Inside An Idyllic Norwegian Island Getaway

Hej hej! Happy Friday! In case you’re wondering about the current mood in Scandinavia – it’s very much a case of “gone fishing” or, more accurately, “gone to the summer cottage, back in three weeks.” It’s July, and no one works in July unless they absolutely have to. After all, we’ve endured a long, cold, dark winter – this is the moment we’ve been waiting for!

One of Scandinavia’s best-kept secrets is the incredible array of islands that come alive at this time of year. There’s something for everyone – tiny skerries, uninhabited nature reserves with hiking trails and camping spots, and charming islands dotted with clapboard summer cottages, old fishing villages, and small harbours where life gathers in the evening. The days follow a simple rhythm: eat, swim, nap, repeat.

This delightful summer cottage is situated in Hvaler, a municipality made up of islands in the southern part of Østfold County, Norway, and perfectly captures the essence of the Scandinavian summer idyll. Its relaxed coastal interior, with blue and white accents, reflects the hues of the Skagerrak Sea, glimpsed through the windows. A sailboat here, a cluster of ornamental glass fishing buoys there – it’s all part of the charm.

Though modest, the cottage offers an effortless comfort: a relaxed sofa, soft blankets, sheepskins and cushions invite you to kick back and unwind. But if the sun’s shining, you’ll probably be tempted to join the alfresco gathering, where fresh prawns await – or slip away to the water’s edge for a quiet moment alone, soaking up the scenery and recharging for the season ahead.

Enjoy the tour!

Charming in every way!

It’s been captured so beautifully that I feel as though I’m right there – soaking up the sunshine on the warm rocks with a book in hand.

Do you feel it too?

Does it sound like your kind of summer? Is there anything that stood out to you? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

If you’d like to see more snapshots, hop over to @hvalerlivet on Instagram – it’s a true feast for the eyes!

Would you like to explore more Norwegian summer houses today? If so, take a peek at: 

A magical Norwegian house by a fjord
An idyllic fjordside retreat in Norway
A charming little cabin by a Norwegian fjord

By the way, if you're curious about the scent of these islands - Skandinavisk have managed to bottle it up in the beautiful ØY collection and this July you can get 20% off all their fragrances (including candles, washes, lotions etc) with code ISLAND20. Just saying! 

Have a wonderful weekend – and thank you for stopping by!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hvalerlivet, shared with kind permission. 

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A Serene Cabin Stay in Norway’s Wilderness

Why, hi there friends! I hope you had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I also hope you have your bags packed, because we're heading off on a virtual trip to the Norwegian wilderness — to visit the newly built wood cabin of Lin Christin Mortensholm!

Now, as we’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather, you might be puzzled by the snowy picture above — but in some parts of Norway, the backcountry ski season is still in full swing.

Designed according to Lin’s philosophy of a "natural, quiet interior, and mindful living", the Scandinavian-style blond wood cabin was the well-deserved winner of "The Year's Cabin Gullfjæren". Naturally, I was keen to find out more — and discovered a beautiful, serene living space where the indoors blend seamlessly with the wild beauty of the outdoors.

Immersed in nature — where the contrasting seasons create an ever-changing series of striking landscapes — the interior has been kept wonderfully simple, allowing the surrounding scenery to take centre stage.

An open-plan design, the striking monochrome interior is furnished with an array of pieces crafted from natural materials like cork, wood and canvas. Freshly picked foliage, such as lupins and bracken, helps to capture the true essence of the season.

Ready to take a tour?

What a wonderful getaway! It's definitely the kind of place where you’d pull up, unpack and feel instantly relaxed, with nothing to do except immerse yourself in the incredible nature — whether walking, skiing, or simply sitting by the fire with a good book.

Can you imagine chilling here this week? Was there anything that caught your eye?

Hop on over to @lysthus_skrim to see more beautiful angles of Lin’s cabin.

It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE Norway. It’s an incredible country. I’ve visited many times — for holidays, work, and to write travel guides for Simply Scandi magazine. Here are a couple of guides I’ve featured on My Scandinavian Home:

Spectacular Bodø and Lofoten

The Hardanger Fruit Trail

Is there anywhere you've been in Norway that you would recommend? 

Oh, and some beautiful Norwegian homes to feel inspired by: 

A magical rural escape by a Norwegian fjord

A summer fjord side retreat in Norway

A Norwegian house by a fjord

A ski chalet in Hafjell

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lysthus_skrim, shared with kind permission. 

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Inside Juni's Oslo Apartment with Creative Paint Trends & Inspiring Art

Good morning, friends! I hope you all had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I can’t stop daydreaming about the cosy cabin from Friday’s post—oh, how tempting it would be to swap Malmö’s dreary rain for an off-grid retreat in snowy Lapland this week! How about you? Unfortunately, that’ll have to remain a dream for now. But don’t worry, I’ve got something else to brighten up your Monday—a stunning home tour that’s sure to inspire.

Today, we’re stepping into the beautiful apartment of Juni Halseth Strenberg, a talented UX designer based in Grünerløkka, Oslo. Juni and her partner have been lovingly renovating their home, which dates all the way back to 1894. A colour enthusiast, Juni has embraced earthy tones throughout, using them boldly across ceilings, windowsills, and door frames. The result? A chic, contemporary vibe that perfectly complements an eclectic mix of sculptural furniture, rich textures, and playful patterns. Small bursts of colour in the form of lighting, artwork, and accessories bring an extra layer of energy and joy to the space.

Welcome to Juni’s delightful home—let’s take a peek inside!

Paint colours: Classic white on walls, Morning dew 18 on ceiling, Himla  4 on windowsill

Armchairs–Fogia, Pendant–Hay, Floor lamp–Louis Poulsen, Sofa–MeliMeli, Paint–Klint colours, Lobster cushion–Beau Marché

Paint colours: Vide 107 on walls, Olivlund on ceiling

Frame TV–Samsung. Art by: Emma Widell, Ingrid Haukelidsæter, Anette Moi, Maria Murphy, Jane Hupe, Petter Hoen, Isabelle Feliu, Ragnhild Nes

Glass cabinet–Ellos (painted in another shade), art–Maria Murphy. 

On the other side of the dining room: cabinets–IKEA, Snoopy lamp–Flos, art by Usikkerkunstjente,  Leon Seesix, Astrid Wilson

Cabinets–IKEA, pendant lamp–Hay

Paint colours: Honey bee 32 on ceiling, Limon 82 on walls. 

I get such a lovely feeling from Juni's apartment—don’t you?

The use of colour really stands out to me. A few years ago, it was all about the one accent wall, but these days it’s all about going all out—painting absolutely everything: the ceiling, walls, window frames, radiators, you name it. And, I’m here for it! How do you feel about this contemporary use of paint?

I also loved being introduced to so many new artists (I’ve done my best to link to as many as possible).

Was there anything in particular you enjoyed about Juni’s home?

You can check out more corners of her apartment and stay updated with her latest renovation projects here.

Let's take a look at a few more inspiring Oslo homes today: 

At home with the Arctic Gardener

An artist's home in Oslo (captured for my book!)

A stunning Norwegian home in many shades of blue

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @junik, shared with kind permission. 

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