A Cosy Danish Beach House Reatreat in the Dunes

It's 'höstlov' (half term) next week, and friends are heading off to various places near and far. I love this time of year in Sweden. There's still a warm wind coming off the sea, the leaves are a vibrant array of colours, and a staycation is very much called for. Although we're likely heading to our own little cabin, I can't help but think how wonderful it would be to spend a week at this delightful cottage in the dunes of Tornby Beach, a wide stretch of sand on the North Sea coast of Jutland.

For Anke and her husband, staying among the dunes was more than just a holiday dream. They longed to wake up to the sound of the surf, wander barefoot down to the water for an early morning swim, and enjoy coffee in their bathrobes with uninterrupted views of the sea. In 2024, that dream became a reality when they discovered Rylereden ("The Crow's Nest"), a charming summer house tucked into a hollow between the dunes at Tornby Strand.

Dating back to the 1930s and protected as a historic building, the tiny cottage has been lovingly restored while retaining all its original character. Flooded with sunlight and sheltered from the North Sea winds, it's a place where life's simple pleasures take centre stage. Let's take a peek inside (and at the beautiful surroundings) and dream of a week at this enchanting Danish retreat. Who knows, a stay might just become reality for one of us!

One to save to the holiday list, surely? I mean, I could actually live here ALL year round, going to sleep to the sound of the waves, waking up to the sun rising over the sea. How about you?

You can find Anke's beautiful cabin to rent here. 

Did you see the simple stove? We have one of those in our cabin (although a slightly more modern version), and it works so well. Plus, it encourages you to make simpler food, which is great in its own way! I also love how the cabin has been furnished with vintage finds. It really adds to the relaxed feel of both the cabin and mirrors its surroundings.

Would you like to see more Danish coastal properties today? Here are a few I love:

A Danish ceramist's house by the sea

A light and airy Danish cabin by the sea

A windswept Danish cabin in the dunes

It's been a bit of a fraught week, hence this late post, but I hope it was worth the wait! Since it's the school holidays next week, I'll be taking a little time out with my family ad back again the week after.

Thank you, as always, for dropping by and for all your wonderful comments and emails. I love reading them all!

Oh, and if you feel like doing a little shopping next week, don't forget to make the most of your discount with the small Finnish furniture company Nordlif (code NIKI10). It expires at the end of the month. You can see my coffee table here (and it's available here).

Have a wonderful week!

Niki

Photography Mette Johnson / Gastraum

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A Swedish Summer Escape in the Stockholm Archipelago

Sometimes art imitates life, and it seems the blog is doing the same this week. On Wednesday, we went decidedly autumnal with a cosy home, wrapped in rich shades of amber, chocolate and brown. And today? We’re swinging right back to summer with a cottage on the idyllic island of Gåsö in the Stockholm archipelago, doors flung open and the sea sparkling just beyond.

Which feels rather fitting. The weather here can’t quite decide whether it’s autumn or summer either – one minute I’m reaching for a jumper, the next I’m wondering if I packed away the sandals too soon. Is it the same where you are?

So, let's embrace the last of the late-summer feeling while we can!

While much of Europe sweltered this summer, Sweden enjoyed lovely temperatures of around 20–25°C for much of the season. No wonder the Scandinavian “coolcation” has become so appealing: sea swims, fresh air, long light evenings and, perhaps best of all, being able to sleep at night!

And out on the islands, Swedish summer cottages really come into their own. This one is decorated in soft whites, pale greys and powdery blues, with warm, time-worn wood, wicker and the occasional cheerful stripe. It's relaxed, simple and very easy to live in.

And then there are those views. Imagine throwing open the doors in the morning, padding down to the water for a dip, then wandering back up barefoot for coffee. Would you ever leave?

Let's take a peek inside.

What a setting!

Could you imagine spending the weekend here? Scrap that – the whole week?

I noticed Kris, a long-time, much-valued reader of the blog, recommended some great games in the comments the other day, which I’m planning to order. They’d be absolutely perfect for a place like this! I really do love reading all your comments, even if I can occasionally be a little slow to reply (sorry!). 

