A Traditional Swedish Summer Cottage, Enjoyed as a Year-Round Home

It's only a few weeks until midsummer (the most important date on the Swedish calendar) and many are preparing to make their big escape to the summer cottage. But for Linnea Fors and her family (which includes her partner and their dogs Oliver and Ronja), it's simply to stay in place and make the most of what the surrounding nature has to offer.  You see, their house used to be a summer cottage up until a few years back - and they were astounded that no one thought of living here all year round. And as the summer cottages in the surrounding area start to fill up for the summer,  Linnea and her family are kicking back, enjoying everything that their traditional Falun red and white croft in Västmanland has to offer. On sunny, warm days the family spill out onto the terrace and garden, and on chillier days they enjoy the comfort of an interior that's filled with beautiful old furniture and soft, linen cushions. Plants and freshly cut flowers line every surface, ensuring nature is never far away. Ready to 'kika in'?

What a dream!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures from Linnea's beautiful home over at @ostersaby155.

Here are a few other traditional Swedish summer cottages to enjoy this bright and sunny Monday: 

A dreamy 17th century swedish summer cottage, with a focus on 'the more the merrier'

A charming Swedish cottage with an outdoor kitchen and shower

An idyllic cottage on the island of Gotland with a pink caravan! 

Wishing you all a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Linnea Fors, shared with kind permission

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A 20th Century Swedish House - That's Like Something Out of a Fairytale

If this wonderful house in Gamla Björknäs, Sweden had been yellow, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was Villa Villekulla - the home of Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking! It actually belongs to a ceramicist (the clue is in the pottery wheel in the basement) - although I am not sure if he / she enjoys it as a hobby or profession. Either way, the turn-of-the-century villa just East of Stockholm is bursting with character - from wood panelled walls, countless nooks and a spiral staircase to turrets and a magical roof terrace - all of which embrace the original 1909 structure. Ready to take a look around? 

A spiral staircase leads up to a turret which houses a desk area - and leads out onto a roof terrace which can also be accessed from the other upper floor area. 

The main staircase leads up to a series of bedrooms - including the master. 

As with many old houses in Sweden, a basement provides extra space for a second sitting room and / or a hobby area as well as a bathroom (as seen in this home) - and quite often a laundry area. 

I couldn't resist including this shot of the small guest loo. I love it when people use these spaces to do something fabulous. Unfortunately, I don't know where this wallpaper is from, if anyone can help please do leave a comment below! 

What a really special home - and such a rare opportunity, don't you think?  

You can find more information about it over at Historiska Hem - including the floorplan (I can understand it might be a bit confusing from the pictures!). 

Wishing you all a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem

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A Glimpse Inside Our Summer Cottage Kitchen - Ready For The Season!

Tjena! Happy Friday friends! My family and I are enjoying the first long public holiday of the year up at the cottage - and I've been busy pepping up our little summer cottage kitchen. It's amazing what small touches can make (if you're curious about the bigger ones - I shared all the info about our renovation here - it was a true labour of love!). Many of the new pieces are from my fab long-term Danish partner Nordal who kindly sponsored this post, with the exception of an olive tree - my new pride and joy from a local garden centre (let's hope I can keep it alive!)! I hope you like the updates as much as I do - and that they give you a few ideas for your own kitchen! 

There's something dramatic about dark stoneware - it's especially popular in Swedish restaurants since it really makes the natural colours of food pop. These tea plates are part of the Nordal spring news and have a beautiful midnight blue sheen when they catch the light. I also couldn't resist the matching coffee cups!  The waffle tea towel is also new, but I've had the gold cutlery for years! 

One of the things I tend to never have enough of is tiny bowls, do you find that too? They're really handy for everything from salt, butter and nuts to storing items like this wooden scrubbing brush. This little stone Saisolo bowl is handmade so they are all unique - the beauty is in the imperfection! 

Since our kitchen is predominantly white and grey, I try to use wood and other natural materials to add warmth - hence why the chopping boards (including a new herringbone one) and utensils like wooden spoons are always on display - it's kind pf practical too: 'grab and go'! Lately I've been using vases for utensils (this is the Nago tall vase) - but I'm sure, come summer I'll be using it for fresh flowers instead! 

