A Dreamy Thatched Cottage and Creative Haven in the Swedish Countryside

We've sailed to Varberg on Sweden's west coast on a number of occasions, as it's the perfect stopover on the way to the incredible Gothenburg archipelago. But it's also a lovely destination in its own right! Home to some of my favourite creatives, including Kristin Lagerkvist (whose Varberg home and French getaway I've featured here before), and not far from the beautiful Strömma Farmlodge, the area has a wonderfully creative spirit. There must be something in the air!

Sculptor and interior designer Patricia Trambevski is one of those creatives. She's transformed a beautiful thatched-roof house overlooking the rolling Halland countryside into an extraordinary home and studio. And now she's ready to move on and let someone else enjoy this little slice of paradise (tempting, I have to say – anyone fancy going halves?).

The house is a wonderful mix of old, new and rustic, with beautiful natural materials, earthy colours and plenty of texture. Think muted green cabinetry, pale wood floors, weathered antiques and handmade details at every turn. I especially love how Patricia's artistic eye shines through, from the sculptural stone basin in the bathroom to the oversized pottery and little floral arrangements that bring the rooms to life. And can we talk about that kitchen? The green cabinetry and dark range cooker are such a lovely combination, don't you think?

And then there's the incredible light-filled dining space, the greenhouse with its wicker chairs and cosy sheepskins, and the garden bursting with dahlias.  

And luckily for us, photographer Angelica Hvass was there to capture it all so beautifully. Come and take a look around, I have a feeling you're going to like this one! 

Aaah, so lovely! What a dream place Patricia has created. There are so many wonderful spots to gather with friends and family, or simply sneak off for a little peace and quiet.

Was there anything in particular that stood out to you about this beautiful Varberg home? I'd love to hear your observations!

If you're feeling tempted to pack your bags and move in (I wouldn't blame you!), the house is actually for sale – you can take a peek at the listing here. And be sure to check out more of Patricia's beautiful creative work on Instagram.

And while we're on the subject of creativity, I'd also love to give a little shout-out to small, independent businesses. Do any of you run your own? Or perhaps you have a family member or close friend who does? If so, please share it in the comments below and tell us a little about what you do. Let's help spread the word and support one another. I can't wait to hear what you're all up to!

Niki

Styling: FRÄSCHT Photography: Angelica Hvass for Kust Mäklarna

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Simon's Beautiful Stockholm Home Where Old Meets New

Friday calls for a lovely, inspiring home tour to get us all in the mood for the weekend, don't you think?

And today we're heading to Hornsgatan in Stockholm's Södermalm, where Simon lives in a beautiful 150-square-metre apartment dating back to 1905.

With its grand proportions, high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and beautiful old wooden floors, the apartment has all the makings of a dream home. But when Simon first took it on, much of its original character had been lost over the years. And so began a labour of love to bring back some of its former glory, while creating a home that feels very much part of the present.

It's perhaps no surprise that Simon has such a keen eye for interiors. After years working in sales and marketing, he decided to follow his passion and launched his own interior design and joinery company, Tosta Studios, in 2025, specialising in bespoke projects for private homes.

And his own home is a wonderful reflection of that creative spirit. Three years on, the result is a beautiful mix of old and new, where elegant period details sit alongside contemporary furniture, sculptural lighting and warm, earthy tones. It's sophisticated yet wonderfully relaxed, with just the right amount of unexpected touches to keep things interesting.

Come and take a peek!

I love how Simon has managed to honour the history of the apartment while making it feel so fresh and personal. 

And that kitchen! With its beautiful marble-topped island, traditional cabinetry and cosy window seat, I can see why it's Simon's favourite spot in the home.

When asked to describe his apartment in three words, Simon chose warm, personal and playful. But perhaps what I love most is his approach to creating a welcoming home. For him, the best sign that he's got it right is when friends come over and end up staying much longer than they intended. Perfect weekend vibe!

