Inside a Magical Swedish Summer Retreat

Hi there sailors! 

Sweden is in full summer mode. Boats zig-zag across the fairways, dropping anchor beside tiny islands for picnics, swims and long, lazy picnics. Everyone seems to be dressed in crisp blues and whites, and across the Stockholm archipelago, families are loading up the boat and escaping to their summer houses for a few blissful weeks by the water.

But... how many people can say they're heading to a cottage with its very own tower?

This incredible summer retreat centres around a turn-of-the-century villa, complete with a tower dating back to 1890, set on a sun-drenched waterfront. There's a private jetty, a guest house, beautiful original details... and, as if that wasn't enough, a magnificent little stone tower that has watched over the property for generations. Can you imagine the stories those walls could tell?

And the best part? Despite its history, nothing about the interiors feels stuffy or precious. Instead, it's all wonderfully relaxed. Blue-and-white stripes, old oil lamps, weathered furniture and beautiful antiques create that effortless coastal look Scandinavians do so well. 

As for the children? I doubt they'd spend much time indoors. Would you, if you had a tower to explore, rocks to scramble over and the sea waiting at the end of your own jetty? I have a feeling they'd disappear after breakfast and only reappear when someone called them in for 'middag'. 

Ready to dream a little? 

Beautiful, in that wonderfully understated, yet traditional Swedish way.

It must be heartbreaking for the family who are selling it.

I recently heard that it's actually quite rare for summer cottages to stay in the same family for more than three generations. As families grow, more and more people have a stake in them, making it increasingly difficult to divide the time, agree on the upkeep or buy one another out. It must be with a very heavy heart that a much-loved place like this changes hands.

But then I like to think about the next chapter. Another family gets to arrive by boat every summer, children get to race up the tower, grandparents sit on the jetty watching the boats drift by, and new traditions are made. 

Could that be you and your family? And if it is... is it OK if I drop by? By boat, of course!

Have a happy wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarhuset

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A Swedish Island Getaway by the Baltic Sea

Many years ago, Per, the girls and I sailed to the long, slim Baltic island of Öland. It's a fascinating place. to the mainland via a bridge, it's where the Swedish royal family spend much of their summer at nearby Solliden Palace. Funnily enough, while we were walking through the forest, Prince Carl Philip went past on his daily jog!

Anyway, this is a very long-winded way of saying, sorry, but I have another rustic coastal home to share with you this week, which I couldn't resist, not least because it's located right on the shore with spectacular views over the cool blue waters of the Baltic Sea.

Inside, the house is simply furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, evidence of it having remained in the same family for over a century. Whitewashed timber walls, worn wooden furniture and a handsome masonry fireplace create a wonderfully relaxed, unfussy feel, while touches of greenery and wildflowers bring the outdoors in. I also love how the owners have kept the interiors pared back, allowing the sea views to do the talking. Every window seems to frame the Baltic like a work of art.

Ready to take a look around? Let's step inside and enjoy the complete tour.

Imagine waking up here each day, spending your days at the water's edge before falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Helt magiskt (completely magical!), as they say in Sweden. I'll certainly be dreaming about this place all weekend.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this idyllic rustic cabin too!

I'm looking forward to sharing an extra post with you on Monday - with a guide to my adopted home town of Malmö and all the wonderful things you can do here by the sea - from cafes and restaurants to sauna and sailing! 

A little note to say thank you for all your comments and emails lately. We have a little rain on the forecast this weekend, so I thought I'd take some time out with a coffee and sit down to reply to each and every one of you. I so enjoy reading your observations, and you often pick out details I've completely missed. Tack så mycket!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Wrede, with thanks.

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A Dreamy Danish Summer House by the Sea

It dawned on me today that it’s exactly eight weeks until Midsummer, the unofficial start of the Scandinavian summer holidays. Can you believe it? 

