A Cosy Swedish Cottage with Stunning Sea Views

Happy Friday, friends! Got any fun plans for the weekend? I can’t help but think the owners of this charming Swedish cottage by the sea won’t be venturing far. Why would you, when you can snuggle up indoors, hide from the chill, and enjoy the most wonderful views over the Gothenburg archipelago from so many of the windows? It’s the perfect spot to sit, relax, and reflect!

Anna, John, and their daughter Gunnevi found this little gem by the water and have lovingly transformed it into their dream family retreat. They’ve worked hard to expand the space while staying true to the authentic look and feel of the original cottage.

On one end, they added a sunroom to soak in the light and those breathtaking views. On the other, they extended the house with an entrance, a new kitchen, and a dining area. To bring it all together, they decorated with delightful nods to the cottage’s West Coast roots, as well as incorporating warm earthy tones in ochre and green that radiate cosiness.

The furnishings are a delightful mix of vintage treasures, each chosen with comfort and practicality in mind, enhancing the timeless charm of the traditional cottage. 

Ready to take a closer look at Villa Valborg? Let’s start with a picture of the original cottage, so you can follow the family’s inspiring journey of transformation. I hope it sparks your imagination!

How wonderful! 

It's a dream of mine to live in a lovely cottage by the sea like this one day. 

Could you imagine relaxing here too? 

I love the green and ochre combination too - it's a tone that we are seeing everywhere right now. But most of all, for me this cottage is all about the cosy feel and the incredible vistas. 

Is there anything that stands out to you about Villa Valborg - or perhaps a detail I have missed? 

You can see more pictures as well as some behind-the-scene footage from the renovation over at @villa.valborg. 

Shall we take this opportunity to look at a few more cottages by the sea? I love: 

A cosy yellow Swedish cottage by the sea

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea

A beautiful Danish cabin by the sea becomes a lockdown haven

An artist's atelier and home by the sea in Cornwall

A dreamy cottage by the ocean filled with vintage finds

A swedish summer cabin overlooking the water in karlskrona

And with that, I'll leave you to have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday friends!

Niki

Photography: @villa.valborg, shared with kind permission. 

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A Cosy Turn-Of-The-Century Home Full of Charm and Colour

Hello there! Today in Sweden, it’s Saint Knut’s Day—a traditional marker when Christmas decorations are officially taken down. Although it’s less common nowadays, some Swedes still celebrate with a bit of fun: dancing around the tree and finishing off the last of the Christmas sweets and gingerbread before the tree is ceremoniously thrown out! I even wrote about this quirky tradition in my book Njuta*, in case you’d like to explore it more.

Which brings me to why the decorations are still up in this home today—it’s all part of the Saint Knut’s Day charm!

Anyway. On with the tour! 

This enchanting turn-of-the-century villa is perched on a hill in Huddinge, just south of Stockholm, surrounded by a picturesque orchard. It instantly caught my eye—as it’s the kind of place that feels like stepping into a dream where time has stood still. With beautifully preserved original details and thoughtful, subtle renovations, it's as if every inch of this house has a story to tell.

Inside, the generous ceiling heights, large windows, and beautifully maintained tiled stoves create spaces that are both grand and cosy. The kitchen, is a perfect nod to the past with its traditional cabinetry and a wood-burning stove that feels straight out of another era.

Elsewhere, it’s a spacious family home with up to seven bedrooms and a charming bathroom featuring a claw-foot bathtub. There’s even a wonderful collection of art that adds to the character and personality of the space. It’s the perfect blend of space and soul, with plenty of room for life to unfold.

So, come in from the cold and join me on a tour of this magical home!

What a home! So much love and care has gone into making each room feel personal and cosy—it’s just lovely!

I was especially drawn to all the warm colours—yellow, green, red—and the art. There’s always something to catch your eye and enjoy.

What stood out to you about this home?

This is the part where I’d usually share a few more homes for you to explore, but honestly, it’s been quite a day, and I have to rush out! My littlest one is under the weather with a temperature (poor Alice!), and last night, Per managed to injure himself on the padel court. (For my American readers: padel is a sport a bit like pickleball.)

This morning, his ankle was all swollen, so he decided to bike to the hospital (yes, really—I did offer to drive him, but these Swedes are fiercely independent and hate to trouble anyone!). Turns out, he’s ruptured his Achilles tendon and is now in a boot for eight weeks. He's reluctantly just called me to come and pick him up. 

I'll leave you to enjoy this home and all it's wonderful details, but will check in again later as I'm curious to hear your thoughts and observations! 

Happy Monday friends,

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem - yes, this beautiful villa is for sale here. Photography: Jahnson. Styling Yngfalk. 

*advert for my own book / work

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From Dated to Dreamy: Jennie-Ann's Swedish Farmhouse Renovation

One of the things I’ve always marvelled at is just how great my Swedish friends are at DIY. There’s no task too daunting for them (although, thankfully, they’ll call in an expert for electrics!). It certainly helps that absolutely everyone learns how to sew, work with wood, and generally run a home (even budgeting!) at school. But anything that hasn’t been covered "can be conquered with the help of YouTube" (or so they tell me!).

Jennie-Ann is a prime example of this. She and her partner have lovingly transformed an old Swedish farmhouse in Larv, taking it from a dated and rundown building to a beautiful home that stays true to its original character. Jennie-Ann is also the founder of Lin & Lera, which includes an onsite boutique offering everything you might need to renovate your home sustainably, a salvage yard, and workshops to help with every aspect of updating and caring for your home and garden.

If the beautiful natural materials, colours, and details in Jennie-Ann’s home are anything to go by, I think the farm could be well worth a visit if we're ever passing by! In the meantime, let’s appreciate her beautiful and unique house. 

First, let me just give you a glimpse of how the kitchen looked before they started. It’s a great marker to see just how much they’ve accomplished since moving in.

Are you ready to see the results? Varsågod:

Note that the lower kitchen cabinets were salvaged from the original kitchen. Jennie-Ann sells an array of earthy-toned linseed oil paint colours in her boutique - many of which feature throughout her home. She is also a pro at making her only paint colours from clay! 

Look extra carefully at the details and you'll spot traditional Swedish pendant lamps, tables and rugs.  

Mid-blue and ochre make for a beautiful combination and create a calm feel in the bedroom. 

The bathroom is potentially my favourite room of all - it's filled with nostalgia while also providing all the modern amenities you need to feel comfortable. 

Needless to say, locals flock to Lin & Lera to discover what's in store - and for exciting events. I hope I can be a part of the crowd one day! 

Keep an eye on Lin & Lera for one of Jennie-Ann's upcoming workshops (sometimes held in the barn seen below) which include themes such as 'how to make your own colour from clay', 'how to cultivate your own forest garden' and 'basic courses in window renovation' as well as many more! 

Truly inspiring! 

Does this give you the boost you need to get a paint brush out or dabble in a little DIY this weekend? 

Feel inspired by Jenni-Ann's latest renovation projects over at @lin.o.lera and find out more about her boutique and workshops here. 

Would you like to see more homes that have been lovingly restored with sustainability in mind? Check out Emma Sundh's country home (one of the most popular tours of 2024) and also Anna Swain's charming cottage on Lamb Island, Australia. 

Wishing you all a great Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: @lin.o.lera, pictures 12 & 13 Daniel Strandroth 

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