my scandinavian home: Summer cottage

A Charming Swedish Summer Cottage in the Countryside

Last weekend, we headed to our summer cottage for a few days. The tiniest buds were just beginning to appear on the lilac bushes, and a blackbird hopped around the garden, readying itself for spring. Although it was still cold, there was a quiet promise that soon the countryside will burst into life, turning lush and vibrant green. Just like at this beautiful cottage in the countryside, not far from the magical Gothenburg archipelago.

Traditional on the outside and quintessentially Swedish on the inside, the classic ochre, blue and white tones, botanical-themed wallpaper, and charming individual pieces have an air of the Swedish artist Carl Larsson's home.

Although most summer cottages in Sweden do have running water and electricity, it’s not unusual to find some that don’t. One friend of mine has a cottage on an island, and they have to take all their water with them for cooking, washing and drinking. Helen’s cottage has an outdoor loo only (not going to lie, I once stayed there during a two-day photoshoot and it gets so dark outside at night that I sprinted there and back in record time!). And I see this charming old cottage also has an outdoor loo — in fact, you’ll notice there are two side by side. Is it because they’re particularly sociable? Scroll down to discover why!

But prior to that, I hope you enjoy all the details first – the wallpaper, the oil lamps, mirrors, and views over the fields. Let's take a peek inside!

Have you noticed the doors with the diagonal pattern? It’s something you see a lot of on doors and shutters in the countryside here. I recently got curious about why they’re built that way.

Like many things in Scandinavian design, there’s actually a practical reason. Traditional Swedish cottage doors and shutters often have diagonal wooden braces (sometimes forming a “Z” shape). These braces help keep the door stable, prevent it from sagging, and stop the wood from warping over time.

This construction method is called “ledge and brace,” and apparently it works especially well in climates like ours, where humidity and temperature change a lot throughout the year.

So, the loo or 'utedass' as it's called in Sweden. Just why are there two side by side? It's hardly a place you'd want to sit and chat for a while, right? The reason is actually very practical (as you might have guessed)- it is designed to accommodate different members of the family with a larger hole for adults and a smaller one for children (hence the stool to give the, a 'leg up'!

I love that the owners have gone to the effort of painting checks on the flor and hanging a picture too!

Oh, and I thought you might be curious about the wallpapers. The yellow one is 'hiprose' by Borås Tapater, and the one in the dining room is Duro by Gastgivars wallpaper.

I love seeing all the lush green - I can't wait to see all the leaves come out here (are they out where you are?). But also I noticed the beautiful old stone wall and steps in the garden. I wonder how long it would take for these took look lovely and aged if you were to add something like this today? I'd love to put something in like this at our little cottage - but not sure if modern-built stone has the same affect?

I'm really keen to here your thoughts about this Swedish country cottage too!

It's actually for sale right now – maybe something to consider over the weekend?

Since the weekend is coming up, how about a few more cottages to dream away over?

A serene Swedish lakeside retreat

From classroom to country retreat
A cosy Swedish summer cottage to explore

Have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

PS busy getting your outdoor space ready for Spring / Summer? I have written a guide with some nice tips in my latest story for IKEA here, if you fancy a read!

Photography courtesy of Mäklerhuset with thanks.

Where Colour Meets the Simple Danish Summer Life

Well hej there, friends! We’re back in snowy Malmö and dreaming of… summer. A dangerous game when it still feels so far away. But in the former Danish home of Sofie Amalie Rolandsen, who works at a design agency, sunshine never seems too distant.

Sofie loves to play with colour. You might remember her former Copenhagen home, which I featured way back in 2018, and you’ll see the same joyful approach in her current home, shared frequently on her Instagram @thusthefuss. She’s known for painting just about everything — walls, floors, ceilings, and more — in a plethora of bright, uplifting hues.

But in her former summer house, Sofie took a different approach. Here, the walls, floors, and ceilings were kept neutral, allowing the details to do the talking: kitchen cabinets in a beautiful sky blue, a cobalt lamp here, a green stool there, and burgundy shelves and a sofa. These carefully chosen touches bring her signature style to the countryside, while still keeping things simple and letting the surrounding nature shine.

