Step Inside An Idyllic Swedish Country Home on A Hill

How was your weekend? We packed up and headed straight out to the Swedish countryside on Friday. I'd love to say it was relaxing, but the entire weekend was spent grafting on the kitchen renovation - I never knew such a small space could create so much work! I can barely keep my eyes open today! Has Monday come around a little too quickly for you too? If so, you might like to dream away with me about returning to the Swedish countryside by taking a peek inside this lovely torp (a small rural dwelling and agricultural unit in Scandinavia, similar to a croft). Martina Söderhielm lives with her husband Jacob and their three children high up on Billingen - the largest of thirteen mesas in Västra Götaland. Their home is made up of a pretty cluster of buildings dating back to the 1700s and surrounded by acres of rich pastures and a plucky brood of chickens. Välkommen in! 

Tripp trapp chair*, simple made-to-measure white linen blind* 

Game wall lamp, this terracotta waffle throw is similar 

My daughter has the same Apple Papple poster in her room (she tells him all her secrets). I love the plum and dark blue combination in this lovely children's room! 

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Oh, so lovely, don't you think?

It honestly makes me wonder if my family and I should move out to the Swedish countryside for good (how many times have I spoken about that over the years?!). When you look at these lovely pictures, do you feel the same? 

See more snapshots of Martina's lovely home on her instagram @livetpastorekullen. And check out other beautiful Scandinavian country homes in this archive. 

Here's to a wonderfully slow start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Martina Söderhielm shared with kind permission 

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Holiday here: A Romantic Lakeside Schoolhouse In Sweden

We've had a few days of beautiful weather in Scandinavia. The plants, trees and flowers have burst into life and are all aglow in the golden sunlight (it didn't get dark until 23.30 where I am in Norway right now!). We finally dare to dream of long summer days by the water. If you're heading this way and looking for something quintessentially Swedish, I may just have the ticket! Owned by photographer Frida Edlund, this romantic 19th century Falu red and white schoolhouse in Värmland offers a rare chance to go back to basics and enjoy everything the Swedish summer has to offer.  Surrounded by lakes and acres of woodland. the secluded environment is perfect for morning dips, boating, hiking, fishing, cycling, dining alfresco by the lake or simply sitting by a log fire with a good book - and it's available via Airbnb!

 

Could you wile away a summer here? I certainly could! 

Find out more and check availability on here. It's available for film shoots, conferences, as a party venue or simply somewhere to switch off for a few days and enjoy everything the Swedish nature has to offer in summer! Basically any excuse to go there and you're in! Got to love that!

It's also worth keeping an eye on the @valleyschoolhouse instagram for upcoming photography workshops with Frida - how I'd love to participate in one of those, how about you?

More places to stay in Sweden this summer.

Välkommen! 

Niki

PS Coincidentally, Frida worked on the Rosenhave packaging for Skandinavisk - with whom I am touring the breathtaking Hardanger Fjord fruit trail in West Norway (more on stories!). This morning we're heading to Bergen. I can't wait to share more with you when I return!

Photography: Frida Edlund

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A Dutch Family Settle In A Charming House in the Forests of Värmland, Sweden

Some days I spend hours looking for homes - other days they simply pop up in my inbox (hooray!). Today is one of those lucky days. Photographer Chantal Bruienne-Buil emailed me these beautiful images of her home in Sunne, Värmland. Originally from The Netherlands, Chantal and her husband and their daughter emigrated to Sweden 14 months ago in pursuit of a quieter life surrounded by nature ("one of the best decisions ever").  After a period of time in Småland, the Dutch family were drawn to this early 20th century house in the middle of a forest in central-west Sweden. I caught up with Chantal to find out more about their move, transforming their house into a home and the inspiration behind their online print / poster shop Loveprinted.

What attracted you to the house?

While house hunting, we saw this 1909 build and felt immediately smitten by it. It's in the middle of a big forest with all the freedom and peace and quiet we were dreaming of. The perfect place for my husband, our five-year-old daughter and I! So of course, we put in a bid and the house was ours one week later!

Source similar vintage pendant lights on Etsy*, Stokke chair (green)*, Kitchen aid*

How did you turn the house into your home?

Never before has a house felt like home so quickly. I immediately knew what our home should look like. So, making decisions wasn't difficult at all. We love white and wood and natural colours you find in nature so we used these plus a touch of gold. Decorating our home has been a real treat and I love how it all turned out. It really suits our lifestyle. 

This moss green linen throw* is similar, Forget me not print, Reflection print

Tell us about your choice of wallpaper

I've been wanting to use lovely William Morris & Co. and Engblad & Co wallpapers for ages and now we had the perfect home for it. The funny thing was that we took down a wall in the living room and were surprised to find layers and layers of very old wallpaper and even some bits of newspaper dating back to 1912! 

