A Danish Summer Cottage Oasis on North Zealand

It's Friday, the sun is shining here in the Öresund region - and it finally feels like summer has arrived!  Yay! In two weeks, school will be out, and - government guidelines permitting (in Sweden it's not currently recommended to travel more than 1-2 hours) - many are hoping this all blows over so they can head to their summer cottages to relax and enjoy the nature! Tine and Christian Hertz live in Copenhagen, but when time permits, they hop in the car with their children and swap urban life for a summer oasis in Tisvilde, North Zealand, Denmark. Acquiring a summer cottage in the picturesque village had been a lifelong dream - and when a small house came on the market, Tine and Christian jumped at the chance. On the small side, the pair built on an extension and carried out a loft conversion in order to make room for the entire family and guests. Today, the family can relax in a rustic, light-filled space where the outdoors merges with the indoors. Ready to transport yourself to a Danish summer oasis? Iben and Niels Ahlberg paid a visit and took these pictures: 

 

 

 

Absolutely beautiful! 

I love the back-to-basics feel and the way double doors can be thrown open to the garden on a sunny day. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I have to say, the surrounding area is stunning (I've had the pleasure of visiting several times and photographed two cottages there for my book The Scandinavian Home). A true summer paradise! 

Up for a little more Danish summer cottage inspiration today? It would be rude not to when the sun is shining so brightly here today!  

Two idyllic danish cottages to rent

A charming Danish cottage on the island of Fejø

An idyllic Danish summer cottage (love the little A-frame!)

A hyggeligt Danish log cabin

Right folks, that's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by (I've loved reading all your comments, especially with regards to my wood floor yesterday). 

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend - I hope the sun shines for you!

Niki

Photography: Iben and Niels Ahlberg - shared with kind permission. Incidentally, if you're looking for prints - check out their online shop North and Space! 

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A Relaxed Danish Artist's Cabin In Copenhagen

Do you love a relaxed, creative home as much as I do? If so, you're going to find this lovely little oasis near Copenhagen utterly charming! The allotment house (in Scandinavia many allotments have little cottages on them which you're allowed to stay at during the summer months - much like a Dacha in Russia), provides a space where artist Mie Olise Kjærgaard can paint and create sculptural installations as well as relax in the garden with her five-year-old son Neo. Mie bought the 50 m2 (538 f2) cabin in 2005 and worked with the original 1933 structure, adding on a living room and bedroom using recycled materials. The bright living space has been simply furnished creating a wonderful, warm and inviting atmosphere. Karina Tengberg was there to capture these lovely pictures. Welcome to Mie's creative world! 

Mie has an MFA from the St. Martin School of Art in London and has exhibited her paintings, sculptural objects and installations internationally.  

The high ceiling and wood floors have been painted in a fresh white, which instantly creates a light and airy feel, despite the small living space. 

A tea set, found in a nearby 'loppemarked' (flea market) hangs from a simple metal rod, so that it's easy to grab when a friend stops by. 

Mie's work hangs on the wall beside a piece by Mia-nelle Drøschler. 

The err, eye-catching breasts are made from mouth blown glass at The Glass Factory in Sweden. 

In the garden is a small lean-to / conservatory which is a perfect dining spot in warmer weather.

It's hard to imagine that this gem of a cabin is located in Denmark's capital city - what a find! 

It reminds me a little of some of the houses and boathouses you find on the small islands on the river Thames in London (I used to paddle passed as a kid and be fascinated by the relaxed way of life in the heart of the city). I guess properties like these are like gold dust! 

Do you live somewhere like this? Or perhaps you feel inspired by some special and unique properties near your home. if so, I'd love to hear more! 

Shall we revisit some other Scandinavian artists homes today? I love the cosy vintage inspired home of a Swedish artist, the lovely home of a Danish artist and an artist's home and studio in a converted workshop. 

I hope you have a great start to the week, I have a feeling this is going to be a good one for us all. Stay well, stay safe! 

Niki

Photography: copyright - Karina Tenberg, shared with kind permission. 

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A Magical Little Swedish Summer Cottage (And It's For Sale!)

Why, hello there lovelies! Are you ready for a little summer dreaming today? Here in Sweden the summer holidays are a mere one month away, and planning is in full force. Except, this year of course, it's a little restrained. Who knows what might happen in the next four weeks? The one thing we do know, is that we'll be staying put. And, up and down the country, Swedes are dusting down the cobwebs and oiling the shutters at their summer houses, hoping it'll be permitted to dream away a summer surrounded by everything the Nordic nature has to offer. If there's one thing I love about the Swedish summer cottage, it's that it's pared down and all about living a simple life. This idyllic little cottage is nestled away on the island of Klåverön in the mesmerisingly beautiful Gothenburg archipelagos - and waiting for a new owner - could it be you once we're all free to travel again? 