After all, summer cabins are all about downing your tools, kicking back, and embracing the simple life — surrounded by family and visiting friends. Ready to take a look?

Did you notice how Sofie subtly mixes things up? Mustard and burgundy sofa modules combined, two very cool fire-engine-red garden chairs paired with traditional outdoor furniture, contemporary lighting mixed with 1970s rattan… the list goes on!

Could this be a sign that we should all be a little more daring in our homes? Quite possibly! Nothing creates a talking point quite like a standout piece — and I guarantee, everyone will love it.

You can see more of Sofie’s style (and gather plenty of colour inspiration) over at @thusthefuss.

And for more Danish homes with their clever use of colour, take a peek at:

Prints, splashes of colour and playful prints in a Danish home
Embracing the blues in a Danish home
12 simple ways to add colour to your home, Danish style

I’ve been incredibly organised this week and am looking forward to returning on Thursday with a very cool Swedish home to share with you. In the meantime, I’ve been busy working on another article for IKEA — this time all about how to get your pantry in order. I actually learned a lot myself while writing it, and our kitchen has never been in such great shape… not a single stray strand of spaghetti lurking at the back of the cupboard to be found! For the moment.

See you Thursday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @thusthefuss, with thanks.

FILED UNDER: danish home Summer cottage

Two Dreamy Airbnb Cottages on the Swedish island of Gotland

It’s no secret that I absolutely love the Swedish island of Gotland. Granted, I’ve only been there once—when we sailed there on an East Coast tour and Per pretty much had to drag me away after five days (well past our original plan!). I was completely bowled over by the island’s beauty, creativity, and laid-back vibe, and I’ve been dreaming about returning ever since.

It’s only January, but after one sunny day my mind was immediately transported back there (even if the temperature is hovering around zero degrees!). In case you’re feeling tempted to visit this beautiful place, here are a couple of Airbnb cottages I stumbled upon today.

1. Jordkällaren beach cottage on Fårö

Just north of Gotland lies the tiny island of Fårö, connected to the main island by ferry. Rugged and wild, it has inspired creatives for generations. Film maker Ingmar Bergman called it home, and today his house is available as an artist residency. Imagine?

The island is rich in contrasts: deep, atmospheric forests, a long stretch of deserted beach, and dramatic stone stacks jutting straight out of the sea. True to Gotland style, it’s also peppered with ultra-cool yet wonderfully laid-back bakeries, cafes and restaurants.

Tucked away in Mölnorviken, you’ll find this little stone cottage. Its name translates as “The Earth Cellar,” a nod to its past as a jordkällare—a traditional underground storage space once used to keep food cool year-round. Today, the small stone cottage, with its sedum roof and location just 90 metres from the beach, offers a cosy place to stay, complete with a small kitchen (not pictured) and a barbecue spot looking out to sea. Perfect!

2. The Limestone Cottage

The main town on Gotland is Visby—where the ferries arrive (and where we also moored up during our first few nights). Dating back to medieval times, the town feels like a living village, buzzing with restaurants and cafés all summer long.

Just ten minutes from Visby and only 2 km from the sea, this limestone oasis is surrounded by meadows and quiet gravel roads. The interior is pared-back yet inviting, while the garden is beautifully wild – perfect for a barbecue dinner or a drink in the evening sun.

Lovely! I’d be perfectly happy whiling away long Swedish summer days, soaking up the pin-sharp Baltic light and fresh air at either of these beautiful stays — how about you?

It was sadly quite a while ago that I last visited Gotland, but if you’d like to take a look at my guide (alongside a few other Baltic islands), you can find it here.

I’ve also shared many other beautiful stays on the island, including:

A rustic Gotland cottage with a pool
A beautiful limestone barn stay
A summer island retreat with a pool for family and friends

And you can even take a peek inside a few private summer homes too — including:

Elsa's inspiring summer cottage
A converted school on the island of Gotland
A 19th century house ready for summer

Here’s to a little summer dreaming, friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

FILED UNDER: airbnb Holiday homes holiday rental Summer cottage

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!