A Cosy Turn-Of-The-Century Home Full of Charm and Colour

Hello there! Today in Sweden, it’s Saint Knut’s Day—a traditional marker when Christmas decorations are officially taken down. Although it’s less common nowadays, some Swedes still celebrate with a bit of fun: dancing around the tree and finishing off the last of the Christmas sweets and gingerbread before the tree is ceremoniously thrown out! I even wrote about this quirky tradition in my book Njuta*, in case you’d like to explore it more.

Which brings me to why the decorations are still up in this home today—it’s all part of the Saint Knut’s Day charm!

Anyway. On with the tour! 

This enchanting turn-of-the-century villa is perched on a hill in Huddinge, just south of Stockholm, surrounded by a picturesque orchard. It instantly caught my eye—as it’s the kind of place that feels like stepping into a dream where time has stood still. With beautifully preserved original details and thoughtful, subtle renovations, it's as if every inch of this house has a story to tell.

Inside, the generous ceiling heights, large windows, and beautifully maintained tiled stoves create spaces that are both grand and cosy. The kitchen, is a perfect nod to the past with its traditional cabinetry and a wood-burning stove that feels straight out of another era.

Elsewhere, it’s a spacious family home with up to seven bedrooms and a charming bathroom featuring a claw-foot bathtub. There’s even a wonderful collection of art that adds to the character and personality of the space. It’s the perfect blend of space and soul, with plenty of room for life to unfold.

So, come in from the cold and join me on a tour of this magical home!

What a home! So much love and care has gone into making each room feel personal and cosy—it’s just lovely!

I was especially drawn to all the warm colours—yellow, green, red—and the art. There’s always something to catch your eye and enjoy.

What stood out to you about this home?

This is the part where I’d usually share a few more homes for you to explore, but honestly, it’s been quite a day, and I have to rush out! My littlest one is under the weather with a temperature (poor Alice!), and last night, Per managed to injure himself on the padel court. (For my American readers: padel is a sport a bit like pickleball.)

This morning, his ankle was all swollen, so he decided to bike to the hospital (yes, really—I did offer to drive him, but these Swedes are fiercely independent and hate to trouble anyone!). Turns out, he’s ruptured his Achilles tendon and is now in a boot for eight weeks. He's reluctantly just called me to come and pick him up. 

I'll leave you to enjoy this home and all it's wonderful details, but will check in again later as I'm curious to hear your thoughts and observations! 

Happy Monday friends,

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem - yes, this beautiful villa is for sale here. Photography: Jahnson. Styling Yngfalk. 

*advert for my own book / work

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From Dated to Dreamy: Jennie-Ann's Swedish Farmhouse Renovation

One of the things I’ve always marvelled at is just how great my Swedish friends are at DIY. There’s no task too daunting for them (although, thankfully, they’ll call in an expert for electrics!). It certainly helps that absolutely everyone learns how to sew, work with wood, and generally run a home (even budgeting!) at school. But anything that hasn’t been covered "can be conquered with the help of YouTube" (or so they tell me!).

Jennie-Ann is a prime example of this. She and her partner have lovingly transformed an old Swedish farmhouse in Larv, taking it from a dated and rundown building to a beautiful home that stays true to its original character. Jennie-Ann is also the founder of Lin & Lera, which includes an onsite boutique offering everything you might need to renovate your home sustainably, a salvage yard, and workshops to help with every aspect of updating and caring for your home and garden.

If the beautiful natural materials, colours, and details in Jennie-Ann’s home are anything to go by, I think the farm could be well worth a visit if we're ever passing by! In the meantime, let’s appreciate her beautiful and unique house. 

First, let me just give you a glimpse of how the kitchen looked before they started. It’s a great marker to see just how much they’ve accomplished since moving in.

Are you ready to see the results? Varsågod:

Note that the lower kitchen cabinets were salvaged from the original kitchen. Jennie-Ann sells an array of earthy-toned linseed oil paint colours in her boutique - many of which feature throughout her home. She is also a pro at making her only paint colours from clay! 

Look extra carefully at the details and you'll spot traditional Swedish pendant lamps, tables and rugs.  

Mid-blue and ochre make for a beautiful combination and create a calm feel in the bedroom. 

The bathroom is potentially my favourite room of all - it's filled with nostalgia while also providing all the modern amenities you need to feel comfortable. 

Needless to say, locals flock to Lin & Lera to discover what's in store - and for exciting events. I hope I can be a part of the crowd one day! 

Keep an eye on Lin & Lera for one of Jennie-Ann's upcoming workshops (sometimes held in the barn seen below) which include themes such as 'how to make your own colour from clay', 'how to cultivate your own forest garden' and 'basic courses in window renovation' as well as many more! 

Truly inspiring! 

Does this give you the boost you need to get a paint brush out or dabble in a little DIY this weekend? 

Feel inspired by Jenni-Ann's latest renovation projects over at @lin.o.lera and find out more about her boutique and workshops here. 

Would you like to see more homes that have been lovingly restored with sustainability in mind? Check out Emma Sundh's country home (one of the most popular tours of 2024) and also Anna Swain's charming cottage on Lamb Island, Australia. 

Wishing you all a great Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: @lin.o.lera, pictures 12 & 13 Daniel Strandroth 

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Winter charm: Inside a Swedish Country Home Dressed for Advent

Sweden was blanketed in snow this weekend, brightening up the darkness. Even so, the cold has drawn life indoors, sparking a hive of activity as we prepare our homes for winter—layering rugs, blankets, and other soft textiles to create a cozy retreat.

The first Sunday of Advent is just around the corner, marking the start of Christmas decorating in Scandinavia. It's a gradual and thoughtful process, beginning with adventsljusstakar (advent candles) in the windows, perhaps paired with a star lamp and some wintry foliage.

Rebecka Palmqvist's charming country home, built in 1848, is a perfect example of this seasonal transformation. She and her partner have been lovingly renovating it, using old furniture and beautiful wallpaper while preserving its original architecture. The result is a warm, inviting space for their family, including their two small children, Gullvie and Frans.

In winter, the home feels especially magical. Star lanterns and electric candles glow in the windows, and orange garlands are draped across the ceiling. while a Christmas tree adds to the festive atmosphere indoors. Welcome to Rebecka's home! 

So charming! I’m so excited to see the first signs of advent candles appearing in windows here in Sweden. It’s such a beautiful tradition—something you’ll spot in almost every window across towns and villages, from homes to businesses. Do you have something similar in your country?

I also love how Rebecka has decorated her home, staying true to the original charm of the farmhouse while creating a magical space for her family. You can see more pictures here.

Here are a few more Scandinavian homes in the snow: 

A lakeside Swedish log house in the snow
Hannah's cosy Finnish house in the snow at Christmas
A rural cosy country home at Christmas
A Swedish home in snowy North Sweden
Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian home beside a snow-covered fjord

I have loved all your comments this weekend - always so interesting and fun to read. I am looking forward to pouring myself a coffee and responding to all of them later today. 

There have been quite a few country homes featured here lately, so I’ll do my best to share an urban apartment with you on Wednesday for all of those of you looking for a little city inspiration. But before that, I’m excited to create an extra post for you tomorrow—I have some news to share from Carl Hansen & Søn! Please stop by if you have the time.

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rebecka.palmqvist, shared with kind permission. 

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