A Charming Swedish Allotment Cottage in the Heart of the City

While many Swedes head to the coast or countryside in summertime, there’s another delightful retreat that truly comes into its own come spring – the allotment cottage!

These charming little cottages are tucked away in garden communities – often right in the heart of the city. They offer a unique blend of urban living and nature, where you can grow and harvest your own flowers, fruit and veg just a short cycle from home.

You can stay there from spring to autumn, after which the water is turned off for the season. Despite their simplicity, they’re incredibly cosy – typically featuring a small kitchen, dining area, sitting room, and a place to sleep. They're perfect for spending a few days at a time tending your garden and enjoying a slower pace of life.

This pretty example on 'The Pea Trail' in Slottskogskolonin in the cetnre of Gothenburg offers a glimpse into the quintessential Swedish allotment cottage – and guess what? It’s for sale! Oh, the possibilities… Enjoy the tour!

Although it’s pared back, I can really see the charm and potential in this lovely cottage. It offers the best of both worlds – a countryside feel right in the city's heart!

Can you imagine owning an allotment cottage? And are you into growing your own fruit and veg? This year I’m growing cucumbers and tomatoes from seed – they’re looking good so far, so here’s hoping we’ll be enjoying fresh summer salads before long!

Let’s peek at a few more beautiful allotment cottages today – who knows, you might find your dream plot:

This swedish allotment is a true summer oasis - see the tour once the new owners moved in here. 
Charming details in a Danish allotment
A Swedish allotment in summertime
A charming allotment cottage in Malmö

Happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography and interior styling: Krister Engström & Martina Mattson for Kvarteret.

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Original Floors and Exposed Brick in a Beautifully Renovated Stockholm Apartment

Thank you for being so patient (and supportive!) during my long run of Scandinavian summer cottages and getaways lately. Guess what? I actually have a city apartment to share with you today—and it's fresh, warm, contemporary, and lovely all around. It even has a cosy window nook perfect for enjoying a coffee while watching the world go by!

Look around and you’ll discover a home that feels quietly curated – full of warmth, texture and soul. Light filters across original plank floors, worn smooth with time, while thoughtful updates blend seamlessly with early 20th-century charm. 

Located in Södermalm – Stockholm’s boho neighbourhood – the apartment is a peaceful hideaway with a lovely personal touch. I particularly love the dining area and also the bedroom, which glows in a soft antique yellow by Jotun. In fact, every detail – from the linseed-painted green doors to the cosy window nook – feels practical and full of feeling. Välkommen in! 

Beautiful. I could totally see myself walking through the doors to the quiet, cosy feel of this apartment every evening – how about you?

Was it the colours, the details, or something else that caught your eye? There’s plenty to discover if you take a closer look at each image.

You can see more pictures (including the bathroom!) over at Historiska Hem right now.

Would you like to see a few more city apartments today? How about: 

Brigette's poetic home in Brooklyn
A cosy apartment in Malmö where old meets new
The fascinating home of a Swedish artist

Have a wonderful start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: @jockeono, Styling: @clindholm_design for Historiska Hem. 

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Swedish Farmhouse Style: A Serene Country Escape in Kumla

In my book Njuta*, I wrote about how we often need to have longed for something in order to truly delight in it. That might be a cool drink after a long run, the scent of lilacs bursting into bloom after a long winter, or the first sun-ripened, juicy strawberry of summer. Right now, Sweden is a feast for the senses. After months of monochrome dormancy, the world has erupted into colour – lilacs, wisteria, and blossom in full bloom—and we’re truly delighting in the newly vibrant landscape and the birdsong, as our feathered friends go about their business again after their winter migration.

This beautiful country house in – Kumla nestled in Örebro County, in the heart of central Sweden—is surrounded by lush greenery from every window. A vibrant spray of lilacs brightens the farmhouse kitchen table, bringing the outside in. But this home offers more than just lovely views. The owners have taken great care in crafting a space where dark wood contrasts beautifully with white wood-clad walls. The rooms are simple, yet tastefully decorated, making me wonder who lives here – someone who clearly has an eye for interior design. Sadly, we may never know, as the owners have decided to move on.

Here’s a glimpse into a couple of the lovely rooms—and the outdoor space, where you can dream of summer dining alfresco by the pool. Enjoy the tour!

So lovely!

I’d be very happy flitting about in this farmhouse this weekend—or year-round, for that matter. How about you?

I wish I had more photos to share with you, but the full listing isn’t out just yet. As soon as it is, I promise I’ll update the post and show you more.

In the meantime, did anything in particular catch your eye about this house?

I loved the traditional Swedish gate-leg table in the kitchen, and the mix of vintage chairs. I recently bought a similar table myself, though it still needs a bit of renovation. I suddenly feel like my mother – our childhood weekends were spent at auctions, and she would always come home with something beautiful and old. Some of those pieces made their way into our house, but there was always that one chair sitting in the garage for about 25 years, just waiting to be done up! Does that sound familiar to you too?

Anyway, it’s finally time to welcome the weekend – yay! Thank you so much for stopping by this week. I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour of the coastal Swedish island summer cottage, the Latvian cabin, and today’s countryside house. I’ve really loved reading all your comments.

See you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erik Olsson, with thanks

*ad for my own book

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This Idyllic Örust Island Cottage Is the Ultimate Swedish Summer Escape

Oh dear, I’m afraid I’ve failed miserably in my promise to feature a city home today. The thing is, this absolute gem popped up on the market, and ever since, I’ve been dreaming of waking up to the sea view every morning.

Funnily enough, my family and I must have sailed past this charming cottage on one of our voyages around the island of Örust on Sweden’s west coast. Just as well I didn’t know it at the time—or I’d have insisted we drop anchor and swim ashore for a viewing!

Tucked away on the eastern side of the island, the property comprises several buildings—perfect for hosting an extended family or the occasional overnight guest—while still maintaining a strong sense of privacy. There's a saying in Sweden: “Guests start to smell like fish after three days,” and let me tell you, Swedish summer holidays are long, so the more independence each guest has, the better!

In true Swedish summer cottage fashion, the interior is simple and bright, with lots of white and just a touch of colour here and there. The focus is firmly on outdoor living and those breathtaking sea views. While the water can reach a balmy 23°C (73°F) at the height of summer, there’s nothing quite like a sauna to help you unwind—especially when the Nordic weather gods aren’t on side.

Ready to take the tour and dream of a Swedish summer by the water?

I spotted one rarity: a washing machine in the kitchen! It’s something you see all the time in the UK—but never in Sweden, where they’re usually found in the bathroom.

And did you notice the binoculars? They seem to be a common sight in home tours lately (remember the pair in the Welsh house on Friday?). Oh, how I’d love to have a view so expansive and interesting that it required binoculars!

I was especially taken with the magnificent sitting room and dining area, complete with panoramic views of the sea, and the pretty floral wallpaper in the bedroom. And I couldn’t help but smile imagining how happy I’d be if I were a guest and someone led me to the twin outhouse, complete with oars stored on the rafters, with a cheerful, “This is where you’ll be sleeping.” What a dream!

Did anything in particular stand out to you?

Here are a few other lovely coastal summer cottages to enjoy today. 

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea
A cosy Swedish cottage by the sea
15 coastal living ideas to steam from a Danish cabin
A cosy Swedish cottage with stunning sea views

The Swedish west coast is so magical - here is a list of ten of my favourite islands. 

And for city apartments (in lieu of their current absence - ahem!): 

A Stockholm apartment where past and present meet
Alisan's serene Copenhagen flat
Juni's creative Oslo apartment 

Did any of these capture your imagination in particular? 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors, with thanks. 

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