A Beautiful Former Chapel on Gotland Turned Airbnb

Gotland has been on my mind lately! Any long-term readers will know that I fell head over heels in love with this beautiful Swedish island when we sailed there a few years back (see my guide here). The only problem? Living in Malmö, it's always felt a little tricky to get there, so we haven't visited nearly as often as I'd like.

But lately I've been dreaming about a girls' weekend at Sibbjäns, perhaps? Or a stay in a beautiful Airbnb? Which is how I stumbled across this gem!

Welcome to a former Baptist chapel dating back to 1912, in the little village of Fide, around 5 km north of Burgsvik in southern Gotland. Today, it's a much-loved family summer home, which the owners also rent out as an Airbnb. And it's not hard to see why it's become a guest favourite! Sleeping up to eight guests, the property is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with lovely cycling routes, a beach just 2 km away and its very own pool!

Inside, the chapel has been transformed into a wonderfully relaxed home, with soaring ceilings, wood-panelled walls, colourful patterned floors, vintage furniture and quirky artwork. I love the slightly eclectic mix, which feels so personal and full of character. And that glazed veranda looks like the perfect spot for long summer lunches!

Shall we take a peek around?

What a beautiful place! I love all the pattern and the eclectic mix of items which all come together beautifully, and the entire place looks like such a relaxed place to be.

Have you ever visited Gotland? And could you imagine gathering a few friends or family members for a stay in this old chapel? I certainly could! You can find it on Airbnb here, in case you're looking for something for next summer.

Oh, and one tip if you're planning to book an Airbnb in Scandinavia. Guests are often expected to bring their own bed linen and towels, unless otherwise specified, so it's always worth checking before you go.

I suspect this comes from the Swedish summer cottage tradition, where guests often bring their own bedding when staying with friends. It saves the hosts mountains of laundry, especially when washing facilities are limited. A small detail, but definitely worth knowing before you pack your bags!

Thank you so much for stopping by this week, here's to a relaxing weekend ahead!

Happy Friday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

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A Swedish Summer Escape in the Stockholm Archipelago

Sometimes art imitates life, and it seems the blog is doing the same this week. On Wednesday, we went decidedly autumnal with a cosy home, wrapped in rich shades of amber, chocolate and brown. And today? We’re swinging right back to summer with a cottage on the idyllic island of Gåsö in the Stockholm archipelago, doors flung open and the sea sparkling just beyond.

Which feels rather fitting. The weather here can’t quite decide whether it’s autumn or summer either – one minute I’m reaching for a jumper, the next I’m wondering if I packed away the sandals too soon. Is it the same where you are?

So, let's embrace the last of the late-summer feeling while we can!

While much of Europe sweltered this summer, Sweden enjoyed lovely temperatures of around 20–25°C for much of the season. No wonder the Scandinavian “coolcation” has become so appealing: sea swims, fresh air, long light evenings and, perhaps best of all, being able to sleep at night!

And out on the islands, Swedish summer cottages really come into their own. This one is decorated in soft whites, pale greys and powdery blues, with warm, time-worn wood, wicker and the occasional cheerful stripe. It's relaxed, simple and very easy to live in.

And then there are those views. Imagine throwing open the doors in the morning, padding down to the water for a dip, then wandering back up barefoot for coffee. Would you ever leave?

Let's take a peek inside.

What a setting!

Could you imagine spending the weekend here? Scrap that – the whole week?

I noticed Kris, a long-time, much-valued reader of the blog, recommended some great games in the comments the other day, which I’m planning to order. They’d be absolutely perfect for a place like this! I really do love reading all your comments, even if I can occasionally be a little slow to reply (sorry!). 

You can see more beautiful Swedish summer cottages in the archive.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Niki

Credits: Previously for sale via Sjönära, photography by Adam Andersson. 

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The Ultimate Scandinavian Summer Round-Up

Dearest friends,

It's time for me to head off on my summer vacation for a couple of weeks. But I'd never leave you high and dry without plenty of beautiful Scandinavian summer inspiration!

Today, I've put together a big summer round-up featuring some of my favourite Scandinavian summer cottages (plus links to another twenty at the end!), floating saunas, outdoor seating ideas for spaces big and small, pools for every size space and budget, and the most wonderful outdoor shower and bath inspiration, in other words, everything you need to embrace life alfresco.

Just add a good book (and perhaps a little mosquito repellent!), and you're all set. I hope these ideas inspire you to soak up every last moment of summer, wherever you happen to be.

