Hagestad Nygård: A Dreamy Österlen Farmhouse Full of Character

Hejsan! How was your weekend?

As long-term readers will know, I live in Skåne, in southern Sweden, and this time of year it really comes into its own. Have you been here in summer? The fields are glowing, the beaches fill with life, and the little cafés and farm shops buzz just enough to feel alive, but never rushed.

Tucked into the rolling landscape of Österlen is Hagestad Nygård, a farmstead with over a hundred years of history. Built with care by Esbjörn Persson, it still carries that sense of craftsmanship and calm. And since 2020, it has been cared for with a lovely blend of preservation and gentle modern updates.

The property comprises three separate buildings, which serve as separate dwellings and also a relaxation area, complete with a small, lush indoor pool. And outside, a saltwater pool awaits on warmer days.

The interiors are warm and expressive, with earthy tones, bold accents, and just the right amount of dramatic flair. And each room feels thoughtful, but never staged. It’s the kind of place where you want to linger—throw open a window, make a coffee, and stay awhile.

Oh, and the sea is just a short bike ride away, and villages like Kåseberga and Löderup are nearby, full of character and that Österlen summer energy I always find hard to put into words.

Did I mention this place is actually for sale via Christies? Your new home, perhaps? Take the tour and see for yourself. You might just fall in love.

I love the relaxation part of the property - it's wonderful! Here are a few pictures: 

Such an incredible property! I love the sense of drama in those walls with their rich, time-worn patina.

Lately, I’ve been dreaming of a sunken bath that feels like a little pool. We definitely don’t have the space (or budget) for one—but a girl can dream, right?

What stands out to you most about Hagestad Nygård? Tempted to make it your home? It would be a big life change… but such a good one, don’t you think? You can read more about it and see more pictures here. 

How about a lovely, slow start to the week and a peek at a few more Skånegårds today? 

Step inside a traditional Skånegård in the Swedish countryside
A charming rustic farmhouse in Skåne
A charming farmhouse in southern Sweden

I hope you have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Christies, with thanks.

READ MORE...

4

Astrid's Charming Finnish Lakehouse Full of Soul, History, and Vintage Finds

It’s been way too long since I last featured a home from Finland — which is rather shocking, considering how much I adore the country. I visited Helsinki and the Finnish countryside while working on my book The Scandinavian Home*, and fell head over heels. The forests, the lakes, the saunas! It’s such a beautiful, peaceful country.

So, I’m thrilled to take you on a virtual visit today to a truly special home. Perched on the edge of a lake in Ruovesi — a small village near Tampere — this charming house belongs to Astrid Aminoff, her husband Henrik, their two children, and their dog Pablo (who may or may not be the real boss of the house).

The original lakehouse was built in the 1890s, back when its neighbour was none other than Finnish artist Hugo Simberg. It started as a tiny summer cottage, passed down through Henrik’s family. In the 1990s, it got a bit of a boost with an extension, and for the past five years Astrid and Henrik have been slowly and lovingly renovating it to create their dream retreat from which to enjoy the long Finnish summers.

Astrid describes their family as “culturally mixed” — she has British, Scottish, Finnish, and American roots, and Henrik is Finnish-Swedish. This wonderful blend is reflected throughout the home. And the couple has taken a heartfelt, sustainable approach to renovating: reusing old materials, snapping up vintage finds, and working within a tight budget. Think Danish furniture, Finnish Arabia ceramics, some lovely British pieces, and a vinyl collection that brings serious soul.

So without further ado — Tervetuloa (welcome) to Astrid’s charming lakeside house! Let’s step inside...

What a beautiful home — so unique, steeped in family history, and set in the most incredible location. Can you imagine spending your summers gazing out over that peaceful lake? A morning dip, lazy lunches on the terrace, the sound of birds in the trees… absolute bliss!

Did anything catch your eye?

If you’d like to see more glimpses of Astrid’s home and follow their ongoing renovations, pop over to @thefinnishhouse — it’s a real treat.

Fancy diving deeper into Finnish living? These lovely apartments and houses are well worth a peek:

Pia's cosy country home in snowy Finland
Maiju's delightful home Vaasa, Finland
Kaati's rustic 19th century log house 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday — or as they say in Finnish, Hyvää keskiviikkoa!

Niki

Photography by Astrid / @thefinnishhouse, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

12

A Dreamy Lakeside Swedish Cabin Escape on Airbnb

It’s Fredag (Friday), the sun is shining, and after a few days at our cabin over the Labour Day holiday watching blackbirds and oystercatchers roam around our garden, I’m fully immersed in the Swedish nature. In a country with just 10 million people (not far off the population of London) and land that stretches 1,574km (978 miles) from north to south, it’s easy to find the perfect solitude.

If you’re planning a visit, there are plenty of idyllic and remote Airbnbs to be found – like this gem. Tucked away in a forest clearing in Näsum, Skåne (southern Sweden), LakeView Cabin is a classic Swedish wooden cottage that’s been lovingly renovated with a fresh, minimalist yet comfy feel. With it's own pier and bathing deck, it's perfect for those who love a morgondopp (that bracing pre-breakfast dip!), plus there’s an outdoor shower and a sauna for warming up afterwards. All of it nestled in the kind of peaceful, whispering forest that makes you forget what day it is.

As the owners put it: “It's perfect for couples, winter bathers, life lovers and nature lovers who appreciate nature and peace and quiet as much as we do.”

For those of you who may live a little too far away to book this, there’s still plenty of inspiration to be gathered – from the way they’ve embraced the great outdoors, to the little thoughtful details indoors, like nature-themed embroidered cushions in an otherwise minimalist white room.

I hope you feel inspired and that this gives you just the virtual getaway you need to ease into the weekend!

What a perfect getaway—and by my calculations, it's only a 1.5-hour drive from Malmö, so maybe I should book a long weekend there myself. 

Could you imagine relaxing here? If so, you can find more details on Airbnb. 

Keen to discover a few more Scandinavian Airbnbs? Here are a few lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

The Stonecutters' farm on the Swedish island of Öland

A beautiful Danish summer cottage

A fabulous Copenhagen home that's available to rent

A beautiful limestone barn on the Swedish island of Gotland

A cosy riverside cottage in Denmark

An architect's calm home (and Airbnb) in Copenhagen.

A magazine-ready cabin on a Swedish island

Getaway from it all in a Swedish lakeside cottage

A rustic pool villa on the island of Gotland

So many wonderful places to stay – perhaps this will entice you to this part of the world this summer? Välkommen!

On another note, I’m sorry for being so slow to reply to comments this week. Poor Alice has been home sick all week, and with work and the Labour Day holiday thrown in, it’s been a bit of a juggle. But I’ve loved reading every single one of your messages, and I’m so grateful that you take the time to write and share your thoughts and observations. I’m looking forward to sitting down with a coffee tomorrow and replying properly.

Have a relaxing weekend and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks. 

READ MORE...

8

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. 

READ MORE...

16