Autumn Charm at My Friend Helen’s Cosy Swedish Cottage

I was browsing Pinterest earlier, looking for a little inspiration, when an old photo suddenly popped up and whisked me straight back to the weekend I spent at my friend — interior designer Helen Sturesson’s — cottage in Blekinge. We had such a wonderfully cosy time: shooting beautiful products for clients, eating homemade apple pie, and wandering along the nearby coastline. It all feels like yesterday.

When Helen and her family first took on the cottage, it didn’t have any real heating. They relied almost entirely on the old woodburning stove in the kitchen to warm the space. Once upon a time, a father used that very stove to cook meals for his seven children after their mother sadly passed away — and the entire family slept together in a single bedroom. Can you imagine? Today, things look a little different. Helen now has electric heating, and the stove is mostly used to keep coffee and tea warm while the family potters about.

The sitting room and bedroom each have their own kakelugn too — such beautiful, gentle heat. There’s nothing quite like the soft crackle and glow of a tiled stove on an autumn day.

I couldn’t resist sharing a little tour of her lovely cottage here. Apologies if you’ve seen these photos before, but I’d hate for any new readers to miss out on the magic of this charming little place in the autumn time.

So toasty - and such a perfect weekend. 

The glass candleware in the window is all made by Danish glassblowers Pernille Bülow, who also make the most beautiful Christmas decorations (it is around the corner, after all!). In fact, you might remember the Christmas shoot we did in Helen's cottage - and also my visit to the island Of Bornholm where they have their atelier. 

Is there anything about Helen's cottage that caught your eye? 

Right folks, it's getting late on a Friday and the wine bar just around the corner is beckoning! Thank you as always for stopping by - and for all your wonderful comments. I'm looking forward to catching up and responding this weekend!

 

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

All photography in this post by me! 

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Emma's Cosy Swedish Home on Lake Vättern

Well, well, well - if it's not what Swedes call 'Lillördag' (little Saturday). Which means friends, we've earned the right to take a mid-week breather, poor ourselves a coffee, out up our feet and some Scandinavian interior inspiration! 

Emma lives in a house in a little village called Hjo on the West coast of Vättern, Sweden's second largest lake (seventh largest in Europe). Every room is a sea of warm earthy neutral shades pepped with in-season flowers from Emma's own garden and candles to bring in warmth. I also love to see a glass of wine or cup of tea, and a slice of homemade pizza or slither of a freshly baked cake are never far away!

Here are some snapshots of some of Emma's favourite cosy corners. 

Lovely! It's really cold here now so I especially love the autumn touches like the blankets, candles and roaring fire. 

The dahlias are in full bloom here too, and Emma's are so pretty! 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular?

I also have an important news flash for you - this Friday 4th October it is cinnamon bun day in Sweden - so make sure you get involved. There are plenty of good recipes to be found online (and there's one in my Lagom book too if you have a copy of that lying around). 

Other cosy homes with an autumn vibe to love today: 

Cosy autumn ideas from Laura and Nora's beautiful home

11 autumn ideas to steal from a hyggeligt Danish home

A cosy swedish country home with an autumn vibe

And finally, a little note to say that I am heading to Mallorca tomorrow to visit my older sister. It's only for a few days but I really can't wait! This means that I will be taking a couple of days off and will be back here again next Wednesday. I hope you enjoy the archives in the meantime. 

Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lindblomsgront, shared with kind permission

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A Swedish Cottage in the City - In Autumn Time

Many of my Swedish friends tell me that November is their least favourite month. Admittedly, it is very dark. Here in the furthest south the sun will set at 4pm today. And in Kiruna - a city in the far North famous for its ice hotel, the sun will dip below the horizon at a crazy 2pm! Could you imagine? And we still have six weeks until the winter solstice. 

But I have always loved November. I love the golden leaves. I love the cosiness of coming home to a warmly lit home and I love steaming stews and apple pie! 

This charming cottage is my way of sharing not only the beauty of the fairytale quarter of Högelid in central Stockholm, but also the capital city in all it's Autumn glory! It's also a rare opportunity to take a peek behind the facade of one of the city's historical homes. 

Welcome to Sweden in 'höst'! 

What a beautiful haven to come home to each day. It's hard to imagine this cottage is in the heart of a city, don't you think? 

Did I mention it's for sale? A unique chance if ever there was one! 

Incidentally, I have had quite a few questions lately asking if Scandinavians tend to own less stuff. The simple answer is yes! Granted, some of these homes have been decluttered to make them appeal to potential buyers, on the whole, Scandinavians take a 'less is more' approach to decorating. I wrote a load about it in my Lagom book if you'd like to find out more*! 

In the mood for some autumn / fall inspiration? Here are some of my favourite sources: 

Laura and Nora's home is full of lovely ideas

11 cosy autumn ideas to steal from a Danish home

5 cosy autumn trends, Scandinavian style

Happy mid week!

Niki

Photography: stern interiors

Styling: Olivia Lind

For: Fastighetsbyrån

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Autumn touches in our Little Cottage Kitchen

Hello, happy Friday friends! Got any great plans for the weekend?

