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A Danish Summer Cabin with 10 Garden Elements for a Dreamy Oasis!


Are you a fan of instagram? I have to confess I find it a little hit and miss these days, but right now it's fantastic as I'm trying to figure out what to do with our garden at the cabin and my feed is full of dreamy garden inspiration. Which is how I stumbled upon this Danish cabin! 

Lærke Hentze and her family bought a piece of land in the beautiful village of Gilleleje, North of Copenhagen in 2017 and have since built a charming cabin from the ground up. You'd be forgiven for thinking it's old thanks to a traditional Danish coastal vibe - in part due to the beaded wood panelling and earthy tones which have been carefully selected to reflect the surroundings.

In Scandinavia, summers are sacred, and the garden is an important part of the living space! Scroll on down to discover ten ways Lærke has made the most of their outdoor space to ensure a true summer oasis.  

But first, let's start with the indoors: 

The darker blue cabinets in the kitchen help to add contrast and interest and also nod to the nearby Kattegatt sea. 

The main living area is completely open-plan with a kitchen, dining room and sitting room in one - emphasising the idea of togetherness, an important element of the Scandinavian summer cottage. 

A wood-burning stove is an essential piece of kit for a touch of Danish hygge! 




A striped sofa cover adds a subtle coastal vibe while a designer lamp and safari style chair elevate the room. 

Books are an essential element of any summer cottage, as hopefully you finally time to catch up on some reading! 

I love how vases are filled with flowers and foliage from the garden - no matter the time of year. 

A bar? Now we're talking! 

And how beautiful is the vintage rattan bar cart? There are lots of similar ones to buy here* (affiliate link).

Rattan has been hugely popular for a while now, and I can understand why, it adds an instantly relaxed atmosphere, and on warmer, dry days it can be moved outdoors too! 

Possibly one of the most popular lamps in Denmark (and something I covet for my own cabin, is a Le Klint scissor lamp - beautiful! 

Time to move outdoors? Lærke has created a dreamy oasis from scratch. I discovered ten elements she has included for an idyllic Scandinavian summer cottage garden:  

1. The outdoor kitchen: When you have to endure the long winters that we do in Scandinavia, it's important to embrace every moment of the warmer weather. Outdoor kitchens have become increasingly popular and don't require much in the way of equipment. Freestanding units, a sink, and a gas or electric stove should do the trick. 

A spot under the eaves is used to dry flowers such as crown dill. 

2. Dining area: an obvious one, but oh how I dream about meals alfresco! Do as the Scandinavians and add cushions, blankets, oil lamps and lanterns so you can stay outside for longer after sunset.

3. A parasol: while we all love sunshine, it's not so comfortable if you're feeling the heat! The best parasols have a tilting function and should be around 50 cm to 1 metre wider than the space you would like to cover. 


4. An outdoor living room: why lounge around on the sofa indoors when you can lounge around outside in comfort! The rattan outdoor chairs are from Cane-line and the table is by Fermob


5. Summer flowers: the key, I have learnt from my Scandinavian friends, is to create a garden that requires as little maintenance as possible (after all, you're there to relax!) and also flowers when you intend to use it - which in most cases in Scandinavia means June, July and August. 

'Annabelle' hydrangea, with its spectacular white pompoms is hugely popular here - and requires little maintenance. Lærke has combined hers with tall grasses for a more wild, natural look. 

6. An annex: seen here across the flower beds, an annex is ideal for extra guests and afternoon siestas - if you have the space! 

7. The fire pit: a log fire is great way to spend time outdoors in wintertime without feeling the chill! But they are also lovely on chillier summer evenings too. Keep it simple and surround the fire with a few logs for seating. 

8. The sleep shelter: If you head out into the wilderness in Scandinavia, you'll spot these open-sided shelters along the trails. Made from wood, they provide shelter over lunch or at night - just add a sleeping bag and pillow for a good night's slumber! I love how Lærke has included one in her garden so her family can sleep out under the stars. 

9. A hammock: so simple, yet so perfect to spend some alone under the boughs of a tree with a book! 

10. Somewhere to take a dip: Since a morning and evening dip are an essential part of summer life, Scandinavian summer cottages are rarely far from water - whether a lake, river, fjord or the sea. No water nearby? Add a simple bath like this danish cabin - or a small plunge pool

I hope Lærke's idyllic summer oasis has given you some inspiration for your own home / outdoor space today. If you'd like to see more pictures, hop over to her instagram at @creating_a_cottage. 

Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

Would you like to see more today? Take a scroll through the Scandinavian cabins archive - there are so many dreamy ones in there! 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki


Photography: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 ,15 by Copenhagen based photographer Chris Opander Tonnesen. Others by Lærke Hentze / @creating_a_cottage. Shared with kind permission. 

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Julie's Bright Danish Summer Cabin by the Sea

This weekend, the clocks went forward in Sweden - which always feels like a giant leap towards summertime (even if it was painful when the alarm clock went off!). In honour of the occasion, I couldn't resist sharing a dreamy Danish summer cabin with you. 

But it hasn't always been dreamy. In fact when Julie Løwenstein and her husband Simon Schack first discovered the cabin in Rørvig, it was dark, dank and had been on the market for an age. As a stylist for Bolig magasinet, Julie knows her way around a renovation and how to give homes a lift. The couple found that painting the interior white was key to creating a bright living space - and they also put in a new kitchen and bathroom.

Today, the simple, yet vibrant cabin has everything the family need to enjoy weekends and holidays away from the city. 

See the full tour and floor plan here and read more about Julie's cabin at Bolig Magasinet (in Danish). 

For more charming cabin / summer cottage inspiration, I love: 


Have a fab start to the week friends! 

Niki

PS This post has been edited. 

Photography: Anitta Behrendt
Styling: Julie Løwenstein - shared with kind permission
Featured in: Bolig Magasinet

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A White, Light & Airy Cabin on a Danish Island

One for the minimalists - or simply those of you dreaming of owning a Danish cabin! Kristina, an Interior design consultant, has put her white washed cabin on the Danish island of Fur in the Limfjord, just North of the Salling Peninsula, on Jutlund on the market! The Dane has a penchant for all things minimalist, carefully curating her living spaces with only what is needed and nothing more (I've tried to source as many as I can for you!). Tones are soft and muted, with the odd splash of black for contrast, and the architect of the building (think wood panelling sloped ceilings and beams) shines through to add interest. The look is serene and calm - perfect for an interior designed for relaxing and switching off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! 











Lovely - like a breath of fresh air! - And just waiting for someone to come along and put their personal stamp on it! Sadly if I recall right, you are not allowed to buy a property in Denmark unless you are a Danish citizen. But a girl can dream, right

If you fit the criteria and interested - reach out to Kristina here. For all others, you might like to check out Kristina's inspiring feed which also includes pictures of her beautiful house in Randers, Denmark. 

Is there anything you love about Kristina's cabin in particular? Could you imagine spending your summers here? I've heard great things about the island of Fur. Sadly it's a little too far for us to sail to, but we're looking forward to discovering other Danish islands when we set sail this summer. Exciting! 

Would you like to see a few more Danish cabins today? 


Happy Lillördag (little Saturday)! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @_rosemille - shared with kind permission.

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Sidsel's Elegant Copenhagen Home with a Snoozing Dog!


Many moons ago (I think we're talking four years) I featured Sidsel Garsdal's lovely Copenhagen apartment on My Scandinavian Home.  I've been following her on instagram ever since, and felt it was definitely time to see what the Dane has been up to! Sidsel her family and their dog Pablo divide their time between a flat in the heart of the Danish capital, where Sidsel works as a psychotherapist and their charming cabin on the island of Fejø

In their apartment, Sidsel has struck that wonderful balance between clean and clutter free and homely. The trick: a mix of materials and textures, beautiful wood floors, rugs and art - and a gently snoozing dog! Let's take a look around!


The chairs around the table are a mix of classic wishbone and old Danish school chairs. The incredible table was a secondhand find. 

My eyes are on the armchair - I bet it's so cosy to sit in! The armchair and sofa are danish design pieces by Formal A. The mirror coffee tables by Kristina Dam Studio are also very cool and a great way to lighten up a space. The La Cava rug is from Jotex. 

Light therapy spot, right there! So important in the Nordics! 


I love the vintage table - and also can't help but notice Sidsel's cowboy boots, one of this season's hottest trends. Will you be rocking a pair? 


The PAX closet is from IKEA which Sidsel has painted in 3372 from Flügger



It's not uncommon for beautiful old apartments in Scandinavia to have a decorative communal stairwell. Some have wonderful old lifts too. I love the blue shade and stain glass window in this one! 

I hope you enjoyed revisiting Sidsel's apartment as much as I did today!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Take a peek inside more danish homes: 


I'm on my way to the cabin today for a few photoshoots. It's so tricky with the limited light, but I'm looking forward to sitting by the fire with a glass of wine tonight!

I hope you have a great Lillördag too!

Niki

Photography: Sidsel Garsdal, shared with kind permission

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