A Cosy 1800s Cottage Stay in Kullaberg, Sweden

Hej! How are you lovely people today?

A little while ago, I shared a guide to Helsingborg – a city close to my heart, not only because my husband is from there, but also because my father-in-law lives in a charming fishing village nearby, in the Kullaberg area. This beautiful peninsula is brimming with creatives, cosy cafés, great eateries, and spectacular cliff walks. If you’re planning a trip to southern Sweden, it’s an absolute must. And as luck would have it, I think I’ve just found the perfect Airbnb for you too!

This cosy stay is called Villa Mandelgren – a wonderfully peaceful half-timbered cottage dating back to the 1800s. With two charming bedrooms layered with textures and warmth, it makes the perfect hideaway for a small group or family. Nestled right on nature’s doorstep yet still close to Höganäs – the coastal town I featured in my guide – it makes for a great base. 

When I stumbled across it, I couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps stylist Marie Olsson Nylander (whose home I featured here many moons ago) or artist Sara Bergman (who also lives in Nyhamnsläge and has appeared on the pages of MSH) might have had a hand in the decor. Or maybe there’s simply another local with a great eye for design – combining earthy tones, rich textures, and a soft touch of femininity.

Either way, this Airbnb is definitely one to bookmark for future trips – and such lovely inspiration for autumn interiors too!

The beams make all the difference, I think – adding so much to the overall cosiness. I’m curious though – have any of you ever knocked through a ceiling to reveal beams? If so, how tricky was it to do (asking for a friend ;)?

I also love the floral bed covers – they bring such a lovely touch of femininity and softness to the space. So often rental homes can feel a little sparse in the photos, but this one strikes just the right balance: calm and pared back enough for you to add your own personality, yet cosy enough to feel instantly at home.

Can you imagine staying here? If so, you can check out the booking on Airbnb here.

And if you’re planning a trip to Sweden, don’t miss my guide to Helsingborg, Helsingør, and Kullaberg!

I absolutely loved reading all your comments last week! It was a bit of a crazy one on our side with a full work week and a birthday in the house (thank you so much for all your kind wishes for Liv!). This evening I have a long train ride home from Formland in Jutland, Denmark, and I’m looking forward to replying to them all then. Which reminds me if you'd like to hear about the latest interior trend and news from the cool Danes, checkout my instagram stories over the next 24 hours to follow my day here! 

Wishing you an underbart start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks. 

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From Classroom to Country Retreat: A Swedish Schoolhouse Turned Artist’s Home

You know how much I love a home with history – especially when it’s had a completely different life before. This one’s lovely: Malmby Gamla Skola, a former schoolhouse dating back to the 1860s. Set along winding country roads and surrounded by greenery, its red facade with white trims is the picture of Swedish charm.

I like to imagine the days when teachers stood at the front of the class, the sound of pencils scratching on paper, and children running out to play in the fields. 

Today, it’s a welcoming family home, now owned by an artist (which makes perfect sense with all that glorious light streaming in through the old mouth-blown windows). Keep an eye out for the quirky rug laid at a diagonal, beautiful wallpaper, a cosy kitchen window nook, and of course, the lovely fireplace – perfect for curling up beside in winter.

The garden has plenty to offer too – a greenhouse, kitchen garden, and space to grow your own vegetables. In summer, you can pick wild strawberries straight from the lawn, and in the evening, there’s a beautiful sunset over the meadows. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

Did you notice the wavy view you get when you look through mouth-blown glass windows? They are so beautiful and really add to the charm of the house. 

Could you imagine living in a house with a wonderful past like this? Or perhaps you already do? 

I have featured lots of converted homes in the past - including these schools: 

A light-filled Swedish home in a converted school
A Swedish home in former city school from the 1950s

A converted school with flashes of sunny yellow

My friend Louisa's home in a converted school

Colourful, boho and eclectic in a country home

This post is actually very timely as my younger daughter went back to school today - the summer holidays are finally over - even if it is 25 degrees celsius (77 F). 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photos courtesy of Historiska Hem

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A Gentle Return to Swedish Summer Cottage Life

Hello! Thank you so much for your patience over the past two weeks while I took a little time off to enjoy summer with my family. This morning feels bittersweet. Sweet, because I’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks soaking up everything I love about life in Sweden — long summer evenings, wildflowers, and the simplicity of days spent in a pared-back summer cottage. But there’s a hint of bitterness too, as summer slowly begins to retreat. School is starting soon, and there’s the faintest rustle in the leaves — that quiet signal that autumn is on its way, and with it, the long, dark winter waiting in the wings.

As I wrote in my Njuta book, though, I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t appreciate these golden summers nearly as much if I didn’t yearn for them through the rest of the year.

Have you had a lovely summer too? I know in many parts of Europe, it’s only just getting into its stride — and for friends further afield, it’s the middle of winter (hang in there — your turn is coming!).

To ease back in, I thought I’d share a wistful, traditional Swedish summer cottage that perfectly captures the feel of the season here. Every piece of furniture, every handwoven rag rug, every patch of romantic wallpaper — even the nicks on the stairs — tells a story of summers spent by the lake. It’s the kind of relaxed, unfussy home where nothing has to be perfect — and thank goodness for that. It means more time for picking flowers, lounging on the jetty, or debating whether it’s too early for ice cream (answer: it’s never too early).

And speaking of practical joys — keep an eye out for the baskets. They’re a bit of a Swedish summer hero. Woven, humble, and endlessly useful, they’re used for everything from carrying plates and cutlery down to the water’s edge, to transporting picnic supplies to the garden table, to collecting blueberries or firewood. Far more practical than a tray — especially when navigating bumpy paths, uneven lawns, or small children underfoot. They’re the kind of everyday detail that makes summer living feel that little bit more effortless.

You might also spot plenty of other classic Swedish touches in the photos — the tiled masonry oven, the curtains by the door to keep the draft at bay and retro glass food storage containers (now used for all kinds of nbits and bobs!).  If anything jumps out at you, I’d love to hear in the comments!

So pretty! I recognise many of the relaxed touches from our own summer cottage, which Per’s grandparents built nearly 100 years ago!

Did you spot the large array of baskets? And how pretty are those hand-painted tiles in the kitchen?

Another factor I thought about is the exposed cables. In Scandinavia, I've noticed it's perfectly acceptable to leave cables exposed - tacking them in a straight line across the ceiling, around doors or down walls - instead of paying vast amounts to chase and conceal them. Is this also the same where you live? 

Was there anything else that caught your eye?

Perhaps you'd like to kick off the week by touring a few more summer cottages today? How about:

Before and after: a rundown croft becomes an idyllic summer cottage
A magical wood-clad summer cottage
A charming open-plan summer cottage

Thank you for stopping by, I'm happy to be back — wishing you a relaxing start to the week!

Niki

PS I usually post Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but this week there'll also be an extra post tomorrow as there's an exciting event coming that I am keen to tell you about! See you then! 

@clindholm_design for Historiska Hem

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