Inside a Beautifully Layered Swedish Home with Art, Antiques and Eclectic Style

Hello there, campers! How was your weekend? The sun shone on Sweden for our Midsummer celebrations, and it was a glorious few days full of dancing, feasts, and wildflowers. Our Viking mugs are full!

Who says all Scandinavians are minimalists? This lovely home is brimming with unique touches – from bookshelves stacked with tomes, sculptures, lamps, and other treasures, to an eclectic mix of furniture for both big and small family members, an incredible array of lighting, and plenty of art.

And I’m not just talking traditional art – there’s also the most wonderful hand-painted mural on the ceiling, adding a playful and personal touch to the space.

Keep an eye out for the earthy tones, some gorgeous colour combinations (brown and fuchsia pink, for one – details at the end!), and a clever DIY children’s bed that adds a lovely touch of fun.

A wonderful home where traditional early 19th century architecture meets mid-century and antique pieces – full of personality and, true to Scandinavian style, a calming sense of balance. Welcome inside!

Oh wow! I absolutely loved this tour. I’m a huge fan of lighting, and I couldn’t help but be in awe of the many different fittings found throughout the home. Even based on those alone, it’s clear the owners are true beauty hunters – taking their time to find unique pieces and layering their home with care over time.

What stood out to you? And tell me – would you ever go for a mural on your ceiling?

As promised, here are some of the colour codes: 

Dining room - walls in Silhouette and ceiling in Sand, both by Jotun.  

Master bedroom - walls in Soft and built-in wardrobes in Granskugga by Jotun.  

Children's bedroom - Lövsal by Jotun. 

Shall we take a little look at a few more eclectic homes today? How about: 

The eclectic home of a jewellery designer
An eclectic family home in Norway

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

Have a fabulous start to the week friends! 

Niki

PS the light in our little cabin and its surroundings was so incredible on the summer solstice - I've shared a couple of films and pictures here if you'd like to see! 

Photography: Fredrik Karlsson, for sale via Alvhem. Found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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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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