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 Swedish Summer Oasis On The Island of Gotland

"Summer breeze makes me feel fine...." those are the words going through my head as I imagine the cool breeze blowing in over the Baltic Sea as I chill by the pool at this Gotland summer house. It's for sale, but sadly a little out of our budget - but I do have my mind set on Surflogiet (a surf glamping place a little further up the coast). I see that there's a perfect 'work from home' spot at this cabin though, so if you're considering a life change, this lovely 71 sqm (764 ft.sq) Swedish cabin on the west coast of the island could well be just what you're looking for. Plus, there's room for two guests in the little outhouse too! 

As with most Scandinavian summer cabins, simplicity is the name of the game. It's about going back to basics (save for the pool!) and making the most of the outdoors. We all know that the Swedish weather might be on the chilly side at times so this covered terrace with bi-folding glass doors is spot on.  

A pair of Cuba Chairs (I also have one in my sitting room) sit side by side in the sitting room. Behind them is a Gubi Grasshopper lamp.

The soft earthy green wall helps to draw the surrounding nature indoors. 

See what I mean about the workspace? Not a bad view for a Wednesday morning! 

Many of my Swedish friends spend their summer hoping between their friends and family's summer cottages, so extra beds are always important. Just make sure to bring your own bedding if you're invited! 

Could you imagine hanging out in that lounger all summer long? 

If you haven't been to Gotland, it's a wonderful place - full of galleries, ceramic studios and funky / off beat cafes and restaurants. Plus Visby, the medieval capital is really picturesque. I shared more about The Baltic island in this guide. 

Fancy taking a look back at other Gotland holiday homes I've featured? Here are a few to get you started: 

A rustic Swedish summer cottage 

A 19th century farmhouse

Your island retreat on the Swedish island of Gotland

And many, many more right here! 

I'm staying in a hotel tonight - a HOTEL! I didn't think I'd see the day! I'm in Denmark for two days of filming with Carl Hanson & Søn and I spent yesterday touring the CEO and founder Knud Erik Hanson's home. It has 40 rooms and every single item has a history. It made me want to re-think the way I decorate my home! I can't wait to share more with you. 

In the meantime, wishing you a lovely 'lillördag!'

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Bertwig

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A Swedish Photographer and French Hat-Maker's Home in the South of France

Do you ever dream of moving abroad? If so, perhaps this story might inspire you! This beautiful old house in a small village between Nimes and Montpellier in Gard in the South of France belongs to Swedish photographer Anna Malmberg, French hat-maker Joncha and their son. Anna had dreamt of living here ever since she saw 'Le Glorie de Mon Père' as a young girl and Joncha grew up in Valence. In the summer of 2020, the family packed up their Stockholm apartment and followed their dream to live in a warm climate, closer to nature and the mediterranean sea. This is their home. 

The living space is a sea of earthy tones, layers of texture and lovely vintage and antique pieces. You might recognise the rug in this picture. It's from Cappelen Dimyr - a Swedish rug company founded by Ellen Dixdotter, who's Copenhagen home and Swedish country kitchen I featured a few weeks back. Anna recently did a photoshoot for the company in an incredible chateau! 

Yes, Sweden is a small world!

The brown chair was a recent flea market find. And what a find it was - these curved pieces are really hot in the world of interiors right now, and I like how usual this piece is. 

The walls have been painted with natural limewash from Bauwerk Colour, which adds lots of lush texture. 

Anna's home office space is bathed in a beautiful morning night and a fab Carl-Johan lamp* by Olssen & Jensen can be seen on the far side of the desk. 

Sign me up for an evening in this spot under the stars - I'm sure Anna and Joncha have so many stories to tell from their travels! 

What a beautiful home. While the rain comes down for the fourth day in a row here in Malmö, I completely understand why the family might go in search of sun! Sign me up!

You can follow Anna's latest projects over on her website and instagram.  I've got my eye on one of Joncha's incredible hats! See them in action here. 

Fancy seeing a few more homes from Scandinavians living abroad? 

This bed & breakfast is run by Swedes in the South of France

Step inside a Finnish home on the island of Mallorca, Spain

A relaxed Danish oasis in Palma

A Swedish family home in the Alps

Do you ever dream of loving abroad? Perhaps this post might inspire you! 

I'm afraid this will be my last post of the week since I've got a huge photoshoot tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to sharing the results with you soon. In the meantime, I hope you have a FABULOUS weekend and the sun shines for you! 

Niki

Photography: Anna Malmberg - shared with kind permission. 

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Springtime In A Rustic Swedish Country Home

Hello friends! Thursday already - how did that happen? Anyone in need of a little escape today?  I hope you'll join me in a tour of this beautiful, rural Swedish home. Regular readers might recognise the interior from when it was all decked out for Christmas. Needless to say, Fanny Lindén's country home looks equally charming in springtime - when lilac bushes burst into life and rhubarb is harvested for homemade crumbles. Welcome to Fanny's home in rural Sweden, where she lives with her husband and three children - and a cat! 

So pretty! I love their cat in the last picture, cheekily playing with the plant! 

The vintage and antique furniture is also beautiful - and they fit perfectly in this environment. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

For more dreamy inspiration check out Fanny's blog and instagram feed. 

I think you know what's coming. Yes, that's right! Links to a load more idyllic Scandinavian country homes. Time to pour a coffee, light a candle and pull up a chair - here's a country home from each Nordic country to dream over: 

An idyllic red and white Swedish farmhouse

A hyggeligt candlelit Norwegian cabin

Ilkka's rural retreat in Finland

Charming details in a Danish allotment cottage

A striking holiday home by the sea in Iceland

It's been a bit of a crazy week, with waaaay to much left to do. So, I hope it's OK if I leave you with these lovely spaces to dream about over the weekend. I'll be back on Monday!

Trevlig helg (have a great weekend!),

Niki

Photography courtesy of Fanny Lindén

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