Autumn Charm at My Friend Helen’s Cosy Swedish Cottage

I was browsing Pinterest earlier, looking for a little inspiration, when an old photo suddenly popped up and whisked me straight back to the weekend I spent at my friend — interior designer Helen Sturesson’s — cottage in Blekinge. We had such a wonderfully cosy time: shooting beautiful products for clients, eating homemade apple pie, and wandering along the nearby coastline. It all feels like yesterday.

When Helen and her family first took on the cottage, it didn’t have any real heating. They relied almost entirely on the old woodburning stove in the kitchen to warm the space. Once upon a time, a father used that very stove to cook meals for his seven children after their mother sadly passed away — and the entire family slept together in a single bedroom. Can you imagine? Today, things look a little different. Helen now has electric heating, and the stove is mostly used to keep coffee and tea warm while the family potters about.

The sitting room and bedroom each have their own kakelugn too — such beautiful, gentle heat. There’s nothing quite like the soft crackle and glow of a tiled stove on an autumn day.

I couldn’t resist sharing a little tour of her lovely cottage here. Apologies if you’ve seen these photos before, but I’d hate for any new readers to miss out on the magic of this charming little place in the autumn time.

So toasty - and such a perfect weekend. 

The glass candleware in the window is all made by Danish glassblowers Pernille Bülow, who also make the most beautiful Christmas decorations (it is around the corner, after all!). In fact, you might remember the Christmas shoot we did in Helen's cottage - and also my visit to the island Of Bornholm where they have their atelier. 

Is there anything about Helen's cottage that caught your eye? 

Right folks, it's getting late on a Friday and the wine bar just around the corner is beckoning! Thank you as always for stopping by - and for all your wonderful comments. I'm looking forward to catching up and responding this weekend!

 

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

All photography in this post by me! 

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Where the Sea Meets Home: A Swedish Coastal Escape

It’s Friday! And if there’s a day for dreaming, this has to be it. Long-time readers will know my biggest dream is to one day live in a little cottage by the sea — listening to the waves crash against the shore, watching treasures wash up with the tide, and breathing in that salty fresh air.

And this lovely little cottage? Well, it’s pretty much spot on! It’s just appeared a few years too early, as my teens aren’t quite ready to trade in their urban lives for the wonderfully quiet rhythm of Sweden’s south coast. Even so, it doesn’t stop me dreaming!

With the sea as your closest neighbour and the gentle sound of the waves as a backdrop, this Ystad cottage feels like a world of its own. Big windows frame the ever-changing horizon, a wrought-iron staircase leads up to a serene master bedroom, and the clean, simple Scandinavian style lets the views take centre stage. A wood-burning stove promises cosy evenings after windswept walks, and a morning dip is only a few footsteps away.

I don’t know about you, but I can just imagine sitting here with a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise over the water. One day, perhaps…

This lovely cottage really is just the ticket — I’ll be storing it in my mind and dreaming about it this weekend. Location aside, I also love the sleek kitchen with its pendant lamps over the worktop, the exposed beams, and that wonderfully simple décor that lets the sea views do all the talking.

What about you — can you imagine living in a place like this, or do you prefer a little more hustle and bustle around you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if, like me, you enjoy a good coastal daydream, here are a few more homes by the sea that might just steal your heart: 

Coastal living, only cooler - the home of an artist in England
A charming Danish cottage with a coastal vibe
An artist's atelier and cottage by the sea in Cornwall, England

Thank you so much for stopping by and dreaming with me this week, and for all your lovely comments — I’m really looking forward to sitting down with a quiet moment this weekend to read and respond to them.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarna Ekström (where it is currently for sale).

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A Fairytale Escape on 'Happiness Island', Sweden

Hello good people! I thought I’d end the week on a happy note—literally. This dreamy Swedish cottage sits on its very own island, aptly named Happiness Island. Located in the northern part of Lake Barken, just outside Smedjebacken, Southern Dalarna, it’s like something out of a fairytale. No wonder it’s the most-clicked property on Hemnet, Sweden’s big real estate site. Clearly, we’re not the only ones swooning and daydreaming about a peaceful weekend escape, just a boat ride away from the daily grind.

It’s easy to see the appeal. You arrive at your own jetty, wander through woodland, and find a charming green cottage with light-filled, whitewashed interiors and wood-clad walls. Inside, it’s simply furnished with rag rugs, baskets hanging from the kitchen ceiling, and a cosy spot to put up your feet. What more could a girl need? Get ready to fall in love!

What an absolute dream! 

Could you imagine hopping in a boat there this evening, complete with a fine selection of cheese, maybe a bottle of red, some slippers and a good book? Oh, and don't forget to pack your bathers, it's still warm in the water! 