A Gotland summer escape (available to rent)

A rural Norwegian cottage by a fjord

A Swedish summer house filled with vintage and antique treasures

Before and after: a dated Danish house becomes a summer home

A dreamy Danish thatched cottage by the sea

A dated house becomes a Danish summer home

Anna's floating little Swedish cottage with a sauna

10 ways to maximise your balcony for summer

7 boho ideas for outdoor spaces big and small

16 outdoor bath and shower ideas

10 small pools for every budget

I hope you felt inspired by these ideas. In case you are looking for more while I'm away, you might also like to see: 

10 dreamy Scandinavian summer cottages

10 magical Nordic summer houses

Scandinavian summer holidays to rent (and a few others further afield)

That's it from me for now. As always, a heartfelt thank you for stopping by, and for your wonderful comments and emails that make this blog such a warm and positive community to be part of.

I hope you have a magical, Scandi-style summer, wherever you are in the world. I'll be back on Tuesday 18th August, refreshed and full of inspiration. Until then, take good care and enjoy every moment!

Niki

PS two other things you might like to see - did you tour the Danish theatre home earlier this week? It's not to be missed! Also, if your child is starting college, here's a piece I wrote for IKEA about how to style their college room. 

Credits: 1& 3 Monica Almskår Heggset & Lev Landig, 2 Airbnb, 4. @clindholm_design for Historiska Hem 5. @det_lille_hus_i_skoven 6. @vestkysthem 7. Anna Starrén 10 Alicia Taylor

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An Idyllic 18th-Century Swedish Farm Summer Oasis

Sun, sun, sun, sea and swimming. Sorry for waxing lyrical about summer on the blog lately, but we've waited so long for it and now it's finally here! With that in mind, I hope you don't mind me sharing another dreamy Swedish summer house.

Today we're heading to Lilla Nävesta in south-east Sweden, where this charming farm (currently for sale via Historiska Hem) feels as though it's been lifted straight from an Astrid Lindgren story. Red cottages are dotted around a shared garden, creating the loveliest setting for family gatherings and long summer days. 

The farm dates back to the 17th century, and while it's been lovingly updated over the years, it hasn't lost an ounce of its soul.

Inside, it's everything I love about an old Swedish country home: honey-toned floorboards, wood-panelled walls and wonderfully wonky ceilings, all softened with linen, fresh flowers and painted wooden furniture in cheerful shades of blue, red and white. The old wood-burning range in the kitchen still takes pride of place, and the covered veranda is surely where everyone ends up after a swim or a day in the garden.

Could you imagine spending your summers here? Take the tour to find out!

I think I'd struggle to leave. Then again, perhaps there's room for a home office so I could stay and work from here year-round?

Is this your kind of summer oasis too?

Speaking of which, my daughter is standing beside me with a towel slung over her shoulder, patiently waiting for us to head down for a dip in the sea. I'd better not keep her waiting!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for stopping by. See you early next week!

Niki

Photography via Historiska Hem, with thanks.

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Inside a Magical Swedish Summer Retreat

Hi there sailors! 

Sweden is in full summer mode. Boats zig-zag across the fairways, dropping anchor beside tiny islands for picnics, swims and long, lazy picnics. Everyone seems to be dressed in crisp blues and whites, and across the Stockholm archipelago, families are loading up the boat and escaping to their summer houses for a few blissful weeks by the water.

But... how many people can say they're heading to a cottage with its very own tower?

This incredible summer retreat centres around a turn-of-the-century villa, complete with a tower dating back to 1890, set on a sun-drenched waterfront. There's a private jetty, a guest house, beautiful original details... and, as if that wasn't enough, a magnificent little stone tower that has watched over the property for generations. Can you imagine the stories those walls could tell?

And the best part? Despite its history, nothing about the interiors feels stuffy or precious. Instead, it's all wonderfully relaxed. Blue-and-white stripes, old oil lamps, weathered furniture and beautiful antiques create that effortless coastal look Scandinavians do so well. 

As for the children? I doubt they'd spend much time indoors. Would you, if you had a tower to explore, rocks to scramble over and the sea waiting at the end of your own jetty? I have a feeling they'd disappear after breakfast and only reappear when someone called them in for 'middag'. 

Ready to dream a little? 

Beautiful, in that wonderfully understated, yet traditional Swedish way.

It must be heartbreaking for the family who are selling it.

I recently heard that it's actually quite rare for summer cottages to stay in the same family for more than three generations. As families grow, more and more people have a stake in them, making it increasingly difficult to divide the time, agree on the upkeep or buy one another out. It must be with a very heavy heart that a much-loved place like this changes hands.

But then I like to think about the next chapter. Another family gets to arrive by boat every summer, children get to race up the tower, grandparents sit on the jetty watching the boats drift by, and new traditions are made. 

Could that be you and your family? And if it is... is it OK if I drop by? By boat, of course!

Have a happy wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarhuset

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