A Cosy Swedish Home with Vintage Finds & Foraged Charm

To wrap up the week, I’m taking you on a virtual trip to the countryside of Värmland, Sweden—home to Johan Magnussen. Johan has a knack for discovering vintage treasures, filling his home with plants and flowers, and foraging in the nearby forests for whatever seasonal goodness nature has to offer.

His passion is evident in every corner of the house, which feels both peaceful and full of stories. I’m especially taken by the charming period features that whisper of the farmhouse’s history—like the oven fireplace in the kitchen, decorative stucco, wood-panelled ceilings, and exposed brick walls.

As you explore, keep an eye out for antique fabrics draped over side tables and embroidered cushions in the window nook—beautiful comebacks from times gone by.

Johan leans into calming, earthy tones throughout, creating a beautifully serene space—made even more inviting by a cat curled up in blissful slumber on the sofa. Oh, to be that cat!

Fancy a peek around the ground floor? Let’s dive in!

And can we talk about that impressive hoard of chanterelles? I’m quite sure Johan would never reveal where he found them—Swedes are famously tight-lipped about their foraging spots (and rightly so!). Do you like to forage, too? We love going blackberry picking near our cottage. I noticed just this weekend that the first berries are beginning to ripen, so I’ll definitely be out there with my basket!

When I interviewed a friend for my Njuta book, she shared a lovely tradition: she forages throughout the year and then, on New Year’s Eve, she infuses each course of the evening meal with something gathered from a different season—a beautiful homage to the year gone by. How nice is that?

I hope you enjoyed the tour of Johan’s home as much as I did. Was there anything that especially stood out to you?

Let me share a few more lovely country homes with you today: 

A magical Norwegian cottage with a wabi sabi vibe
A very cosy Swedish country home
Ilkka's charming rural retreat in Finland

I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Johan Magnussen, shared with kind permission. 

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Scandinavian Summer Escape: Stay in This Lovely Liseleje Cottage by the Sea

I often get emails asking for tips on places to visit and where to stay in Scandinavia — and I’m always happy to help! As you might have noticed, I even enjoy scouring the web for beautiful holiday rentals. After all, for those of us who are passionate about design, where we stay is just as important as the adventure itself.

Today, I have a real gem in Denmark to share with you. Owned by Henrik Walentin, this charming thatched cottage in Liseleje is where tradition and character meet in perfect harmony. Every room is thoughtfully curated, creating a space that feels both personal and inspiring. What really stood out to me is the use of colour — it’s subtle enough to feel calm and restful, yet brings just the right amount of energy and vibrancy to each space.

The garden is lovely, but it’s the sunroom that really captures the magic (as you’ll know from the homes I often feature here!). It’s the perfect spot to read a book, play games, or enjoy a meal bathed in natural light — even when the skies are grey.

Liseleje itself is a delightful town to explore, with winding lanes, local markets, and — best of all — a beautiful white sandy beach just a short stroll away. Henrik tells me there are still a couple of weeks available this summer, although you might need to be quick!

Let’s see what's in store.

Charming!

Henrik has a wonderful eye for detail (I've been following his instagram for quite some time now - do take a look if you love this thatched cottage). 

Is there anything specific that caught your eye? 

Could you imagine making yourself home here for a few weeks this summer? If so, you can find the listing here. 

You can find plenty more beautiful holiday homes in this archive (hop over this one if it comes up first - unless of course you'd like to take the tour all over again!). 

On another note, I have been writing some interesting pieces for IKEA lately, the latest of which is about a wonderful little rug called RAKLEV which has stood the test of time for good reason. If you'd like to read my piece and hear from the designer behind it, take a look here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by as always. 

Kram!

Niki

Photography Henrik Walentin, featured on Landfolk. 

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