A 20th Century Swedish House - That's Like Something Out of a Fairytale

If this wonderful house in Gamla Björknäs, Sweden had been yellow, you'd be forgiven for thinking it was Villa Villekulla - the home of Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Longstocking! It actually belongs to a ceramicist (the clue is in the pottery wheel in the basement) - although I am not sure if he / she enjoys it as a hobby or profession. Either way, the turn-of-the-century villa just East of Stockholm is bursting with character - from wood panelled walls, countless nooks and a spiral staircase to turrets and a magical roof terrace - all of which embrace the original 1909 structure. Ready to take a look around? 

A spiral staircase leads up to a turret which houses a desk area - and leads out onto a roof terrace which can also be accessed from the other upper floor area. 

The main staircase leads up to a series of bedrooms - including the master. 

As with many old houses in Sweden, a basement provides extra space for a second sitting room and / or a hobby area as well as a bathroom (as seen in this home) - and quite often a laundry area. 

I couldn't resist including this shot of the small guest loo. I love it when people use these spaces to do something fabulous. Unfortunately, I don't know where this wallpaper is from, if anyone can help please do leave a comment below! 

What a really special home - and such a rare opportunity, don't you think?  

You can find more information about it over at Historiska Hem - including the floorplan (I can understand it might be a bit confusing from the pictures!). 

Wishing you all a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem

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A Swedish Summer Oasis On The Island of Gotland

"Summer breeze makes me feel fine...." those are the words going through my head as I imagine the cool breeze blowing in over the Baltic Sea as I chill by the pool at this Gotland summer house. It's for sale, but sadly a little out of our budget - but I do have my mind set on Surflogiet (a surf glamping place a little further up the coast). I see that there's a perfect 'work from home' spot at this cabin though, so if you're considering a life change, this lovely 71 sqm (764 ft.sq) Swedish cabin on the west coast of the island could well be just what you're looking for. Plus, there's room for two guests in the little outhouse too! 

As with most Scandinavian summer cabins, simplicity is the name of the game. It's about going back to basics (save for the pool!) and making the most of the outdoors. We all know that the Swedish weather might be on the chilly side at times so this covered terrace with bi-folding glass doors is spot on.  

A pair of Cuba Chairs (I also have one in my sitting room) sit side by side in the sitting room. Behind them is a Gubi Grasshopper lamp.

The soft earthy green wall helps to draw the surrounding nature indoors. 

See what I mean about the workspace? Not a bad view for a Wednesday morning! 

Many of my Swedish friends spend their summer hoping between their friends and family's summer cottages, so extra beds are always important. Just make sure to bring your own bedding if you're invited! 

Could you imagine hanging out in that lounger all summer long? 

If you haven't been to Gotland, it's a wonderful place - full of galleries, ceramic studios and funky / off beat cafes and restaurants. Plus Visby, the medieval capital is really picturesque. I shared more about The Baltic island in this guide. 

Fancy taking a look back at other Gotland holiday homes I've featured? Here are a few to get you started: 

A rustic Swedish summer cottage 

A 19th century farmhouse

Your island retreat on the Swedish island of Gotland

And many, many more right here! 

I'm staying in a hotel tonight - a HOTEL! I didn't think I'd see the day! I'm in Denmark for two days of filming with Carl Hanson & Søn and I spent yesterday touring the CEO and founder Knud Erik Hanson's home. It has 40 rooms and every single item has a history. It made me want to re-think the way I decorate my home! I can't wait to share more with you. 

In the meantime, wishing you a lovely 'lillördag!'

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Bertwig

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A Contemporary Finnish Cabin On The Water's Edge

This is turning into a very Finnish week, I must say! I love that, since I always feel I don't show nearly enough homes from this Nordic country. While yesterday's Finnish home tour wouldn't have looked out of place in my Relaxed Rustic book (formerly known as Modern Pastoral), this holiday cabin designed by award winning architect and owner Joanna Laajisto has more of a contemporary edge. Villa Rauhanniemi is perched on the edge of lake Karjalohja (don't even try to pronounce that!) in Southern Finland and designed to embrace the indoor-outdoor lifestyle our Nordic friends so enjoy in summertime. The pared back interior allows the lush surroundings to take centre stage while natural materials such as wood help to add warmth. But most of all, I love the deck. I could just imaging sitting there watching the sun going down with a drink - wait till you see it! 

What an idyllic setting! I recognise the last image from an outdoor space round-up I created a few months back. It's so great to see the cabin it's connected to!

Could you imagine spending summers here, looking out over the lake? 

I'm sure it's magical in winter too, when the lake turns to ice and the world is covered in a soft blanket of snow. 

You can see more of Joanna Laajisto's work here. 

Take a peek inside a load of other incredible Scandinavian holiday homes, cabins and rural retreats in the archive. It will have you dreaming of summer! 

I'm off to Denmark this morning by train (carrying a load of paperwork including my negative test!) - where I'll be making a short film about hygge with Knud Erik Hansen, CEO and grandson of the founder of Carl Hansen & Søn for their online open-house event in June - register for our live Q&A here!). Come and join me on Instagram stories for a sneak peek behind the scenes! Knud Erik's house is simply incredible! 

Niki

Photography: Mikko Ryhänen found via Desire to Inspire with thanks. 

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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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