Escaping to the Woods: Frederika's Swedish Summer Cabin

It’s a beautiful, sunny day in Scandinavia, which means my mind immediately drifts to the idyllic life at a Swedish summer cottage. Over Easter, many spent time preparing theirs for the season, and now we’re all counting down the days until July, when we can close the doors to our city homes and head to the countryside.

Since summer cottages are all about slowing down and spending quality time with family and friends, many choose to expand their living space by adding small garden dwellings – known as an attefallshus (25 m² / 269 ft²) or komplementsbostadshus (30 m² / 323 ft²). These charming little houses offer a perfect spot for extended family or visiting friends to stay.

I recently featured Frederika Palmstierna’s boho Stockholm apartment, and today, I thought I’d share the beautiful cabin she recently built on the grounds of her family’s summer cottage. Inspired by a design from Sommarnöjen, the cabin’s green wooden façade blends effortlessly into the surrounding woodland.

On warm summer days, large glass doors open wide, creating a seamless flow between indoors and out – making the most of the compact living space. On chillier days, meals are enjoyed in the cosy kitchen area, or the family (including their lovely dog!) likes to curl up by the wood-burning stove. Simply furnished yet wonderfully inviting, it’s the perfect little retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Let's take a peek! 

Lovely!

The light wood and white interior reminds me very much of our little cabin, which we too are layering over time. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? Is there anything that stood out to you? 

In case you missed the link at the beginning, make sure you take a look at Frederika's charming Stockholm apartment, which is filled with art. 

And why not take a look at small space inspiration from Swedish attefallshus - they are great for small space ideas! 

Wishing you a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @freddiepalmstierna, with thanks. 

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Glad påsk! Our Favourite Easter Traditions and Decorating Inspiration

One of my favourite times of the year: Easter. A much-needed break that, for us, is all about soaking up the spring sunshine (hopefully!), relaxing with family, and enjoying a traditional Easter lunch. In Sweden, the main gathering takes place on Easter Saturday, or Påskafton, which is when families come together to eat copious amounts of egg-based dishes as well as salmon and potatoes, and welcome the season together.

In the Brantmark family, we always kick things off with our own little tradition—a morning sauna followed by a (very!) refreshing dip in the sea before sitting down to lunch. It’s the ultimate way to blow away the cobwebs and embrace the start of spring!

On Maundy Thursday, we might just get a little knock at the door from a påskkärring or two—children dressed up as Easter witches in colourful clothes, with painted cheeks and headscarves, going door to door offering drawings or Easter cards in exchange for sweets (a bit like Halloween, but much cuter!).

As always, homes and cottages are decorated with colourful feathers tied to birch twigs—påskris—(and this year I've even seen spotted bows as seen above in the home of Linnea Jirasek), bringing a burst of spring indoors.  You’ll also often spot little witches hanging in the windows, a charming tradition said to ward off evil spirits during the Easter weekend.

If you're on the lookout for a little Easter decorating inspiration, here are a few links you might enjoy:

7 beautifully simple easter craft ideas from Scandinavia

Pretty easter decorating ideas from minimalist to maximalist

Swedish easter traditions explained

And here are a few Scandinavian home tours with an easter touch: 

Easter touches in a charming Swedish home

A Danish home with easter touches

Fancy trying a typically Swedish starter/side dish? Here's my Gubbröra recipe. Got a sweet tooth? You can find the recipe for the yummy-looking carrot cake above here. 

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing Easter break. Glad Påsk! 

Niki

PS I'll be back Wednesday 24th April. 

Credits: 1. Linnea Jirasek, 2. Mandi Nelson, 3. carrot cake, 4. source uknown. 

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Inside a Charming Danish Summerhouse in Lammefjorden

It’s only a few days until the Easter holidays begin. For some in Scandinavia, that’s the cue to open up the stuga (summer house or cabin) after a long winter—sweeping out the cobwebs, airing the rooms, and letting the fresh spring breeze roll in.

No doubt the Danish owners of this charming summerhouse in Lammefjorden (a reclaimed fjord area in north-west Zealand, Denmark) are doing just that. The lovely wooden property consists of three buildings: a main house and two smaller outbuildings, including a rustic garden room designed to feel alfresco—even if it’s not quite warm enough yet to go without a roof!

Styled in soft tones of white, grey, and beige, the interiors are pared-back yet full of subtöcharacter. Much of the space has been thoughtfully handbuilt or furnished with vintage finds, giving it a relaxed, soulful charm. It has everything you need to unwind: a kitchen, dining area, sitting room, bedrooms, and of course, somewhere to spill out onto when the sun makes an appearance.

Oh, and a little birdie tells me it’s also available to rent—just in case you’re tempted to embrace a simpler life, Danish-style.

Let’s take a peek inside.

Lovely! 

Understated, simple, calm.

Could you imagine relaxing somewhere like this? If so, head over to Landfolk for more information. You might also like to see more pictures of the Danish summer house on Instagram (there are some great before-and-after pics!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

This makes me excited to head up to our cabin at some point over the holidays and sit back and relax a little. Do you have any nice plans? 

