A Charming Cottage in the Heart of Södermanland

Hej there, friends! How are you today? I thought we could spend this bright Wednesday in autumn taking a peek inside a cosy cottage in the heart of Södermanland.

Welcome to Mosstorp Marieberg – a place where time seems to slow down and everyday life gently makes room for peace and stillness. This charming red cottage with its traditional white trims dates back to 1909 and has been carefully renovated over the years, always with great respect for its original soul. And it’s the kind of house that instantly makes you feel at ease.

Inside, the 53-square-metre (570-square-feet) home feels both bright and welcoming – full of character yet wonderfully relaxed and pared-back. There’s a cosy kitchen and a living room complete with a fireplace – perfect for those crisp Swedish autumn evenings - and bedrooms where everyone bunks up (after all, there's always room for one more in a Swedish summer cottage!). Keep an eye out for the choice of colour, no doubt inspired by the home of beloved Swedish artist Carl Larsson. 

Oh, and did I mention this lovely cottage is for sale? And those lucky enough to make it theirs will get a wonderful bonus: not one, but two extra buildings. There’s a converted storage shed that doubles as a guest room, and a separate guest cottage – ideal for visiting grandparents, older children (I do love it when everyone can be together, but not too together, don’t you?), or anyone seeking a quiet space to work remotely (Stockholm is only an hour away, after all). How great does that sound? 

Let's take the tour so you can decide for yourself! 

Wonderful in every way! It has just the relaxed nature I love. 

And how pretty is that little gazebo for meals and 'fika' (coffee and cake)? Perfect for rainy days when it's still mild in the air. 

Could you imagine flitting about in this home - and perhaps inviting friends up for the weekend? 

Are you up for a little Autumn home inspiration today? Check out these spaces: 

Autumn ideas from Laura and Nora's country home

11 autumn ideas to steal from a hyggeligt Danish home

5 cosy autumn ideas from a Swedish country home

Have a cosy Wednesday!

Niki

Images courtesy of Svenskt Fastighetsförmedling, with thanks.

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A Quiet Cabin Escape on a Danish Island

Hej hej! Welcome to a new week on MSH!

Over the years, my family and I have spent countless summers sailing around Scandinavian waters, and a few places have truly stolen my heart. One of them is the Danish island of Anholt — have you heard of it, or perhaps been there? Sitting out in the middle of Kattegat, about halfway between Jutland and Sweden, it’s the perfect stop when we’re heading from southern Sweden to the Gothenburg archipelago. It’s a good day’s sail from the mainland (which can feel extremely long in bad weather!), and when you finally reach the harbour, you’re rewarded with a lovely, easygoing buzz: people chatting over cold drinks, music drifting from little bohemian bars, and upside-down barrels doubling as tables.

The beaches here are soft and white and the water has an unreal shade of turquoise that makes you want to jump straight in (even if it can be a little bracing!). We always make time to hop on a bike and ride through the island’s woodlands and nature reserves, whizzing past relaxed cabins and cottages as we go. And today I stumbled across this one on Airbnb. Tucked away, it has a window seat that looks out over the trees, a little fireplace, and a cosy dining nook. Inside, it’s all warm wood, Le Klint lamps, Wishbone Chair dining chairs, and those quiet little details that make you want to slow right down.

The owners describe themselves as “a family of five — a doctor, a journalist and their three daughters — who have fallen in love with Anholt’s peace and natural beauty. They spend every spare moment on the island, enjoying the simple life between forest and beach. It’s their little paradise, which they now share with guests.” And it really shows. I can picture mornings over homemade sourdough at the local garden café, lazy afternoons on Vesterstrand, and evenings listening to the wind in the surrounding forest. Even though the island’s only 22 km² and neighbours aren’t far away, it feels wonderfully peaceful — like your own little world. 

Ready to dream of your very Danish own island escape? Here's the tour! 

A dream! 

Could you imagine staying in this lovely cabin on Anholt? 

You might also be wondering how to get there (other than a sailboat) - the answer is by ferry from Grenaa on the Danish mainland, which takes around 3 hours. 

Oh, and can we take a moment to admire the turf roof? So wild and lovely! 

There is something incredibly special about island life, don't you think? Do you have a favourite island? If so, I'd love to hear about it! 

Here are a few more Scandinavian island cottages and cabins to peek inside: 

Riika's waterfront cabin in Finland
Stonecutter's farm on the island of Öland
A fairytale escape on Sweden's 'happiness island'

And here are some of my island guides from Scandinavia:

Discover Hallands Väderö near my cottage
Swedish island hopping in the Baltic
10 beautiful islands to visit in the Gothenburg archipelago
A guide to the danish island of Bornholm in winter

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

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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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