A Magestic Butterfly in our Little Cabin!

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, all words and pictures are my own. I only work with reputable brands I love and think you will too! 

When something was designed in 1944, can you still call it a 'latest offering'? Probably not. But I was very excited to get my hands on the beautiful VLA61 Monarch Chair from Carl Hansen & Søn! Designed by one of the pioneers of danish modernism Vilhelm Lauritzen, only ten chairs were originally produced. And now the carpenters at Carl Hansen & Søn have worked their magic to produce the chair with a modern touch and of course, impeccable craftsmanship. 

The chair comes in an amazing variety of colours and wood finishes. We had the pleasure of living with the oak oil and Baru 0410 in our little cabin for a few days, and it quickly became a part of the family beside the Plico chair (yes, we're still fighting over the coveted spot!). Read on to discover why this fine specimen is named the 'Monarch' and take a closer look at the details! 

From the front you can clearly see the shape of the chair which was inspired by the majestic monarch butterfly!

Carl Hansen & Søn don't do things by halves. I've had the pleasure of watching their craftsman in action several times and to say they are masters in their field would be an understatement. The Monarch Chair has been reborn in collaboration with Vilhelm Architects with a modern perspective in terms of material and details. And each chair has received hours of undivided love and attention at the hands of a skilled craftsman. 

For example all of the oak parts have been hand polished several times and the top rail is only upholstered once the chair is assembled to achieve a perfect finish. A true masterpiece! 

I love that in Denmark they are still practising the art of craftsmanship and working with good, solid materials to create furniture that is built. Do you appreciate this too?  

It'd be rude not to pour a cup of tea, pull up a seat and enjoy it for a while, don't you think? 

Could you imagine having a chair like this in your home? Check out the ten different versions here and let me know your favourite! 

Niki

Ps Friday will be my final blog post before I take two weeks off to spend time with my family and enjoy the disastrous Swedish weather (our anoraks look like they'll be a staple). See you then!

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A Swedish City Apartment in a Converted Car Workshop

Do you live in a city? With 56% leading urban lives the chances are high! We all know that high density populations mean rent / house prices can be high, and in many cities new dwellings are carved out from old businesses. Warehouses, factories, bars and even a welding plant have been repurposed into houses, flats and maisonettes - and the history of the building adds an entirely new dimension to the interior. 

In Vasastan, Stockholm an old car workshop has been transformed into a beautiful street level apartment. Great big doors that open out onto the street and polished concrete floors unlock the secret to its past life while a white wood floor, beautiful kitchen and floor to ceiling shelving provide clues for its new life as a contemporary home.  Step this way for the tour! 

When the double doors are closed the frosted glass means only a small amount of light flows through to the living room, something that large mirrors help to counter. 

Contrast in the form of dark blue cabinets add interest to the space. 

Warm wood shelving and concrete floors add an interesting contemporary touch to the space. 

Floor to ceiling wardrobes in the bedroom provide plenty of storage and help to create a clean and contemporary look. I love how grey has been used on the cabinet doors and back door, breaking up the white. 

Floorplan: 

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

What a really cool urban home! I love the way it's been decorated. 

I wonder how practical having doors open out to the street like this would be in most cities around the world? In Stockholm it could definitely work on a warm summer's day like today, in fact I can already hear the music floating out from the transparent speaker and the buzz of the city life outside. 

Do you think this would work in your city? 

Niki

Photography and floor plan courtesy of Historsika Hem. 

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A Swedish House with an Outdoor kitchen and Living Room

While up at our cabin, rather than relaxing, I can't help but spend my time plotting our next update. A long way in the future, we'd like to have an outdoor kitchen! Do you love them too? There's something about cooking alfresco (and I don't just mean on the barbecue!), don't you think? 

The swedes who own this house have got there outdoor space right! 

The outdoor kitchen has a gas barbecue, sink and all the utensils you might need to throw together an evening meal. We recently bought a portable plug-in induction stove from IKEA for our cabin and it would make a nice addition here too! 

I also like the plant boxes. Placing raised beds around a terrace like this is a nice way to add flowers beside the seating area. 

