An Enchanting 1930s Swedish Cottage Filled with Colour, Charm, and DIY Creations

Oh, have I got a charming cottage to share with you today! Built in the 1930s, this beauty looks like something straight out of a fairytale from the outside, and the magic continues inside with a joyful mix of colour and pattern. Every room has its own unique charm, making this home a true delight.

Sandra Serefia, who lives just outside Gothenburg in Lerum with her young family, has a real talent for DIY. She creates everything from hand-painted patterns on floors to crafting her own dining table, all with a keen eye for design and plenty of creativity.

Keep an eye out for floral ceilings, dreamy pink shades (like the walls i the sun room below painted in NCS 2020-Y80R), checked floors, cosy cotton lampshades (a must-have right now!), and the sweetest children's bedroom you ever did see!

While the above shows the main sitting room, below is a glimpse of the cosy TV room  with layers of lovely textiles. Notice how all the bright coloured toys are concealed in a cabinet when not in use! 

Pink stairs? Why not! I love the pale pink (NCS code S3020-Y50R), white and green combination–how about you? 

A nook at the side of the bedroom has been transformed into an ensuite bathroom. This is the second time in the space of a week that we've seen a lovely bathroom with sloped ceilings (here's the tour with the other one), very inspiring!  

Here's another lovely pink shade (NCS 1820-Y97R), which goes beautifully with the blue (Icey blue by Jotun Lady). 

Are you even Swedish if your child doesn't have a Kånken mini rucksack? I love this one in yellow - my daughter had the very same one when she was small!

Even the dressing room / walk-in-wardrobe in the children's room is pretty!

This home is such a dream! I love how Sandra has thought about every detail and there is something fascinating to look at around every corner. 

Is there anything that caught your eye? Perhaps some details I missed? 

See more corners and discover from of Sandra's recent DIY projects over at @sandraserafia. You won't be disappointed! 

Fancy a longer mid-week break? Feast your eyes on these pretty country homes: 

A dated house is transformed into a charming country home

The idyllic thatched cottage and garden of a Danish artist

Emilia's laid back Swedish country home

Spring time in a rustic Swedish cottage

Have a happy mid-week.

Kram! 

Niki

Photography by @sandraserafia, shared with kind permission.

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A Cosy Swedish Family Home Filled with Books

Why, hej! How was your weekend? Ours was a mix of dips in the sea, thunderstorms (not at the same time, thankfully), work (too much on at the mo, and not at all 'lagom' - but thankfully only short term) and life in between (like arguing about who is going to empty the dishwasher). I hope yours was suitably varied, and lovely and relaxing.

So, let's kick off the week with something inspiring, shall we? Like a cosy Stockholm apartment. This home is dedicated to anyone who loves colour, pattern and likes to be surrounded by books (show of hands please?). It's also inspiring for anyone looking for cute ideas for a small space with young children (love the cot in the master bedroom and children's bedroom solution). 

Ready for a nosey? 

Note the climber in the kitchen window - with autumn closing in, it's a great way to create a 'green effect' while the trees lie dormant and create those nature-inducing feel good vibes. 

We're seeing so many statement-painted doors right now and I find them so inspiring. Would you consider painting a door a different colour in your home? 

FYI stripes continue to be a strong trend this autumn and tablecloths and cushions are a great way to add them to the home. 

The colour, the pattern, the warmth - the everything! 

A home for book and LP lovers, so great to see, don't you think? 

Notice how the owners have added pictures, bunting and other small touches to carve out a corner exclusively for the littlest member of the family, while the rest of the room still has a mature feel. 

There's always room for more books!

When space is limited, a desk and raised bed solution is a great way to ensure there is a zone for everything. 

I love this home as the owner's personality shines through. Plus, it's so well kitted out to display and store all their belongings and treasured items. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations below. 

Wishing you an 'underbart' start to the week! 

Niki

Photography Boukari, Styling by Copparstad Interior for Historiska Hem, shared with thanks. 

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A DIY headboard, Children's alcove and a log fire in the Bedroom!

Hejsan! Scrolling through my usual sites on a Monday morning (along with a Swedish extra strength coffee of course!) I stopped in my tracks when this Swedish home popped up. There were three things that really stood out to me: the soft yet contemporary pink bedroom, the ribbed headboard / half wall that also serves as a shelf and the children's alcove off the sitting room! Let's take a closer look! 

No doubt a former storage cupboard, the parents in this Swedish home have converted an alcove off the sitting room into a children's playroom. I particularly love the glass doors - which ensure some peace and quiet  - after all, we all know how noisy parents can be - not entirely conducive when you're trying to create a crayon masterpiece ;). The alcove is perfectly organised with a cosy place to curl up with a book, a desk and shelves for creating and some floor space for general play. 

Plus, if it gets messy (let's face it, it probably doesn't look as neat as this all the time!) there are always the curtains which can be drawn across! 

I love this pink shade in the hallway and master bedroom. It looks like Deco pink by Jotun Lady - a shade that goes equally well with grey (like in this home) or even zesty colours like neons and cherry red. Are you a fan too? 

These types of headboards and wardrobe coverings are extremely popular right now and make such a statement - even when painted the same colour as the walls! They are also very easy to create yourself. A large DIY store will stock everything you need to create the look. 

I didn't mention the 'kakelugn' (Swedish tiled masonry oven) in my list of three, but it's an absolute given! I mean, who doesn't want to fall asleep to the warm embers of a log fire in winter time? So cosy! 

I hope you felty inspired by these features too. Perhaps there is something else that stood out to you? If so, please do point out in the comments below! 

I am heading off to Jutland, Denmark today to attend Formland design fair tomorrow - very excited as it's such an inspiring place and where I find out the latest trends and news for Autumn. If you can't attend in person,  I'll be sharing my trip on Instagram in case you'd like to see what's happening! I'm then off to Aarhus - Denmark's second largest city to write a city guide for Simply Scandi magazine. I've never been before so very intrigued, I've heard many a good things! 

I hope you've got some fun plans for the week too, and that the sun is shining for you. 

See you Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alicia Edelman via The Nordroom. 

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