Kati's Rustic 19th Century Log House in Iitti, Finland

Good morning! How was your weekend? It was a bank holiday weekend here in Sweden and I spent part of it brushing up my Hygge knowledge in preparation for the filming I am doing with Carl Hansen & Søn in Denmark tomorrow and Wednesday (so exciting - I can't wait to share more info!). For those of you not familiar with the term, Hygge is a Danish word, used to acknowledge a feeling or a moment, alone or with friends which is cosy, charming and special, in a relaxed, humble way. It's a celebration of slow living and focusing on the simple things in life. I immediately thought of aspects of this log cabin in Iitti, Finland. The country house dates back to 1839 and Kati Pilli-Sihvola took on the task to lovingly restore it - being careful to maintain its original hyggeligt charm, while adding modern touches. Kati describes her style as 'country rustic minimalism' - and I feel the interior matches this perfectly! Ready to take the tour? Wool socks at the ready! 

Kati kept the original fireplace - previously used to bake and cook food - and added modern conveniences such as a range cooker and wood burning stove.

Look at that ceiling! Isn't it incredible? Kati has worked hard to restore it and it's a perfect reminder of the history of the building. 

Simple sheepskins, blankets and cushions are a hallmark of understated Scandinavian cosiness, while a vintage cabinet painted in dusty pink provides a perfect spot for bits and bobs. 

It's incredible to think this wall is almost 180 years old! 

In front of it, a basket is used to store extra blankets for when the temperatures plummet outside - or you simply feel like making things extra cosy! 

In the sitting room you can clearly see the wonderful old patina in the ceiling and also the old brick floor - combined with the darker walls, it's easy to imagine how hyggeligt it would feel in the evening under the glow of candlelight. 

Peeling paint on the 'spell' doors and a vintage leather chair adds to the rustic, relaxed vibe. 

What would a Finnish home be without a sauna? And I have to say, I've never seen one as incredible as this. It oozes old world style, and easy to envision generations before beating themselves with birch branches (a Finnish tradition) and feeling a sense of pure relaxation. Today, Kati and her family lovely to relax here.  

What a perfect tour with which to start the week! It certainly has me dreaming about pastoral life! 

For more lovely images of Kati's home take a look at her blog and instagram - they're full of inspiration. 

And here are some other Finnish home tours you might love today: 

Ilkka's charming rural retreat in Finland

Step inside Maiju's wonderful family home

A magical rustic farmhouse in rural Finland

Kaunis Suomi! Beautiful Finland! 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Kati Pilli-Sihvola

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A Glimpse Inside Our Summer Cottage Kitchen - Ready For The Season!

Tjena! Happy Friday friends! My family and I are enjoying the first long public holiday of the year up at the cottage - and I've been busy pepping up our little summer cottage kitchen. It's amazing what small touches can make (if you're curious about the bigger ones - I shared all the info about our renovation here - it was a true labour of love!). Many of the new pieces are from my fab long-term Danish partner Nordal who kindly sponsored this post, with the exception of an olive tree - my new pride and joy from a local garden centre (let's hope I can keep it alive!)! I hope you like the updates as much as I do - and that they give you a few ideas for your own kitchen! 

There's something dramatic about dark stoneware - it's especially popular in Swedish restaurants since it really makes the natural colours of food pop. These tea plates are part of the Nordal spring news and have a beautiful midnight blue sheen when they catch the light. I also couldn't resist the matching coffee cups!  The waffle tea towel is also new, but I've had the gold cutlery for years! 

One of the things I tend to never have enough of is tiny bowls, do you find that too? They're really handy for everything from salt, butter and nuts to storing items like this wooden scrubbing brush. This little stone Saisolo bowl is handmade so they are all unique - the beauty is in the imperfection! 

Since our kitchen is predominantly white and grey, I try to use wood and other natural materials to add warmth - hence why the chopping boards (including a new herringbone one) and utensils like wooden spoons are always on display - it's kind pf practical too: 'grab and go'! Lately I've been using vases for utensils (this is the Nago tall vase) - but I'm sure, come summer I'll be using it for fresh flowers instead! 

When I first put the curtains up in the doorway my Mother-in-Law (who's been enjoying the cottage ever since she was a small child) was a little uncertain. But now she has grown to love them. They are a lovely way to keep the draft out in the winter, shield the kitchen from the neighbours on warmer days, and they look so pretty fluttering in the breeze. 

