A Charmingly Restored Swedish Country Home

As we near the end of September, there's an Autumn crispness to the air and woolly jumpers are just around the corner. In her lovely Swedish country home, Frida Sömskar has welcomed the season with DIY touches - including an apple garland here and a pumpkin display there, giving her home a warm and cosy touch. 

But that's not the only reason I have fallen in love with her home. When Frida and her family first discovered it, they were told to knock it down and start afresh, but instead they decided to work with the beautiful old bones it had and give the wreck a new lease of life - doing pretty much everything by hand. 

Today, remnants of its past life can be seen in almost every room and blend with newer touches in a traditional style . Pretty wallpapers, wainscoting, shelving units, vintage furniture and lovely textiles have been all part of the mix that help to create a relaxed vibe. Oh, and even the playhouse has been given a charming a make-over!

Välkommen to Frida's world. 

Charming in every way!

There were so many details to fall in love with, but I think what really captured my attention was the apple wreath - I might have to make one of those for my door this weekend. I wonder how long it will last? 

If you'd like to see the before and after pictures of this house - and read about some of the DIY projects, check out Frida's instagram @fridasomskar, it's so inspiring! 

I am really late writing this today as I have just been at a wonderful lunch at Malin Persson's house in collaboration with Florea, a delightful Swedish company selling seeds and bulbs. Malin's sister Linda made us all an Autumn-themed 'courgette risotto' served in a pumpkin. If you're curious to see more, take a look at my instagram stories today. 

It wouldn't be MSH if I didn't leave you with a few more lovely country homes to look at today! Why not take a peek inside: 

A traditional Skånelänge farmhouse

An idyllic cottage in the Swedish countryside

A pretty Swedish cottage in a forest

Have a fantastic start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Frida Sömskar, shared with kind permission

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A Charming Swedish Farmhouse in the Southern Sweden Countryside

I try to show a variation of properties from Scandinavia, so you get a true representation of the region. And today, I was keen to share a traditional 'skånegård'. The farms are found in the southern Swedish county of Scania, where I live and are instantly recognised by their quadrangle shape. 

While there are some exceptions (like beautiful Kullaberg), Scania is incredibly flat and its fertile lands are ideal for farming. But flat land also means there is nothing to prevent the wind from whistling across the fields - and while a light breeze on a summer's day might feel welcomed, bone chillingly cold wind in winter is not. A central courtyard, which is protected on all sides is therefore a perfect solution! 

While in the olden days many of the wings were used as barns - these days, some owners have chosen to convert them to extra dwellings - even with completely standalone facilities so each family has a private living space. I captured a beautiful one for my book Relaxed Rustic (previously named Modern Pastoral) and today I stumbled across this one in Ystad. 

I can tell by the clean surfaces of the interior. that it's been pared-back to sell, but you can still get an ideal of the simple country style. Would you like to take a peek?

Oh, how I'd love to have a property like this to make my own and fill with treasures, how about you? I've never lived in the countryside so I'm not sure if I'd like to live so remote. But it doesn't stop me dreaming.

If you're quick, you can see more pictures of this property here - you'll see that the other wings consist of a dwelling with a completely different style as well as a workshop. Some I've seen also have a party barn!

Would you like to see a couple of other Skånegårds today? Here are some beautiful ones: 

A traditional skånegård in the southern Swedish countryside 

A charming rustic farmhouse in Scania

Right, I think that's it for the week! We have suddenly got a new wave of great weather here in Malmö, and my Mother, sister and nieces are over from London so we're looking forward to making the most of the sunshine. Can't wait! I hope you have a great couple of days lined up too?

Thank you so much for stopping by this little corner of the web, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors with thanks.

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A Swedish Home in A Former School with Warm Earthy Tones

Can you guess what this building used to be by looking at the pictures? The clue is in the high ceilings, large windows and abundance of light. Although, I have to say that doesn't necessarily narrow it down. This is an old school built in the 1950s with a funkis (functionalist) design - the character of which still shines through! 

The only studying that is done here today is in the cosy light-filled study beside the kitchen or at the desk in the children's room, since today it serves as a wonderful family home! The architecture combined with rich earthy tones and abundance of wood and other natural materials offers something unique and emits a wonderful warm feeling. 

I am especially drawn to the reddish-brown tone of the kitchen (not a shade often seen) and the cushions and beads which offer a hint of someone who loves to travel the world. I also love the pretty, shared children's bedroom which includes a smaller bed by the window and a loft bed (we've been seeing quite a few of these lately!). And finally keep an eye on the hallway which includes open shelving as well as handy pockets by Norrgavel - a popular staple in Swedish homes for gloves, hats and other small items! 

Old meets new in this Swedish home with trinkets collected from far and wide atop an IVAR storage from IKEA (which you can paint). A Swedish friend was telling me recently that many Gen X and millennials grew up in fairly cluttered homes and have taken the opposite step in adulthood, choosing to hide more unsightly items in closed storage. 

Patchwork has become big this past year as has embroidery and other time-honoured skills. Jou Quilts make beautiful wall hangings like this - they are great for filling large wall spaces while also helping to dampen sound. 

I love this children's room filled with textiles in florals, patterns and even a bird motif, it's playful yet calm and looks so cosy too! 

The owners have used the long hallway for storage and a gallery wall made up of unique art. A pinboard nearer the door is ideal for keeping track of the family's coming and goings (Ferm Living make a similar one, available here). 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this warm space too? 

It's no easy feat to make a home with high ceilings and lots of windows feel warm - but the use of rich, earthy tones and wood has really done wonders! 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

You can see all the school conversions I've shared in the past here (this might come up first, hop over if so) and also all types of conversions here (think bars, shops, warehouses and even a Swedish fire station!). 

Have a happy Lillördag (little saturday!),

Niki

Photography: Therese Jahnson / C Lindholm Design for Historiska Hem

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An Light and Airy Guesthouse in a Former Potting Shed

Hej kompisar! I hope you had a lovely, relaxing weekend. I mentioned last week that I'd been chasing my tail, and it seems this week is set to continue - I arrived in Gothenburg late last night as I'm set to present on stage at Möbelmässan (the Gothenburg furniture fair) this afternoon. Eeeeek! During my research, I've learnt a lot about 2025 interior design trends which I'd love to share with you soon. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd start the blog week with a total reset in the form of a white shed, also known as The Potting Shed. Set in the grounds of Bunya House in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia, I found myself immediately drawn to it today as a) it's far away 2) it's on Airbnb so we can actually book it! 3) it's small - and if you've seen the tour of our tiny cabin, you know I love small and finally 4) it oozes simplicity. 

The shed is made up of one main room with a sink, small table and bed as well as a bathroom. Since it's hard to tell from the pictures - as you walk in the door seen above, the sink is immediately to your right and the table straight ahead. The bed is to the left. 

Ready to take a little tour of this simple, airy guesthouse? 

Could you imagine staying here and filling it with your holiday wardrobe and food picked up at the local market? Perhaps we could meet there: the main house is also available to rent through Airbnb. Now there's an idea for a Monday! I already see a spot for that glass of wine (Australian of course!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this little cottage? I'd love to hear below! 

Although I mainly show Scandinavian homes, you'll have noticed I do have a particular penchant for Australian properties (I must visit one day, never been!). You can see all the tours from the past here. 

Right friends, I need to get ready for this talk now, wish me luck and have a fab start to the week. 

Kram

Niki

Photography courtesy of @bunya_house_bowral, shared with kind permission

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