Before and After: A Run Down Property becomes a Beautiful Swedish Farmhouse

Ever driven passed a dilapidated house in your neighbourhood and dreamt about bringing it back to its former glory? I'd actually parked that thought - until I spotted interior designer Sandra Östlind's beautiful farmhouse. When Sandra bought the property, it was in need of a complete overhaul, which would be enough to put off even the most prolific DIYer. But Sandra and her partner saw it as an opportunity. After a painstaking renovation, which involved a new roof, stripping and painting the facade as well as an interior gut job, Sörbergets Farm in Västerbotten County, Sweden, has become a beautiful light and airy family home. Let's take a peek at the transformation.

Exterior Before

After

For the facade, Sandra developed her own paint colour known as 'Sandras sörvit' - and available through Stuv Butiken. The difference is quite incredible! 

Before

After
Sandra swapped out the old, rotten front door for a new 'Bleckhall Långeskär door from Doorly, painted in her own blend: Sandras Skogsgrön (available at Stuv Butiken as before). The wall light is a classic style for this type of Swedish house - and bought from Ljus Experten.

Before

After

The existing kitchen was stopped out and replaced with traditional Swedish Marbodal units in 'Fagerö Beige'. 

Cabinet Before

After
Slight diversion from the room 'before and afters' here - but I wanted to include this cabinet update as an inspiring reminder of how you can easily transform a flea market find with a lick of paint!

Children's room before

After

Perhaps the craziest renovation of all in this home is the Ebbe's room. It's gone from a derelict upstairs loft space into a beautiful children's room that oozes character and old school charm. I particularly love the wallpaper (from Stuvbutiken) with matching blinds from Ikea and the exposed beams. 

Hallway / entrance before 

After

Sandra sanded down the wood panels on the ceiling before applying 'Helvit' from Herdins Färgverk and pretty 'Dahlia Garden' wallpaper by Boråstapeter. 

Before Entrance

After 

Sometimes you scratch the surface of these old houses and realise the issue is a whole lot bigger than you bargained for. This is what happened with the entrance. Sandra was planning on changing the door (as before), but it turned out the wall was so rotten that she had to replace the entire wall and window. Every cloud has a silver lining though - now their entrance is a lot brighter as a result!

What a wonderful transformation! I live the calming green tones throughout, and the fresh feel of the space. 

It has me dreaming of a house renovation project all over again (don't tell Per!), how about you?

You can see more of Sandra's lovely country home over on her instagram feed @sandrashem. 

If you feel like marvelling over more before and after reveals, why not delve into this archive - some of the transformations are absolutely incredible! 

I hope you're feeling as inspired as I am! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sandra Östlind, shared with kind permission. 

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A Magical Little Swedish Summer Cottage (And It's For Sale!)

Why, hello there lovelies! Are you ready for a little summer dreaming today? Here in Sweden the summer holidays are a mere one month away, and planning is in full force. Except, this year of course, it's a little restrained. Who knows what might happen in the next four weeks? The one thing we do know, is that we'll be staying put. And, up and down the country, Swedes are dusting down the cobwebs and oiling the shutters at their summer houses, hoping it'll be permitted to dream away a summer surrounded by everything the Nordic nature has to offer. If there's one thing I love about the Swedish summer cottage, it's that it's pared down and all about living a simple life. This idyllic little cottage is nestled away on the island of Klåverön in the mesmerisingly beautiful Gothenburg archipelagos - and waiting for a new owner - could it be you once we're all free to travel again? 

Summer's in the Gothenburg archipelago are all about hopping on and off boats and enjoying a picnic on your own little island. 

In this lovely open-plan living area the outdoors takes centre stage. An antique bench doubles up as storage for extra cushions and tableware. 

A patterned rug adds a little colour to the living room, while open shelving ensures a relaxed feel. 

Botanical themed bedding helps to draw the nature indoors and a wall-mounted shelf clears floor space for a light and airy feel.

A DIY rail and row of hooks is ideal, summer dresses, linen shirts and a hat or two. 

