A Swedish House with an Outdoor kitchen and Living Room

While up at our cabin, rather than relaxing, I can't help but spend my time plotting our next update. A long way in the future, we'd like to have an outdoor kitchen! Do you love them too? There's something about cooking alfresco (and I don't just mean on the barbecue!), don't you think? 

The swedes who own this house have got there outdoor space right! 

The outdoor kitchen has a gas barbecue, sink and all the utensils you might need to throw together an evening meal. We recently bought a portable plug-in induction stove from IKEA for our cabin and it would make a nice addition here too! 

I also like the plant boxes. Placing raised beds around a terrace like this is a nice way to add flowers beside the seating area. 

Around the corner they have created a covered terrace with a lovely sitting room area for cosy evenings. I love the pendant lamp for a true 'living room' feel!

Cushions, blankets, candles - all the things you need for a cosy evening! I often bring out a basket of blankets late afternoon and plonk it beside our outdoor seating - so that blankets are at the ready as soon as the chill sets in! Having tried and tested many blankets - from budget to blowout (hey, it's cold up here in the north!), my favourite actually turns out to be the wool-blend ones from H&M Home - they are really soft and a firm family favourite. 

A simple bench serves as a perch for a reflective morning coffee for one. 

Water tight Glass / plexiglass roofing can get really hot in the sunshine. A wicker cover like this one helps to keep the area cool and looks pretty too! 

I couldn't resist sharing a few snapshots from the downstairs living area too - perfect inspiration for anyone who loves serene white / neutral spaces! 

I hope this lovely outdoor kitchen and open-plan living space have given you plenty of inspiration for the weekend! 

Do you have any experience with outdoor kitchens? If so, please do share any in the comments below! 

Could you imagine installing one in your outdoor space? 

Here are some other wonderful ways you can transform your alfresco lifestyle at home: 

19 ways to create a swedish summer oasis from basic to blowout!

An idyllic Finnish cottage with an outdoor kitchen

8 ways to pep up your outdoor space, Scandinavian style

7 boho ideas for outdoor spaces big and small

10 ways to maximise your tiny balcony 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erik Olsson

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A Dreamy Manor On the Swedish Island of Gotland

We've come back to the city (Malmö) for a few days - even so, my heart as always at this time of year, is in the Swedish countryside. I have been busy taking my camera around our little neck of the woods on the west coast and hope to be able to share a guide (or at least some snapshots) with you after the summer. In the meantime, I'll rely on my summer fall back: the beautiful island of Gotland. 

And this incredible house has everything you might need for an idyllic summer in the swedish Baltic. Step this way to feel inspired! 

Swedes typically take around 3 weeks holiday in the summer, but it's not unusual to take anywhere between 3 to 4 weeks! Many will head out of town and camp, stay at a summer cottage (their own or visit friends and family) or head on a road or train trip in Europe. Either way, it's all about taking some time out to enjoy everything that nature has to offer at this time of year. 

As you are likely aware, the Swedish weather gods aren't always on our side. And while we have been enjoying some blisteringly warm and sunny weather lately, there's plenty of rain on the forecast next week! Greenhouses have become less about gardening and more about shelter these days, and the warm spaces are ideal for dining and taking afternoon naps when the weather is not quite on our side! 

Swedes are great at seeking out sunny spots. In the garden it's not unusual to find quite a few different areas so you can follow the sun! I love this dining area looking out over the fields of Gotland from under the boughs of a tree! 

This dreamy limestone 'gård' (Manor House) beside a church looks out over the surrounding farmland - and offers plenty of space to be alone (hey, I absolutely love my children, but things can get intense in the school summer holidays, am I right? 

The main room is so large, it offers both a sitting room and dining area. But you could also slope off to play the piano! 

You'd be hard pressed fining a home on Gotland without a local grey sheepskin throw.

I love the wood cladding finishing touch on the storage in one of the children's bedrooms - especially the green hue which helps to draw nature indoors and adds a serene touch. 

I love an A-frame ceiling, it adds a really awe-inspiring touch to a room, don't you think? Plus, old wood beams are a dream!

Quite a children's room, don't you think? 

One of the incredible things about these limestone houses is the thickness of the walls - check out the window area! The rough texture of the walls also catches the light in a beautiful way. 

While the dining spot further up this post makes for a great spot for supper al fresco, I could easily image a fika (coffee and slice of apple crumble!) right here, how about you? 

