Inside a Swedish Home with Subtle Tones and Surprising Touches

Why, hello there! On Friday, I promised in the comments that I’d share something with a touch of colour - so here it is!

Quick disclaimer: if you’re looking for a riot of neon brights, clashing patterns and wild, noisy interiors, this isn’t it. When I say 'colour', I mean it in a softer, more thoughtful way - just enough to add interest and warmth, but still with that earthy calm I love. Think of it as colour with the volume turned down.

This Swedish home in Gothenburg completely caught my eye because it feels different from anything I’ve seen before. Each room has its own theme - a whisper of burnt orange here, a wash of green there, a cool brush of blue beyond - yet the spaces flow together beautifully, like chapters in the same story. It’s the kind of balance someone with a real eye can pull off.

I especially love the tone-on-tone play - lighter shades layered with deeper ones from the same spectrum. It’s subtle, clever, and so visually captivating!

And don’t miss the personal collection of treasures tucked throughout the home - a mix of pieces that make you want to lean in for a closer look.

I’m so curious to hear what you think of this home! Granted, many of the personal possessions have been removed since it’s on the market - and in Sweden that’s the norm - but the pieces left behind, along with the colourways, are still so inspiring. I also think the owners have been very brave. If I'd suggested that colour for the sitting room and a pink front door, I'd have got a very baffled look from Per! 

And how sweet is the little girl in the window, making her necklace? Such a darling detail!

Would you like to see some more homes with colour today? If so, why not take a peek at: 

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

A rare peek behind the scenes of Nyhavn's colourful facade

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Have a 'mysig' evening! See you Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem

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A Serene Swedish Lakeside Cottage Escape

It’s Friday, friends – time for a little weekend dreaming. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend it in a pretty traditional Swedish cottage, gazing out over a lake?

When you have views like this one over Älvsjön, you really don’t need much in the way of décor. This lovely cottage has been deliberately pared back so that the sweeping vistas across the water take centre stage.

In this small but special selection of images, it’s clear that life here is all about the simple things: lingering over long summer evenings, gathering with loved ones, and just being. Picture white wood-panelled walls, a touch of stripes, a pair of binoculars by the window, a wonderful terrace, and even a little guest house right by the water’s edge.

And the best part? It’s only 1 hour and 45 minutes from Stockholm – making it the perfect weekend getaway. The perfect place to clear the mind, recharge the soul, and slip into the easy rhythm of lake life.

Could you imagine relaxing here this weekend?

If you’d like to keep dreaming, here are a few more lovely lake-side home tours from the archive: 

Anna and Martin's tiny home built cottage floating on a lake
A Swedish house on a hill with lovely lake views
A Scandi-inspired lakeside cabin in Norfolk, UK

Or better still, buy it! What are Fridays for, if not for a little spontaneity! 

Joking aside, it’s hard to believe it’s already the last few days of August. At our own cottage, the leaves on the oak tree are just beginning to turn brown — a gentle reminder that autumn is on its way. Even so, the water is still surprisingly warm, so we’re hoping to spend a few more days up here, soaking up the late summer sun while I try to forget about the 10 km run  I signed up for tomorrow evening in a moment of madness. Gaaaah! Wish me luck, I'll need it! 

I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend too?

Thank you, as always, for all your kind comments. It’s such a joy to read them, and I’m hoping to find a little quiet time later to respond to each and every one.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Trevlig helg!

Niki

Credits: Sjönära, shared with thanks.

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Tour a Malmö Home Filled with Smart Scandinavian Style Ideas

Goddag, goddag! While there are lots of different looks across Scandinavia, I think what the region is most famous for worldwide is its love of a neutral palette—one that balances calm minimalism with a big dose of hygge (or “mysig” as the Swedes say). But what exactly makes the difference between a space that feels a little “meh” and one that feels unique, warm, and oh-so-cosy?

This Malmö home, which until recently belonged to Elin and Kristoffer (they’ve now moved on to restore a beautiful house in nearby Österlen), is full of clever yet simple decorating tricks that make all the difference.

Let's discover what's at play. 

The first clue: the furniture mix. Rather than sticking to one style, the home features a playful blend of modern-day finds, retro gems, and antiques. Everything is kept in earthy tones, but the mix of shapes and a few design classics keep the whole space feeling interesting rather than flat.

Next: texture, texture, texture. From sheepskin and leather to wood, cotton, linen, and wool—layering textures adds instant depth to a room. It’s what makes a home feel tactile and inviting, almost begging you to reach out and touch. Neutral colors on their own can risk looking bland, but bring in a variety of textures and suddenly the space feels warm and full of life.

Scale. This is one of my favourite tricks. In this home, smaller displays are balanced out with a few oversized pieces—especially the lighting. A large pendant or table lamp makes a bold statement, adds drama, and stops a pared-back space from looking too timid. It’s a little design “surprise” that gives the room personality. 

Finally, contrast: light and dark. This is another brilliant trick you’ll spot in Scandinavian homes. By pairing light walls and furniture with darker accents—whether it’s a dark wood floor, a deep blue sofa, or even just a moody cushion – you create depth and drama. The play of light against dark keeps a calm palette from looking flat and instead makes the room feel layered and full of character. Plus, it mirrors the Nordic landscape itself, where long dark nights meet endless bright days. 

I hope you feel inspired by this glimpse into Elin and Kristoffer’s home. It’s such a lovely reminder that cosy minimalism isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing the right little things that make all the difference.

I can't wait to see what they will do with their next home. If you'd like to follow their renovation journey check it out on @ohrepersson. 

Is there anything that you love in particular about the way they have decorated their Malmö home? 

