Pia's Cosy Country Home in Snowy Finland

It's been a very long time since I visited beautiful Finland - both in person and on the blog! While I'd happily hop on a plane, train or boat to Helsinki today, sadly it's not possible. But the good news is, Pia has welcomed us all into her cosy home today - so we can all pay a virtual visit! 

Pia lives in the Finnish countryside with her young family and has decorated her home with antique finds and layers of texture in earthy tones. You'll notice a few Christmas decorations still   - in Scandinavia it's customary to keep decor up until 13th January (a scary prospect when it's considered bad luck past 6th Januaary in England). I've grown to like this tradition as the pretty star lights really help to brighten up the winter darkness and create a cosy feel. 

Keep a look out for the walls - many of which have been decorated with botanical-themed wallpaper (Boråstapater and Sandberg sell classic Scandinavian designs like these) - while exposed wood beams add a rustic touch here and there. I also love the 'kakelugn' (masonry stove oven) and how Pia has created a reading spot beside it. A perfect place to relax while the snow falls outside. 

(Fun fact: Finland has 187,888 lakes, that's a crazy amount of water!)

Tervetuloa (welcome)! 

So pretty! Did you spot the family's four legged friend peeking here and there? So cute! 

A perfect tour to complete the week, don't you think? Don't miss Pia's instagram @pienimaalaistalo for more inspiration. And if you'd like to see a few other Finnish homes today, check out: 

Step inside Maiju's delightful home in Vaasa, Finland

Take the tour of Kati's rustic Finnish log house

Feel inspired by Riika's waterside cabin in the eastern Gulf of Finland

I hope you've enjoyed this virtual trip to Finland today. 

I arrived in Hannover, Germany last night and will be holding a talk at Domotex floor fair today - do come along if you're in town! If you'd like to see the latest trends in the world of rugs, carpets and floor coverings follow along on my instagram stories today! 

Have a cosy weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @pienimaalaistalo, shared with kind permission

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A Back-to-Basic Swedish Lakeside Cottage with a Wild Bathroom

While the snow falls here in Malmö, I am aware that those of you in the Southern hemisphere are basking in warm sunshine. So, today I'm pressing the pause button on my wintery posts and taking you on a journey to a little Swedish cottage by a lake in summertime. 

The little red and white cottage near Västerås, Sweden, truly embraces a back-to-basics lifestyle - and the great outdoors is as much a part of the living space as the indoors. Life here is all about switching off and enjoying a simple summer by the lake - just you, the trees, the occasional curious moose and a book by the water. 

Ready to dream? 

The main cottage measures a mere 20 m2 (215 ft2) and comprises a charming kitchen and sitting room area.

Remarkably simple, the cottage doesn't have any running water (you need to bring it with you - which is not unusual, I have a few friends that transport their own water to their cottages, some even located miles away on an island in the archipelago). It does however, have electricity! 

The charming kitchen has open shelving to display prettier items, which a chequered curtain covers the plumbing and pots and pans. An IKEA unit provides extra storage under the window. 

A placard behind the sink bears the words: 'For those who have good friends, the simple cottage becomes a castle'. Truer words were never spoken, do you agree? 

The cottage also has a fireplace for colder days (hey, this is Sweden - you never quite know what temperatures you're going to get come summer!). 

Notice how a curtain has also been used in lieu of a cupboard door - adding to the relaxed look of the space. 

A sunroom has been added to the front of the cottage, providing a perfect spot to entertain friends while looking out over the lake. An oil lamp overhead emits a warm glow at night. 

Blue and white is a classic theme for Swedish waterside summer cottages. Here a chair, runner and bowls draw the lake indoors.  

A stone's throw from the main cottage is a smaller one-room dwelling where you'll find the bedroom. A simple chair serves as a bedside table. 

The wild 'bathroom' comes in the form of a table, mirror nailed to a tree and the lake. There is also a compost loo nearby. 

To me, this picture embodies everything I love about the Swedish approach to summer, where even the most simple daily ritual becomes an event and brings you closer to nature. The perfect antidote to daily life in the city!

A lounge chair offers a place to relax and njuta* after a 'morgondopp' (morning dip) with a coffee.

Is this your kind of summer getaway? 

If so, perhaps this cottage is for you! Check out the listing here. 

Would you like to see a few other back-to-basic dwellings today? Feel inspired by:  

Before and after - a tiny off-grid swedish cabin in the woods

Anna and Martin's tiny hand-built floating cottage

An off-grid getaway in the Helsinki archipelagos

Happy Lillördag (little saturday)!

Niki

Photography courtesy of SvensktFastighetsförmedling, with thanks

*advert for my own work

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A Beautiful Ski Chalet / Cabin in Hafjell, Norway

Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 has got off to a cracking start! I'm so happy to be back, here's to a great year of drool-worthy Scandi inspiration! 

It's no secret I think Norway is the most spectacular place on earth - and after Christmas, my family and I headed to the fells of Hafjell to blow away the cobwebs, ski, and generally relax by the fire. Temperatures reached minus 26 degrees celsius (-14.8 F), which shall we say, is fresh. But fortune favours the bold, as they say - and we wrapped up warm and headed out into the frozen landscape to njuta (savour) the vistas over the snowcapped forests and valley below. 

It's a place I hope everyone can venture to at least once in their lifetime whether you're into downhill skiing, cross country or simply relaxing by the fire! And if you do, I've found you just the cabin! Listed on Airbnb, I was immediately drawn to the the pared-down wood clad interior which has been kitted out in almost all natural materials to mirror the surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, a vast stone fireplace and a hot bath await to help thaw out your toes after a day on the trails. Ready to dream? 

What a beautiful cabin! Could you imagine staying here? You can find all the details on Airbnb here. 

Let me know if you think it would be interesting to feature a personal guide to Hafjell, Norway here on the blog - I'd be happy to share my experience as well as some tips for magical things to do in the area (ice bathing being one of them!). In the meantime, you can catch a glimpse of our trip in this instagram reel and my in instagram highlights if you'd like! 

How about taking a look inside a few other snowy mountain cabins today? Pull up a seat, pour a coffee and enjoy: 

A magical Norwegian mountain cabin

A contemporary Swedish ski chalet with a wonderful window seat

A lakeside Swedish log cabin in the snow

A dreamy scandi-inspired ski chalet in Whitefish

I am so happy to be back blogging again after the break. As always I'll be posting three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). If you'd like to ensure you don't miss a post, you might like to sign up to my newsletter, 

*And in other news - my new book Njuta, The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment has now launched! Thank you SO much to everyone who has already ordered a copy, it really means SO MUCH. I hope the tricks and tips I mention in the book will help elevate each and every one of your days in 2024. Njuta is currently available through all retailers and libraries in the USA and Canada (if your local bookstore or library doesn't yet have a copy in stock, please do put in a request!). The book is also available on Amazon pretty much worldwide and Waterstones in the UK. Although, I promise, there will be more languages and retailers to follow. 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

*advert for my own work

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks

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