When I first put the curtains up in the doorway my Mother-in-Law (who's been enjoying the cottage ever since she was a small child) was a little uncertain. But now she has grown to love them. They are a lovely way to keep the draft out in the winter, shield the kitchen from the neighbours on warmer days, and they look so pretty fluttering in the breeze. 

The girls love having a stool in the kitchen (this NEN rattan one is also a Nordal piece) - cleaning the mud off new potatoes is a big Swedish summer pastime and can take copious amounts of time - so this is a perfect place for them to sit while they help out! 

One of the best things we did in the kitchen was put up this peg rail, it stores a never-ending array of utensils, textiles (like the LYNX tea towel and Mira pot holder) and banana fibre rope bag. 

I think that's all the updates for now, but who knows what we might find at 'loppis' flea markets come summer. 

I hope you like the new pieces, if you're ever passing by, please do stop by for a coffee and help christen the new cups! 

Oh, and if you have any questions about anything you see in these pictures, just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

This post is sponsored by Nordal. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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Peek Inside A Dreamy Turn-Of-The-Century Swedish Villa

In my mind there's no better way to finish off the week, than with a beautiful country home tour. And this one in Västra Götaland County, Sweden is positively dreamy. Maria Sundberg Holm has taken a personal approach to renovating her early 20th century house - and thinks nothing of constructing wall panelling, painting radiators and adding DIY touches by hand. Look closely and you'll also spot wonderful traditional touches - including ceramic doorknobs, vintage cabinets and William Morris wallpaper. Enjoy the tour! 

There are so many pieces to love in Maria's sitting room including: Petito sofa in sand from Furnova, lamp from Hallbergs of Sweden and Copenhagen rug.

'The Attentive One' character sculpture* by Kähler Design catches the light in the window - isn't it beautiful? 

Got any leftover wallpaper from a recent project? Why not repurpose it as art like Maria has done with her William Morris paper! 

A simple curtain in the landing helps to hide unsightly storage (source similar linen curtains online here). 

A bed layered with linen (if you're quick, you can still make the most of the 20% discount at Lovely Linen - the Swedish brand I used on Liv's bed and which she's been enjoying ever since) - they do the softest linen in really pretty muted shades. Use the code 'myscandinavianhome' at checkout to claim your discount (expires 21st March). 

Aaaaa, what a lovely home! So may lovely details - and such a serene feel.

I hope you felt inspired too! 

See more pictures and follow Maria's latest DIY projects over at @tradgardsgatan6. 

It's my lifelong dream to live in a turn of the century house like this. There are a few villas like this in Malmö but they're a little out of reach right now. But a girl has got to dream, right? That or a little cottage by the sea. 

What does your dream home look like? 

You might also like to pull up a chair, stay a while and enjoy these Scandinavian country homes:

Right, vänner! That's it from me this week! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend - vi ses på måndag!

Niki

Photography: Maria Sundberg Holm, shared with kind permission. 

*Affiliate link 

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This Charming 19th Century Swedish Villa Could Be Yours!

Up for a little Swedish house hunting today? I spotted this 19th century yellow and white villa in Norrtälje, just North of Stockholm this morning and it really is what dreams are made of! Think incredible bones, large spacious rooms (the kitchen in particular is beautiful!) and SEVERAL pretty outdoor spaces. Plus, you'd have space for all your creative activities (keep an eye out for the sewing room!), a music quarter and a magical garden in which to prune the roses and barbecue all summer long. Gaaaah! Is it too much to demand my family pack up and move 600 km? I guess so. But, perhaps one of you can snap this up on my behalf? After seeing the tour, you might just be as tempted as I am! 

Can you spot the knäckebröd (crisp bread) in this picture? I love that this kitchen works to keep the tradition of making your own crisp bread alive! 

Oh, how lovely. Seeing all the flowers in the garden has me dreaming of summer days, how about you?

Could you imagine living here too? 

I love that you might just have space to call your own - and do whatever you like with. If you had access to a 'hobby room' what would you use it for? Music? Sewing? Painting? I guess my favourite hobby is photography. Or perhaps I'd use it to write another book. Either way, I'm sure I'd find a use for it!

See the entire tour and find out all the details (including floorplan etc) here. 

Ha det så trevligt!

Niki

Photography: Courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks

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