An Endearing Danish Summer Cabin on an Allotment

It's only a couple of days until midsummer, and Scandinavians are gearing up to the big event. The atmosphere in the city is slowly changing as folk load up the boot of their cars, ready to ride out to the countryside. Danish family Nicolai, Sofia and their three-year-old child will no doubt be exchanging their urban apartment to enjoy the long weekend at their charming little kolonihave (allotment house). The small wooden cabin is located in Åbyhøj, a quiet suburb of Aarhus known for Northside festival - a popular 3-day music event. The cosy pared-back abode has everything the small family need to enjoy the summer holidays - including a kitchen, dining area, sitting room which doubles up as a bedroom, and a loft bed. On warm days, life spills out onto the newly built terrace and lush garden. Kom indenfor! 

I love the relaxed summer vibe, mixed furniture and touches of green and blue - a perfect little escape! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Scandinavian allotment houses are really special. I've explained the history behind them here. If you feel like taking peek inside a few more, click on any of the links below:

A charming Swedish allotment cottage in summer time

An inspiring Danish kolonihave with white washed walls

A truly idyllic Swedish kolonistuga

So lovely! I hope you're feeling inspired too! 

Niki

Photography:

1, 2, 3, 5, and 9: Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg & Mikkel Dahlstroem / Another Studio

4, 6, 7, and 8: @sofiaganer

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A Traditional Swedish Summer Cottage, Enjoyed as a Year-Round Home

It's only a few weeks until midsummer (the most important date on the Swedish calendar) and many are preparing to make their big escape to the summer cottage. But for Linnea Fors and her family (which includes her partner and their dogs Oliver and Ronja), it's simply to stay in place and make the most of what the surrounding nature has to offer.  You see, their house used to be a summer cottage up until a few years back - and they were astounded that no one thought of living here all year round. And as the summer cottages in the surrounding area start to fill up for the summer,  Linnea and her family are kicking back, enjoying everything that their traditional Falun red and white croft in Västmanland has to offer. On sunny, warm days the family spill out onto the terrace and garden, and on chillier days they enjoy the comfort of an interior that's filled with beautiful old furniture and soft, linen cushions. Plants and freshly cut flowers line every surface, ensuring nature is never far away. Ready to 'kika in'?

What a dream!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures from Linnea's beautiful home over at @ostersaby155.

Here are a few other traditional Swedish summer cottages to enjoy this bright and sunny Monday: 

A dreamy 17th century swedish summer cottage, with a focus on 'the more the merrier'

A charming Swedish cottage with an outdoor kitchen and shower

An idyllic cottage on the island of Gotland with a pink caravan! 

Wishing you all a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Linnea Fors, shared with kind permission

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A Swedish Summer Oasis On The Island of Gotland

"Summer breeze makes me feel fine...." those are the words going through my head as I imagine the cool breeze blowing in over the Baltic Sea as I chill by the pool at this Gotland summer house. It's for sale, but sadly a little out of our budget - but I do have my mind set on Surflogiet (a surf glamping place a little further up the coast). I see that there's a perfect 'work from home' spot at this cabin though, so if you're considering a life change, this lovely 71 sqm (764 ft.sq) Swedish cabin on the west coast of the island could well be just what you're looking for. Plus, there's room for two guests in the little outhouse too! 

As with most Scandinavian summer cabins, simplicity is the name of the game. It's about going back to basics (save for the pool!) and making the most of the outdoors. We all know that the Swedish weather might be on the chilly side at times so this covered terrace with bi-folding glass doors is spot on.  

A pair of Cuba Chairs (I also have one in my sitting room) sit side by side in the sitting room. Behind them is a Gubi Grasshopper lamp.

The soft earthy green wall helps to draw the surrounding nature indoors. 

See what I mean about the workspace? Not a bad view for a Wednesday morning! 

Many of my Swedish friends spend their summer hoping between their friends and family's summer cottages, so extra beds are always important. Just make sure to bring your own bedding if you're invited! 

Could you imagine hanging out in that lounger all summer long? 

If you haven't been to Gotland, it's a wonderful place - full of galleries, ceramic studios and funky / off beat cafes and restaurants. Plus Visby, the medieval capital is really picturesque. I shared more about The Baltic island in this guide. 

Fancy taking a look back at other Gotland holiday homes I've featured? Here are a few to get you started: 

A rustic Swedish summer cottage 

A 19th century farmhouse

Your island retreat on the Swedish island of Gotland

And many, many more right here! 

I'm staying in a hotel tonight - a HOTEL! I didn't think I'd see the day! I'm in Denmark for two days of filming with Carl Hanson & Søn and I spent yesterday touring the CEO and founder Knud Erik Hanson's home. It has 40 rooms and every single item has a history. It made me want to re-think the way I decorate my home! I can't wait to share more with you. 

In the meantime, wishing you a lovely 'lillördag!'

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Bertwig

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A Glimpse Inside Our Summer Cottage Kitchen - Ready For The Season!

Tjena! Happy Friday friends! My family and I are enjoying the first long public holiday of the year up at the cottage - and I've been busy pepping up our little summer cottage kitchen. It's amazing what small touches can make (if you're curious about the bigger ones - I shared all the info about our renovation here - it was a true labour of love!). Many of the new pieces are from my fab long-term Danish partner Nordal who kindly sponsored this post, with the exception of an olive tree - my new pride and joy from a local garden centre (let's hope I can keep it alive!)! I hope you like the updates as much as I do - and that they give you a few ideas for your own kitchen! 

