Dreaming of a Historic Home: A Charming 19th-Century Cottage in Sweden

I live in a modern townhouse in Malmö, Sweden, built in 2001. It’s bright, practical, and has lovely high ceilings. But what it lacks are the charming architectural details of a bygone era—those diamond-shaped windows and wooden beams that once came as standard. Do you own a home like this? 

People often say that living in an old house requires a deep passion for maintenance. But that doesn’t deter me from dreaming about owning a beautiful historical home—one that carries the echoes of the past in its walls (although Per may beg to differ!). Needless to say, I can’t resist keeping an eye on the real estate market (some might say I'm obsessed). And today, I stumbled across an absolute gem: a late 19th-century cottage that instantly stole my heart.

Described by Alvhem as having "an enchanting soul and a fantastic story to tell," this cottage in Sävedalen, Sweden has been in the same family for generations. Now, it's ready for a new custodian. There’s something wonderfully timeless about its interior—think a traditional-style kitchen, elegant wainscoting, and floral-themed wallpaper. But it’s the little details, like the well-worn radio, locally made pottery and vintage tins in the kitchen, that make it feel so beautifully lived-in.

And let’s not forget the sauna at the end of the garden—an absolute dream!

Oh, how I’d love to call a home like this my own one day and add my personal touch. Until then, take the tour and let's dream!


























These pictures feel so summery, don't you think? I love the way the garden door is thrown open to the garden, which in turn has a meadow-like feel. Lovely! 

Could you imagine living in a property like this too? 

Maybe there were some details that caught your eye–I'm sure there are many I missed! 

You can see the full tour of the property and find out more details about it here (who knows, maybe you'll be the next owner?). 

See more charming Swedish cottages in this archive

Happy Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem, shared with thanks. 

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
4

A Beautiful Swedish Home Tour with A Smart Bathroom Makeover



Tjena! Hur är läget? Do you have awkward angles at home? Perhaps a sloped ceiling that’s causing you decorating strife? If so, you might just find inspiration in Natalie’s lovely Swedish home.

Natalie (known as @huslyftet on Instagram) and her partner are true decorating wizards – and they don’t do things by halves. Not only did they lift their entire house and move it two and a half metres (eight feet) across the lawn, but they also added an extension before transforming the entire living space to create a truly personal haven.

Today, their pretty, light-filled home features a wonderful array of whimsical floral wallpaper, providing the perfect backdrop for traditional kitchen cabinetry, vintage furniture, and personal touches. But what really caught my eye is the bathroom. Tucked under the sloped roof, the awkward angles made it a tricky build, but with some clever design work, they created the most beautiful space – complete with a shower, bath, and twin basins.

So, pour yourself a coffee and get comfy – here’s the full tour, along with a peek at the before-and-after shots of the bathroom!




I was so excited to see this armchair. I once picked up a pair exactly like this at a 'loppis' (flea market) here in Malmö. Sadly, they were in quite bad disrepair and I couldn't afford to get them reupholstered so I gave them away, but I always wondered who made them. Maybe now I'll find out! 






The guest bathroom door can be spotted in to the right of the above picture. This is what it looks like inside: 


I love how Natalie has picked out tones from the William Morris wallpaper and matched them with accessories like towels - very pretty!





Note the built-in cupboards and drawers in the master bedroom to the right which make use of every inch of space. 

The bathroom
And now friends, as promised, it's time to take a peek at the bathroom. The before pictures (or should I say, the picture of the shell of the room just as the work started) gives a great idea of the shape of the room. not an easy space! 

And here, is the after. Practical (note the amount of storage), pretty and in keeping with the rest of the house.





































Such a lovely home! 

I really loved the craftsmanship in the bathroom - and how they created such slim cabinetry to make the space of what would have otherwise been dead space. If anyone else has teenage girls like I do, you'd understand the need for PLENTY of storage!

Is there anything that stood out to you about Natalie's home? 

There are lots more corners to discover over on her inspiring instagram feed here

Update– here are some of the wallpapers and paint colours used this home: 
 
Kitchen
Honeysuckle wallpaper by William Morris
Cabinets painted in NCS 1510-Y10R

Sitting room
Painted in NCS 2005-G10Y

Bedroom 
Robinson Crusoe wallpaper by Charles Burger

Guest bathroom 
Golden lily wallpaper by William Morris

Hallway / entrance
Door painted in S2040-Y20R

Bathroom 
Cabinets painted in 2010-Y20R

In case you'd like to see more before and after make-overs today, there are lots to discover in this home makeover archive (if this home comes up first, just scroll down for more!). 

Have a wonderful start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @huslyftet 

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
19

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

Twitter FaceBook

Pin It
24

Subscribe to My Scandinavian Home

skovby ad


 

site by ANAAR

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
MORE INFO