What inspires your work as a photographer?

As a real nature lover, I like to be outdoors: to grill over an open fire, enjoy long walks with my family and capture the Swedish countryside on my camera. I wanted to share this - I mean if it makes me happy surely it must make other people happy as well, right?! That was why I started Loveprinted, an online poster webshop where we sell our nature photography and graphical prints. It's a place where I combine my passion for photography, graphic design and interior design.  

Moonphase print

Lagom print

Thank you so much to Chantal for sharing your lovely home with us! 

See more pictures of her lovely home on @movingslowly.se and @loveprinted

I'm really enjoying seeing wallpaper pop up more and more in Swedish homes (check out this archive  for a load of Scandinavian homes featuring beautiful wallpaper!). Could you imagine using wallpaper like this in your home?

Ha det så fint!

Niki

Photography by Chantal Bruienne-Buil (with a little colour re-touch by me!)

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Island life: A Pared-Back Swedish Summer Cottage

Hej there, kompisar! I hope you had a fabulous weekend! I decided to shake things up a little this week and kicked off my Monday with a run along the beach (in case this sounds super smug, I can promise you this is the first and most likely the last time I'll manage a Monday morning run!). The sea has been on my mind a lot lately thanks to my rejuvenating trip to the Danish coast last week. Over the weekend (on instagram) I asked friends what the sea meant to them in one word and felt so moved by the answers which included 'home', 'escape', 'serenity', 'freedom', 'peace', 'tranquillity' 'restoration ''rejuvenation', and 'power' (among others). Perhaps this is how the owners would feel everyday at this delightful Swedish summer cottage? Located on the waterfront in the southern part of the Swedish island of Gotland, the pretty cottage is typically pared-back - allowing the inhabitants to lead a simple life and enjoy everything the Swedish nature has to offer.

Creature comforts such as a roaring wood burning stove and a Kong oil lamp are perfect for warming the cockles after a blustery beach walk (I could have used one of these after my dip last week!). 

Although basic, this guest room has everything you might need - reading lights, lovely blue and white bedding (this lovely linen bed set* is similar), a radio and a Gotland sheepskin rug*! 

Such a peaceful view from the end of the bed! How lovely would it be to wake up here each morning?

I've been thinking about removing the wardrobe doors in our hallway for ages (no one ever closes them anyway!) and replacing them with a simple curtain - I love the relaxed look (notPERFECTLINEN* is my go to source for made-to-measure curtains). 

Actually this reminds me a little of something else I read last week which made me chuckle: "no one is as hopeful as a Mother who leaves a pile at the bottom of the stairs in the hope that someone might take it up." Haha! Anyone else feel this?!

Could you imagine spending your summers here?!

If so, I've got news for you - it's actually for sale! Food for thought at the start of the week!

For more idyllic summer cottage inspiration today, take a peek at the summer cottage, rural retreat and log cabin archives which will have you dreaming of escape! Roll on the summer!

Have a wonderful start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Emma Jonsson Dysell Styling: Sofie Gidfeldt for Fantastic Frank

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A Charming and Relaxed Swedish Summer Cabin By The Sea

Do you have a 'happy summer' place? On a warm summer's day there's nowhere I'd rather be than by the sea in Sweden. One of Sweden's most popular holiday destinations is the laidback island of Gotland. Located in the Baltic, the sea might be a few degrees chillier than Sweden's West coast, but what the island lacks in water temperature, it more than makes up for in stunning scenery, creative vibes and a friendly summer community! This charming, laidback cabin perfectly captures the relaxed and pared-back nature of the island. Complete with sea views, a sauna, outdoor shower and many, many hammocks - it has everything you might need to kick back and enjoy everything the island has to offer. The only problem is, it might be hard to leave once the summer comes to an end. Oh and did I mention it's on the market?! 

Hammock chair*,  Black Thonet chairs*

Rustic bench*, lantern*

Gotland sheepskin throw*

 

 Black and white striped blanket with pom poms*

Hammock with white fringe*

Could you imagine wiling away your summers here?

If only I could rustle up some spare cash - this cabin is my absolute dream! Maybe we can all go in together?! 

It's actually not situated far from Fabriken Furillen (featured in 20 instagrammable places to stay in Sweden) - so even if you're not quite ready to splash out on a Swedish summer cabin yet (as tempting as it might be), you might still like to experience a slice of Gotland summer life! 

Other wonderful homes on Gotland include - an idyllic retreat, a charming 19th century house, an inspiring island get-away, a beautiful home in soothing shades of grey and the bohemian summer home of a Swedish fashion photographer. 

Roll on summer!

Niki

Photography / for sale through: Fastighetsbyrån

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