustic Soul

Usually, the properties that pop up for sale are a little too far from where we live in Malmö – but today, this farmhouse in Vellinge, here in the south of Sweden, is a mere 20-minute drive away, making it scarily attainable (cue: Per is getting nervous!).

Long-term readers will know I often dream of moving to the countryside – and a Skånelänga (a three-sided farmhouse typical of the county of Scania) has been the object of my affection ever since I featured one in my first book, Relaxed Rustic* (originally published as Modern Pastoral).

These unique stone-walled farmhouses are often nestled among acres of farmland and feature an inner courtyard to shield alfresco living from the vicious Scanian winds!

Built in 1889, this lovely house has been carefully renovated in sympathy with its original soul and character, with brickwork, stone walls, and beams shining through. It's relatively open-plan, with large rooms – and the light (so beloved by artists in this part of Sweden) is just beautiful!

Keep an eye out for details like freestanding elements in the kitchen (a popular trend right now), a glimpse of a larder – something that’s made a real comeback and become a key feature in new kitchens – and those homemade syrups, no doubt made from elderflower, rhubarb, and other delicious ingredients foraged from the surrounding nature.

Ready to take a tour and dream of life in the Scanian countryside? Let’s go!

I love the 'mudroom' tap in the hallway, no doubt an original feature from days gone by and a handy touch.

A range cooker and a practical freestanding side table add a contemporary touch to the kitchen, embracing the current trend for a "higgledy-piggledy," cobbled-together look that can evolve over time and adapt to changing needs.

I love how every window lets in large gapes of nature - making tasks like washing up just a little more enjoyable! 

Note the dried flowers hung from the ceiling - a lovely touch! 

I can see why larders have made a comeback—if you have the space for one, they're ideal for storing items that need to be kept cool but not refrigerated, such as dried foods. My grandad used to use his for his home brewing kit! I was too young to taste his brews, but I can guess they were pretty punchy! 

Tiered hanging baskets are great for storing vegetables, especially if you're short on space. We have one in our kitchen which I picked up from IKEA and they are really practical. 

A lovely long farmhouse table has been used as a desk in the home office. I guess, my only addition would be an ergonomic work chair and, depending on the type of work, a monitor. I spent too many years at the start of my own business working on my laptop at the kitchen table and I can't tell you how bad that is for your back and neck. Just a word of warning from experience!

The house has been cleared of items somewhat for the real estate pictures, but it still gives an idea of the current owner's personal style—a great blend of old and new. 

What a lovely house! I love how historical properties have irregular features that add to the charm, something that I miss in our modern townhouse. 

Do you live in an old property? And are you a town mouse or a country mouse? Or perhaps a mix of both? 

Is there anything that caught your eye about this skånelänge? 

Would you like to see a few more farmhouses this weekend? If so, here are some I love: 

Step inside Höda's creative Swedish farmhouse

A rustic farmhouse on a hill in Vermont

A dated home becomes a fresh modern farmhouse

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, thanks for stopping by here at this little corner of the web. See you Monday! 

Niki

*P.S. This post contains a little plug for my own book – if you're inspired by this style, you can find more dreamy countryside homes in Relaxed Rustic. Thank you for supporting my work!

Photography courtesy of  Malmöhus Mäklarna, with thanks.