A Charming Open-Plan Swedish Summer Cottage

Why, hello there friends! It's a bit of an exciting week as I'm on my way to the West Coast for a few days with Carpe Diem Beds. First stop: the pretty fishing village of Fiskebäckkil which I included in my travel guide last summer. How I've missed real live events, have you? These pretty summer places are quite deserted now that every has returned to the city, but there's a real beauty about them in Autumn and winter when the nature and wildlife takes over. On the other side of Sweden, this pretty cottage in Hölö belonging to architect Ninni Ryott, is sure to be locked up for the winter. But since I refuse to let summer go until the strength in the sun's rays finally fades, I'd love to take you on a tour! 

Built from wood and painted in Falu red, the cottage was built in 2013 and designed to match the other traditional buildings on the estate. 

It might measure a mere 45 m2 (484 f2), but Ninni has worked hard to ensure there's plenty of space for the entire family with one large room for dining and socialising. The main living area feels extra spacious thanks to the tremendously high ceiling  wonderful white wood panel walls. 

The space has been furnished with a relaxed blend of old and new - with blue and white a central theme. 

A ladder leads up to a loft with four beds - a bunk for each member of the family! How my children would love this, they're always asking if they can sleep in my bed and they're 10 and 13 (but that could just be because we have a Carpe Diem one and they are amazingly luxurious!). 

What a wonderful cottage, so simple just as a Swedish summer cottage should be, yet light and airy and very cosy. 

I wouldn't mind knocking about here all summer, how about you?

See more of Ninni's work over at Ryott Arkitektur (I love the cabin by the sea she designed too!). 

If like me, you're looking to prolong summer this week (hey, it's not quite October, right?) - you might also like to check out these cottages: 

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods

A traditional Swedish summer cottage enjoyed as a year round home

An oasis on a Swedish island

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Ryott Arkitektur

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A Charming Summer House in the Finnish Countryside

I'm on a roll with Finnish homes this week (still dreaming about that cabin by sea, how about you? This lovely 1960s home in the countryside belongs to Nina Möller, co-founder of Bang Interiors. In her design work, Nina strives to create spaces that centre around quality, comfort, functionality and sustainability - all factors that transcend into her own family summer house. White walls provide a backdrop for an eclectic blend of furniture which includes vintage finds, antiques, design classics and contemporary touches. The result is a relaxed home in which to kick back and relax all summer long! 

What a perfect place to switch off and unwind! I can just imagine sitting out on the terrace while the children run around on the grass under the midnight sun! 

Could you imagine wiling away your summer here too? 

For more summer house inspiration today, pull up a chair and scroll through the Summer Cottage archive - there are hundreds of beautiful spaces to look at from the past ten years! 

Happy hump day friends (I'll never get used to that term - I think it's the British in me!!). 

Niki

Photography: Krista Keltanen / Editor & stylist Jonna Kivilahti, shared with kind permission

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An Idyllic Finnish Summer Cabin on the Water's Edge

Hello friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Here in Scandinavia, it looks like the summer isn't ready to give up on us just yet - and we're being treated to a last hurrah, with blue skies and sunshine. In honour of this, I'm excited to be taking you on a tour of a wonderful Finnish summer cabin. Perched on a rocky incline, overlooking the water, the timber cabin is situated on a secluded island close to Rymättylä, South Finland. Owner, Nina Ahonen - interior designer and stylist - has created a wonderful, laidback oasis, from which to switch off from the world and enjoy the magic of the surroundings. The cabin is accessed by boat from Helsinki. Here's a peek inside. 

How incredible! 

When we're out sailing (binoculars out!), I often spot idyllic cabins like this one on the various islands we pass. They always look so idyllic. 

Could you imagine wiling away a summer here? 

Other Finnish summer cabins and cottages to love: 

A contemporary Finnish cabin on the water's edge

Tour an idyllic Finnish summer cabin

An idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

And for something more year-round with ALL the warm feels: 

A magical rustic family farmhouse in rural Finland 

A Finnish cabin in wintertime

A charming family home in the Finnish countryside 

Gaaah, take me to Finland (I'm currently obsessed with this country as I've just written an article for a magazine about Lapland - I promise to let you know once it's published!). It's such an incredibly varied country - from the summer paradise in the south, to the frozen Arctic Circle in the North where husky sledding and the Aurora Borealis await! 

Here's to an inspiring start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Krista Keltanen, Researcher, journalist and stylist: Jonna Kivilahti - shared with kind permission.