Since I’m sitting at my desk in Malmö, I feel it’s only fair to spread a little love for Sweden’s third largest city. Here are some other homes you can tour:

Inside a cosy Malmö apartment where old meets new
An artist's atelier in a converted workshop
A peek inside my friend Rene Humphrey's evolving Malmö home

Happy mid-week friends!

Niki

Photography: Markus Linderoth

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A Charming Holiday Home in Österlen, Sweden’s Summer Escape

My younger sister and her family are currently island-hopping in Greece, and every now and again she FaceTimes me all excited, ready to give me a real-time video tour of her Airbnb. I absolutely love these virtual tours – not least because they transport me straight from my desk to the shores of the Ionian Sea – but also because they remind me how much it matters to find a holiday home you truly love. It can honestly make or break a trip, do you agree?

That’s why I hunt high and low before booking our own stays. And since I so often receive questions about where to stay in Sweden, I thought I’d share a gem with you today.

Österlen is an area in southeastern Skåne, in South Sweden, known for its rolling countryside, sandy beaches, whitewashed fishing villages, apple orchards, and rich cultural history. Long beloved by artists, it has a special light and creative atmosphere that draws painters, writers and makers year after year.

This particular holiday home, named Försammlingshemmet in Fågeltofta, is charming – with old beams, walls rich in patina, and interesting colours (think deep forest, raspberry and earthy tones). There’s a wonderfully comfy-looking four-poster bed, a pool to cool off in on warm days, and serene views across the Österlen landscape.

One to bookmark for next summer, perhaps?

Lovely!

I’ve also been reading a lot about Scandinavia being the new “coolcation” – the perfect antidote to increasingly hot summers in central Europe.

Summers here can indeed be wonderfully mild, usually around 18–25°C (68–77 °F) in July (the height of summer in Northern Europe). Of course, you can be a tad unlucky too – in which case we’re all dreaming of a last-minute trip south… or digging our knits back out of winter storage!

Have you been on holiday to Scandinavia? If so, I’d love to hear about where you went!

If you're planning on coming south, you can find this home on Airbnb here. 

I have also shared a ton of other beautiful Airbnb's in the past. 

Would you like to see some other homes in Österlen? Here are a few of my favourites: 

My friend Karen's lovely summer house 
Marianne's Swedish country escape
A 19th century cottage where past meets the present
The home of an architect

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb / Församlingshemmet, shared with thanks.

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A Tour of Jennifer's Beautiful Swedish House

It’s Friday, woohooo! And I can’t think of a better way to slide into the weekend than with a dose of home inspiration. Today, we’re stepping inside a Swedish villa in the charming town of Tranås, North of Småland—an old house with a fascinating past and a beautiful new chapter.

I had the pleasure of catching up with its owner, Jennifer, who shared how she and her family have turned this historic space into something truly special. From the moment you walk through the door, you can sense both the character of the past and the warmth of the present.

Ready to hear Jennifer share more about her home, her style, and the unique charm that makes this villa a one-of-a-kind family haven? Kööör vi!

Your house is so beautiful, can you tell us where it is and a little of the history? 

The house is located in Tranås and was built in 1909 by a widow, who later sold it to a local fur trader. The town is well known for its production industries, among them fur and leather. Although the house was initially built as a private residence, it later became both a guesthouse and a restaurant. In fact, it was used as a restaurant until it stood empty for about a year and a half, before we bought it in early 2022.

What type of work have you done on the house? 

When we got the keys, it only had a commercial kitchen, so we decided to relocate the kitchen to a more suitable spot in the house and designed a timeless, built-in version meant to last—perhaps even a hundred years. We also removed nearly all the floors and restored the original wooden planks. Two bathrooms, which were in very poor condition, were also renovated.

Can you describe the interior style? 

We went for a timeless style, with colours that are not afraid to take up space. We also mixed secondhand finds with modern design pieces. Both old and new art can be seen on the wall – some from galleries, others from flea markets. While the décor nods to the past, it was important to us that the rooms don't feel like pure period pieces. The atmosphere matters more than the objects themselves.

What do you love most about your house?

What truly distinguishes this house is its generous size, soaring ceilings, and the nine fireplaces. Many locals have celebrated special occasions here—weddings, christenings, or Christmas parties. When we bought the house, we were drawn not only to its character, but also to its potential as a large home where we could invite friends and host big gatherings. It feels as though the joy people once shared within these walls remains, adding a wonderful energy to the home. What I love most is the light and all the original details—they give the house such a beautiful soul.

Thank Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing this beautiful tour and all the insights into your home. I have to say, those soaring ceilings and period features are the stuff of dreams!

If you’d like to see more pictures — and even find the sources for some of the pieces — pop over to Jennifer’s Instagram @villaekdala. And of course, feel free to ask away in the comments below, I’ll do my best to help.

EDIT, thank you for your request for the colour codes, here they are: 

Kitchen and bedroom storage: NCS S 4502-Y

Front door: NCS S 6010-G50Y

***

Did you enjoy the tour? Was there anything that stood out to you about Jennifer’s home? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Shall we take a peek at a few more Scandinavian homes before the weekend? Why not? Grab a coffee, settle in, and enjoy:

Before and after: A Danish townhouse is transformed into a family home
A Norwegian house by a fjord
A dream Danish house by the sea

And finally, one little thought before I leave you to the weekend: does your family have a whistle? I’d never heard of it until a friend mentioned hers — they use a unique whistle to find each other in public. She says it works like a charm and that they use it all the time. So clever! Turns out, it’s more common than I realised. Maybe the Brantmarks should work on one too!

Wishing you a fabulous couple of days — may the sun shine and may you get all the R&R you need.

Niki

Photography courtesy of @villaekdala, shared with kind permission.

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