my scandinavian home: swedish cottage

Small Spaces: A Charming Swedish Summer Cottage In The Heart of the City

As you know, I'm a big fan of little kolonistuga - allotment cottages. They don't exist in the UK, I know because I spent copious amounts of time at my parents allotment in London as a child and could have used a space to hang out and play games rather than weeding (the rickety shed full of spiders didn't quite cut it!).

Here in Malmö there are quite a few allotment communities dotted around the city. In the summer they spring to life with people toiling the soil, relaxing with friends over a fika, or simply taking it easy and enjoying the summer sun.

As with all Swedish summer cottages, simplicity is the order of the day, and this charming kolonistuga in Gothenburg (which is currently for sale!) strikes the perfect balance. It's pared back, yet cosy, simple, yet warm. There's a lot at play to make this happen, let's take a closer look!

The emphasis is on relaxation and warmth - and that starts with the glowing string lights and a an inviting ochre front door.

Inside, the walls and ceilings have been clad in wood panelling - giving the entire space depth and interest. I love my panelling up at the cabin (from Norrlands Trä) - the only problem is, it's so beautiful that I can't bear the thought of nailing up any pictures!

The kitchen cabinets are simple with a nostalgic traditional touch - both in terms of the design and the handles.

Vintage touches help to create a relaxed feel.

How cool is this makeshift wine cellar under the floor? So smart! It's an ideal space for extra storage too.

The ceiling has been knocked through to reveal the A-frame bones, helping the 26 m2 / 279 f2 open-plan living space to feel way more spacious.

Mix and match furniture is key to creating a relaxed, lived-in feel.

A daybed doubles up as a sofa and somewhere to kip! There's also a loft providing just enough space for a cosy double bed. Speaking from experience with our own loft bed up at the cabin, it can really quickly get hot higher up so it's important to have good air flow, a fan or even AC depending on the climate you live in.

The entrance doubles up as a cosy sun room and living room area. I love how the green floral wallpaper brings nature indoors, so you can get the sense you're outside even on a rainy day!

In small spaces each piece needs to work harder. I haven't seen a coffee table / basket like this before - have you? So clever!

Swedes are so clever at creating different zones in the garden. I can see three different places to relax including the deck, a hammock and a dappled dining area under the boughs of a tree. Roll on summer days!

What a perfect urban oasis in which to escape! Even better, you can just hop on your bike when it's time to leave: no planes, trains or buses to catch!

Tempted to snap this place up as your very own summer oasis? You can find all the details here.

I'll be back on Monday with a Danish home that features so many of the Danish design trends I spotted at Formland design fair yesterday. Can't wait to tell you more! In the meantime, here are a few other kolonistugas to enjoy over the weekend:

This little allotment cottage is a true summer oasis

A charming allotment cottage in Malmö

A danish allotment cottage with charming details

Trevlig helg!

Niki

Photography: Krister Engström

Styling: Martina Mattson

For sale via Kvarteret Mäkleri

Found via Nordroom with thanks

An Idyllic Swedish Country Home in a Former Mission House

We arrived back in the Malmö metropolis last night, but my soul is still in the Swedish countryside where wildflowers grow along the roadside and the meadows and woodland are a vibrant green. That's what drew me to Maja Olausson's beautiful house deep in the heart of the countryside of North Skåne, a mere hour or two from here.

A former mission house, the property was built in 1922 - and is steeped in history. When Maja took over the reins in 2019 along with her husband Johan, two daughters Majken and Juni, three cats and a rabbit, she was careful to respect the heritage of the house while adding modern comforts as well as kitting it out with beautiful vintage finds, some fabulous New Nordic lighting and plenty of patterned wallpaper against an earthy backdrop. The garden has also sprung to life in her care - with each season erupting into a colourful display of blooms including roses, dahlia and other delights. Välkommen in!

The large hallway is all original except for the floor - giving a wonderful glimpse into its former life as a former mission house.

Last summer, Jonas Lundberg and Anna Truelsen stopped by to capture the house for magazine Lantliv - the shoot included this glimpse into the kitchen dining area where Lilla Dockekulla wallpaper from Duro Sweden draws nature indoors.

The above picture is another one for the series captured by Jonas and Anna. It was following a budget-friendly 'mini' renovation which included repainting the kitchen cabinets (NCS S2005-Y10R) and swapping out the floor, giving the kitchen a much-needed refresh.

The eclectic array of pieces such as a Smeg fridge / freezer and Tropez light (one of my favourites!) are typical of the type of different styles and eras you will find throughout the house.

You might recognise the large dining room as I featured a wonderful picture of it at Christmas time on my instagram last winter. It's fun to see the same space in summertime!

The large sitting room is dominated by brown suede sofas and a chaise longue from Sweef furniture, as well as a shaggy rug (which are having a moment!) and two poufs which Maja designed as part of a collaboration with online Swedish store Ellos.

A platform at the back of the sitting room serves as a reminder of the past.

Juni's room is like a fairytale - as well as super cosy! I think one of the take-homes from this lovely scene is the red toadstool lamp - I love how it pops against everything else in the room adding a visual element of surprise. Something to think about when decorating / furnishing a room.

The feather lamp is available here.

Outside, Maja has created a wonderful oasis with several seating areas where you can eat, socialise, relax or simply reflect, surrounded by flowers and homegrown herbs and vegetables.

How utterly charming!

I particularly love how Maja and Jonas have transformed this space into a home, while still respecting the historical heritage. So inspirational!

All in all, it's a magical indoors and out.

Is there anything that stood out to you? I love your observations as they really add so much to each post, thank you!

See more of Maja's house over at @majasmissionshus

Would you like to take a tour of a few other Swedish country homes today? Here are three you'll love:

A cosy country home in North Sweden

An idyllic red and white Swedish farmhouse

A cosy living space in a Swedish country home

Have a lovely day friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @majasmissionshus

A Charming and idyllic Swedish Country Home in Summertime

The Swedish country house of interior stylist Anna Furbacken would look perfectly at home in an Astrid Lindgren tale. It's so idyllic! Nestled in the countryside in central Sweden, the historic croft is made up of one larger house and several outhouses positioned astound a central lawn - making it a perfect venue for parties like midsummer this Friday!

Anna has been renovating the house over time to create a home where she and her family can relax and be themselves, both outdoors and in. The interior offers a refreshing respite from the 'perfect' living spaces we're so used to seeing these days, offering a wonderful glimpse into family life on the farm. Look out for antique furniture, an array of vintage lights and soft, earthy, muted tones - as well as refreshing glimpses of laptops, cables, messy cushions and the odd margarine tub.

Outdoors, there's plenty of seating to go around with a chilled bamboo sitting room area, hammocks and a long table with a mix match of chairs. It's the kind of place, you'd be happy to pull up a seat and stay for a while under the midnight sun.

Note the choice of panelling in the kitchen (I'm all into panelling having installed it in our cabin. See my panelling guide here) - Anna has opted for a traditional bead panelling which perfectly matches the history and style of the house.

The pendant you can catch a glimpse of in the picture above has become really popular in Sweden among the boho living aficionados, it's from HK Living.