A Swedish Apartment for One (or Two) on a Serene Island

Tjena! Sweden is slowly waking up after a long weekend of Midsummer celebrations. The sun shone for us all too (usually Midsummer's Eve can be particularly dicey as the Nordic weather gods know we all want to eat alfresco!). All in all, it was a beautiful weekend of wildflowers, dancing around a may pole, singing and catching up with friends and family! Take a look at this post to learn more about the Swedish Midsummer celebrations in case you'd like to join in with the revelry! 

Anyhow, I'm sure you're here for the Scandi interiors inspiration today not to hear about my weekend, so let's crack on! This lovely little apartment measuring 34 sqm / 365 ft2, has everything a single person or couple might need to enjoy life near the Swedish capital, yet still feel close to nature. Situated on Stora Essingen, an island on Lake Mälaren, the peaceful surroundings are there to be enjoyed year-round. 

The main living space is open-plan and has been organised so that you can enjoy meals looking out over the water.

A classic Gubi semi-pendant lamp has been hung over the table. But the real eye-catcher is the striped tablecloth (it was only a few weeks back that we were discussing how much a tablecloth can transform a room and here is yet more proof!). The closest I found was this nautical striped fabric on Etsy*. 

A gallery wall (source similar prints at The Poster Club*) and collection of cushions add a cosy touch to the living room area. 

I love this corner with a wall hanging, Flowerpot table lamp in 'beige red' and a cabinet. The latter looks like it could be an IKEA hack using Bestå units and adding a cane front. I noticed last time I was there they now have an IVAR cabinet with cane front in the range too! 

Notice how subtle pink tones can be seen in the living room area. This is part of what the Swedes call a 'red thread' - using the same colour in every room to create a cohesive feel throughout a home. 

Swedish string pocket shelves and a row of wooden hooks create space to display an array of pottery. 

It's in the bedroom where the pink has been allowed to really shine through - seen on both the wall cabinets, curtains and bed linen! Love this, how about you? 

If you're curious about the layout, here are more details (courtesy of Historiska Hem). 

Glossary: vardagsrum - living room, kök - kitchen, sovrum - bedroom, bad - bathroom. 

I could totally see myself enjoying a slow breakfast looking out over the water, how about you? And I'm very tempted to add that lovely pink tone to a small bedroom in our house, I wonder if Albin would let me? I doubt it! 

Is there anything that struck you about this serene space? 

I also love these homes in the Stockholm archipelago: 

The beautiful home of a Swedish stylist

An estate in the Stockholm archipelago

A traditional Swedish villa over looking the water

An idyllic island hideaway

If you're looking to combine a trip to the Swedish capital with a stay in the Stockholm archipelago, we loved our press stay at this hotel last summer! 

See more lovely Swedish homes in this archive. And don't miss some of these tours that I've shared lately: 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: @jockeono Styling: Lindholm Design for Historiska Hem. 

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5 Ways To Celebrate Midsummer's Eve Like a Swede

This Friday it's arguably the biggest event in the Swedish calendar: Midsummer's Eve! It's a magical day includes dancing around a pole with flowers in your hair and a delicious afternoon meal alfresco with friends and family. 

Why not join in the celebrations from afar? Here are five ways how: 

1. Make a floral crown for your hair 

2. Build a small 'midsommarstång' (midsummer pole) to put up in your garden like this one and dance around it! 

2. Invite family and friends over and dine outside no matter the weather and tuck into herring, salmon, some form of quiche, new potatoes, washed down with beer. Follow with deliciously ripe strawberries. 

3. Sing songs and down a shot of Akvavit with a resounding 'SKÅL!' (cheers). 

4. Play Kubb! 

5. If you're single, place seven different wildflowers under your pillow before you go to sleep and you'll dream of the man you are going to marry! 

Glad Midsommar! 

I'll be back again on Monday :)

Niki

This beautiful photograph is by Emily Slotte

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A Dreamy Rustic Cottage in a Hidden Corner of Tasmania

I always try to stick to scandinavian homes here on the blog, but every now and again I go off-piste in a spectacular way! Like today. Those of you who know me well, will confirm my lifelong dream of visiting Tasmania, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Despite being on the opposite of the world and no doubt a very different climate, there are a few similarities with the Nordics (at least from what I have seen!). Firstly, Tasmania appears to be characterised by incredible, wild untouched nature. And secondly, this nature often inspires the decor in a beautiful way. 

I feel so drawn to the relaxed vibe of the cabins and cottages I so often discover on Airbnb! And this charming little rustic cottage is no different! Beautifully captured by Lean Timms who tells me 'it's such a special space, you'd love it' (I have no doubt!), the 160 year old cottage is hidden away in a secret, secluded corner of Tasmania, inviting guests to 'slow down, unplug and reconnect.' 