Around the corner they have created a covered terrace with a lovely sitting room area for cosy evenings. I love the pendant lamp for a true 'living room' feel!

Cushions, blankets, candles - all the things you need for a cosy evening! I often bring out a basket of blankets late afternoon and plonk it beside our outdoor seating - so that blankets are at the ready as soon as the chill sets in! Having tried and tested many blankets - from budget to blowout (hey, it's cold up here in the north!), my favourite actually turns out to be the wool-blend ones from H&M Home - they are really soft and a firm family favourite. 

A simple bench serves as a perch for a reflective morning coffee for one. 

Water tight Glass / plexiglass roofing can get really hot in the sunshine. A wicker cover like this one helps to keep the area cool and looks pretty too! 

I couldn't resist sharing a few snapshots from the downstairs living area too - perfect inspiration for anyone who loves serene white / neutral spaces! 

I hope this lovely outdoor kitchen and open-plan living space have given you plenty of inspiration for the weekend! 

Do you have any experience with outdoor kitchens? If so, please do share any in the comments below! 

Could you imagine installing one in your outdoor space? 

Here are some other wonderful ways you can transform your alfresco lifestyle at home: 

19 ways to create a swedish summer oasis from basic to blowout!

An idyllic Finnish cottage with an outdoor kitchen

8 ways to pep up your outdoor space, Scandinavian style

7 boho ideas for outdoor spaces big and small

10 ways to maximise your tiny balcony 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erik Olsson

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Before & After: A Dated Danish house Becomes a Vibrant Summer Cottage

The rain is coming down in Sweden and I'm guessing there are plenty of card games going on behind closed doors of everyone's summer cottages. Meanwhile, judging by these pictures, the sun is shining over the Öresund strait in the Danish town of Rørvig, North of Zealand. 

This pretty 80 sqm / 861 ft2 cottage in the woods is owned by sisters Ane and Sigrid. Since buying the property, the pair have completely renovated the property both inside and out to create a dreamy place for their families to spend summer and in fact, to get away from it all in other seasons too. 

It's somewhere they come to relax - clearly seen by the day beds, window seats and casual style. The fresh whites help to create a bright and airy feel, while pops of pink and other bright colours add to the vibrancy of the living space. Ready to see a few before and after pictures? 

Exterior before

Exterior after

An entirely new shade (earthy pink), new windows, sunroom extension and new deck have completely transformed the exterior into an inviting cottage! 

A cosy dining nook has been carved out under the sloping roof using built-in seating and rattan chairs. 

Kitchen side view before

Kitchen side view after

Walls were knocked through to create a light and airy open-plan living space and a new kitchen has been installed with pretty blue cabinet fronts to reflect the coastal location. 

An antique bed serves as a place for afternoon naps and overnight kips! 

Sunroom before

Sunroom after

New windows, a fresh lick of white and a new herringbone floor was what was needed to completely transform the sun room into a beautiful bright space to relax, surrounded by greenery! You often see pretty floral cushions like these in danish summer houses. 

Bedroom before

Bedroom after

I am guessing the beautiful wood floor was lurking under the laminate flooring - what a find! New windows, a fresh lick of paint and old beams have added a wonderful summer cottage vibe to the bedroom. 

Toilet before 

Toilet after

A new, larger and lower window has made a huge different to the feel of the bathroom. I also love the tiles! 

What a perfect transformation from a slightly pokey, dated house to an idyllic summer cottage. I would perfectly happy relaxing here all summer - sunshine or rain, how about you? 

You can see more pictures of Ane and Sigrid's cottage over at @det_lille_hus_i_skoven. And also, great news. If you're looking for a holiday home to rent in Denmark this summer, this one is available through Landfolk here. 

Take a peek inside a few other Danish summer cottages today: 

A dreamy danish summer cottage with an outdoor bathroom

An idyllic summer oasis on North Zealand

A light and airy summer cottage by the sea

I hope today's post has transported you to summers in Denmark and filled you with inspiration! 

Niki

PS if it's sunny where you are, please can you send a little our way?

Photography courtesy of @det_lille_hus_i_skoven with thanks. 

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