Inside a Charming 17th-Century English Farmhouse

Twenty-two years. That's how long I have lived in Sweden. And I can safely say it's home. Having said that, I have always felt I have two homes: England will also be home too. Are any of you living outside the country you grew up in and feel that way too? 

So, after a very Swedish, very beautiful weekend last week where the sun shone on Midsummer's Eve celebrations up and down the country, I am hoping you won't mind indulging me here with a tour of a very traditional English country home. I felt extremely nostalgic the moment I saw it as it reminds me very much of my friend Natalie's home in the South Downs. 

Tucked away in the East Sussex countryside, this beautiful 17th-century farmhouse in Pett is full of character and charm. Original features are everywhere — including the incredible beams — adding to its warmth and deep sense of history. I don’t think there’s a single new piece in the entire house, from the tables and chairs to the wall units and the old pull-chain loo (we used to have those at school along with a very waxy loo paper!).

Known as ‘French Court Farmhouse’, the property’s name actually predates the Norman Conquest. The house itself was built around 1640, with later 18th-century additions - how cool is that? C.S. Lewis even stayed here once, writing about the beauty of the woods and the quiet, grounding pull of rural life. That magic still lingers. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

So beautiful! I love the garden — it reminds me so much of home (even if it does have a Mediterranean touch). And while the interior is very English, there are also hints of faraway places — objects, perhaps, collected on travels.

I used to visit East Sussex on antique auction hunts with my mum (a proud West Sussex native), and this place feels like the embodiment of everything we were chasing — timeless, peaceful, and gently spellbinding.

Does this farmhouse look quintessentially English to you as well? 

I love how the front lawn has been left largely natural — allowing the grasses and wildflowers to grow freely. In my book Lagom, I talked about how closely cut lawns can be like a desert for insects, and how they truly thrive in longer grass like this. I've been so happy to see rewilding take England by storm — it's become popular in Sweden too!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

Would you like to see a few more country homes to wrap up the week? Head over to the country style archive for beautiful rural homes across Scandinavia and beyond. Such a treat! 

I hope you have a lovely weekend — see you Monday!

Niki

For sale via Inigo (if you lover English country homes this estate agent website is like a glossy copy of House & Home magazine - there are so many incredible homes to look at (and buy!). 

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Astrid's Charming Finnish Lakehouse Full of Soul, History, and Vintage Finds

It’s been way too long since I last featured a home from Finland — which is rather shocking, considering how much I adore the country. I visited Helsinki and the Finnish countryside while working on my book The Scandinavian Home*, and fell head over heels. The forests, the lakes, the saunas! It’s such a beautiful, peaceful country.

So, I’m thrilled to take you on a virtual visit today to a truly special home. Perched on the edge of a lake in Ruovesi — a small village near Tampere — this charming house belongs to Astrid Aminoff, her husband Henrik, their two children, and their dog Pablo (who may or may not be the real boss of the house).

The original lakehouse was built in the 1890s, back when its neighbour was none other than Finnish artist Hugo Simberg. It started as a tiny summer cottage, passed down through Henrik’s family. In the 1990s, it got a bit of a boost with an extension, and for the past five years Astrid and Henrik have been slowly and lovingly renovating it to create their dream retreat from which to enjoy the long Finnish summers.

Astrid describes their family as “culturally mixed” — she has British, Scottish, Finnish, and American roots, and Henrik is Finnish-Swedish. This wonderful blend is reflected throughout the home. And the couple has taken a heartfelt, sustainable approach to renovating: reusing old materials, snapping up vintage finds, and working within a tight budget. Think Danish furniture, Finnish Arabia ceramics, some lovely British pieces, and a vinyl collection that brings serious soul.

So without further ado — Tervetuloa (welcome) to Astrid’s charming lakeside house! Let’s step inside...

What a beautiful home — so unique, steeped in family history, and set in the most incredible location. Can you imagine spending your summers gazing out over that peaceful lake? A morning dip, lazy lunches on the terrace, the sound of birds in the trees… absolute bliss!

Did anything catch your eye?

If you’d like to see more glimpses of Astrid’s home and follow their ongoing renovations, pop over to @thefinnishhouse — it’s a real treat.