Summer's in the Gothenburg archipelago are all about hopping on and off boats and enjoying a picnic on your own little island. 

In this lovely open-plan living area the outdoors takes centre stage. An antique bench doubles up as storage for extra cushions and tableware. 

A patterned rug adds a little colour to the living room, while open shelving ensures a relaxed feel. 

Botanical themed bedding helps to draw the nature indoors and a wall-mounted shelf clears floor space for a light and airy feel.

A DIY rail and row of hooks is ideal, summer dresses, linen shirts and a hat or two. 

I am already imagining following the 24 hours sun around the cottage on the various decks - and chatting the four-legged neighbours, how about you?! 

Ooooh, so lovely! 

We've spent many summers sailing in the Gothenburg archipelagos, and I can't tell you how magical it is there. Perhaps I should speak to Per about this cottage? Not sure he could take it on a Monday! 

I know things are tough right now, but this too shall pass, and when it does, this Nordic country is waiting for you to experience it in all its glory! In the meantime, I hope the tour provides some wonderful summer-inspiration for your own home! 

Here are a few other summer cottages to feel inspired by: 

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods

An idyllic cottage that dreams are made of

A pared-back summer home on Gotland

Have a great start to the week. We've got this! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors.

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An Idyllic Swedish Summer Cottage That Dreams Are Made Of!

Say the words 'Swedish summer cottage' and I immediately conjure up a picture of a little red and white cottage surrounded by lush, vibrant nature and somewhere to bathe a short "nakenfis" (I love this Swedish word - it literally translates as 'naked fart' but it's generally used to describe being nude!)  sprint away!! In fact, this idyllic croft in a village near Tierp an hour or so North of Stockholm is spot on! Dating back to 1909, the croft is made up of a main house and a series of little outhouses which wouldn't look out of place in Astrid Lindgren's 'Children of Noisy Village'. Step inside and you're greeted with white wood panelled walls, pretty wallpaper and painted wood floors. The furnishings are typically understated and a perfect blend of vintage and antique pieces. Ready for a little Swedish summer dreaming? 

Oh wow. This has me dreaming of 24 hour sunshine, morning dips and long, lazy lunches alfresco! 

Could you image wiling away a lazy summer here?

This is where I say - "well, it could be yours..." - and it was actually on the market for a very reasonable 750,000 SEK (€70k / $76k) via Länsförsäkringar (try pronouncing that!) but as you can  imagine, it was snapped up immediately! 

Up for a little more Scandinavian summer cottage dreaming? Pull up a chair and enjoy:

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods (absolutely love this!) 

A cosy rural cottage in North Sweden

An idyllic hideaway on the island of Dalarö

Actually, do you know what? I think I'll just share the link to the entire archive - there are hundreds of charming summer cottages in there from all across Scandinavia. And since it's a public holiday here tomorrow I hope it will tie you over until I return on Monday! 

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend friends - stay safe, stay well! 

Niki

Photography: Johan Fornstedt / Husfoto

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Oh, How I'd Love to Buy This Swedish Island Summer Oasis!

Last night I was scrolling through Swedish real estate (a favourite past time of mine - does that make me weird, or do you do the same in your country?!) and I discovered Emma Sundh's wonderful summer cottage has been placed on the market - complete with caravan! I turned to Per and said, 'we need to buy this'. I mean, I've been dreaming about this little red, white and blue cottage since I featured it two summers ago - and our visit to the beautiful island of Gotland last summer. Built in the late 1800s, the future buyer would benefit from relaxing in the cosy wooden cottage (which has two bedrooms plus the caravan!) and enjoy beautiful views over the garden which is bursting with lilac, clematis and roses throughout summer. Sadly, Per isn't quite ready to take the plunge (story of my life - te he he!) - so I'm hoping that one of you might snap it up and enjoy this lovely summer haven on my behalf! 

Any takers?

It's available through Bertwig (just sayin'!).

If you do snap it up, can I stop by for a cup of tea next time I'm on Gotland?

In case you're as curious as I am about this idyllic Swedish island in the Baltic, here are a few other of my favourite houses:

A rustic summer cottage with a lovely pool - for rent!
A charming 19th century house on Gotland
Swedish island life in a limestone cottage

You know what? I was feeling a little low before writing today's post (I try to stay positive, but I have to admit this whole thing gets to me every now and again, do you feel the same?) but dreaming about this lovely cottage on Gotland has perked me up no end and given me a spring in my step once again.

Here's to dreaming about long summer days!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bertwig

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