This Romantic Swedish Art Nouveau Villa Could Be Yours!

Good morning friends, how was your weekend? Monday morning has only just begun and I'm already at my desk in our urban townhouse, dreaming about a move to this romantic Swedish countryside villa (so, that's new? LOL!). But when you see the pictures, you'll probably understand! The early 20th century art nouveau villa dates back to 1910 and with a heavy heart (I'm sure), the artist owner has decided to put it on the market. They say fortune favours the brave, and for anyone willing to take on the project in rural Flen, in Södermanland County, west of Stockholm, this magnificent property is all yours! Think large spacious rooms and magnificent windows which flood the space with light and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Many of the original features are still intact including the large masonry stoves and wood floor are still intact, so it's just to add your very own personal touch! 

Could you imagine moving here just in time for winter? 

Oh, the ways I could make this place my own. And don't even get me started on the garden. I'm not sure we're quite ready to move 500 km though! 

More details here. 

Dream about other Scandinavian country homes today in this archive.

And a quick reminder to make the most of the 20% discount at Bemz with code MSHfall - a perfect opportunity to get a new slipcover for your sofa like these, update with cushions, or refresh your bedroom in time for autumn (see my recent makeover)! 

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem. 

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A Beautiful Rustic Home in Rural North Sweden

Do you ever romanticise about moving somewhere remote, wild and windswept? I often wonder what it might be like to live in the far North of Sweden, where the sun set marks a month of darkness, the sky lit by the beauty of the Northern lights. Maybe one day I'll make my move. For now, I'll live through others. And one of my favourite homes is that of garden designer Fanny Lindén and her family . You might recognise Fanny's beautiful, rustic home from these Christmas and Spring features. And this morning I stumbled across these images captured by Lina Östling and Mari Strenghielm (see her lovely former home on an island!) who paid Fanny a visit last year. The pictures give you a glimpse into family life and a world where the beauty is in the imperfection. Vintage and antique pieces proudly bear the hallmarks of time, and the doors are thrown open to a world where everyone is welcome - children, cats, chickens and whoever else chooses to wander in! Välkommen! 

So beautiful! 

I love the bright yellow barn door and vibrant Falu red facade, imagine how lovely it looks against the snow in wintertime! 

I can't tell you how tempted I am to live like this (maybe a gap year - as a former Londoner it would be a WAY too big step to make the move permanent off the bat, I'd need to test the waters first!). Could you imagine living somewhere rural? Or perhaps you already do? 

Other Rural Scandinavian homes to love this weekend:

Kati's rustic 19th century log house in Iitti, Finland

A magical rustic family home in rural Finland

An idyllic red and white farmhouse in the Swedish countryside

Wishing you a wonderful couple of days - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Lina Östling Styling: Mari Strenghielm - shared with kind permission. 

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A Fairytale Swedish Summer Cottage / Plus Camp Adventure, Denmark

Cities and towns across Scandinavian are starting to buzz with life again as people slowly return from the countryside and head back to work. But for some, like me, their heart remains at their summer cottage. There's something magical about the laid back, simple lifestyle they afford - and of course, their lush surroundings. Curious to sample Swedish summer cottage life yourself? This idyllic croft from the 1800s just came on the market! Located a short distance from Stockholm  - the traditional Falun red and white cottage is fairly small (50 sq m / 538 sq ft), but definitely big on personality - and wouldn't look out of place in an Astrid Lindgren tale. There's only one foreseeable drawback - and I'm curious to hear if it would be a deal breaker for you or not. Read on to find out! 

And the deal beaker (or maker)? The only loo is a compost one in an outhouse. This is not unusual for an old croft which is yet to be modernised. Helen (as in the interior designer I work with) has an outdoor loo at her cottage too. They once lived there for a year and she remembers waking up in the night and trudging out in the snow to go to the loo! But she says they got used to it and in the end and don't give it a second thought any longer. My granny had one too (as well as an indoor one upstairs) - and I remember it being full of spiders! But the one at this croft is charming in every way. Would it work for you?

Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

If so, this pretty cottage has your name on it, and we'd all love to be the first to visit (bringing our bed linen of course - as is the Swedish way!). 

Feeling tempted? Read more about it here. 

Fancy seeing some more pretty cottages over the weekend? Here are a few others that belong in an Astrid Lindgren tale:

An idyllic farmhouse in the Swedish countryside

This 20th century Swedish house is straight out of a fairytale

A charming Swedish summer cottage that dreams are made of

All this talk of Sweden, and I'm actually in Denmark right now. Having been double vaccinated, we've taken the opportunity to head over the Öresund bridge for a couple of days. Our first stop was Camp Adventure (for a press trip) - which has treetop climbing (have you ever done it? Once you get over the nerves, it's so exhilarating!) and the kids absolutely loved it!

As well as an awesome 45-metre tower you can climb (the structure is magnificent - and has won several architectural awards (not my picture below!):  

And best of all (for me, not the kids, they spent 8 hours in the tree tops!), Northern Europe's largest 'pick your own bouquet' flower farm! It was beautiful:

Keep an eye out for the yurts / cabins (they're pretty booked up so you'd need to plan in advance to stay the night). You can also pair it with a long weekend in Copenhagen since it's only a 50 minute drive away. 

Right, I'd better put the kettle on - the rest of the family will be waking up any moment and I need to take the most of the peace and quiet before the mayhem begins and a day at the worlds oldest amusement park: Bakken. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - I hope you've got some fun /  relaxing plans. 

Niki

Cottage photography: Historiska Hem

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Jessica's Idyllic Swedish Country Croft From 1900

In the month of July, Swedish cities can feel very deserted. Many have fled to the countryside to 'nytta av' (benefit from) the lush greenery and 24-hour sunshine for several weeks, sometimes up to six! Hey, we've waited a long time for this good weather, when it arrives we need to make the most of it! Every July, Jessica, a high school teacher and the creator behind @bynilsgarden, locks up her house in Trollhättan to enjoy the peace and quiet of her pretty country retreat 70 kilometres away. Located in Mellerud, Dalsland, just West of lake Vänern, it's a place Jessica goes year-round to watch the seasons unfold. The traditional 1900 Falun red and white structure conceals a pretty, pared back interior with a country feel. Outside, a pretty veranda provides a spot to enjoy the evening sunset. I caught up with Jessica to find out more. 

"The house was built in 1900 as a small 'Soldarttorp' (soldier's croft). The previous owners took great care of it, renovating it slowly with a passion for old houses. It's located in Dalsland, next to the mountains and a beautiful lake".

Note: a 'soldarttorp' is a croft (or cottage) on the property of a farm reserved for Swedish volunteer soldiers. The dwelling was part of the soldier's pay and included a small field, a few farm animals and other small outbuildings. 

"I use it every month of the year. It's beautiful in summer but it's also special to light a fire when it's snowing outside". 

"I renovated this house myself and live here alone. I was looking to create a warm, cosy and relaxing feel with an old country style". 

"I love the silence and the good energy. It's a place I come to rest".

What a beautiful cottage! I can certainly understand why Jessica loves to come here year-round, how about you? It looks so peaceful.  

See more of this pretty cottage and Jessica's Trollhättan house on instagram at @bynilsgarden.

If you're feeling inspired, you might like to check out the country style living archive and Swedish cottage archives - they're packed with romantic homes and will have you dreaming of a move to the Scandinavian countryside! 

Wishing you a wonderful mid-week - see you Friday!*

Niki

*I am posting three days a week during the summer holidays in order to spend a little more time with the crazies. Check in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - or enjoy the archives round the clock! 

Photography: Jessica / @bynilsgarden

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