One of the things I love most about Scandinavia is how seriously summer is taken. It’s not unusual for people to take a minimum of three weeks of uninterrupted leave. After the long, dark winter, this is the season everyone has been waiting for, and you can feel it everywhere. There’s a lightness in the air, a summery smile in every coastal village, and a sense that life is meant to be enjoyed outdoors. People flock to the sea for morning, noon and evening dips, zip around in every kind of boat imaginable, and gather for long, lazy meals in the sunshine. Just the way summer should be! 

The summer houses are part of the charm too, simple, understated and beautiful, often designed to reflect their surroundings. And then there’s the light: clear and pin-sharp, with the sea shifting between grey and blue, and the sand glowing in soft off-white tones. On interior designer Marie’s Instagram, @vestkysthjem, she shares endless inspiration from dreamy summer cottages, including this beautiful thatched house she recently sold, set among the dunes on the west coast of Denmark near Søndervig, just a stone’s throw from the sea. 

Inside, the pale blue and off-white palette, wood panelling and simple rag rugs create a calm, welcoming feel. It’s the kind of place made for relaxing in the summer sun, bare feet, salty hair, and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. What more could you need?

Can you imagine waking up there?

I'd never want to leave! 

If you love this, you'll also love looking at the inspiration over on Marie's instagram which alos includes her parents lovely home, her new home and some of the homes she has decorated. 

Now that we're all in the mood for a Danish summer vibe, you might also like to look at: 

A Danish cottage oasis on North Zealand

A light-filled Danish summerhouse on airbnb

Before and after, a dated house becomes a dreamy summer getaway

Roll on summer, we're ready for you!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @vestkysthjem, shared with kind permission.

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From Foraged Feasts to Fireside Reads – A Cosy Island Getaway Near Bergen

On my way to the studio this morning, I felt the first crisp bite of autumn – a puff of mist curling from my lips, and a favorite knit pulled down over my hands to keep them warm. Glove season has arrived, along with October.

And so, I thought it was the perfect moment to share the first glimpse of “snow” here on My Scandinavian Home – in the form of a dreamy island escape in Norway: Lilløy Lindenberg. Lilløy means “little island,” and while it lies quietly near Bergen, there’s nothing little about the experience.

From what I read, guests who arrive by boat are welcomed into a world where time slows down. You can feast on foraged, plant-based meals, kayak through still waters, go Nordic snorkeling among seaweed gardens, or simply wander the island paths. And then, when the outdoors has worked its magic, retreat inside: the interiors are a love letter to Nordic craft, filled with handmade ceramics, seaweed-stuffed mattresses, locally blown glassware, and artworks by Bergen artists. Everything has been carefully restored using natural materials, so the old house feels rooted in history while quietly modern.

I also love the story behind the place. The island’s main house had stood unused since the late 1980s, until the Lindenberg team reimagined it as a retreat with a creative soul. Early on, it even hosted artist residencies, and that spirit lingers – you can sense it in the way the spaces invite you to write, paint, dream, or just sit still by the fire with a book.

Ready to take a look at what awaits?

Wow – what an incredible place to unwind. Honestly, this might just be my ultimate dream escape! Could you imagine staying here too?

I’m already picturing myself enjoying a foraged meal cooked on the old aga – though I’ll happily admit the Nordic snorkelling isn’t quite for me (Per and the girls call me a real badkruka – Swedish for someone who either avoids cold dips altogether or takes forever to ease themselves in!). A book by the fire, though – that would suit me just fine. How about you?

You can find more about Lilløy Lindenberg – and even book a stay – here (just saying!).

And if you’re in the mood for more daydreaming, I’ve gathered a few of my other favourite Scandinavian stays for you to explore…

My stay at Villa Copenhagen
A magical stay at Wanås sculpture park 
A romantic weekend at Vårgård Saltsjöbad in the Stockholm archipelagos

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, happy dreaming! 

Niki

Photography: Robert Rieger & Jack Johns for Lilløy Lindenberg

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