my scandinavian home: rural retreats

A Cosy Danish Beach House Reatreat in the Dunes

It's 'höstlov' (half term) next week, and friends are heading off to various places near and far. I love this time of year in Sweden. There's still a warm wind coming off the sea, the leaves are a vibrant array of colours, and a staycation is very much called for. Although we're likely heading to our own little cabin, I can't help but think how wonderful it would be to spend a week at this delightful cottage in the dunes of Tornby Beach, a wide stretch of sand on the North Sea coast of Jutland.

For Anke and her husband, staying among the dunes was more than just a holiday dream. They longed to wake up to the sound of the surf, wander barefoot down to the water for an early morning swim, and enjoy coffee in their bathrobes with uninterrupted views of the sea. In 2024, that dream became a reality when they discovered Rylereden ("The Crow's Nest"), a charming summer house tucked into a hollow between the dunes at Tornby Strand.

Dating back to the 1930s and protected as a historic building, the tiny cottage has been lovingly restored while retaining all its original character. Flooded with sunlight and sheltered from the North Sea winds, it's a place where life's simple pleasures take centre stage. Let's take a peek inside (and at the beautiful surroundings) and dream of a week at this enchanting Danish retreat. Who knows, a stay might just become reality for one of us!

One to save to the holiday list, surely? I mean, I could actually live here ALL year round, going to sleep to the sound of the waves, waking up to the sun rising over the sea. How about you?

You can find Anke's beautiful cabin to rent here.

Did you see the simple stove? We have one of those in our cabin (although a slightly more modern version), and it works so well. Plus, it encourages you to make simpler food, which is great in its own way! I also love how the cabin has been furnished with vintage finds. It really adds to the relaxed feel of both the cabin and mirrors its surroundings.

Would you like to see more Danish coastal properties today? Here are a few I love:

A Danish ceramist's house by the sea

A light and airy Danish cabin by the sea

A windswept Danish cabin in the dunes

It's been a bit of a fraught week, hence this late post, but I hope it was worth the wait! Since it's the school holidays next week, I'll be taking a little time out with my family ad back again the week after.

Thank you, as always, for dropping by and for all your wonderful comments and emails. I love reading them all!

Oh, and if you feel like doing a little shopping next week, don't forget to make the most of your discount with the small Finnish furniture company Nordlif (code NIKI10). It expires at the end of the month. You can see my coffee table here (and it's available here).

Have a wonderful week!

Niki

Photography Mette Johnson / Gastraum

A Soulful Cottage in the Wilds of Bruny Island

Those of you who are regular followers of MSH will know that not every home I show is actually located in Scandinavia. In fact, I have a particular penchant for homes Down Under, Tasmania to be specific. And today I'm taking things one step further.

This home is on a small island off Tasmania, which is pretty much as far from Sweden as it's possible to get without starting to come back again! But hey, geography has never stopped me dreaming. I've promised myself I'll make it there one day. And for those of you who get there before me, here's a stay that would be very hard to resist.

On the southern tip of Bruny Island, interior stylist Tess Newman Morris and her husband Jack have transformed a century-old timber cottage into a wonderfully soulful retreat. Built around 1906 and perched above Little Taylors Bay, Fairweather stole Tess's heart the moment she saw it. She and her family bought it in 2018 and spent the next seven years slowly restoring it, largely themselves, using reclaimed timber, salvaged windows and doors, antique furniture and natural materials.

Rather than making the cottage feel new, Tess wanted to return it to something simpler, calmer and more handcrafted. The result is beautifully understated, with waxed timber floors, vintage pieces, natural fibres and plenty of breathing space, all surrounded by the wild landscape of Bruny Island. Days here are shaped by the sea, changing skies, sea eagles and dolphins, and for Tess there's an added emotional connection too, since her late mother once lived in a nearby bay.

Today, Fairweather is less about polished perfection and more about switching off, slowing down and feeling completely immersed in nature. Or, as Tess puts it, "Time feels different there, like the rest of the world is on pause."

Ready to take the tour? Photographer Lisa Cohen captured these beautiful images, so let's take a look inside...

Incredible! I can’t think of a better place to spend a weekend... can you? Actually, scrap that. The rugged wilderness, the beautiful, relaxed interior and the views have me wanting to settle in and stay a while.

Definitely one to save for my future ‘gap year’ on the other side of the world. It might be a long time coming, but oh, it’s coming!

Is there anything that struck you about Fairweather?

And if you fancy experiencing it for yourself, you can find Fairweather Bruny Island on Airbnb and book a stay.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Interior styling: Tess Newman Morris
Photography: Lisa Cohen

FILED UNDER: Cabins coastal International homes rural retreats vintage

5 extra-cosy Scandinavian cottages in the snow

The snow arrived in Sweden yesterday and oh, how I scoured the web for a snow cottage to share with you today. But alas, it’s been a cazry week and an equally crazy day, and I’ve completely run out of time. And now, with it being 5pm on a Friday night — and our own getaway beckoning this weekend (we really need to hit the road soon; with all the ice, it’s getting more and more treacherous after dark!) — I thought I’d share a throwback to five beautiful, extra-toasty Scandinavian cottages and cabins in the snow with you instead.

I hope they put you in a cosy, wintery mood!

1. Hanna's Finnish country home in the snow at Christmas

2. A Swedish log cabin by a (iced-over) lake

3. A Swedish country home in snowy North Sweden

4. Pretty DIY Christmas decorting ideas from a Swedish country house

5. A cosy off-grid cabin in Lapland

How wonderful! Is there anything better than a log cabin in the snow with a roaring fire, a ton of books, and a stack of games?

Speaking of which, it’s time for us to head down to Ystad! I hope you have a wonderful weekend — and stay warm if it’s as cold where you are as it is here.

I’m looking forward to getting started with some more Christmassy posts next week… it’s time!

Niki

FILED UNDER: Cabins Log cabin rural retreats

A Charming Cottage in the Heart of Södermanland

Hej there, friends! How are you today? I thought we could spend this bright Wednesday in autumn taking a peek inside a cosy cottage in the heart of Södermanland.

Welcome to Mosstorp Marieberg – a place where time seems to slow down and everyday life gently makes room for peace and stillness. This charming red cottage with its traditional white trims dates back to 1909 and has been carefully renovated over the years, always with great respect for its original soul. And it’s the kind of house that instantly makes you feel at ease.

Inside, the 53-square-metre (570-square-feet) home feels both bright and welcoming – full of character yet wonderfully relaxed and pared-back. There’s a cosy kitchen and a living room complete with a fireplace – perfect for those crisp Swedish autumn evenings - and bedrooms where everyone bunks up (after all, there's always room for one more in a Swedish summer cottage!). Keep an eye out for the choice of colour, no doubt inspired by the home of beloved Swedish artist Carl Larsson.

Oh, and did I mention this lovely cottage is for sale? And those lucky enough to make it theirs will get a wonderful bonus: not one, but two extra buildings. There’s a converted storage shed that doubles as a guest room, and a separate guest cottage – ideal for visiting grandparents, older children (I do love it when everyone can be together, but not too together, don’t you?), or anyone seeking a quiet space to work remotely (Stockholm is only an hour away, after all). How great does that sound?

Let's take the tour so you can decide for yourself!