A Traditional SwedishVilla Overlooking the Stockholm Archipelago

I've been to Stockholm many times, but it was only when I visited the surrounding archipelago that I truly grasped the allure of living there. We passed thousands of cottages on the water's edge nestled among forest, while commuters, kayakers and sailors ambled along the waterway. I was straight on 'Hemnet' (Sweden's database for the property market), searching for a new family home! Alas, we're still based in the south and very settled, but a girl can dream! I mean, who wouldn't want to return to this beautiful villa in Oxön each day, one-hour drive from the city? 


The villa combines traditional Swedish style with a coastal vibe and capitalises on the light that reflects off the water - as well as the magnificent views of the Baltic Sea. 

This winter, the tiled masonry oven seen in the corner here, will no doubt roar into life. I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here in Sweden many house owners are panicking about electricity prices and looking for alternatives - wood is in high demand! 

One of my favourite types of bathroom cabinets - up cycled antique dressers! 

Can you see yourself waking up at the weekend and heading out here in your robe with a morning coffee? 

The family bathroom also makes use of an antique dresser, while twin basins help to ease the morning congestion (we could so do with this in our family bathroom, how about you?). 


How wonderful! I can just imagine returning here each day, could you? That view! 

In midwinter some of the waterways freeze over, paving the way for long distance ice-skaters - who snake their way through the islands. It's a sight to behold! 

Dream away over other Scandinavian waterside properties here:

 
Have a relaxing start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Eklund via Nordroom with thanks. 

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A Cosy Swedish Country Home with an Autumn Vibe

Have you got that weekend feeling? Here, Autumn is in the air and hats are on! I feel like I'm ready for pumpkin soup and chanterelle toast tomorrow...! I wanted to find a beautiful Scandinavian home to reflect the cosy höst (autumn / fall) vibe - and this lovely Swedish country home is perfect! 

Sarah Macfie (a Swede with Scottish ancestors), her fiancé Archie and three sons Ralph, Hugo and Benjamin live in a white house near Gothenburg, West Sweden. Sarah loves antiques and spends lots of her spare time visiting her local thrift store, going to auctions and searching online for beautiful pieces with which to fill their home.  Couple this with earthy shades of earthy shades and plenty of plants and dried flowers, and the result is a dreamy space where no two pieces are alike. 

Don't forget to keep a look out for the moose! 

Such a lovely home - and very hard to believe that it's a new build, don't you think? 

There are so many things to feel inspired by in these pictures, but I especially love the traditional bed nook, kitchen window seat, the adorable baby picture (those feet / socks!) and of course the moose - isn't he handsome? I've only ever seen one in the wild once, and that's when I was Finland taking pictures for my first book Modern pastoral (now called Relaxed Rustic). They are huge! Have you ever seen one?  

Is there anything that caught your eye in Sarah's house? 

See more pictures here

Looking for more autumn inspiration this weekend? Check out: 


Also I am holding a great giveaway on my instagram right now to win a beautiful table cloth and napkins from Swedish brand Lovely Linen - well worth entering (open to all!) enter here

Right folks, that's it from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the home tours (Anna and Martin's floating cottage with sauna, kitchen and sitting room is causing quite a stir!). 

Have a fabulous weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sarah Macfie, shared with kind permission. 

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Brita and Kalle's Charming, Unique and Personal Swedish Country home

Friday calls for something extra special, don't you think? And I have just the home! When Brita Zackari and Kalle Zackari Wahlström first stumbled across the country home south of Stockholm, Sweden, it was love at first site! Since then, the pair have painstakingly renovated the property little by little, slowly transforming it into a unique home where they live full time with children Essa and Björn. 

The pair have done a lot of the work themselves, learning as they go - a process which has been covered on Sweden's popular TV show 'Help, we've bought a farmhouse' (in Swedish). A sustainable approach has been key, choosing for example, egg oil tempura (a matte and full coverage paint made from egg linseed oil emulsion and natural pigments) instead of traditional paint for walls, furniture and storage and furnishing a lot of the living space with vintage finds. 

