A Home in Converted Barn in Southern Sweden

There’s something deeply appealing about a building that’s already lived a life before becoming a home, don't you think? You can feel it here straight away. This was once a working barn in southern Sweden, built for purpose rather than beauty, and yet that original honesty is exactly what makes it so beautiful! Therese and Marcus saw beyond what it was and recognised what it could become, not by erasing its past, but by working with it.

Inside, the old structure still takes centre stage. The soaring ceiling, weathered beams and generous open space give the rooms a sense of calm and character. True to Swedish  country style, nothing feels over designed or overly polished. Instead, natural materials such as stone, wood and linen, soft light, simple furnishings and relaxed open shelving let the building’s history remain at the heart of everything. 

Let's take a peek! 

Beautiful!

Serene, natural and relaxed. I can't even begin to imagine how much work Therese and Marcus have put into renovating this space and transforming it into a beautiful home.

Did  you also enjoy the tour? 

I've covered a few lovely barn conversions on the blog before, you might remember these fine specimens:

A beautiful limetone barn on the island of Gotland
A rustic barn in Upstate New York with beautiful rugs
A lovely rustic barn conversion

If you'd like to follow their latest projects, head on over to @livetiladan.

Today I am heading off to celebrate a friends very big birthday in Spain  - I can’t remember the last time I was on a warm beach so am very excited! This also means I will be taking a few days off from the blog - and back again on 11th May. I hope you have a fabulous week!

Niki

Photography: @livetiladan, with kind permission.

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Timeless Charm in the Heart of Gamla Enskede, Sweden

Do you ever hear a word for the first time, look it up out of curiosity, and then suddenly hear it everywhere that same week? The same thing happens in interiors.

For example, it feels like a strange coincidence that pale blue has appeared in all of the last three homes I’ve shared, including the cottage on the Danish coast, the Oslo apartment and now here, in a house in Gamle Enskelde, Sweden. Not only that, but it’s in the finer details too. This time, a very pretty “sweet pea” pattern, which I first noticed in the curtains in Friday’s home, has now appeared on the curtains here.

But there are plenty of lovely, unique details in this house too, which is why I couldn’t resist taking you on a tour today. Nestled in the quiet village, the turn-of-the-century house has been decorated with a wonderful mix of old and new. Keep a look out for the blue window frames in the kitchen, which highlight the hand-painted ceramic tiles, the pretty curtains and blinds in the sitting room, the striped pendant in the hallway, which looks rather Danish to me (could there be a Dane behind it all?), and the pretty Clover leaf wallpaper by Josef Frank in the children’s bedroom. 

Such lovely details all the way through. It’s a shame we don’t live nearer, or I’d have moved right in (it's for sale!). 

Such a pretty home! 

I might just have to send the link to Per – just for fun. I'd love to go for a viewing but sadly it's a little too far away. 

Could the next owner be you? 

I loved the oiled wood — it’s such a classic Scandinavian look and feels instantly calming. It’s as though they’ve found the perfect balance between cottage core patterns and stripes, and a pared-back aesthetic.

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Skandia Mäklarna, with thanks.

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Welcome inside Juni's Oslo Apartment

From a home on the coast of West Denmark on Tuesday to the Norwegian capital today, it’s been a very Scandinavian week here on the blog. While the coastal property was set among the dunes and awash with soothing pale blues, this beautiful light-filled flat in Old Oslo is flooded with golden sunshine that highlights touches of red, burgundy, yellow — and even light blue (which appears to be a favourite right now!).

The flat belongs to Juni Halseth Strenberg, who recently moved from this vibrant home. Granted, the renovation of her new home is still a work in progress, but I love seeing how her furniture has settled right in.

There are many things I love about Juni’s unique style, but what really caught my eye were the bedrooms. They are narrow, yes, but they make a true statement, with the ceilings becoming a design feature in themselves, while also helping to visually bring down the height of the rooms. I also love the patterned window dressings! And of course, there's that spotty sofa too! 

Ready to take a look? Velkommen inn!

I thought you might be curious about some of the colour codes in the bedroom, so here they are: 

Single bedroom

Window frame and skirting boards: 'Light' from Jotun

Walls: 'Soul' from Jotun 

Ceiling: code S2005-B

Curtains: Sweet pea dove blue

Double bedroom

Window frames and skirting boards: 'Light' from Jotun

Walls: 'Soul' from Jotun
Ceiling: Poetry red from Jotun

Curtains: sweet pea burgundy from Gotain

I have to say, I love all the curtains, they really bring together the rooms! Are there any details that caught your eye? 

Follow @junik to keep an eye on her latest home updates - I see the kitchen will be ready soon! 

Have a fantastic weekend all! Thank you, as always for stopping by, it really means so much!

Niki

Photography by @junik, shared with kind permission.

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A Dreamy Danish Summer House by the Sea

It dawned on me today that it’s exactly eight weeks until Midsummer, the unofficial start of the Scandinavian summer holidays. Can you believe it? 

One of the things I love most about Scandinavia is how seriously summer is taken. It’s not unusual for people to take a minimum of three weeks of uninterrupted leave. After the long, dark winter, this is the season everyone has been waiting for, and you can feel it everywhere. There’s a lightness in the air, a summery smile in every coastal village, and a sense that life is meant to be enjoyed outdoors. People flock to the sea for morning, noon and evening dips, zip around in every kind of boat imaginable, and gather for long, lazy meals in the sunshine. Just the way summer should be! 

The summer houses are part of the charm too, simple, understated and beautiful, often designed to reflect their surroundings. And then there’s the light: clear and pin-sharp, with the sea shifting between grey and blue, and the sand glowing in soft off-white tones. On interior designer Marie’s Instagram, @vestkysthjem, she shares endless inspiration from dreamy summer cottages, including this beautiful thatched house she recently sold, set among the dunes on the west coast of Denmark near Søndervig, just a stone’s throw from the sea. 

Inside, the pale blue and off-white palette, wood panelling and simple rag rugs create a calm, welcoming feel. It’s the kind of place made for relaxing in the summer sun, bare feet, salty hair, and falling asleep to the sound of the waves. What more could you need?

Can you imagine waking up there?

I'd never want to leave! 

If you love this, you'll also love looking at the inspiration over on Marie's instagram which alos includes her parents lovely home, her new home and some of the homes she has decorated. 

Now that we're all in the mood for a Danish summer vibe, you might also like to look at: 

A Danish cottage oasis on North Zealand

A light-filled Danish summerhouse on airbnb

Before and after, a dated house becomes a dreamy summer getaway

Roll on summer, we're ready for you!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @vestkysthjem, shared with kind permission.

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