A Tiny House On Wheels, Norwegian Style

While researching for our little cabin (the build is hopefully starting this week - I can't wait to share our latest plans soon), I came across this beautiful tiny house designed by Norwegian company Norske Mikrohus (Norwegian micro house). Just like the tiny house on wheels I shared a few weeks back, the 20 metres square (215 ft2) house has been almost entirely constructed from wood - from the glazed pine panelling on the facade to the wooden fittings inside. This helps the house to connect with the natural surroundings - and gives it a lovely warm feel. But best of all, is the use of space. Designed for four people looking to enjoy short term stays, the cabin is full of clever solutions to ensure maximum use of space - as well as views of the surroundings. Norwegian compact living at its finest! 

One end of the cabin is taken up with a fully functioning bathroom and bunkbed. Notice how a little space has been left at the foot of the bed to provide room for a shoe rack and baggage spot (after all, it's customary to remove your shoes before entering a home in Scandinavia - is it the same in your country - or home?). A built-in ladder also shields the lower bed for privacy. 

The kitchen has everything you might need for a short-term stay including a sink, portable stove and even a small dishwasher! 

The bathroom has been designed so you can enjoy the surrounding landscape while taking a shower. The narrow sink and cabinet is ideal for small spaces.

I haven't seen a tiny house with this type of lounge solution before. I love how the sofa is designed to face the windows so you can sit and read or chat while enjoying the view. A foldable wall mounted table can be used as a desk or somewhere to enjoy meals while two drawers pull out for extra storage. 

The table can be boded away so that the space can be converted into a full-length master bed. I've been racking my brains over how the extended mattress works - if you're curious too and would like to know more, you can order the brochure here. 

What a fabulous little house! 

My family and I would be so happy in a little cabin like this - I'm taking notes!

Could you imagine unwinding in one of these? 

Read more about the 'Rast' cabin over at Nordisk Mikrohus. 

Looking for more tiny house inspiration? Check out: 

Off-the-grid: a tiny Swedish cabin in the woods

A beautifully crafted tiny house on wheels

Small spaces archive

Ha det så bra! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nordisk Mikrohus found via Planete Deco with thanks. 

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An Idyllic Finnish Summer Cabin on the Water's Edge

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Here in Scandinavia, it looks like the summer isn't ready to give up on us just yet - and we're being treated to a last hurrah, with blue skies and sunshine. In honour of this, I'm excited to be taking you on a tour of a wonderful Finnish summer cabin. Perched on a rocky incline, overlooking the water, the timber cabin is situated on a secluded island close to Rymättylä, South Finland. Owner, Nina Ahonen - interior designer and stylist - has created a wonderful, laidback oasis, from which to switch off from the world and enjoy the magic of the surroundings. The cabin is accessed by boat from Helsinki. Here's a peek inside. 

How incredible! 

When we're out sailing (binoculars out!), I often spot idyllic cabins like this one on the various islands we pass. They always look so idyllic. 

Could you imagine wiling away a summer here? 

Other Finnish summer cabins and cottages to love: 

A contemporary Finnish cabin on the water's edge

Tour an idyllic Finnish summer cabin

An idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

And for something more year-round with ALL the warm feels: 

A magical rustic family farmhouse in rural Finland 

A Finnish cabin in wintertime

A charming family home in the Finnish countryside 

Gaaah, take me to Finland (I'm currently obsessed with this country as I've just written an article for a magazine about Lapland - I promise to let you know once it's published!). It's such an incredibly varied country - from the summer paradise in the south, to the frozen Arctic Circle in the North where husky sledding and the Aurora Borealis await! 

Here's to an inspiring start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Krista Keltanen, Researcher, journalist and stylist: Jonna Kivilahti - shared with kind permission.

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10 Dreamy Scandinavian Summer Cottages

As my family and I pack up our things in preparation for a few weeks at the cottage (hurrah!), I thought it would be apt to spread a little Scandinavian summer cottage love with you, what do you say? Over the years, I've shared hundreds of idyllic summer hideaways - each of them unique, all of them inspiring in some way. Here are ten I love to revisit (only virtually sadly!) time and time again. I hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane too - click on each link for the tour! 

1. A magical Norwegian cottage with a wabi sabi vibe

2. A charming Swedish photographer's cabin in the woods

3. A Norwegian inspired hideaway on the Swedish island of Dalarö

4. A Hyggeligt Danish cabin in the forest

5. A Swedish island summer oasis

6. A charming Danish cabin with a coastal touch

8. An idyllic summer house in the Swedish countryside

9. Finnish cabin on its own island

10. A Norwegian summer cabin on the edge of a fjord

Gorgeous! 

As a bonus - you can find the first picture (a Norwegian fjord side cabin) here.  

All of these retreats immediately transport me to a back-to-basic lifestyle where eating, sleeping, swimming and hanging out with friends and family is the order of the day. I hope you feel the same! 

I can't wait to get to the cottage now and spend some downtime with my family. Roll on long summer days (please weather gods, be kind to us!). 