The result is a charming home where Brita's Danish modern influence from childhood come together with Kalle's traditional Swedish country style. Enjoy the tour, you're in for a treat!

The furniture is a delightful blend of vintage and contemporary. I spy a pond mirror and Hay matin table lamp in the background. Look closely and you'll discover a collection of fascinating unique pieces in the form of vases, candleholders, mobiles and art. 

Don't be afraid to go dark in a small room. Here, deep green walls create a cosy feel while also helping to camouflage much-needed storage. 

Beautiful - and packed with personality! 

I love the earthy hues from the linseed oil - and all the unique touches. 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Take a peek inside other Scandinavian country homes this weekend in this archive (if this pops up first, you know the drill - just scroll on past and the others will be lurking below!). 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

PS If you've been missing my newsletter / not receiving posts directly to your inbox, don't forget to re-subscribe below! 

Photography: Fanny Rådvik
Stylist: Dennis Valencia 
Interior design / homeowner: Brita Zackari / Kalle Zackari Wahlström

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Before & After: An Old Swedish Croft Becomes a Charming Summer Cottage

It's so easy to become 'home blind', don't you think? I find it's only when I come back from holiday or a time away that I see the changes that need to the made to our house (cue - flying about rearranging furniture and adjusting things before we've even unpacked!). That's why I marvelled at the transformation of this Swedish croft. 

Built in the 1900 as a place to house the elderly members of the family and farm workers, the property on Torsö island, lake Vänern has now fallen into the hands of wedding photographer Johanna Carlsson and her husband Vicktor and their dogs Nalle and Doris. Despite growing up with the croft, Johanna had a keen idea of how she wanted the interior to look - and the pair have been renovating it little by little to transform it into a beautiful cottage in which while away the summer. Here are a few pictures (including some before and after):  

The outside has been given a refresh, while keeping the quintessentially Swedish red and white facade intact. 

A porch area doubles up as a sunroom in which to enjoy 'fika' and meals bathed in natural light. 

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Simple updates such as a new handmade worktop and longer linen curtains have helped to bring this kitchen up to date while maintaining the relaxed traditional feel. 

Sitting room before

Mix and match furniture has its charm, but it's not always the most practical or comfortable. 

Sitting room after

Johanna and Viktor updated the room using wallpaper from Boråstapeter and then furnished it with a comfy sofa (as modelled by Doris) and a handmade table with rustic charm. 

Bedroom before

The pair sleep in what was formerly a children's bedroom with bunkbeds.

I spy stickers - can I get a show of hands for anyone who has spent hours trying to get rid of the residue from doors, beds and other furniture in a children's room? I was scrubbing away on Allie's door just the other week. Mind you, stickers are at least better than slime, there's an outright ban on that stuff in our home! 


Bedroom after

It's hard to imagine that this delightful space is the same room! 

Tulippa wallpaper Boråstapeter adds character to the bedroom while a bedskirt gives the space a traditional touch. 

Outhouse before

Outhouse after

An outhouse on the grounds, previously used for storage, was cleared out and repainted - creating a perfect place for midsummer gatherings.

A simple outdoor shower means the couple can wash under the open-sky and make the most of the long summer days! 

Such a charming summer cottage, don't you think? 

If you'd to keep up to date with Johanna's latest renovation projects, follow along over at @torptokig

As you know by the sheer number of pretty red and white Swedish summer cottages I've been featuring lately, I'm not quite ready to let go of summer just yet. But as we near mid-September the autumn feeling is in the air and I'm going to have to concede that summer is over! I'm looking forward to sharing some Scandinavian city apartments with you next week! Stay tuned! 

Before I head off for the weekend, I also wanted to share with you, that as a London girl (who's been living in Sweden for over 18 years), it was with a heavy heart that I heard the news about Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. Her Majesty was a truly remarkable person who has always been there throughout our lives. I particularly admired her professionalism and commitment to duty but also how warm and personable she was, with a wonderful sense of humour. In the words of Paddington Bear: Thank you Ma'am, for everything. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, 

Stor kram

Niki

Photography courtesy of Johanna Carlsson, shared with kind permission. 

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