You can see more beautiful Swedish summer cottages in the archive.

Have a wonderful weekend all!

Niki

Credits: Previously for sale via Sjönära, photography by Adam Andersson. 

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A Windswept Danish Summer Cottage by the Sea

Even though it no longer feels like high summer here (there's a distinct crispness in the air come evening), we're doing our best to keep the summer vibe alive. That means daily dips in the sea (Per!), evening trips out on the boat and refusing to wear anything but shorts, even if they do now occasionally require a big woolly jumper on top.

As part of my bid to stretch summer out for as long as possible, I'm also sharing another beautiful home by Danish interior designer @vestkysthjem. This time, we're heading to a pretty wooden summer cottage tucked among the sand dunes near Husby on Denmark's wild west coast. The little village lies in West Jutland, close to the North Sea and surrounded by some wonderfully windswept scenery.

The cottage feels perfectly at home in its coastal setting. Inside, pale blue and softly weathered timber walls are paired with warm wooden floors, Danish design furniture and an appealing mix of old and new. Open shelves are filled with pottery and everyday treasures, while linen curtains, woven chairs, vintage lighting and the odd sheepskin add softness and warmth. And with the dunes peeking through almost every window, you're never in any doubt that the North Sea is just beyond the door. Dip anyone?

Enjoy the tour!

Lovely! I can just imagine coming home after a brisk walk along the windswept shore, lighting a candle, pouring a cup of tea and settling in for the evening. How about you?

Did you miss the previous home I featured? If so, or if you’d simply like another peek, you can take a tour of this dreamy Danish thatched summer house by the sea.

Here’s hoping the warmish weather sticks around for as long as possible, if only so Per can keep enjoying his beloved after-work kvällsdopp (evening dip!).

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have felt inspired!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @vestkysthjem, shared with kind permission.

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A Soulful Cottage in the Wilds of Bruny Island

Those of you who are regular followers of MSH will know that not every home I show is actually located in Scandinavia. In fact, I have a particular penchant for homes Down Under, Tasmania to be specific. And today I'm taking things one step further.

This home is on a small island off Tasmania, which is pretty much as far from Sweden as it's possible to get without starting to come back again! But hey, geography has never stopped me dreaming. I've promised myself I'll make it there one day. And for those of you who get there before me, here's a stay that would be very hard to resist.

On the southern tip of Bruny Island, interior stylist Tess Newman Morris and her husband Jack have transformed a century-old timber cottage into a wonderfully soulful retreat. Built around 1906 and perched above Little Taylors Bay, Fairweather stole Tess's heart the moment she saw it. She and her family bought it in 2018 and spent the next seven years slowly restoring it, largely themselves, using reclaimed timber, salvaged windows and doors, antique furniture and natural materials.

Rather than making the cottage feel new, Tess wanted to return it to something simpler, calmer and more handcrafted. The result is beautifully understated, with waxed timber floors, vintage pieces, natural fibres and plenty of breathing space, all surrounded by the wild landscape of Bruny Island. Days here are shaped by the sea, changing skies, sea eagles and dolphins, and for Tess there's an added emotional connection too, since her late mother once lived in a nearby bay.

Today, Fairweather is less about polished perfection and more about switching off, slowing down and feeling completely immersed in nature. Or, as Tess puts it, "Time feels different there, like the rest of the world is on pause."

Ready to take the tour? Photographer Lisa Cohen captured these beautiful images, so let's take a look inside...

Incredible! I can’t think of a better place to spend a weekend... can you? Actually, scrap that. The rugged wilderness, the beautiful, relaxed interior and the views have me wanting to settle in and stay a while.

Definitely one to save for my future ‘gap year’ on the other side of the world. It might be a long time coming, but oh, it’s coming!

Is there anything that struck you about Fairweather?

And if you fancy experiencing it for yourself, you can find Fairweather Bruny Island on Airbnb and book a stay.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Interior styling: Tess Newman Morris
Photography: Lisa Cohen

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