Swedish Farmhouse Style: A Serene Country Escape in Kumla

In my book Njuta*, I wrote about how we often need to have longed for something in order to truly delight in it. That might be a cool drink after a long run, the scent of lilacs bursting into bloom after a long winter, or the first sun-ripened, juicy strawberry of summer. Right now, Sweden is a feast for the senses. After months of monochrome dormancy, the world has erupted into colour – lilacs, wisteria, and blossom in full bloom—and we’re truly delighting in the newly vibrant landscape and the birdsong, as our feathered friends go about their business again after their winter migration.

This beautiful country house in – Kumla nestled in Örebro County, in the heart of central Sweden—is surrounded by lush greenery from every window. A vibrant spray of lilacs brightens the farmhouse kitchen table, bringing the outside in. But this home offers more than just lovely views. The owners have taken great care in crafting a space where dark wood contrasts beautifully with white wood-clad walls. The rooms are simple, yet tastefully decorated, making me wonder who lives here – someone who clearly has an eye for interior design. Sadly, we may never know, as the owners have decided to move on.

Here’s a glimpse into a couple of the lovely rooms—and the outdoor space, where you can dream of summer dining alfresco by the pool. Enjoy the tour!

So lovely!

I’d be very happy flitting about in this farmhouse this weekend—or year-round, for that matter. How about you?

I wish I had more photos to share with you, but the full listing isn’t out just yet. As soon as it is, I promise I’ll update the post and show you more.

In the meantime, did anything in particular catch your eye about this house?

I loved the traditional Swedish gate-leg table in the kitchen, and the mix of vintage chairs. I recently bought a similar table myself, though it still needs a bit of renovation. I suddenly feel like my mother – our childhood weekends were spent at auctions, and she would always come home with something beautiful and old. Some of those pieces made their way into our house, but there was always that one chair sitting in the garage for about 25 years, just waiting to be done up! Does that sound familiar to you too?

Anyway, it’s finally time to welcome the weekend – yay! Thank you so much for stopping by this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour of the coastal Swedish island summer cottage, the Latvian cabin, and today’s countryside house. I’ve really loved reading all your comments.

See you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erik Olsson, with thanks

*ad for my own book

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Step Inside A Cosy Gower Country Home (Plus an Airbnb You Can Stay In)

Hej! Or maybe hi feels more fitting today, since I’m whisking you away to a lovely corner of Wales called Gower. I first visited many moons ago on a school geography field trip to study the coastline – and I remember being bowled over by how wild and beautiful it was. So, you can imagine my delight when I recently stumbled across the charming home of Jane Griffiths.

Tucked away in the woods in a secluded valley, Jane’s country home is not just where she lives – it also serves as a location for shoots and includes a separate annex which she rents out on Airbnb (take note!).

While Jane shares plenty of lovely images over on her Instagram @parkplacegower, I thought I’d post a little snapshot here to give you a taste of her pretty stone-walled haven, with its gorgeous beams and sash windows. The furniture is mostly vintage and gives the place a cosy, lived-in feel, while the master bedroom – complete with a bathtub – adds a touch of spa-like luxury.

I hope you enjoy this peek into Jane’s beautiful world on the Gower - snoozing dogs, an outdoor kitchen, deserted beaches and all. 

Would you also like to see a couple of pictures from her charming Airbnb? Here's a sneak peek: 

So pretty and cosy! I could easily imagine winding down here for a week or two – how about you?

Tap here for more information about staying in Jane’s Airbnb, and head over to @parkplacegower to see more lovely snapshots from Jane’s life on the Gower.

It’s a busy day here in Sweden as we’re all frantically trying to wrap up our work and shut our laptops before heading out to celebrate Valborg in the sunshine. Valborg is a traditional Swedish festival that marks the arrival of spring, usually with bonfires, singing, and friends gathering outdoors. And with a bank holiday tomorrow, it’s the perfect excuse for a proper celebration!

Are you off tomorrow too for May Day?

I’ll be back here on Friday and hope to see you then for one more inspiring home tour before the weekend, thank you for stopping by! 

Niki x

Photography courtesy of @parkplacegower, shared with kind permission. 

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Step Inside a Renovated 19th-Century Skånelänga With a Rustic Soul

Usually, the properties that pop up for sale are a little too far from where we live in Malmö – but today, this farmhouse in Vellinge, here in the south of Sweden, is a mere 20-minute drive away, making it scarily attainable (cue: Per is getting nervous!).

Long-term readers will know I often dream of moving to the countryside – and a Skånelänga (a three-sided farmhouse typical of the county of Scania) has been the object of my affection ever since I featured one in my first book, Relaxed Rustic* (originally published as Modern Pastoral).

These unique stone-walled farmhouses are often nestled among acres of farmland and feature an inner courtyard to shield alfresco living from the vicious Scanian winds!

Built in 1889, this lovely house has been carefully renovated in sympathy with its original soul and character, with brickwork, stone walls, and beams shining through. It's relatively open-plan, with large rooms – and the light (so beloved by artists in this part of Sweden) is just beautiful!

Keep an eye out for details like freestanding elements in the kitchen (a popular trend right now), a glimpse of a larder – something that’s made a real comeback and become a key feature in new kitchens – and those homemade syrups, no doubt made from elderflower, rhubarb, and other delicious ingredients foraged from the surrounding nature.

Ready to take a tour and dream of life in the Scanian countryside? Let’s go!

I love the 'mudroom' tap in the hallway, no doubt an original feature from days gone by and a handy touch.

A range cooker and a practical freestanding side table add a contemporary touch to the kitchen, embracing the current trend for a "higgledy-piggledy," cobbled-together look that can evolve over time and adapt to changing needs.

I love how every window lets in large gapes of nature - making tasks like washing up just a little more enjoyable! 

Note the dried flowers hung from the ceiling - a lovely touch! 

I can see why larders have made a comeback—if you have the space for one, they're ideal for storing items that need to be kept cool but not refrigerated, such as dried foods. My grandad used to use his for his home brewing kit! I was too young to taste his brews, but I can guess they were pretty punchy! 

Tiered hanging baskets are great for storing vegetables, especially if you're short on space. We have one in our kitchen which I picked up from IKEA and they are really practical. 

A lovely long farmhouse table has been used as a desk in the home office. I guess, my only addition would be an ergonomic work chair and, depending on the type of work, a monitor. I spent too many years at the start of my own business working on my laptop at the kitchen table and I can't tell you how bad that is for your back and neck. Just a word of warning from experience!

The house has been cleared of items somewhat for the real estate pictures, but it still gives an idea of the current owner's personal style—a great blend of old and new. 

What a lovely house! I love how historical properties have irregular features that add to the charm, something that I miss in our modern townhouse. 

Do you live in an old property? And are you a town mouse or a country mouse? Or perhaps a mix of both? 

Is there anything that caught your eye about this skånelänge? 

Would you like to see a few more farmhouses this weekend? If so, here are some I love: 

Step inside Höda's creative Swedish farmhouse

A rustic farmhouse on a hill in Vermont

A dated home becomes a fresh modern farmhouse

I hope you all have a lovely weekend, thanks for stopping by here at this little corner of the web. See you Monday! 

Niki

*P.S. This post contains a little plug for my own book – if you're inspired by this style, you can find more dreamy countryside homes in Relaxed Rustic. Thank you for supporting my work!

Photography courtesy of  Malmöhus Mäklarna, with thanks.

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