A Dreamy Lakeside Swedish Cabin Escape on Airbnb

It’s Fredag (Friday), the sun is shining, and after a few days at our cabin over the Labour Day holiday watching blackbirds and oystercatchers roam around our garden, I’m fully immersed in the Swedish nature. In a country with just 10 million people (not far off the population of London) and land that stretches 1,574km (978 miles) from north to south, it’s easy to find the perfect solitude.

If you’re planning a visit, there are plenty of idyllic and remote Airbnbs to be found – like this gem. Tucked away in a forest clearing in Näsum, Skåne (southern Sweden), LakeView Cabin is a classic Swedish wooden cottage that’s been lovingly renovated with a fresh, minimalist yet comfy feel. With it's own pier and bathing deck, it's perfect for those who love a morgondopp (that bracing pre-breakfast dip!), plus there’s an outdoor shower and a sauna for warming up afterwards. All of it nestled in the kind of peaceful, whispering forest that makes you forget what day it is.

As the owners put it: “It's perfect for couples, winter bathers, life lovers and nature lovers who appreciate nature and peace and quiet as much as we do.”

For those of you who may live a little too far away to book this, there’s still plenty of inspiration to be gathered – from the way they’ve embraced the great outdoors, to the little thoughtful details indoors, like nature-themed embroidered cushions in an otherwise minimalist white room.

I hope you feel inspired and that this gives you just the virtual getaway you need to ease into the weekend!

What a perfect getaway—and by my calculations, it's only a 1.5-hour drive from Malmö, so maybe I should book a long weekend there myself. 

Could you imagine relaxing here? If so, you can find more details on Airbnb. 

Keen to discover a few more Scandinavian Airbnbs? Here are a few lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

The Stonecutters' farm on the Swedish island of Öland

A beautiful Danish summer cottage

A fabulous Copenhagen home that's available to rent

A beautiful limestone barn on the Swedish island of Gotland

A cosy riverside cottage in Denmark

An architect's calm home (and Airbnb) in Copenhagen.

A magazine-ready cabin on a Swedish island

Getaway from it all in a Swedish lakeside cottage

A rustic pool villa on the island of Gotland

So many wonderful places to stay – perhaps this will entice you to this part of the world this summer? Välkommen!

On another note, I’m sorry for being so slow to reply to comments this week. Poor Alice has been home sick all week, and with work and the Labour Day holiday thrown in, it’s been a bit of a juggle. But I’ve loved reading every single one of your messages, and I’m so grateful that you take the time to write and share your thoughts and observations. I’m looking forward to sitting down with a coffee tomorrow and replying properly.

Have a relaxing weekend and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks. 

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Step Inside A Cosy Gower Country Home (Plus an Airbnb You Can Stay In)

Hej! Or maybe hi feels more fitting today, since I’m whisking you away to a lovely corner of Wales called Gower. I first visited many moons ago on a school geography field trip to study the coastline – and I remember being bowled over by how wild and beautiful it was. So, you can imagine my delight when I recently stumbled across the charming home of Jane Griffiths.

Tucked away in the woods in a secluded valley, Jane’s country home is not just where she lives – it also serves as a location for shoots and includes a separate annex which she rents out on Airbnb (take note!).

While Jane shares plenty of lovely images over on her Instagram @parkplacegower, I thought I’d post a little snapshot here to give you a taste of her pretty stone-walled haven, with its gorgeous beams and sash windows. The furniture is mostly vintage and gives the place a cosy, lived-in feel, while the master bedroom – complete with a bathtub – adds a touch of spa-like luxury.

I hope you enjoy this peek into Jane’s beautiful world on the Gower - snoozing dogs, an outdoor kitchen, deserted beaches and all. 

Would you also like to see a couple of pictures from her charming Airbnb? Here's a sneak peek: 

So pretty and cosy! I could easily imagine winding down here for a week or two – how about you?

Tap here for more information about staying in Jane’s Airbnb, and head over to @parkplacegower to see more lovely snapshots from Jane’s life on the Gower.

It’s a busy day here in Sweden as we’re all frantically trying to wrap up our work and shut our laptops before heading out to celebrate Valborg in the sunshine. Valborg is a traditional Swedish festival that marks the arrival of spring, usually with bonfires, singing, and friends gathering outdoors. And with a bank holiday tomorrow, it’s the perfect excuse for a proper celebration!

Are you off tomorrow too for May Day?

I’ll be back here on Friday and hope to see you then for one more inspiring home tour before the weekend, thank you for stopping by! 

Niki x

Photography courtesy of @parkplacegower, shared with kind permission. 

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A Serene Cabin Stay in Norway’s Wilderness

Why, hi there friends! I hope you had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I also hope you have your bags packed, because we're heading off on a virtual trip to the Norwegian wilderness — to visit the newly built wood cabin of Lin Christin Mortensholm!

Now, as we’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather, you might be puzzled by the snowy picture above — but in some parts of Norway, the backcountry ski season is still in full swing.

Designed according to Lin’s philosophy of a "natural, quiet interior, and mindful living", the Scandinavian-style blond wood cabin was the well-deserved winner of "The Year's Cabin Gullfjæren". Naturally, I was keen to find out more — and discovered a beautiful, serene living space where the indoors blend seamlessly with the wild beauty of the outdoors.

Immersed in nature — where the contrasting seasons create an ever-changing series of striking landscapes — the interior has been kept wonderfully simple, allowing the surrounding scenery to take centre stage.

An open-plan design, the striking monochrome interior is furnished with an array of pieces crafted from natural materials like cork, wood and canvas. Freshly picked foliage, such as lupins and bracken, helps to capture the true essence of the season.

Ready to take a tour?

What a wonderful getaway! It's definitely the kind of place where you’d pull up, unpack and feel instantly relaxed, with nothing to do except immerse yourself in the incredible nature — whether walking, skiing, or simply sitting by the fire with a good book.

Can you imagine chilling here this week? Was there anything that caught your eye?

Hop on over to @lysthus_skrim to see more beautiful angles of Lin’s cabin.

It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE Norway. It’s an incredible country. I’ve visited many times — for holidays, work, and to write travel guides for Simply Scandi magazine. Here are a couple of guides I’ve featured on My Scandinavian Home:

Spectacular Bodø and Lofoten

The Hardanger Fruit Trail

Is there anywhere you've been in Norway that you would recommend? 

Oh, and some beautiful Norwegian homes to feel inspired by: 

A magical rural escape by a Norwegian fjord

A summer fjord side retreat in Norway

A Norwegian house by a fjord

A ski chalet in Hafjell

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lysthus_skrim, shared with kind permission. 

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