my scandinavian home: Summer cottage

A Charming Summer Cottage Outside Ystad

Has anyone else been melting this week?! This heatwave sweeping across Europe really has been something. I hope you're managing to keep cool!

We are are actually in Mallorca for a few days, visiting my sister and celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary. Per and I were married here, in the beautiful north of the island, so it's always great to come back. But here's the funny thing... while we're enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine, it's actually going to be hotter in southern Sweden tomorrow than it is here!

The good thing about a Swedish heatwave is that you're never far from the water. Whether it's kayaking, sailing or an evening swim, there's always a cool lake or stretch of coastline waiting.

Today's home is just outside Ystad, one of Sweden's prettiest medieval towns, on the edge of Nybrostrand and only moments from the cool blue Baltic Sea. With open fields all around, a lovely garden and a charming guest house for summer visitors, it feels like the perfect place to enjoy these long, sunny days. Shall we take a look around?

I can imagine the lack of clutter and the calm, airy feel of this home makes it wonderfully cool on a hot day. Don't you agree?

I really like the darker colour of the skirting boards, door frames and even the ceiling in places, this is something I am planning to do in our cottage too. I also love that final touch of green in the guest house, it adds a time-honoured feel.

Was there anything that particularly caught your eye about this Ystad home?

Right friends, I'd better dash! My family are downstairs waiting to head into the square here in Pollença for a light aperitivo, and who am I to argue on a beautiful Friday evening?

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

¡Salud! Until Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors, with thanks.

Inside a Charming 1920s Danish Summer House

Hello friends!

It's been a quiet week on the blog, but a very busy one behind the scenes. I spent a couple of inspiring days in Copenhagen for 3 Days of Design (if you've never been, I can't recommend it enough!), while also helping Skandinavisk celebrate the launch of their beautiful new EDP collection and the opening of their new flagship store in the city.

Needless to say, by 5pm on this Friday evening, I'm more than ready for a glass of wine!

But before I disappear for the weekend, I couldn't resist sharing a couple of images from a charming Danish cottage in Liseleje.

Built in 1920, it's the kind of house that instantly draws you in. Perhaps it's the soft green panelling, the painted woodwork, the well-worn pine floors or the cosy window seat tucked into the corner. Whatever it is, the entire place feels wonderfully unpretentious and full of soul.

And is it just me, or is there something a little Carl Larsson about it? The gentle green tones, simple wooden furniture, abundance of natural light and relaxed atmosphere feel wonderfully timeless.

I can imagine long breakfasts around the kitchen table, doors flung open to the garden, followed by walks to the beach and afternoons spent reading in that window nook. Which, after this week, sounds pretty perfect!

Enjoy the tour-and have a wonderful weekend!

Pretty and relaxed.

And a perfect way to lead into the weekend, do you agree?

Wishing you a wonderful couple of days - and look forward to returning early next week with a new, lovely, longer tour. See you then!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Adam Schnack, with thanks

A Swedish Island Getaway by the Baltic Sea

Many years ago, Per, the girls and I sailed to the long, slim Baltic island of Öland. It's a fascinating place. to the mainland via a bridge, it's where the Swedish royal family spend much of their summer at nearby Solliden Palace. Funnily enough, while we were walking through the forest, Prince Carl Philip went past on his daily jog!

Anyway, this is a very long-winded way of saying, sorry, but I have another rustic coastal home to share with you this week, which I couldn't resist, not least because it's located right on the shore with spectacular views over the cool blue waters of the Baltic Sea.

Inside, the house is simply furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, evidence of it having remained in the same family for over a century. Whitewashed timber walls, worn wooden furniture and a handsome masonry fireplace create a wonderfully relaxed, unfussy feel, while touches of greenery and wildflowers bring the outdoors in. I also love how the owners have kept the interiors pared back, allowing the sea views to do the talking. Every window seems to frame the Baltic like a work of art.

Ready to take a look around? Let's step inside and enjoy the complete tour.

Imagine waking up here each day, spending your days at the water's edge before falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Helt magiskt (completely magical!), as they say in Sweden. I'll certainly be dreaming about this place all weekend.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this idyllic rustic cabin too!

I'm looking forward to sharing an extra post with you on Monday - with a guide to my adopted home town of Malmö and all the wonderful things you can do here by the sea - from cafes and restaurants to sauna and sailing!

A little note to say thank you for all your comments and emails lately. We have a little rain on the forecast this weekend, so I thought I'd take some time out with a coffee and sit down to reply to each and every one of you. I so enjoy reading your observations, and you often pick out details I've completely missed. Tack så mycket!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Wrede, with thanks.

FILED UNDER: beach home coastal Log cabin Summer cottage

A Timeless Beach House on Denmark’s North Coast

It’s a beautiful day here in 'Sverige', and with midsummer now just a whisper away, we're all longing for slow days by the water.

And if there was ever a place made for that kind of summer daydream, surely it’s this charming beach cottage in Liseleje on Denmark’s north coast.

Built in 1914, and even winning an architectural award at the time, the house sits perched on a cliff above the Kattegat Sea with its own private steps winding down through wild rosehip and soft sand dunes to the beach below. Can you imagine wandering down there first thing in the morning, coffee in hand, for a brisk dip before everyone else is awake? Would you brave the cold water? I havwe already had my 'badpremier' here and it was 16 degrees C - 'fresh' but invigorating!

The cottage has belonged to the same family for 80 years, and there’s something wonderfully unspoilt about it all. Many of the original details remain, while the interior has been kept simple and relaxed with family heirlooms, antiques and just enough furniture to let the surroundings do the talking. Because really, with that location and view from every window, how could the sea not steal the limelight?

Welcome in for a peek inside this very special Danish summer house.

I especially love how quietly understated everything feels. Nothing competes with the landscape.

Is this your kind of summer house? Would you keep the interiors this simple, or would you be tempted to add more colour and pattern? The good news is, if you buy it, you can do whatever you like with it and make it entirely your own!

Treat yourself to more Scandinavian summer cottages here:

Simple, nostalgic and charming wrapped into one

A rundown croft becomes an idyllic summer cottage
A charming open-plan summer cottage

Have a lovely, sunny afternoon!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Adam Schnack, with thanks

FILED UNDER: beach home danish home Summer cottage

Past and Present Meet in a Danish Thatched Cottage

I have seen thousands of Scandinavian cabins in my two decades of living here (some in person, many online!), and while each one is unique, they usually share a few themes: heirlooms and second-hand finds, or traditional pieces that reflect a relaxed, down-to-earth lifestyle, and colour palettes that mirror their surroundings with touches of coastal blue or countryside green. Not this one. And that’s exactly why it caught my eye.

Currently for sale, this thatched cottage on the Danish Riviera blends old and new beautifully. Copenhagen-based Studio Force Majeure collaborated with the founders of Ferm Living to decorate the space, creating an interior that feels both contemporary and rooted in tradition. Original architectural wood panelling and exposed beams, washed in a warm cream, provide the backdrop to a modern stainless steel kitchen, very cool animal print sitting room furniture, and an on-trend wave mirror. But you’ll also spot the hallmarks of a traditional Scandinavian summer house throughout; a woven basket here, an urn there, which of course, I love!

Keep a close eye on all the details as you look through, there are plenty of touches to feel inspired by!