I am already imagining following the 24 hours sun around the cottage on the various decks - and chatting the four-legged neighbours, how about you?! 

Ooooh, so lovely! 

We've spent many summers sailing in the Gothenburg archipelagos, and I can't tell you how magical it is there. Perhaps I should speak to Per about this cottage? Not sure he could take it on a Monday! 

I know things are tough right now, but this too shall pass, and when it does, this Nordic country is waiting for you to experience it in all its glory! In the meantime, I hope the tour provides some wonderful summer-inspiration for your own home! 

Here are a few other summer cottages to feel inspired by: 

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods

An idyllic cottage that dreams are made of

A pared-back summer home on Gotland

Have a great start to the week. We've got this! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors.

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An Idyllic Farmhouse In Victoria, For a family of Five

Are you wishing you had just a teeny-weeny more space at home right now? I love my home in Malmö in many ways, but I guess, when pressed, there are some things I miss more than ever. Like a big garden where I could grow vegetables, take a stroll and sip rosé in the evening sun! The Shower family have found this and a whole more in rural Stanley, North East Victoria, Australia. Living simply, following the seasons and beating to the drum of their small town, the family are in the process of turning their home - Black Barn Farm, into a biodiverse orchard, nursery and learning space. The fruit from the orchard is seasonally available through farmer's markets and a 'pick your own' service will commence from 2021. In the meantime, you can tuck into apple cider doughnuts, pick up a perennial and enjoy one of their many events and workshops. Welcome to life, down on Black Barn Farm! 

I've got my eye on one of those doughnuts! 

I can imagine owning a farm requires a massive amount of work, and the Shower family sound really dedicated and passionate about what they do, which is really inspiring!

It also looks like a truly idyllic place to spend a childhood, don't you think? 

Could you imagine living on a farm? I'm undecided, but seeing these pictures certainly has me considering a life-change! 

Read more about Black Barn Farm. 

When I finally make that trip to Australia one day, this is going to be on my list of places to visit! 

Feeling the farm vibes today (imagine all that space?!)? Here are a few others I love: 

An inspiring life-change story / wild run farm

A Frisian stop farm becomes a beautiful home

A dated home becomes a fresh modern farmhouse  

Sending sunny vibes from Malmö!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Black Barn Farm - shared with kind permission. 

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An Idyllic Swedish Summer Cottage That Dreams Are Made Of!

Say the words 'Swedish summer cottage' and I immediately conjure up a picture of a little red and white cottage surrounded by lush, vibrant nature and somewhere to bathe a short "nakenfis" (I love this Swedish word - it literally translates as 'naked fart' but it's generally used to describe being nude!)  sprint away!! In fact, this idyllic croft in a village near Tierp an hour or so North of Stockholm is spot on! Dating back to 1909, the croft is made up of a main house and a series of little outhouses which wouldn't look out of place in Astrid Lindgren's 'Children of Noisy Village'. Step inside and you're greeted with white wood panelled walls, pretty wallpaper and painted wood floors. The furnishings are typically understated and a perfect blend of vintage and antique pieces. Ready for a little Swedish summer dreaming? 

Oh wow. This has me dreaming of 24 hour sunshine, morning dips and long, lazy lunches alfresco! 

Could you image wiling away a lazy summer here?

This is where I say - "well, it could be yours..." - and it was actually on the market for a very reasonable 750,000 SEK (€70k / $76k) via Länsförsäkringar (try pronouncing that!) but as you can  imagine, it was snapped up immediately! 

Up for a little more Scandinavian summer cottage dreaming? Pull up a chair and enjoy:

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods (absolutely love this!) 

A cosy rural cottage in North Sweden

An idyllic hideaway on the island of Dalarö

Actually, do you know what? I think I'll just share the link to the entire archive - there are hundreds of charming summer cottages in there from all across Scandinavia. And since it's a public holiday here tomorrow I hope it will tie you over until I return on Monday! 

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend friends - stay safe, stay well! 

Niki

Photography: Johan Fornstedt / Husfoto

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