The girls love having a stool in the kitchen (this NEN rattan one is also a Nordal piece) - cleaning the mud off new potatoes is a big Swedish summer pastime and can take copious amounts of time - so this is a perfect place for them to sit while they help out! 

One of the best things we did in the kitchen was put up this peg rail, it stores a never-ending array of utensils, textiles (like the LYNX tea towel and Mira pot holder) and banana fibre rope bag. 

I think that's all the updates for now, but who knows what we might find at 'loppis' flea markets come summer. 

I hope you like the new pieces, if you're ever passing by, please do stop by for a coffee and help christen the new cups! 

Oh, and if you have any questions about anything you see in these pictures, just give me a shout and I'll do my best to help!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

This post is sponsored by Nordal. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.

Styling: Helen Sturesson

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An Elegant 19th Century Swedish Home With Grey Accents

Why, hello there! How is your week going? Here in Sweden, it's a bank holiday ('Kristi himmelfärdsdag = Ascension Day). A thunderstorm has rolled in over the water and so we're all bunking up at home - and I'll probably be spending most of the morning in this corner! One of my other favourite hobbies is looking at houses and apartments for sale (do you enjoy that too?) - and I was so excited to see this late 19th century space in Gothenburg, Sweden. There's something about the beautiful wood floor, cornicing and dramatically high ceilings that have got my pulse racing. I love the subtle light grey nuances too - you could move right in and not change a thing! If only the owners would leave the furniture behind too - I spy some fab design classics! 

A Gubi semi-pendant lamp* hangs over an oval shaped dining table which has been circled with iconic wishbone chairs*. 

It's really trendy to do away with the upper kitchen cabinets. It looks lovely and clean, but sadly, only possible in larger kitchens (unless you're a total minimalist!). 

I've also noticed darker stone worktops creeping into kitchens, and slowly replacing lighter marble tops. Although I have to say, I still really love our countertop at the cottage (keep an eye out for our recent summer cottage kitchen update tomorrow!).  

I spy a classic Danish Bestlite BL6 wall lamp over the sofa. They're pricey but I think they're a great investment as they're timeless. 

And just look at those elegant double 'spegel' doors!

Another classic: the owners have made a reading corner out of the well-loved Swedish DUX Jetson chair and String shelving - both of whom have their headquarters here in Southern Sweden. 

A Flowerpot table lamp* catches the light on the desk in the bedroom (&Tradition also do a portable version of these which you can take out and use on your garden table!) and a Hay polygon quilt has been draped over the bed. 

Could you imagine living here? 

I certainly could. A pied á terre perhaps! *Dreaming*. 

'Kika in' (peek inside) a few other Swedish homes here: 

Felicia's striking blue and white Landskrona apartment

Lotta Agaton's elegant Stockholm home

A white, blue and wood Swedish home

Right friends, I'm off to play some games with the girls while we ride out this thunderstorm. I hope you have a lovely, relaxing day - and the sun is shining for you! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Alvhem

*Affiliate links - thank you for supporting My Scandinavian Home

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An Magical Rustic Family Farmhouse In Rural Finland

I hope you're having a great week! The warm weather has finally arrived in Southern Sweden so we've spending lots of time down outdoors making the most of it! The leaves have burst into life, and a drive through North Skåne countryside yesterday reminded me so much of a trip I once made to Finland. Have you ever been? I remember feeling mesmerised by the rolling hills, the wildflowers and my first sighting of a moose grazing in a meadow. It was magical! I wish I'd known about this rural home owned by Hanna and her husband Tomas and their children Frans, Hilda and Eedvin at the time of the trip, it would have been perfect for my Relaxed Rustic book (formerly known as 'Modern Pastoral').  Located in Western Finland, the rustic farmhouse is filled with beautiful vintage and antique finds against a backdrop of 17th century architecture and romantic wallpaper. When the family aren't tending to their sheep and chickens, the children are tearing through the rooms on a trike - just as Tomas' family have done for generations. In the words of the Finns: tervetuloa sisään! 

How magical! 

I love the Scandi rustic country style, do you? 

I think I'm secretly a country girl at heart! 

Hanna shares daily snapshots of life in the Finnish countryside over on her lovely instagram feed @punainen.pihlaja - well worth a follow if you're looking for some dreamy inspiration! 

Other Finnish homes to love today: 

Maiju's delightful family home in Vaasa

A tour of an idyllic Finnish summer cabin

A hideaway in the Finnish archipelago 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: Hanna / @punainen.pihlaja - shared with kind permission

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