A Bromma Treasure: Touring a 1909 Lakeside Cottage

It’s funny how family and friends can take you to places you’d never normally get to. It might be something big, like someone marrying into another country and settling there, or small — like your child competing in a sporting event somewhere you’d never have thought to visit, but are glad you did.

That’s how I came to know Bromma, through my brother-in-law Johan, who lived here for many years. We’d often visit, and I came to love its setting: nestled by the water, with coastal forest trails winding along the cliffs, and dotted with pretty cottages — some tucked inland, others opening out to glorious views of Lake Mälaren.

One of those special houses is this gem from 1909, a rare survivor from Bromma’s early days as a summer retreat. Back then, families would arrive by steamboat, long before there were roads or trams, and build villas along the shoreline. Stepping inside, you can still feel that history in the tiled stoves, the open fireplace, and the craftsmanship that’s lasted over a century.

Today, thoughtful updates bring that charm into the present. I love the pretty botanical wallpaper, the classic checked floor (a pattern you so often find in old Swedish houses), as well as the smaller details: the vintage scales in the bathroom (fingers crossed the needle underestimates!) and the clever doormats lining each shelf of the hall’s shoe rack. What a great hack!

Ready to feel inspired? 

What a pretty house!

I’m not sure if it was initially meant as a summer house or a year-round home — but I, for one, could easily picture coming back here in the evenings after a day in the capital. So peaceful!

Could you imagine living in a charming old cottage like this, too? And did you spot that Kermit-the-Frog green in the sunroom? I loved it — so unexpected and cheerful. What details caught your eye?

Would you like to dream about more Scandinavian summer houses today? 

A Danish summer house by Lammefjorden
A charming summer house in the Finnish countryside
A fairytale summerhouse on the Swedish island of Vaxholm

And that, friends, is it from me this week! I hope you've enjoyed all the inspiration and that you have a fantastic weekend! 

Stor kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarhuset - where this property is currently listed for sale. 

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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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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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A Gentle Return to Swedish Summer Cottage Life

Hello! Thank you so much for your patience over the past two weeks while I took a little time off to enjoy summer with my family. This morning feels bittersweet. Sweet, because I’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks soaking up everything I love about life in Sweden — long summer evenings, wildflowers, and the simplicity of days spent in a pared-back summer cottage. But there’s a hint of bitterness too, as summer slowly begins to retreat. School is starting soon, and there’s the faintest rustle in the leaves — that quiet signal that autumn is on its way, and with it, the long, dark winter waiting in the wings.

As I wrote in my Njuta book, though, I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t appreciate these golden summers nearly as much if I didn’t yearn for them through the rest of the year.

Have you had a lovely summer too? I know in many parts of Europe, it’s only just getting into its stride — and for friends further afield, it’s the middle of winter (hang in there — your turn is coming!).

To ease back in, I thought I’d share a wistful, traditional Swedish summer cottage that perfectly captures the feel of the season here. Every piece of furniture, every handwoven rag rug, every patch of romantic wallpaper — even the nicks on the stairs — tells a story of summers spent by the lake. It’s the kind of relaxed, unfussy home where nothing has to be perfect — and thank goodness for that. It means more time for picking flowers, lounging on the jetty, or debating whether it’s too early for ice cream (answer: it’s never too early).

And speaking of practical joys — keep an eye out for the baskets. They’re a bit of a Swedish summer hero. Woven, humble, and endlessly useful, they’re used for everything from carrying plates and cutlery down to the water’s edge, to transporting picnic supplies to the garden table, to collecting blueberries or firewood. Far more practical than a tray — especially when navigating bumpy paths, uneven lawns, or small children underfoot. They’re the kind of everyday detail that makes summer living feel that little bit more effortless.

You might also spot plenty of other classic Swedish touches in the photos — the tiled masonry oven, the curtains by the door to keep the draft at bay and retro glass food storage containers (now used for all kinds of nbits and bobs!).  If anything jumps out at you, I’d love to hear in the comments!

So pretty! I recognise many of the relaxed touches from our own summer cottage, which Per’s grandparents built nearly 100 years ago!

Did you spot the large array of baskets? And how pretty are those hand-painted tiles in the kitchen?

Another factor I thought about is the exposed cables. In Scandinavia, I've noticed it's perfectly acceptable to leave cables exposed - tacking them in a straight line across the ceiling, around doors or down walls - instead of paying vast amounts to chase and conceal them. Is this also the same where you live? 

Was there anything else that caught your eye?

Perhaps you'd like to kick off the week by touring a few more summer cottages today? How about:

Before and after: a rundown croft becomes an idyllic summer cottage
A magical wood-clad summer cottage
A charming open-plan summer cottage

Thank you for stopping by, I'm happy to be back — wishing you a relaxing start to the week!

Niki

PS I usually post Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but this week there'll also be an extra post tomorrow as there's an exciting event coming that I am keen to tell you about! See you then! 

@clindholm_design for Historiska Hem

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