There's something dramatic about dark stoneware - it's especially popular in Swedish restaurants since it really makes the natural colours of food pop. These tea plates are part of the Nordal spring news and have a beautiful midnight blue sheen when they catch the light. I also couldn't resist the matching coffee cups!  The waffle tea towel is also new, but I've had the gold cutlery for years! 

One of the things I tend to never have enough of is tiny bowls, do you find that too? They're really handy for everything from salt, butter and nuts to storing items like this wooden scrubbing brush. This little stone Saisolo bowl is handmade so they are all unique - the beauty is in the imperfection! 

Since our kitchen is predominantly white and grey, I try to use wood and other natural materials to add warmth - hence why the chopping boards (including a new herringbone one) and utensils like wooden spoons are always on display - it's kind pf practical too: 'grab and go'! Lately I've been using vases for utensils (this is the Nago tall vase) - but I'm sure, come summer I'll be using it for fresh flowers instead! 

When I first put the curtains up in the doorway my Mother-in-Law (who's been enjoying the cottage ever since she was a small child) was a little uncertain. But now she has grown to love them. They are a lovely way to keep the draft out in the winter, shield the kitchen from the neighbours on warmer days, and they look so pretty fluttering in the breeze. 

The girls love having a stool in the kitchen (this NEN rattan one is also a Nordal piece) - cleaning the mud off new potatoes is a big Swedish summer pastime and can take copious amounts of time - so this is a perfect place for them to sit while they help out! 

One of the best things we did in the kitchen was put up this peg rail, it stores a never-ending array of utensils, textiles (like the LYNX tea towel and Mira pot holder) and banana fibre rope bag. 

I think that's all the updates for now, but who knows what we might find at 'loppis' flea markets come summer. 

I hope you like the new pieces, if you're ever passing by, please do stop by for a coffee and help christen the new cups! 

Oh, and if you have any questions about anything you see in these pictures, just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

This post is sponsored by Nordal. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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Before & After: A Swedish Fire Station becomes a Family Summer Home

I've shown many awe-inspiring homes on My Scandinavian Home over the past decade (yes - it'll be ten years since I started this blog in November!), but I've never featured a converted fire station! When Swedish pair Petra and Anders Jönsson turned 50 they felt like doing something a little crazy. The answer came in the form of a dilapidated fire station in Stora Köpinge, Skåne - which they spotted for sale online for a cool 750,000 SEK (€75,000 / 89,000 USD). The pair had the vision of transforming the four-storey property into a summer holiday home for themselves and their five children - a perfect weekend and holiday retreat from everyday life in Stockholm. The project quickly drew the attention of popular Swedish TV program Husdrömmar, who followed the entire renovation. Ready to find take a look?

Exterior Before

The fire station was built in the 1930s for the purpose of serving Stora Köping, a village in the beautiful region of Österlen in South Sweden. The couple had grand plans for the property, including changing the colour of the exterior, but planning permission restrictions meant the existing facade should remain relatively untouched. Instead, they freshened up the exterior and replaced the double doors (previously used for the fire engine) into glass doors. 

Exterior after

The pair also added an extension onto the rear to make space for a dining room and also replaced the back of the tower with glass windows - weighing 800 kg each! 

Interior before

When the couple acquired the property, the interior was basic to say the least! The ground floor hadn't been touched since its days as a fire station, while the tower was a corrugated iron shell with a ladder.  

The floorplan

The property is four storeys high, which the couple planned on converting into a living area, sleeping quarters, a bathroom and lounge area. 

Interior after

Underfloor heating was installed and the ceiling was knocked through to create a beautiful, light-filled living space.  The pair decided to keep the decor simple and pared-down and used neutral tones throughout. 

Stairs were added to the left of the property (rather than centrally placed) in order to make space for a kitchen. A trap door which gives access to extra storage. 

The family enjoy uninterrupted views of the Österlen countryside to the rear of the property. 

Wooden stairs add warmth and a contemporary touch to the tower - and are a major improvement on the rickety ladders! 

Although small, the bedrooms feel spacious thanks to large windows. 

The top floor has been converted into a 3 metre x 3 metre lounge area in which to chill! 

How fantastic!! 

There's no denying that this was an incredibly brave move and required a copious amount of work (and money) - but the results are worth it. After all, not many people can say they live in a converted fire station! 

Could you imagine taking on a project like this? 

Live in Sweden? You can view the entire project on SVT here. Otherwise, see more pics over at @brandstaionenstorakopinge. 

Did I mention that Petra and Ander's home in Stockholm is in a converted water? Perhaps that's a tour for another day! 

Up for a little more inspiration today? Take a look back at these fabulous property conversions: 

A home in a converted carpenters workshop

The home of a fashion designer in a converted bar

My friend Louise's home in a converted school

There are plenty more incredible before and after projects in this archive too! 

Wishing you a wonderful day - I hope the sun is shining for you. 

Niki

Photography: all photos courtesy of Petra and Anders (@brandstaionenstorakopinge) with the addition of two photographs taken by Lina Östling and Mari Strenghielm. The floorplan is courtesy of SVT / Husdrömmar. 

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