A Calming Pared-back Swedish Country Home

This soothing Swedish country home is like a mid-week breath of fresh air. Located in the county of Småland and dating back to the 19th century,  the house has been carefully renovated by Anna and Kalle - who have a penchant for calming off-white tones and natural materials. 

Much of the furniture - such as the kitchen table and coffee table have been picked up second-hand and then given a new lease of life which a sanding machine and other tricks. And I love how the front door has been painted bright yellow - for a sunny start every day of the week! 

It's hard to imagine that it was an absolute wreck when they bought it. Let's take a peek at some of the corners that Anna and Kalle have captured of their lovely home: 

The gate-leg table was a hand-me-down from Kalle's parents and was meant to be used elsewhere. But the pair felt it was so beautiful that they decided to sand it down and treat it so that they could use it as a family dining table. 

The door has been painted in NCS code S3050-Y20R. 

Much of the wood floor and panelling you see is from Swedish company Baseco. 

Lovely! 

So calming. Which is exactly what I needed today! 

I can appreciate all kinds of interiors, and I find this minimalist, soothing look to be very restorative. Also, it is nice and light which will keep the family in good stead for the long winter ahead. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Anna and Kalle's home? 

You can see more snapshots as well as some before and after images over at @angagarden. 

Today, I'm in Cologne, Germany for a new fair called Orgatec 2024 which focuses on all the exciting things happening with the work space - if you'd like to follow along and see the latest trends, you can find all the info in my instagram stories. 

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @angagarden, shared with kind permission. 

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Emilia's Laid-Back Swedish Country Family Home

Are you in the mood for something cosy today? If so, activate your "do not disturb" - this Swedish country home is as 'mysigt' as can be! 

Emilia Nilsson lives with her family in a characterful early 20th century house with "worn wood floors and lots of laughter" in the Småland, countryside in south Sweden. 

Done up little by little, the house oozes charm from every corner with its beautiful selection of wallpaper, traditional earthy tones and simple array of natural materials. But best of all, the relaxed home is designed to be lived in - and a space where children can play freely, and dogs and cats are invited to lounge. 

Ready to see inside?

Traditional deep red, sage green and off white have been combined on the exterior for a warm look that fits with its surroundings. 

The large porch can be used for potting and lounging rain or shine. 

One of the things I love about Scandinavian furniture is that's designed to for functionality first and looks second. Just as this cat has discovered! 

Furniture built from solid wood will stand the test of time since it can be sanded down and refurbished - so it will never look tatty. 

Candle season has officially begun - with flames adding warmth at breakfast, lunch and supper - as well as all times in between. Please be extra vigilant though - never place a candle near anything flammable and or leave unattended. It's always good to keep the room well aired too. 

The wallpaper from Ulricehamns Tapetfabrik is made in Sweden - so pretty, don't you think? 

The circular window is a real showstopper! I love that Emilia has made it a feature by creating a quiet place to sit and reflect or read a book while looking out over the garden. The wallpaper is from Boråstapeter. 

Emilia has used wallpaper from Ulricehamns Tapetfabrik as a backdrop to sleep and play in the children's bedroom. 

Last summer, Emilia and her friend Clara started a small flower boutique for passersby. I think I got around 5 flowers in total in our summer cottage garden this summer so to have an abundance of flowers to sell like this would be the ultimate dream! 

It looks well manned by the resident kitty too! 

So charming! I love how much soul this home has, it's put me in such a great mood for the start of the week. I hope this tour has given your Monday a lift too! 

You can see more pictures and find out the sources for wallpaper and other items over on Emilia's instagram @millansvilla. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Why not take a peek inside a few other country homes today? I love: 

An idyllic red and white country home in the Swedish countryside

A warm rural swedish country home that combines old and new

Five Danish country homes to love

A charming rural Norwegian cottage by a fjord

Ilkka's rural Finnish retreat

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @millansvilla, shared with kind permission.

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Amanda's Charming Vintage-Inspired Swedish Country Home

Tjena! Today we're heading to the Swedish countryside to dream of a simple life. One which involves a beautiful country home, a separate ceramics workshop and even an antique and homeware shop with a cafe selling delicious cinnamon buns and fresh coffee. 

Välkommen to the home of Amanda Forster who lives in the countryside near Jönköping with her family and their delightful dog. Amanda shares her passion for decorating, flea market finds and ceramics while surrounded by sheep, hens and a beautiful garden on her instagram feed @ladanskuriosa. What vintage finds Amanda doesn't choose to keep for her own home, she sells in her beautiful boutique Ladans Kuriosa (the curiosity barn) - somewhere I am now very keen to visit the next time I pass by. 

I hope you enjoy the tour of this charming home which is filled with beautiful items, cosy layers of textiles and pretty wallpaper. maybe it will have you dreaming of a new life in the Swedish countryside! 

So beautiful! And so cosy in Autumn too with the fireplaces, blankets and sheepskins. 

Could you imagine cosying up here this weekend? 

It was hard to find pictures of Amanda's pottery studio - but there's a lovely film clip here. And you can find plenty more pictures of her home and store here. 

Check out more country homes this weekend in the archive (if this crops up first, just scroll past). I was so happy to read how much you all fell in love with Frida's home on Monday. Take a peek here if you missed it. 

Have a wonderful weekend all, thank you so much for stopping by. 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @ladanskuriosa, shared with kind permission. 

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A Charmingly Restored Swedish Country Home

As we near the end of September, there's an Autumn crispness to the air and woolly jumpers are just around the corner. In her lovely Swedish country home, Frida Sömskar has welcomed the season with DIY touches - including an apple garland here and a pumpkin display there, giving her home a warm and cosy touch. 

But that's not the only reason I have fallen in love with her home. When Frida and her family first discovered it, they were told to knock it down and start afresh, but instead they decided to work with the beautiful old bones it had and give the wreck a new lease of life - doing pretty much everything by hand. 

Today, remnants of its past life can be seen in almost every room and blend with newer touches in a traditional style . Pretty wallpapers, wainscoting, shelving units, vintage furniture and lovely textiles have been all part of the mix that help to create a relaxed vibe. Oh, and even the playhouse has been given a charming a make-over!

Välkommen to Frida's world. 

Charming in every way!

There were so many details to fall in love with, but I think what really captured my attention was the apple wreath - I might have to make one of those for my door this weekend. I wonder how long it will last? 

If you'd like to see the before and after pictures of this house - and read about some of the DIY projects, check out Frida's instagram @fridasomskar, it's so inspiring! 

I am really late writing this today as I have just been at a wonderful lunch at Malin Persson's house in collaboration with Florea, a delightful Swedish company selling seeds and bulbs. Malin's sister Linda made us all an Autumn-themed 'courgette risotto' served in a pumpkin. If you're curious to see more, take a look at my instagram stories today. 

It wouldn't be MSH if I didn't leave you with a few more lovely country homes to look at today! Why not take a peek inside: 

A traditional Skånelänge farmhouse

An idyllic cottage in the Swedish countryside

A pretty Swedish cottage in a forest

Have a fantastic start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Frida Sömskar, shared with kind permission

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