Owner Christine Hansen - founder of The Patina Factory,  recently returned from an eight year Hiatus in Sweden and has loving restored the one-bedroom cottage using only locally-sourced natural materials which compliment the antique timber frame. The result is a charming and relaxed cottage in which to kick back, unbind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. 

Ready to take a look? 

"Living in Sweden, I really came to understand some fundamental things about what makes a building beautiful" - Christine Hansen. 

I'm already on that daybed looking out over the Mersey river, how about you? 

The style reminds me a of a farmhouse high up on a hill in Vermont that I captured for my first book Relaxed Rustic (formerly known as Modern Pastoral). Which also took my breath away! 

See more pictures of this luxury rustic cottage in Tasmania on Airbnb here and follow Christine for more over at @twissstreet. 

Have you been to Tasmania? Or perhaps you're lucky enough to call it home? If so, please do share your experiences in the comment section below! Did anything stand out to you? 

Here are a few other dreamy Tasmanian properties I've featured in the past: 

Captain's Cottage - a bolthole in Hobart

A wabi-sabi getaway in the Bay of Fires

A relaxed artist's cabin by the sea

Whale song shack 

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography by the talented Lean Timms, shared with kind permission. 

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A Warm Swedish Home That's Full of Smart ideas!

Why, hello there! It's Friday, the sun's shining and we have the weekend stretched out in front of us, what's not to love! Before we all head off, I've got one final home tour I'd love to share with you. The apartment in Stockholm caught my eye for so many reasons - which I've pointed out during the tour. I hope you feel inspired by these and more! 

Firstly, I love the subtle golden hue (attributed to the wall colour, and cabinets in the kitchen, bedroom and hall) it adds a warm and inviting touch to the entire living space! 

These days, it's really popular to leave part of the kitchen wall without cabinets, which then lends itself to a great place for art (or shelves). Candlesticks hint to a warm and relaxing evening bather in candlelight ahead too! 

The kitchen maybe narrow, but built in seating with a simple round table attached means you can still enjoy a morning coffee in the sunshine! Such a smart solution, don't you think? 

Wall mounted glass cabinets are huge right now - pick up a pine one in a vintage store and paint it in your own choice of colour, like they have done here! 

A larger dining area occupies one side of the living room so that there's a place for more guests. 

Cherry red and Klein blue are the colours of the season in Scandinavia. Adding two items in the same colour (like a blanket and Valerie Objects light) help to balance the look. 

Striped bedding is also very popular and adds a contemporary touch to the bedroom. Source similar here. 

In a small bedroom, storage that wraps around the headboard is a great use of space. I really like the way they have included a recess to serve as a bedside table! 

The devil is in the detail - as they say. Why have an ugly door stopper when you can have a beautiful brass one? This brass doorstopper on Etsy* is similar.

Bespoke storage in the hallway ensures that every inch of the space is used. I really like the idea of a built in seat with shoe storage underneath. A ladder can be attached for items higher up (we had one built like this by a local carpenter for our cabin). 

So many lovely ideas in one space! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I hope you've enjoyed the tours this week, in case you missed them - check out Riikka's idyllic Finnish island hideaway (one of the cottages on the island is available to rent via Airbnb!) and a beautiful old rectory on the Swedish island of Gotland. 

I hope you have a 'trevlig helg' (nice weekend!). See you Monday! 

Kram!

Niki

Photography: Fredric Boukari for Historiska Hem. 

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A Beautiful Swedish Rectory on the Island of Gotland

It's been way too long since I featured a house on the Swedish island of Gotland, don't you think? Long-term followers here know that I have a huge love for the Swedish Baltic island. We visited by sailing boat a few years ago, and Per had to practically drag me away, otherwise I would have stayed! 

I can't wait to return again someday - have you been? In the meantime, we can all dream about the beautiful island via the Gotland house tours I share. And this one just popped up in my feed! An old rectory dating back to 1902, the stately house is a short stone's throw from the church (I love the sound of church bells ringing in the morning, do you?). Inside, the rooms have wonderful vistas over the surrounding farmland and have been beautifully renovated in earthy tones of stone with deep blue and grey. All that's waiting now, is for someone to add their personal touch with books, art, textiles and all the cosy items that make a house a home. Could it be you? Step inside and decide for yourself! 

I love the huge windows and imagine each room to change with the time of day and season! The outside space looks wonderful too. Imagine how peaceful it is there? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

You can find my guide of the Swedish Baltic coast here, and also don't miss these lovely homes on Gotland: 

A rustic summer cottage on the island of Gotland

Elsa's inspiring summer cottage

A beautiful limestone barn (for hire via Airbnb!)

Oh, and did you see Monday's tour of Riikka's cabin on a Finnish island? I'm still romanticising about arriving by boat and spending my days diving in and out of the water! 

Happy Lillördag ('little Saturday).

Niki 

Styling: Sofie Gidfeldt

Photo: Emma Jonsson Dysell

For sale via: Skeppsholmen

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