A Cosy Swedish Cottage with Stunning Sea Views

Happy Friday, friends! Got any fun plans for the weekend? I can’t help but think the owners of this charming Swedish cottage by the sea won’t be venturing far. Why would you, when you can snuggle up indoors, hide from the chill, and enjoy the most wonderful views over the Gothenburg archipelago from so many of the windows? It’s the perfect spot to sit, relax, and reflect!

Anna, John, and their daughter Gunnevi found this little gem by the water and have lovingly transformed it into their dream family retreat. They’ve worked hard to expand the space while staying true to the authentic look and feel of the original cottage.

On one end, they added a sunroom to soak in the light and those breathtaking views. On the other, they extended the house with an entrance, a new kitchen, and a dining area. To bring it all together, they decorated with delightful nods to the cottage’s West Coast roots, as well as incorporating warm earthy tones in ochre and green that radiate cosiness.

The furnishings are a delightful mix of vintage treasures, each chosen with comfort and practicality in mind, enhancing the timeless charm of the traditional cottage. 

Ready to take a closer look at Villa Valborg? Let’s start with a picture of the original cottage, so you can follow the family’s inspiring journey of transformation. I hope it sparks your imagination!

How wonderful! 

It's a dream of mine to live in a lovely cottage by the sea like this one day. 

Could you imagine relaxing here too? 

I love the green and ochre combination too - it's a tone that we are seeing everywhere right now. But most of all, for me this cottage is all about the cosy feel and the incredible vistas. 

Is there anything that stands out to you about Villa Valborg - or perhaps a detail I have missed? 

You can see more pictures as well as some behind-the-scene footage from the renovation over at @villa.valborg. 

Shall we take this opportunity to look at a few more cottages by the sea? I love: 

A cosy yellow Swedish cottage by the sea

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea

A beautiful Danish cabin by the sea becomes a lockdown haven

An artist's atelier and home by the sea in Cornwall

A dreamy cottage by the ocean filled with vintage finds

A swedish summer cabin overlooking the water in karlskrona

And with that, I'll leave you to have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday friends!

Niki

Photography: @villa.valborg, shared with kind permission. 

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Scandinavian Serenity: A Cleverly Curated Apartment Full of Calm

Hej kompisar! Welcome to your mid-week breath of fresh air—and a masterclass in creating a sitting room and bedroom in one! This light and airy 51-square-metre (549-square-foot) apartment in Gothenburg has been beautifully curated in a soothing palette of white, cream, amber and brown to create a calming oasis in the heart of the city.

The main living area seamlessly combines a cosy social zone, a home office, and a sleep space—all while maintaining a wonderful sense of serenity. And guess what? There's even plenty of storage! The spacious kitchen is another highlight, with just the right amount of warm wood.

While it’s undeniably styled and curated, there’s still plenty of inspiration to take from this delightful Swedish apartment. Välkommen in!

The bedroom area is tucked into a small alcove off the sitting room. For added privacy—or simply to avoid making your bed every day!—you could hang a curtain. Don’t have an alcove like this? No problem! A wrap-around curtain or canopy can also help define a bedroom space and create a cosy feel. There’s a great example of this in this Swedish apartment. 

The wooden floor is likely the original from 1900, when the building was constructed. Many people choose to sand off the varnish and treat it with a special soap or wax for protection and a natural look. Of course, it helps that shoes are never worn inside a Swedish apartment—one of the secrets to keeping floors in such great condition!

I love the soft bedside table! Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the lamp is actually from H&M Home (they do great lamps!). 

What a great starting point! Now all that’s left is to add books, art, and all those personal treasures you’ve collected over the years to make it truly yours.

What do you think of the bed solution? Would you have done it the same way? Personally, I find these smaller sleeping areas so cosy—there’s something wonderfully cocooning about them.

You can see more sleep zones / smart bedroom zone areas in the small spaces archive - there are some really beautiful homes in there! 

Thank you for your warm wishes for my daughter (who is now back at school - yay!) and Per - who is hobbling around one of those boots (for the next 6 to 8 weeks) but also getting on with things. The sun is shining in Malmö today - so everything feels brighter! I hope the sun is shining where you are too. 

See you Friday, friends! 

Niki

Photography: Entrance Mäkleri

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A Cosy Turn-Of-The-Century Home Full of Charm and Colour

Hello there! Today in Sweden, it’s Saint Knut’s Day—a traditional marker when Christmas decorations are officially taken down. Although it’s less common nowadays, some Swedes still celebrate with a bit of fun: dancing around the tree and finishing off the last of the Christmas sweets and gingerbread before the tree is ceremoniously thrown out! I even wrote about this quirky tradition in my book Njuta*, in case you’d like to explore it more.

Which brings me to why the decorations are still up in this home today—it’s all part of the Saint Knut’s Day charm!

Anyway. On with the tour! 

This enchanting turn-of-the-century villa is perched on a hill in Huddinge, just south of Stockholm, surrounded by a picturesque orchard. It instantly caught my eye—as it’s the kind of place that feels like stepping into a dream where time has stood still. With beautifully preserved original details and thoughtful, subtle renovations, it's as if every inch of this house has a story to tell.

Inside, the generous ceiling heights, large windows, and beautifully maintained tiled stoves create spaces that are both grand and cosy. The kitchen, is a perfect nod to the past with its traditional cabinetry and a wood-burning stove that feels straight out of another era.

Elsewhere, it’s a spacious family home with up to seven bedrooms and a charming bathroom featuring a claw-foot bathtub. There’s even a wonderful collection of art that adds to the character and personality of the space. It’s the perfect blend of space and soul, with plenty of room for life to unfold.

So, come in from the cold and join me on a tour of this magical home!

What a home! So much love and care has gone into making each room feel personal and cosy—it’s just lovely!

I was especially drawn to all the warm colours—yellow, green, red—and the art. There’s always something to catch your eye and enjoy.

What stood out to you about this home?

This is the part where I’d usually share a few more homes for you to explore, but honestly, it’s been quite a day, and I have to rush out! My littlest one is under the weather with a temperature (poor Alice!), and last night, Per managed to injure himself on the padel court. (For my American readers: padel is a sport a bit like pickleball.)

This morning, his ankle was all swollen, so he decided to bike to the hospital (yes, really—I did offer to drive him, but these Swedes are fiercely independent and hate to trouble anyone!). Turns out, he’s ruptured his Achilles tendon and is now in a boot for eight weeks. He's reluctantly just called me to come and pick him up. 

I'll leave you to enjoy this home and all it's wonderful details, but will check in again later as I'm curious to hear your thoughts and observations! 

Happy Monday friends,

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem - yes, this beautiful villa is for sale here. Photography: Jahnson. Styling Yngfalk. 

*advert for my own book / work

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