I'd love to hear if anything in particular caught your eye in Simon's home. If you'd like to see more, head on over to his instagram @simonsaids - there are so many more corners of this home to explore! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Niki

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A Serene Dutch Home Where Less Is More

I used to feature Dutch homes all the time, so much so that someone once wrote to point out that The Netherlands is, in fact, not part of Scandinavia! The real reason is simply that I’ve always had a penchant for Dutch style. While the two design traditions are of course distinct, there can be some lovely crossovers: a fondness for natural materials, beautifully simple forms, and interiors that feel considered.

Marloes’ home is no exception. Located in the Brabant countryside in the south of Holland, it has a wonderfully calm, minimalist feel, but there’s plenty of warmth too. Whitewashed beams and walls create a beautifully light backdrop, while tactile linen, wool, sheepskins and natural wood soften the look. I also love the slightly rustic, imperfect details: the old wooden door, sculptural ceramics, dried branches and pieces with a handmade feel, which stop all that white from feeling stark.

And eagle-eyed readers might spot a familiar piece of art, too. A work by Swedish artist Sara Bergman has made its way all the way to Holland! I once featured Sara’s own home here, and have met her on a number of occasions, so it was lovely to see her art pop up in Marloes’ space.

Here’s a little sneak peek inside the kitchen, dining area and sitting room…

Naturally, living like this takes someone who loves to edit their belongings and keep only what’s truly necessary, which isn’t always easy (especially for someone like me!). But that’s one of the things I love most about interiors: when you open the door to someone’s home, it reveals so much about how they live, what they love and what they need around them.

There’s an abundance of colour and pattern around right now, which is so fun, playful and charming. But it’s not for everyone. If you’re craving a calm oasis with very little visual distraction, a home like Marloes’ could be just the ticket.

I hope all you neatniks out there feel inspired – and perhaps also reassured that, whatever the trends might be doing, white is always right too!

You can see more of Marloes’ pared-back home over at @marloeswonen.

Niki

Photography: @marloeswonen

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An Autumn Escape to a Beautiful 1910 Stockholm Villa

Hello October! I’ve always loved this month. There’s still a mildness in the air, the leaves are gently turning deep yellow and vibrant red, and the light is still here, although quieter – which means home can suddenly feel all cosy with candlelight and blankets. Are you a fan too?

October also means the half-term holiday, and as always we’re left wondering what to do. The options are slightly limited as the girls have all kinds of sports activities as well as their all-important Halloween parties (nothing can get in the way of that!), so it might just be Per and me sneaking off for a few nights to Stockholm.

Cue: the search for the perfect Airbnb (I won’t pretend I don’t love this part!). And that’s how I stumbled across this one. It was actually featured in a Vogue Airbnb round-up, and if it’s good enough for the fashion bible, it’s good enough for me!

Would you like to see inside and dream about a long weekend in a beautiful Stockholm villa dating back to 1910?

I love how so much of the original charm feels completely intact yet it feels so relaxed. There are worn wooden floors, old radiators, wonderfully wonky walls, vintage furniture and books everywhere, alongside soft earthy tones and touches of greenery. The kitchen in particular feels as though it has evolved naturally over the years, rather than being designed all at once, and I’m rather taken with that cosy built-in bench piled with striped cushions too.

And then there are those big windows, looking out onto the garden. I can already imagine how lovely the house must feel in autumn, with the low October light filtering through the trees.

Plus, I quite fancy a coffee on that veranda, wrapped in a blanket and looking out over the autumnal garden! Ready to take a look?

Ah, so beautiful! What a wonderful home. You can see more pictures over on Airbnb here.

Can you imagine staying here for a few autumn days?

And if you’re in the mood for a little more escapism, you can browse more beautiful holiday rentals in Scandinavia and beyond in this archive.

Wishing you a wonderful autumnal weekend. Thank you for stopping by this little corner of the web and for all your comments and emails. I've loved reading them and look forward to responding this weekend! 

Niki

P.S. Do you have any young children, nieces, nephews or grandchildren in your life? I’ve been busy behind the scenes, and they might enjoy this lovely new IKEA collection — and the little quiz I wrote to go with it this week here. 

Photography courtesy of airbnb, with thanks.

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