my scandinavian home

The Soot House: A Beautiful Cabin Inspired By Rugged Landscape

What do you get if you combine a sculptor with a builder? The Soot House, that's what! Sculptor turned builder Anthony Esteves built the Soot House by hand, combining his learnings as a sculptor with newly acquired high-end building techniques. The charred black structure was inspired by the 'ghostly quality' of 17th century New England homes and the wild, craggy landscape of Spruce Head, Maine. Today Anthony, his wife Julie O'Rourke (founder of RudyJude kids clothes) enjoy the house and it's beautiful surroundings first hand.

I've always been such a big fan of black houses. They're fairly common in Scandinavia (especially for summer houses / cabins). For this charred black structure, Anthony was inspired by the island's black spruce and lichens as well as the wild landscape.

The table (which was picked up at a local secondhand shop) is so beautiful, don't you think? My Mother has a similar one which she bought at auction years ago- sadly the drawers mean that it's too low to fit a chair / your legs under the table (just a word of warning to measure up before you acquire one of these bad boys!). She uses hers as a side table, and it looks equally beautiful!

I love how the textures - such as stone and wood - have been carefully selected to mirror the craggy surrounding landscape.

A small stove resting on a vintage chest-of-drawers serves as somewhere to cook evening meals (in a back-to-basics kinda way!).

Rails made from copper pipes and ropes are used as clothes hangers in the bedroom.

Wow! So striking, personal and unique! You can really sense the connection that the house has with its surroundings.

The interior would look equally at home on the rugged Swedish Baltic island of Gotland.

And the exterior reminds me a lot of this incredible black house by the sea in rural Iceland which I'm totally planning on renting one day!

Are you a fan of black facades too?

Niki

Photography Greta Rybus, found via Remodelista with thanks.

A Charming & Relaxed Swedish Home In Blue And White

Hejsan! It's one of those weeks where I'm constantly on the back foot - anyone else experiencing that? I'd never leave you high and dry without some beautiful interior inspiration though - besides this lovely Swedish space has been the highlight of my day! The blue and white colour scheme and relaxed nature of the space caught my eye. There's also a load to love - including the mix and match furniture, books, plants and art which give the place in Kungsladugård, Gothenburg it's soul! I hope you feel as inspired as I do by this lovely home!

It's so hard to find lovely old tables - but a close-up of this one reveals it's been handmade (possibly using IKEA legs and a door or other reclaimed item). So clever - and actually not that difficult to cobble together if you fancy doing something similar.

The sitting room reminds me a little of the beautiful Varberg home of Kristin Lagerkvist 8(you can see a glimpse of her living room here).

There are a few lovely things at play in the space above - including a wooden cabinet which has been painted in the same colour as the wall, Elfa shelves lined with books and other treasures and a simple grey sheepskin* draped over a mid-century chair - all of which make it feel personal and cosy!

So charming, don't you think?

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I'm still thinking about the Elfa book shelves (not just in the sitting room, but also in the hallway) - and wondering where I might be able to fit more shelving in my own home (so many books, such little time... and space!).

The blue and white theme has me thinking about the subtle coastal tones in this danish cottage, a striking blue and white Swedish home full of contrast and the details in this striking Danish house. Blue will always be one of my favourite shades - are you a fan too?

Right, better get on, so much to do! Eeeek!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret Mäkleri

FILED UNDER: Decorating with blue swedish apartment swedish home

A Cosy, Riverside Cabin Where Cool Scandinavian Meets Warm Californian style

Oh, have I got a dreamy cabin to share with you today. Not only has 'River Cabaan' been decorated to perfection by owners Karie Higgins and Lee Gibson (both of whom are spatial designers) - artfully combining Scandinavian design, mid-century and as touch of California to create a cosy nest - the cabin is also completely secluded and overlooks the Wilson River, just one hour from Portland, Oregon. Think spinning well loved vinyls on the deck, books by the fire and a cosy riverside fire pit. How's that for getting away from it all? Oh yes. And it's on Airbnb too. I think it would be rude not to book a stay, don't you? Just got to make my way across the Atlantic first. Enjoy the tour!

Sofa from Cb2, Serge Mouille wall light*, at by Caroline Walls, cane chair from France & Son

White sheepskin*, IKEA Stockholm 2017 bench, Hide & Seek book.

Figure 02 print*, dark blue linen bedding*

Meet you by the fire pit?!

In case you need any more convincing, there are a load more pictures over at @rivercabaan.

And bookings can be made here!

Thank you so much for the tip Allan!

Shall we take a peek at a few other cosy cabins? I know it's only Tuesday - but there's nothing like dreaming of a secluded cabin to get you through the working week! Here are some of my favourites of late:

Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin in Echo Park

Before & After: a dated cabin becomes a dreamy retreat

A super cosy off-the-grid cabin on Bruny Island

I'm still dreaming about our weekend at my friend's cabin in the woods a few weeks back too. Perhaps it's time to book another visit?

Have a lovey day friends, stay cosy!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rivercabaan / #rivercabaan with thanks

*Affiliated links

PS If you're an interior designer or architect, don't miss the opportunity to enter your top projects into the Antalis Interior Design Award (read more about it here).

FILED UNDER: airbnb Holiday homes Log cabin rentals rural retreats

In Malmö, An Artist's Home and Atelier In A Converted Workshop

Do you keep an eye out for homes for sale in your area, even if you're not looking to move? I love to obsess over the pages of Hemnet (Sweden's estate agent directory). Obviously, it's all in the name of work. OK, who am I kidding? It's like a glossy interior mag! But it also provides a rare and wonderful opportunity to peek behind the facade of properties you've walked past a hundreds times. And maybe, just maybe you'll stumble across the home of your dreams! This weekend, I discovered this artist's residence behind a discreet gate, inside a leafy courtyard in the Triangeln area of Malmö. It's a part of town I walk around regularly, but I've never even noticed the gate! Laid out over three levels, the old converted carpentry workshop features whitewashed brick walls, tall windows and rustic wood floors interspersed with soft-cut concrete. The charming house has been enjoyed by an artist and furry friend for many years, and now it's time for someone else to take the baton! Could it be you? Or me?! Or perhaps we could all go in together?!