Fancy diving deeper into Finnish living? These lovely apartments and houses are well worth a peek:

Pia's cosy country home in snowy Finland
Maiju's delightful home Vaasa, Finland
Kaati's rustic 19th century log house 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday — or as they say in Finnish, Hyvää keskiviikkoa!

Niki

Photography by Astrid / @thefinnishhouse, shared with kind permission

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Tour an 18th-Century Treasure in the Heart of Vaxholm, Sweden

Hello there! I hope you had a lovely weekend. Over here, it’s been one of those classic rainy ones—and honestly, the only way I could keep my spirits up was by telling myself how good this must be for the garden at our summer cottage. Silver linings, eller hur?

Speaking of all things green, it ties in perfectly with today’s home tour: the historical Löwenström Garden in Vaxholm—a true cultural gem with roots reaching back to the 18th century. Vaxholm, for those unfamiliar, is a charming coastal town in the Stockholm archipelago, often called the gateway to the islands. It’s got that magical mix of seaside calm, cobblestone charm, and storybook history.

This property combines a heritage-protected garden with a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century home, measuring a staggering 328 square metres (approx. 3,531 square feet) of thoughtful renovation and soul.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by solid wooden floors, beautiful limestone touches, and characterful wood walls that wrap the space in a rustic yet elegant hug. 

The entire home is wrapped in a calm, harmonious palette—soft whites, gentle beiges, warm greys, pale blues, and light greens, which gives it a sense of cohesion and serenity. 

And then there are the kakelugnar—those gorgeous Swedish tiled stoves—tucked around nearly every corner. I’m a little obsessed. Not only are they wonderfully efficient at keeping things toasty (even though, these days they have become more decorative rather than a vital source of heat) they’re also just so beautiful. 

Let's take a look around! 

Lovely, isn’t it? So calm and considered. I especially appreciated how they’ve used contrast on the doors and skirting boards—a look that’s become quite popular lately and really adds to that timeless, heritage feel.

If you'd like to see a similar effect but with a bold splash of colour, check out this vibrant flat I completely fell in love with a few weeks ago.

Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Could you imagine yourself living in this beautiful piece of Vaxholm’s history? If so, you can read more about it here and see more pics! 

Shall we visit a few other properties in the Scandinavian countryside today? How about:

Emilia's laid-back country home

A traditional red and white farmhouse in Sweden

A cosy rural home in Northern Sweden (love the picture of Nicole watching salmon jump in the river from her cabin window). 

Have a lovely week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alexander White, with thanks.

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A Dreamy Design-Conscious Cottage Stay in the Scottish Countryside

According to Living Etc, it’s one of the “Top 10 design-conscious, multi-sensory rural escapes.” Sounds like my kind of stay, and the perfect home tour to set the mood for the weekend. What do you think?

Welcome to Drinkbetween West cottage, one of five rental properties on Banchory Farm, a third-generation working farm just outside Edinburgh in Scotland. The weather in the picture above looks much like it does in Sweden, moody skies and all, but this charming retreat offers a beautiful interior and a wood-burning bath to help you forget the looming clouds. Because really, isn’t there very little that a gorgeous space, a good book and a cosy fire can’t fix?

Once a derelict cottage, the family employed the help of interior designer Ali Heath (whose lovely interior books I have on my shelf) to transform the interior into a calming mix of earthy tones and warm tan shades, making it both restful and inviting. I especially love the wainscoting in the bedroom and bathroom, which adds such timeless character – and of course, the views over the fields. 

Shall we take the tour and dream of a weekend in the Scottish countryside?

I went to the University of Edinburgh many moons ago, and can vouch for the stunning countryside just outside the city (even if my trips as a student were rather fleeting—we were a bit too busy enjoying ourselves in town!). How I’d love to return and stay on Banchory Farm.

Can you picture yourself this weekend, soaking in that outdoor wood-burning bath, drink in one hand, book in the other?

Is there anything you spotted in particular about this cottage? I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations. 

You can read more about Banchory Farm here.

That's all from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the tours. I'm locking up my studio shortly and heading home to stay warm under a blanket (it suddenly feels like winter here—BRRRRR!).

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend too. See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Brent Darby
Interior design: Ali Heath

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