Last weekend we stole away to the cottage for a couple of days. An hour and a half north of here, the wind was howling and the rain lashed at the windows. Perfect weather for cosying up indoors beside the fire! In Sweden each season is so powerful and in contrast to the one before that I think it's important to embrace each and every one in all its glory! Is it the same where you are? 

Along with our fireside tea, we also made some small Autumn updates to the cottage kitchen - I hope you like them (my favourite was Per's apple pie!). 

Per is definitely the baker of the family. He whipped up this apple and cinnamon pie with apples from our neighbour's garden - it tasted divine! 

I picked up the ceramic bowl at Mölle Krukmakeri in nearby Kullaberg and the candle holder was made by a local ceramicist. 

We recently swapped out the faux brass handles from IKEA for these solid brass knobs (I was fortunate enough that it was part of an instagram collaboration last week). They've made a difference to the entire experience of the kitchen. 

I've noticed that one of the most important investments in the kitchen are the items you touch: handles, taps, utensils etc. Do you agree? 

I love bringing in Autumn foliage! At the back you can see The Little Swedish Kitchen cookbook, which was a present from my Mother. I dip into it all the time! 

Hooks are so useful in the kitchen (these wooden ones are from H&M Home) - the display here is forever changing too.

When we renovated the kitchen, the curtain was the last thing to be installed. My mother-in-law was a bit unsure to begin with but she's really grown to love the way it billows in the wind and creates a sense of drama and privacy even when the door is open. 

We're lucky enough to have a huge stack of firewood in the garage (last winter there was a shortage due to the rising price of electricity!), it's looking the same for this year. 

I hope you like these touches. 

Have you also updated your home for the season? If so, I'd love to hear how!

Feel inspired by other Autumnal homes here: 

Cosy autumn ideas from Laura and Nora's homes

11 autumn ideas to steal from a hyggeligt danish home

5 cosy autumn ideas from a Swedish home

What are you up to this weekend? We're heading to Västerås for Allie's gymnastics competition. I'm so excited as I love to watch her and her team do their gymnastics. I've never been to the Swedish city before either so I hope I'll have some time to explore! 

Trevlig helg! Have a fabulous weekend! 

Niki

// This post is not sponsored. Some of the items seen are press gifts but I was under no obligation to mention them here on the blog. 

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Cosy Autumn Ideas From Laura and Nora's Beautiful Homes

I have heard that Autumn is fairly late around the Northern Hemisphere this year, is this the case where you are? In Sweden, it has hit us with full force! Think blustery gusts sending golden leaves spiralling through the chilly October air and dark candlelit days. It's definitely time to update the home to embrace the golden season to the full! 

I have been following Laura and Nora for many years and never tire of the beautiful inspiration they share. Famous for their recipes, the pair live in Germany (although once flirted with a summerhouse in Southern Sweden) and love to share snapshots of their apartment in Berlin and country home. Here are some Autumnal (that's 'fall' for you guys across the pond!) touches from their living spaces (including several tablescapes!) to get us into the spirit and fill us with ideas for the new season ahead. 

Nothing says Autumn like an artisan teapot* and a steaming cuppa to warm the cockles! 

A little side table in their outhouse can be pulled out at dinnertime. At this time of year, small items foraged from the great outdoors help to bring nature in. Why not create a simple bowl of acorns, conquers and other items for an instant display. 

Blankets are your best friend in Autumn and winter - add them to sofas, armchairs and beds so that you can curl up, get cosy and keep the chill at bay! 

Cosy sheepskins add to the cosiness of the season. This Danish-made Little Petra chair is a favourite of mine, but simply draping sheepskins* on furniture can make a difference! 

A thick rug (by Cappelen Dimyr) and branches with berries help to add a cosy in-season touch to their cosy sitting room. 

A simple vase of foraged branches with golden leaves looks so pretty on the dining table. 

Or if you'd like to go all out, hang branches from the ceiling for an autumn dining table with wow factor! 

Edible berries and fallen leaves make a charming touch to the table setting. 

I couldn't resist sharing a snapshot from their powder room. Although tiny, it packs a punch thanks to the textured wall, pretty tiles and linen towel. 

Extend the season outdoors by adding string lights, candles and plenty of cushions and blankets! 

Pumpkins make a really lovely touch to the autumn table. I've noticed that  green pumpkins are particularly popular this season! 

Rustic linen in tones of brown add to the texture of the season and a bouquet of Autumn flowers ensures a burst of colour. 

Don't forget to wrap up warm in cosy knits to keep the chill at bay! 

Trust Nora and Laura to create such beautiful autumn table scapes - great inspiration for the coming months, don't you think?

Is there a particular way you like to update your home in Autumn? if so, I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. 

In the meantime, here is a little more Autumn inspiration for the weekend: 

11 Autumn updates to steal from a Danish home

5 mysiga autumn ideas from a Swedish country home

5 cosy Autumn trends, Scandinavian style

Have a cosy weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Our Food Stories, shared with kind permission

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