I'll be back on My Scandinavian Home on Monday 26th July. In the meantime, I'll likely be swinging by instagram from time to time and there's always the archives with over 2500 Scandinavian inspired home posts (I counted the other day since MSH will be turning 10 this autumn!). These are particularly popular.

Summer cottages

Before and After renovations 

Swedish homes

Danish homes

Finnish homes

Norwegian homes

Converted properties

Outdoor spaces

Wishing you all a wonderful couple of weeks! 

Niki

Credits: 1. Slettvoll 2. Hilde Mork 3. Lina and Karl Anderson 4. Jonas Ingerstedt 5.@nordiskrum 6 & 7. Emma Sundh 8 & 9. @anordicmoment 10 & 11. Carina Olander 12 & 13. Johanna Lehtinen 14. Per Erik Jæger / Siv Brenne for Jotun. 

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Latest Tiny Cabin Update: I Need Your Help!

It's been a while since I've updated you on the little cabin we're building in the grounds of Per's family's summer cottage (see our plans here). Word on the street in the Bjärehalvön is that the build will start in September (so exciting!). It's kind of crept up on me though and now I'm in a panic. This week, I started looking at windows and doors. It's safe to say, I'm starting from scratch with this, but learning fast. And I've narrowed it down to two options (hopefully): 

1. Doors that concertina up - like these fine specimens from Outline, seen here in a small Danish cabin of Lena at Peekaboo design. The beauty with these is that they still have a traditional touch but create a wonderful seamlessness between inside and out. 

2. The other option is to go for doors that open separately, like in this charming summer cabin below owned by Lina Kjellvertz (I once featured her fabulous Mallorcan house), designed by Sommarnöjen (Velfac sell similar doors). 

At this stage, I'm not even sure if option one is possible with, but it's worth investigating - so I thought I'd throw it out there.

Which do you think would work the best? 

Curious to see more Scandic-inspired tiny cabins today? I love: 

Small space inspiration from Swedish attefallshus

An idyllic Finnish summer cabin

A little Danish cabin in the woods

Or for something a little different, the before and after pictures of a Mercedes sprinter van which was converted into a tiny camper van are incredible! 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

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Before and After: A Traditional Norwegian Cabin Gets a Beautiful Colour Update

A few years ago, Berit stumbled across her dream croft surrounded by forest in Lunner, Hadeland, South-east Norway. The 50-metre square (538 sq.ft) cabin had great bones, but was in need of an update. Keen to put her own personal mark on it, Berit turned to Hytteliv magazine and interior designer Siv Brenne, who together with paint brand Jotun set to work on transforming the space while working to highlight the original features. The result is a peaceful retreat in soothing tones, and the perfect place to unwind. 

Kitchen before: 

Kitchen after: 

The kitchen has been given a fresh, calm update with wall panels in 1140 Sand, the ceiling in 471 Lys Antik (both LADY supreme finish matt) and the kitchen cabinets are from Bærum Kjøkkensenter, painted in colour s3005-B8OG. 

The sand shade has also been applied to the traditional-style sitting room area to give the living space a cohesive look. 

Master bedroom before:

When Beret bought the cabin, the small master bedroom was a sea of blues ranging from a more earthy shade to a bright sky blue. 

master bedroom after:

A soothing blue-grey tone (6315 Jade) was applied to the walls while the window frames were painted with a slightly darker 6232 Sjøalge to ensure the original features pop. Furniture and accessories in white and sand help to carry the theme through from the kitchen and sitting room. 

Guest bedroom before:

The guest bedroom was a riot of blue and red - which I am not opposed to since it gives it an air of traditional Norwegian country. However, the transformation is so charming....

After:

The top bunk is mounted on the wall to give an airy touch to the small room (I'm curious to know if the walls would hold this at our summer cottage - I'd love to do something similar!). The walls and beds have been painted in a lovely light 1376 Froströk, while the door and window frame have been given a darker 6232 Sjøalge treatment to match the master bedroom). 

Bathroom before:

After: 

The bathroom has also been given a traditional touch with antique furniture against a backdrop of wood panels painted in calming 4017 Pilasterblå. The blind is from Green Apple and bench is from Lama. 

The exterior was also given aan update. A dramatic 734 Brunsvart (brown-black) was a applied to the wood panels and been paired with window frames in a softer 1376 Froströk and shutters in 4252 Kimrök Dämpad - creating a wonderful cohesive look between outdoors and indoors. 

What a lovely update! I love the soothing palette. It demonstrates just how important it is to work with a cohesive colour scheme before you start to decorate. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

For more fab before and afters, check out this archive - some really incredible ones in there! Also, take a peek in the Norway homes archive - a favourite of mine! 

A couple of other things before I head off:

If you subscribe to My Scandinavian Home via e-mail, the feedburner will no longer work from tomorrow onwards (unfortunately) so I'm working on a new solution in order for you to continue receiving my posts straight to your inbox! I'll be back soon with more info!

And secondly, my article: Handmade Tale: The Rise of Handcrafts for the Home is now live over at IMM Cologne online magazine if you fancy a read! I love this movement, it makes me so happy! I hope it inspired you, too.

I'll be back tomorrow with a beautiful Scandi home tour. See you then! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Hytteliv & Jotun

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