While looking through the pictures, I couldn’t help but think of that Swedish summer cottage belonging to a photographer, and also the Danish Airbnb by the river I featured recently—they have a similar vibe, don’t you think?

Happy Monday friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @s.o.m.m.e.r.h.u.s.e.t, shared with kind permission. 

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Inside a Swedish Home That’s Full of Spring Vibes and Pastel Charm

I finally looked up from everything I've been doing and realised - Easter is just around the corner! Eeek, that snuck up quickly (especially considering it’s a late one this year). While I don’t have any pretty Easter decorations to share with you today (though I’ll pop some links at the end of the post), I do have a home tour that’s absolutely brimming with soft, spring-like pastels to get you in the Easter mood.

Think playful pops of pink, yellow, blue, and green sprinkled throughout the space—in blankets, lamps, shelving, vases, and more—bringing a vibrant, joyful energy that’s full of spring vibes. But what really stood out to me is the creative use of paint around the doorways. From a peachy arch to eggshell yellow architraves, the unexpected splashes of colour feel daring yet uplifting, drawing attention to the home’s architectural details and adding a unique, cheerful touch.

Ready to take a look around a Stockholm home that’s fully embraced the charm of spring and the spirit of Easter? This way!

This has really put a spring in my step! It’s got all the joyful vibes I associate with this time of year and has me in the mood for the weekend already. How about you?

Do you enjoy adding splashes of colour around your home? Have you experimented with playful paintwork in your living space too? If so, I’d love to hear more. And as always, I’d be curious to know what stood out to you about this Swedish home.

Would you like to see some other Scandinavian homes that rock pastel shades? Take a peek at: 

A smallish Danish home with a sunny vibe
Line's relaxed Copenhagen home with pretty pastels
12 simple ways to add colour to your home this spring

As promised, here are some Easter decorating ideas in case you’re thinking of adding a few seasonal touches to your home this weekend:

A fresh Danish home with Easter touches
My big Easter DIY edit
6 beautifully simple Easter craft ideas

I hope you all have a lovely, sunny and relaxing weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem with thanks. 

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Signs of Summer and a Dreamy Cornish Escape

You know summer’s actually within reach when someone asks you what your summer plans are! A big moment for us in Scandinavia — we’re just emerging from a very long winter.

The truth is, we don’t really have any plans — we’ll probably just mooch around here in Sweden. Maybe a bit of sailing, maybe some time at our cottage. After all, we’ve waited so long for the good weather to arrive, we don’t want to miss a second of it.

If we were to travel, one of my favourite destinations is Cornwall, in southwest England. The coastline there is rugged and wild, and while the sea is definitely on the fresh side, it can be the most amazing shade of turquoise in places.

This brings me to today’s home tour: The Bell Tower, owned by couple Chris Blake and Christen Pears and located in Penzance, a coastal town in Cornwall known for its charming harbour, historic streets, and views of the iconic St Michael’s Mount.

One of the most recognisable buildings on the Penzance skyline, the Bell Tower began life as a school back in 1834. Today, it’s been artfully transformed into a holiday apartment with panoramic views over the harbour and St Michael’s Mount in the distance.

Following a thoughtful renovation, the space has been furnished with a mix of mid-century pieces and beautiful fittings from brands like Lefroy Brooks, Robert Welch, David Mellor and Sage. There are also some very Scandinavian touches (keep a look out for the Tremme sofa/daybed by Børge Mogensen and I also spy Danish dining chairs and lamps and Swedish textiles!). While the interior is lovely, it’s the arched windows and cosy window seat that really stole my heart.

What I wouldn’t give to swap my desk for this spot today — flitting about barefoot and sipping coffee while watching the boats drift by.

Enjoy the tour!

A lovely holiday home! Did you spot the Le Klint scissor lamp? We have the same one at home and I absolutely love it. I also admired the Børge Mogensen sofa/daybed with its clever collapsible armrests — I’ve seen it in a few homes before and have always been a bit fascinated by it. Such a smart, timeless design! 

Was there anything that caught your eye?

Can you imagine mooching around here today?

See more pictures and find out about booking a stay at The Bell Tower here or their other cottages here. Owners Chris and Christen live on-site at the farm, so if you decide to visit, there’s a good chance you’ll meet them! They’re a fascinating pair — Chris is a master mariner who specialises in square-rig sailing ships, and when he’s not off at sea, he’s usually pottering in the vegetable garden. Christen previously worked as a journalist before retraining as a Pilates instructor, and when she’s not out exploring Cornwall, she’s often reading, watching old films or hosting a reading party!

You can also check out some other lovely homes I've featured in the area here: 

An artist's cottage, atelier and gallery by the sea
A charming white coastal cottage in Cornwall
The historic home of a collector

And if you ever find yourself in that beautiful corner of England, don’t forget to tuck into a proper Cornish pasty and a scone with jam and cream — so delicious, especially after a blustery walk along the coast!

Happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Bell Tower, shared with kind permission.

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