A Fairytale Escape on 'Happiness Island', Sweden

Hello good people! I thought I’d end the week on a happy note—literally. This dreamy Swedish cottage sits on its very own island, aptly named Happiness Island. Located in the northern part of Lake Barken, just outside Smedjebacken, Southern Dalarna, it’s like something out of a fairytale. No wonder it’s the most-clicked property on Hemnet, Sweden’s big real estate site. Clearly, we’re not the only ones swooning and daydreaming about a peaceful weekend escape, just a boat ride away from the daily grind.

It’s easy to see the appeal. You arrive at your own jetty, wander through woodland, and find a charming green cottage with light-filled, whitewashed interiors and wood-clad walls. Inside, it’s simply furnished with rag rugs, baskets hanging from the kitchen ceiling, and a cosy spot to put up your feet. What more could a girl need? Get ready to fall in love!

What an absolute dream! 

Could you imagine hopping in a boat there this evening, complete with a fine selection of cheese, maybe a bottle of red, some slippers and a good book? Oh, and don't forget to pack your bathers, it's still warm in the water! 

Let's keep the dream going with a few other cottages on an island: 

Rikka's island cabin in Finland
The stonecutters' farm on the island of Öland
A dreamy summer cottage on Sweden's west coast

I've also written quite a few guides about Scandinavian islands to visit. Take a peek below if you're curious: 

10 beautiful islands to visit in the Gothenburg archipelago

Visit the Skåne island of Hallands Väderö
My guide to Swedish island hopping in the Baltic

I hope this has got you in the mood for a great weekend ahead! Thank you soooo much for stopping by and sharing in my passion for Scandinavian homes, this positive community means so much to me. 

Niki

Photography: Ludvika / Smedjebacken

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From Printing House to Family Home: A Relaxed Swedish Tour

It’s not every day that a home like this comes onto the market. After fourteen years, the owners are now saying goodbye to their unique Liljeholmen home, a place where children have grown up, everyday life has unfolded, and the ordinary has been turned into something special.

Once a printing house, the home still carries traces of its past, yet the interior today is a relaxed and creative mix of industrial edge, 1960s warmth, and modern comfort.

One of the things I really love is the way the owners have decorated the walls and surfaces. Art prints, shelves, and plenty of smart storage are not just practical; they also act as display space for books, objects, and plants. The result is a home that feels both personal and inspiring, layered with stories and details that catch your eye at every turn. And weaving through it all is a subtle thread of pink, appearing in tiles, textiles, and artwork, that softens the industrial base and brings a playful warmth to each room.

And then, right in the middle of it all, you have the very cool staircase, which subtly divides the space into different zones for lounging, working, and gathering, while still keeping the atmosphere open and airy. Painted a crisp white, it feels sculptural against the earthy tones, greenery, and touches of pink that tie the whole home together.

Let’s step inside and take a closer look at this inspiring home.

As I look back through this tour, a few details really stand out to me. I love the little home office alcove, tucked away yet brimming with creativity. I’m also so inspired by the way the walls and storage surfaces have been used to display art and personal objects — it makes the whole home feel layered and alive. And then there are those unexpected pink tiles in the bathroom… something I don’t think I would have dared to choose myself, but now I can’t imagine the space without them. They’re bold, fun, and somehow soft all at once.

What caught your eye in this home? Did anything surprise or inspire you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. 

Fancy taking a look at a few other Swedish homes today? how about:

The wonderful home of a Swedish food blogger
Lina's soulful home is designed for slow living
A vintage inspired home full of vintage finds

I hope you enjoyed these too! 

On a final note, I wanted to share my latest project with you that I've been working away on with a team of lovely people: the IKEA kitchen matchmaker - it's a fun, light-hearted quiz with nine questions which will lead you to your culinary crush in the form of a kitchen that matches your personality. I got Cosy Culinary. I'd be very curious to hear what kichen you get! Feel free to share far and wide! per really loved taking part in the quiz too. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography: F. Boukari, Styling @clindholm_design for Historiska Hem

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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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