What a perfect place to unwind in the summer. Actually, scrap that - I could imagine living here all year-round, how about you? 

See more pictures and find out more about this manor house here. 

Would you like to see a few more cottages on the Swedish island of Gotland? Check out: 

A rustic summer cottage with a pool

Elsa's inspiring cottage

A beautiful limestone barn on airbnb 

A converted schoolhouse on the island of Gotland

This weekend I need to write an article about Christmas for a magazine - and I'm kind of struggling to get in the mood. Someone suggested I put on a Christmas jumper and play some jingles ("last Christmas....") let's see what happens! 

I hope you have a summerier weekend ahead than me! Thank you for stopping by - see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bertwig Fastighetsförmedling. 

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A Warm Swedish Home That's Full of Smart ideas!

Why, hello there! It's Friday, the sun's shining and we have the weekend stretched out in front of us, what's not to love! Before we all head off, I've got one final home tour I'd love to share with you. The apartment in Stockholm caught my eye for so many reasons - which I've pointed out during the tour. I hope you feel inspired by these and more! 

Firstly, I love the subtle golden hue (attributed to the wall colour, and cabinets in the kitchen, bedroom and hall) it adds a warm and inviting touch to the entire living space! 

These days, it's really popular to leave part of the kitchen wall without cabinets, which then lends itself to a great place for art (or shelves). Candlesticks hint to a warm and relaxing evening bather in candlelight ahead too! 

The kitchen maybe narrow, but built in seating with a simple round table attached means you can still enjoy a morning coffee in the sunshine! Such a smart solution, don't you think? 

Wall mounted glass cabinets are huge right now - pick up a pine one in a vintage store and paint it in your own choice of colour, like they have done here! 

A larger dining area occupies one side of the living room so that there's a place for more guests. 

Cherry red and Klein blue are the colours of the season in Scandinavia. Adding two items in the same colour (like a blanket and Valerie Objects light) help to balance the look. 

Striped bedding is also very popular and adds a contemporary touch to the bedroom. Source similar here. 

In a small bedroom, storage that wraps around the headboard is a great use of space. I really like the way they have included a recess to serve as a bedside table! 

The devil is in the detail - as they say. Why have an ugly door stopper when you can have a beautiful brass one? This brass doorstopper on Etsy* is similar.

Bespoke storage in the hallway ensures that every inch of the space is used. I really like the idea of a built in seat with shoe storage underneath. A ladder can be attached for items higher up (we had one built like this by a local carpenter for our cabin). 

So many lovely ideas in one space! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I hope you've enjoyed the tours this week, in case you missed them - check out Riikka's idyllic Finnish island hideaway (one of the cottages on the island is available to rent via Airbnb!) and a beautiful old rectory on the Swedish island of Gotland. 

I hope you have a 'trevlig helg' (nice weekend!). See you Monday! 

Kram!

Niki

Photography: Fredric Boukari for Historiska Hem. 

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A Beautiful Swedish Rectory on the Island of Gotland

It's been way too long since I featured a house on the Swedish island of Gotland, don't you think? Long-term followers here know that I have a huge love for the Swedish Baltic island. We visited by sailing boat a few years ago, and Per had to practically drag me away, otherwise I would have stayed! 

I can't wait to return again someday - have you been? In the meantime, we can all dream about the beautiful island via the Gotland house tours I share. And this one just popped up in my feed! An old rectory dating back to 1902, the stately house is a short stone's throw from the church (I love the sound of church bells ringing in the morning, do you?). Inside, the rooms have wonderful vistas over the surrounding farmland and have been beautifully renovated in earthy tones of stone with deep blue and grey. All that's waiting now, is for someone to add their personal touch with books, art, textiles and all the cosy items that make a house a home. Could it be you? Step inside and decide for yourself! 

I love the huge windows and imagine each room to change with the time of day and season! The outside space looks wonderful too. Imagine how peaceful it is there? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

You can find my guide of the Swedish Baltic coast here, and also don't miss these lovely homes on Gotland: 

A rustic summer cottage on the island of Gotland

Elsa's inspiring summer cottage

A beautiful limestone barn (for hire via Airbnb!)

Oh, and did you see Monday's tour of Riikka's cabin on a Finnish island? I'm still romanticising about arriving by boat and spending my days diving in and out of the water! 

Happy Lillördag ('little Saturday).

Niki 

Styling: Sofie Gidfeldt

Photo: Emma Jonsson Dysell

For sale via: Skeppsholmen

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