Inside a Magical Swedish Summer Retreat

Hi there sailors! 

Sweden is in full summer mode. Boats zig-zag across the fairways, dropping anchor beside tiny islands for picnics, swims and long, lazy picnics. Everyone seems to be dressed in crisp blues and whites, and across the Stockholm archipelago, families are loading up the boat and escaping to their summer houses for a few blissful weeks by the water.

But... how many people can say they're heading to a cottage with its very own tower?

This incredible summer retreat centres around a turn-of-the-century villa, complete with a tower dating back to 1890, set on a sun-drenched waterfront. There's a private jetty, a guest house, beautiful original details... and, as if that wasn't enough, a magnificent little stone tower that has watched over the property for generations. Can you imagine the stories those walls could tell?

And the best part? Despite its history, nothing about the interiors feels stuffy or precious. Instead, it's all wonderfully relaxed. Blue-and-white stripes, old oil lamps, weathered furniture and beautiful antiques create that effortless coastal look Scandinavians do so well. 

As for the children? I doubt they'd spend much time indoors. Would you, if you had a tower to explore, rocks to scramble over and the sea waiting at the end of your own jetty? I have a feeling they'd disappear after breakfast and only reappear when someone called them in for 'middag'. 

Ready to dream a little? 

Beautiful, in that wonderfully understated, yet traditional Swedish way.

It must be heartbreaking for the family who are selling it.

I recently heard that it's actually quite rare for summer cottages to stay in the same family for more than three generations. As families grow, more and more people have a stake in them, making it increasingly difficult to divide the time, agree on the upkeep or buy one another out. It must be with a very heavy heart that a much-loved place like this changes hands.

But then I like to think about the next chapter. Another family gets to arrive by boat every summer, children get to race up the tower, grandparents sit on the jetty watching the boats drift by, and new traditions are made. 

Could that be you and your family? And if it is... is it OK if I drop by? By boat, of course!

Have a happy wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarhuset

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A Home Filled with Art, Vintage Finds and Heart

I was quietly tapping away on my laptop a couple of days ago when a lovely message from Swedish artist and interior stylist Michaela Grut landed in my inbox, along with some beautiful new images of her home. A lot has happened since I last featured it seven years ago, so it definitely felt time for a revisit! 

If there are a few things that have remained the same about the home Michaela shares with her two daughters and two cats (she jokes that she's become a bit of a 'crazy cat lady' – and I'm here for it!), it's that it's deeply personal and filled with art (some of it her own), ceramics and carefully collected vintage finds. Michaela describes her interior style as 'curated Scandinavian eclecticism', and it's easy to see why. Every room feels thoughtfully layered, balancing clean Scandinavian lines with an eclectic mix of colour, texture, art and meaningful objects. Take a look at the kitchen shelves and you'll spot an array of one-of-a-kind serving ware, vessels, ceramics and other little treasures, each with its own story to tell.

She's also embraced a beautiful palette of muted yet confident tones throughout the apartment, giving each room its own distinct character. And, as with so many Scandinavian homes, designer lamps act like sculptures by day before casting a wonderfully warm, inviting glow in the evening (I noticed a discussion about this in the comments a few days ago, and it's true that many people here are happy to invest in good lighting, perhaps because of the winter darkness!). Finally, keep an eye out for the rugs – each one adds plenty of texture and softness underfoot.

Ready to take a look around?

The little guy perched on the sunny yellow (Velvet by Jotun - 10246) shelf to the left is one of Michaela's sculptures.

I love the sense that Michaela's home has been created over time, a brass bowl added here, a vintage chopping board there. As a result, it's truly personal and tells the story of who she is. 

The artwork in the top right of the gallery wall in the sitting room is by Michaela. Look closely at this shot and you'll see all the furniture, lighting and accessories are from different styles and eras, yet all come together so nicely. An art form in itself! 

The sitting room is painted in Soft Skin from Jotun.

The green snoopy lamp is one of my favourites! 

The combination of tones and materials in the bedroom is timeless yet with a contemporary touch.  The shell lamp is beautiful - especially against the blue wall (painted in Linblå from Jotun). 

Jewellery wearers, take note: a little tray on your bedside table is the perfect spot for the pieces you reach for every day.

Pom pom slippers. Why not?

Another bedroom – also painted in Linblå from Jotun – more beautiful art, lamps and objects.

Michaela has turned a plain box used to cover electricals into a work of art, while a bold rug adds a cool touch to the hallway. 

Michaela works from a studio in the same building. I actually have one of her pieces in my home - a white figurine, which I really treasure! 

Thank you so much to Michaela for inviting us into her home, such a treat! 

I hope you all enjoyed looking at all the details!  

You can find out more information about her art and see more pictures of her lovely home over at @michaelagrut. 

Fancy seeing more pictures from artists' homes today? Take a look at: 

A Danish artist's inspiring home in Copenhagen

The fascinating home of a Swedish artist

An artist's Swedish home in soft coral tones

A relaxed Danish artist's cabin in Copenhagen

I hope you are all full of inspiration for the weekend, have a great one! 

Niki

Photography – Björn Nordström

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A Swedish Summer Farm with Space for Everyone

One of the things I love about Sweden is how seriously people take their summer holidays. It's not unusual for families to take four weeks or more off, often staying close to home rather than travelling abroad. Days are spent at summer cottages, camping, visiting friends and family, swimming in lakes, and making the most of every precious hour of sunshine (and maybe a little rain too!). If you explore the Swedish countryside, you'll often notice several buildings on one property. Alongside the main house there might be a barn or, as in today's home, an attefallshus, a compact, self-contained guest house that's perfect for welcoming family and friends over the summer.

We visited Sweden's magnificent High Coast a few years ago and, in a very nerdy moment (according to my children!), I became fascinated by how the land is still rising every year after being compressed beneath a kilometres-thick sheet of ice during the Ice Age. It's such a beautiful part of Sweden, with dramatic coastline, peaceful forests, hidden beaches and wonderful walking trails. 

Today's 1920s farmhouse nestled in the High Coast is exactly the kind of place I'd happily disappear to for the summer. Perched on a peaceful hillside, it comes with a charming timber guest house complete with its own kitchen and living space, plus a separate cottage for any extra family or friends who happen to "drop by" (and never leave!). I can just picture lazy breakfasts with fresh eggs from the chicken coop, long lunches that somehow roll into dinner, and evening dips in the Baltic Sea. Best of all, everyone can enjoy spending time together, then retreat to their own space when they've had just enough family bonding for one day (half the secret to a happy holiday, don't you think?).

And for those of you who've been asking where Swedish families keep all their tech and computer screens, this home has the answer. There's even a dedicated home office, neatly tucked away from the rest of the house.

Ready to take the tour?

I love how this property offers the best of both worlds in terms of interiors - a rustic barn and traditional guest cottage, and a modernised main house that still keeps to a pared-back scheme. Lovely!

Do you have these types of summer houses in your country too? Could you also imagine spending the summer here? 

You might also check out Maria's house on the high coast which I featured two years ago - so beautiful!

Have a happy wednesday! I'll be back on Friday with another lovely tour - see you then!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks.

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