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A Fairytale Swedish Summer Cottage / Plus Camp Adventure, Denmark

Cities and towns across Scandinavian are starting to buzz with life again as people slowly return from the countryside and head back to work. But for some, like me, their heart remains at their summer cottage. There's something magical about the laid back, simple lifestyle they afford - and of course, their lush surroundings. Curious to sample Swedish summer cottage life yourself? This idyllic croft from the 1800s just came on the market! Located a short distance from Stockholm  - the traditional Falun red and white cottage is fairly small (50 sq m / 538 sq ft), but definitely big on personality - and wouldn't look out of place in an Astrid Lindgren tale. There's only one foreseeable drawback - and I'm curious to hear if it would be a deal breaker for you or not. Read on to find out! 

And the deal beaker (or maker)? The only loo is a compost one in an outhouse. This is not unusual for an old croft which is yet to be modernised. Helen (as in the interior designer I work with) has an outdoor loo at her cottage too. They once lived there for a year and she remembers waking up in the night and trudging out in the snow to go to the loo! But she says they got used to it and in the end and don't give it a second thought any longer. My granny had one too (as well as an indoor one upstairs) - and I remember it being full of spiders! But the one at this croft is charming in every way. Would it work for you?

Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

If so, this pretty cottage has your name on it, and we'd all love to be the first to visit (bringing our bed linen of course - as is the Swedish way!). 

Feeling tempted? Read more about it here. 

Fancy seeing some more pretty cottages over the weekend? Here are a few others that belong in an Astrid Lindgren tale:

An idyllic farmhouse in the Swedish countryside

This 20th century Swedish house is straight out of a fairytale

A charming Swedish summer cottage that dreams are made of

All this talk of Sweden, and I'm actually in Denmark right now. Having been double vaccinated, we've taken the opportunity to head over the Öresund bridge for a couple of days. Our first stop was Camp Adventure (for a press trip) - which has treetop climbing (have you ever done it? Once you get over the nerves, it's so exhilarating!) and the kids absolutely loved it!

As well as an awesome 45-metre tower you can climb (the structure is magnificent - and has won several architectural awards (not my picture below!):  

And best of all (for me, not the kids, they spent 8 hours in the tree tops!), Northern Europe's largest 'pick your own bouquet' flower farm! It was beautiful:

Keep an eye out for the yurts / cabins (they're pretty booked up so you'd need to plan in advance to stay the night). You can also pair it with a long weekend in Copenhagen since it's only a 50 minute drive away. 

Right, I'd better put the kettle on - the rest of the family will be waking up any moment and I need to take the most of the peace and quiet before the mayhem begins and a day at the worlds oldest amusement park: Bakken. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - I hope you've got some fun /  relaxing plans. 

Niki

Cottage photography: Historiska Hem

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Jessica's Idyllic Swedish Country Croft From 1900

In the month of July, Swedish cities can feel very deserted. Many have fled to the countryside to 'nytta av' (benefit from) the lush greenery and 24-hour sunshine for several weeks, sometimes up to six! Hey, we've waited a long time for this good weather, when it arrives we need to make the most of it! Every July, Jessica, a high school teacher and the creator behind @bynilsgarden, locks up her house in Trollhättan to enjoy the peace and quiet of her pretty country retreat 70 kilometres away. Located in Mellerud, Dalsland, just West of lake Vänern, it's a place Jessica goes year-round to watch the seasons unfold. The traditional 1900 Falun red and white structure conceals a pretty, pared back interior with a country feel. Outside, a pretty veranda provides a spot to enjoy the evening sunset. I caught up with Jessica to find out more. 

"The house was built in 1900 as a small 'Soldarttorp' (soldier's croft). The previous owners took great care of it, renovating it slowly with a passion for old houses. It's located in Dalsland, next to the mountains and a beautiful lake".

Note: a 'soldarttorp' is a croft (or cottage) on the property of a farm reserved for Swedish volunteer soldiers. The dwelling was part of the soldier's pay and included a small field, a few farm animals and other small outbuildings. 

"I use it every month of the year. It's beautiful in summer but it's also special to light a fire when it's snowing outside". 

"I renovated this house myself and live here alone. I was looking to create a warm, cosy and relaxing feel with an old country style". 

"I love the silence and the good energy. It's a place I come to rest".

What a beautiful cottage! I can certainly understand why Jessica loves to come here year-round, how about you? It looks so peaceful.  

See more of this pretty cottage and Jessica's Trollhättan house on instagram at @bynilsgarden.

If you're feeling inspired, you might like to check out the country style living archive and Swedish cottage archives - they're packed with romantic homes and will have you dreaming of a move to the Scandinavian countryside! 

Wishing you a wonderful mid-week - see you Friday!*

Niki

*I am posting three days a week during the summer holidays in order to spend a little more time with the crazies. Check in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - or enjoy the archives round the clock! 

Photography: Jessica / @bynilsgarden

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