Let's keep the dream going with a few other cottages on an island: 

Rikka's island cabin in Finland
The stonecutters' farm on the island of Öland
A dreamy summer cottage on Sweden's west coast

I've also written quite a few guides about Scandinavian islands to visit. Take a peek below if you're curious: 

10 beautiful islands to visit in the Gothenburg archipelago

Visit the Skåne island of Hallands Väderö
My guide to Swedish island hopping in the Baltic

I hope this has got you in the mood for a great weekend ahead! Thank you soooo much for stopping by and sharing in my passion for Scandinavian homes, this positive community means so much to me. 

Niki

Photography: Ludvika / Smedjebacken

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A Serene Swedish Lakeside Cottage Escape

It’s Friday, friends – time for a little weekend dreaming. After all, who wouldn’t want to spend it in a pretty traditional Swedish cottage, gazing out over a lake?

When you have views like this one over Älvsjön, you really don’t need much in the way of décor. This lovely cottage has been deliberately pared back so that the sweeping vistas across the water take centre stage.

In this small but special selection of images, it’s clear that life here is all about the simple things: lingering over long summer evenings, gathering with loved ones, and just being. Picture white wood-panelled walls, a touch of stripes, a pair of binoculars by the window, a wonderful terrace, and even a little guest house right by the water’s edge.

And the best part? It’s only 1 hour and 45 minutes from Stockholm – making it the perfect weekend getaway. The perfect place to clear the mind, recharge the soul, and slip into the easy rhythm of lake life.

Could you imagine relaxing here this weekend?

If you’d like to keep dreaming, here are a few more lovely lake-side home tours from the archive: 

Anna and Martin's tiny home built cottage floating on a lake
A Swedish house on a hill with lovely lake views
A Scandi-inspired lakeside cabin in Norfolk, UK

Or better still, buy it! What are Fridays for, if not for a little spontaneity! 

Joking aside, it’s hard to believe it’s already the last few days of August. At our own cottage, the leaves on the oak tree are just beginning to turn brown — a gentle reminder that autumn is on its way. Even so, the water is still surprisingly warm, so we’re hoping to spend a few more days up here, soaking up the late summer sun while I try to forget about the 10 km run  I signed up for tomorrow evening in a moment of madness. Gaaaah! Wish me luck, I'll need it! 

I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend too?

Thank you, as always, for all your kind comments. It’s such a joy to read them, and I’m hoping to find a little quiet time later to respond to each and every one.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Trevlig helg!

Niki

Credits: Sjönära, shared with thanks.

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A Charming Holiday Home in Österlen, Sweden’s Summer Escape

My younger sister and her family are currently island-hopping in Greece, and every now and again she FaceTimes me all excited, ready to give me a real-time video tour of her Airbnb. I absolutely love these virtual tours – not least because they transport me straight from my desk to the shores of the Ionian Sea – but also because they remind me how much it matters to find a holiday home you truly love. It can honestly make or break a trip, do you agree?

That’s why I hunt high and low before booking our own stays. And since I so often receive questions about where to stay in Sweden, I thought I’d share a gem with you today.

Österlen is an area in southeastern Skåne, in South Sweden, known for its rolling countryside, sandy beaches, whitewashed fishing villages, apple orchards, and rich cultural history. Long beloved by artists, it has a special light and creative atmosphere that draws painters, writers and makers year after year.

This particular holiday home, named Försammlingshemmet in Fågeltofta, is charming – with old beams, walls rich in patina, and interesting colours (think deep forest, raspberry and earthy tones). There’s a wonderfully comfy-looking four-poster bed, a pool to cool off in on warm days, and serene views across the Österlen landscape.

One to bookmark for next summer, perhaps?

Lovely!

I’ve also been reading a lot about Scandinavia being the new “coolcation” – the perfect antidote to increasingly hot summers in central Europe.

Summers here can indeed be wonderfully mild, usually around 18–25°C (68–77 °F) in July (the height of summer in Northern Europe). Of course, you can be a tad unlucky too – in which case we’re all dreaming of a last-minute trip south… or digging our knits back out of winter storage!

Have you been on holiday to Scandinavia? If so, I’d love to hear about where you went!

If you're planning on coming south, you can find this home on Airbnb here. 

I have also shared a ton of other beautiful Airbnb's in the past. 

Would you like to see some other homes in Österlen? Here are a few of my favourites: 

My friend Karen's lovely summer house 
Marianne's Swedish country escape
A 19th century cottage where past meets the present
The home of an architect

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb / Församlingshemmet, shared with thanks.

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