This Beautiful Danish Summer Cabin is on Airbnb!

I am not sure if you know that I write a regular feature for Simply Scandi UK. It's a quarterly magazine focusing on Scandinavian design, and I've had the pleasure of contributing for two years, writing about everything from Scandinavian culture to travel and more. My latest feature involves researching Airbnb's (it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) and I've been stumbling across all kinds of beautiful properties, including this one! 

Located in Tisvilde, the cabin was designed in 1934 by a female relative of Kaare Klint - and although newly renovated - many of the original details shine through (as do items by Klint such as the safari chair and pendant and table lamps!). Visitors are invited to treat the cabin as a home from home in which to unwind beside the beautiful Tisvilde Hegn woodland, an hour North of Copenhagen. Feeling active? Tisvilde is a popular summer idyll among Copenhageners and boutique stores, farmshops, cafes and restaurants as well as a sandy beach are a short cycle ride away! 

I'm definitely adding this little cabin to my airbnb list, if you're visiting Denmark this summer, you might want to as well! Here's a peek inside. 

What a lovely cabin! I'm already sinking into one of those safari chairs - or cycling to the beach with the warm wind in my hair! How about you?

It would be perfect getaway to combine with a few days in Copenhagen - that way you'd get the best of both worlds. 

Find out more on airbnb here. 

Would you like to see a few more Danish summer cottages today? Here are some lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

A white, light and airy cabin on a Danish island

A dreamy cabin by the sea

A little Danish cabin in the woods

Before and after: a rundown Danish cabin becomes a vibrant summer home

I hope this fills you with inspiration for the weekend! Have a great couple of days, and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks 

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A Striking Swedish Flat, Full of Contrast

I whizzed up to our little cabin yesterday over the day to take some photos. I noticed that the buds were starting to appear on the bushes - small wins friends, small wins! It's hard to imagine that in just 10 weeks it will be June - the month when the Swedish school summer holiday begins. 

Many flock to the island of Gotland in the Baltic to soak up the warm weather and beautiful light. The island also has many year round dwellers who make the most of having the place to themselves the rest of the year. This striking apartment in the picturesque capital - 'Visby', looks like somewhere someone could happily live year round. Built in the 19th century, the flat has many features typical of the time including high ceilings, large spacious rooms and wide doorways as well as a beautiful tiled masonry oven. 

The decor is one of contrast - where a deep charcoal and dark wood juxtaposes with white, while a mustard tone fills the in between to create harmony. Look closely and you'll also spot some gems, including the desk lamp and bamboo safari chair as well as other vintage pieces. I hope you enjoy the tour! 

I'd happily sit at this desk while looking out over the Baltic Sea, how about you? 

I haven't see a bamboo version of the safari chair before, have you? I found a similar one here. 

I love this spot - it's the perfect place for a little light therapy and warmth, even if the weather isn't playing nicely outside! 

While monochrome can feel quite austere, the use of mustard / golden tones helps to soften the look and add warmth. 

Source a similar vintage scissor lamp*. 

Such a stunning tiled masonry oven - it's like art in itself. 

The kitchen  cabinets and backsplash are all made from wood - a look we don't see very often!  

The subtle shift in tones between the sitting room and bedroom add to the interest of the living space. 

It's not always easy to understand the layout of these homes, so I have promised to start sharing the floorplan whenever there is one available. This is how this apartment is laid out:

Glossary; 'sovrum' = bedroom, 'Vardagsrum' = sitting room, 'Kök' = kitchen 

Are you a fan of dark colours in homes? 

We once had a black wall in our bedroom (many moons ago) and while I enjoyed the contrast and cosiness, we needed to add a lot more lighting! Just to warn you, in case you're feeling inspired to do something similar in your home. 

Fancy moving to Visby? This apartment is for sale via Bertwig. 

See more homes on the island on this archive - so many beautiful ones! 

Vi ses på Fredag! 

Niki

Photography: Andreas Ljungqvist / Bertwig with thanks 

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Before and After: A Dark House Becomes a Fresh and Vibrant Home

When we went to view our house, there were a few other people looking around, one of whom was a friend of mine. After the viewing, I asked her if she was interested, "nah, it was way too dark," she said. We bought the house anyway (it was the only house we could afford in the area) and the first thing we did was completely whitewash all the walls and lighten the floors - it made an immediate difference! 

This beautiful Hamburg home made me think of exactly that! Susan and her partner bought the property in 2019 and spent 8 months renovating it, transforming it from a dark property to a light, fresh and vibrant Scandinavian-inspired living space. Keep a look out for the soft blue shades, vibrant colours and Susan's own fine art!  Here are the before and after shots: 

Kitchen before 

Kitchen after

A new Reform CPH kitchen was put in and the tiles were exchanged for a wooden pine floor, giving the space a distantly Danish look and feel! 

Neon red is said to be one of the big colours of the year, and so easy to bring into the home, in the kitchen an Adhoc stool does the trick! 

