Where the Sea Meets Home: A Swedish Coastal Escape

It’s Friday! And if there’s a day for dreaming, this has to be it. Long-time readers will know my biggest dream is to one day live in a little cottage by the sea — listening to the waves crash against the shore, watching treasures wash up with the tide, and breathing in that salty fresh air.

And this lovely little cottage? Well, it’s pretty much spot on! It’s just appeared a few years too early, as my teens aren’t quite ready to trade in their urban lives for the wonderfully quiet rhythm of Sweden’s south coast. Even so, it doesn’t stop me dreaming!

With the sea as your closest neighbour and the gentle sound of the waves as a backdrop, this Ystad cottage feels like a world of its own. Big windows frame the ever-changing horizon, a wrought-iron staircase leads up to a serene master bedroom, and the clean, simple Scandinavian style lets the views take centre stage. A wood-burning stove promises cosy evenings after windswept walks, and a morning dip is only a few footsteps away.

I don’t know about you, but I can just imagine sitting here with a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise over the water. One day, perhaps…

This lovely cottage really is just the ticket — I’ll be storing it in my mind and dreaming about it this weekend. Location aside, I also love the sleek kitchen with its pendant lamps over the worktop, the exposed beams, and that wonderfully simple décor that lets the sea views do all the talking.

What about you — can you imagine living in a place like this, or do you prefer a little more hustle and bustle around you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if, like me, you enjoy a good coastal daydream, here are a few more homes by the sea that might just steal your heart: 

Coastal living, only cooler - the home of an artist in England
A charming Danish cottage with a coastal vibe
An artist's atelier and cottage by the sea in Cornwall, England

Thank you so much for stopping by and dreaming with me this week, and for all your lovely comments — I’m really looking forward to sitting down with a quiet moment this weekend to read and respond to them.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarna Ekström (where it is currently for sale).

READ MORE...

14

White & Faded: Touring Janet Parrella-van den Berg’s Tuscan Sanctuary

Borta är bra, hemma bäst (away is good, but home is best) - so the Swedish saying goes. And really, there’s no place like home. It’s our very own personal space where we can control the environment and simply be ourselves. When it comes to decorating, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way — it’s all down to personal taste.

Some love to fill their home with joyful colours and a riot of patterns to maximise energy. Others prefer nostalgia, surrounding themselves with treasures collected over time. And then there are those who long for calm minimalism, creating an oasis in which to clear the mind from the noise of the outside world and recuperate in quiet.

The latter is the path Janet Parrella-van den Berg has chosen for her home. An abstract artist and author of White & Faded, Janet — together with her husband, Dino — is the creative force behind the UK-based brand White & Faded, as well as a beautiful property in Lucca, Tuscany, just half an hour from Pisa. Their focus is on restoring old homes and furniture, breathing new life into everything they touch while inspiring clients and followers to embrace stylish, sustainable living.

Now, we’re invited to step inside their Tuscan retreat — an Italian country house full of history, lovingly pared back to reveal its timeless charm. Here, Janet has created a sanctuary painted almost entirely in white. The soft palette enhances natural light, highlights the building's original character, and sets the stage for her philosophy of calm, understated elegance. As she explains: “I couldn’t think of any better colour than white in my home — feared by so many, but loved at the same time.”

Let's take a peek inside. 

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a home so dedicated to white on here.I can certainly see the white and the faded — true to Janet's signature style. The result is a perfect source of inspiration for anyone who loves to keep things minimal, fresh, and timeless.

Are you a fan of white in your own home, or do you prefer to admire it in the spaces of others? 

If you are feeling inspired, here are few tips on the best way to work with white in your home: 

• Layer your whites. Mix warm and cool tones (ivory, cream, chalk, linen) to add depth and avoid a flat, clinical look.

• Play with texture. Use natural materials like linen, wood, stone, and wool to bring warmth and interest to a white room.

• Let light do the work. White walls reflect natural light beautifully, so keep windows uncluttered to maximise brightness.

• Balance with accents. A hint of greenery, rustic wood, or black iron details can anchor the space and make the white feel even fresher.

• Keep it practical. Washable slipcovers, matte finishes, and wipeable paints make living with white much easier.

Would you like to see a few more homes with a white theme? I love:

Leanne Ford's beautiful white guest house
A beautiful Swedish home as white as it's snowy surroundings

50 shades of white in a serene Swedish home

Happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: Janet Parella-van den Berg, shared with kind permission. 

READ MORE...

15