One of Susan's own fine art prints 'Zone de Baignade' hangs on the wall. 

If you refer back to the top of the post, you'll see a glimpse of the light-filled dining space on the far side of the room. Three Flowerpot pendants hang over an antique table. 

The sitting room leads directly off the kitchen.

Sitting room during the building work

Sitting room after

A soft blue shade has been used on the wall, tying it in with other areas of the home and wall to wall shelving has been placed up and over the door - something you often see in danish homes (like this one). 

Hall and Stairs before 

Hall and stairs after

Despite ripping out the tiles, Susan has still used stone in her hallway in order to ensure a practical entrance. 

The runner was removed from the stairs to reveal wooden steps. The original banister has been painted black and white. 

Landing before 

Landing after 

The floor has been sanded for a lighter look and the walls and doors have been painted in fresh white and light blue. 

Susan's 'Neighbourhood' fine art print hangs over a simple IKEA stool at the top of the stairs. 

Upper staircase before

Upper staircase after

I couldn't resist sharing these snapshots of the upper staircase which leads to a third floor! I love the way Susan has captured the before and after - taking the look from dark and dingy to light and bright! 

Bathroom before

Bathroom after

The bathroom has also been gives a fresh, light overhaul and A DIY stool and striped bathmat add a touch of colour. 

A glimpse into the bedroom reveals a retro chest-of-draws against a soft blue backdrop. 

All in all, a really fabulous transformation! The level of work that has gone into this renovation is immense, but it's really paid off! 

The light wood floors make a huge difference to the overall look. If you have solid wood floors, it's surprisingly easy with a sanding machine and the right floor treatment (we did it in our house too). I love how Susan has applied touches of colour through paint and art too. You'd be forgiven for thinking this home is in Copenhagen, it has a very danish feel to it! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Susan's home? 

See more snapshots from Susan's home and find out about the colors she has used in her home here. You might also like to discover her online shop for limited edition art. 

Click here for a load more before and after features. Some of them are simply amazing! 

I hope this before and after tour has filled you with inspiration for the week ahead! 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hej.susan - shared with kind permission. 

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A Light Filled Family Home in Berlin with a Nordic Touch

During the Easter school holidays, my daughters and I are heading to Berlin, Germany for a couple of days. It's somewhere I've been saving up for as I've always wanted to take them, it's an amazing city and only 6 hours drive from Malmö! While doing a little research for things to see and do (any tips would be wonderful!), I veered off course (as always), and ended up stumbling across the Berlin home of Judith Schenk - which I had to share it with you guys! 

Judith describes her home as 'Nordic minimalism meets Berlin Altbau' - and the light-filled family apartment is made up of sleek finishes, Scandinavian design, plants and art. Read on to see more pictures and find out about some of the touches Judith has decided on. 

The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets with Reform CPH fronts. The countertop is a solid Corian surface. 

The lights are Flowerpot pendants in white.

'Case Study House #10' by Stephanie Kloss hangs over the dining table. A Gubi semi pendant hangs over the table. 

The Model 2065 pendant light by Gino Sarfatti makes a statement in the sitting room. The sofa is from Bolia. 

The plant-filled sun room is bathed in light - a perfect cure for the winter blues (have the leaves come out on the trees where you live yet? Here in Malmö, it's still just twigs - gaaaah!). A desert lounge chair can be glimpsed in the corner. 

Double doors in the living room lead through to the lovely children's room. 

A sofa by Karup Design pulls out into a double bed in the spare room. 

Look at all those beautiful trees - *sigh*, there's nothing like a green view! 

The serene bathroom reminds me a lot of the tones / look I have used in our little cabin bathroom - including brushed / antique brass. The tap is from Grohe. 

The master bedroom is the epitome of calm with walls painted in Portlandstone Pale by Little Greene. Judith has used this shade throughout her apartment: "As we have a super open layout in our flat, this was my approach. Also the paint is so highly pigmented that it always appears different depending on the light and daytime," she says. 

Judith has hung three prints over the bed, including Bleu by Lucrecia Rey Caro*. Arum lights an be seen either side of the bed. 

Absolutely love this home. All the windows certainly help but also Judith has made everything look so effortless and struck the perfect balance between pared-back and personal. 

Did you feel inspired by this tour too? 

See more of Judith's apartment and follow her latest projects over at @kavalierchen. 

Now I'm in Berlin mode, here are a few other tours from the German city: 

A lovely relaxed artist's home full of plants (don't miss this one!)

A bohemian touch in a magnificent Berlin apartment (another favourite!)

The Berlin flat and country home of Nora and Laura

A serene family home in Berlin

And of course, if you're looking for more inspiration this weekend, make sure you look back t the tours I've shared this week, including a Gotland country home (I loved all the discussions about the tiny bath!) and a Stockholm flat worthy of an interior magazine feature - which is currently for sale! 

Have a fabulous weekend friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Judith Schenk, shared with kind permission

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