A Dreamy Design-Conscious Cottage Stay in the Scottish Countryside

According to Living Etc, it’s one of the “Top 10 design-conscious, multi-sensory rural escapes.” Sounds like my kind of stay, and the perfect home tour to set the mood for the weekend. What do you think?

Welcome to Drinkbetween West cottage, one of five rental properties on Banchory Farm, a third-generation working farm just outside Edinburgh in Scotland. The weather in the picture above looks much like it does in Sweden, moody skies and all, but this charming retreat offers a beautiful interior and a wood-burning bath to help you forget the looming clouds. Because really, isn’t there very little that a gorgeous space, a good book and a cosy fire can’t fix?

Once a derelict cottage, the family employed the help of interior designer Ali Heath (whose lovely interior books I have on my shelf) to transform the interior into a calming mix of earthy tones and warm tan shades, making it both restful and inviting. I especially love the wainscoting in the bedroom and bathroom, which adds such timeless character – and of course, the views over the fields. 

Shall we take the tour and dream of a weekend in the Scottish countryside?

I went to the University of Edinburgh many moons ago, and can vouch for the stunning countryside just outside the city (even if my trips as a student were rather fleeting—we were a bit too busy enjoying ourselves in town!). How I’d love to return and stay on Banchory Farm.

Can you picture yourself this weekend, soaking in that outdoor wood-burning bath, drink in one hand, book in the other?

Is there anything you spotted in particular about this cottage? I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations. 

You can read more about Banchory Farm here.

That's all from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the tours. I'm locking up my studio shortly and heading home to stay warm under a blanket (it suddenly feels like winter here—BRRRRR!).

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend too. See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Brent Darby
Interior design: Ali Heath

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No Homework Here: This School Conversion Is Pure Joy

With exam season in full swing, this Swedish home in Södermalm, Stockholm felt especially fitting — calm, creative, and full of light. And, as it turns out, it has a bit of a scholarly past.

At first glance, I was struck by the large open room and all those generous windows (always a win!). There’s something a little unexpected about the layout too — a kind of spaciousness and structure you don’t usually find in a typical home. And sure enough, it turns out this building used to be… a school.

But not the usual countryside kind where ivy-covered walls and creaky floors give way to cosy corners. No — this was a 1990s school, and it’s now been cleverly converted into an apartment block. The result? A modern, light-soaked home with a distinctly creative edge.

The living space is airy and welcoming, with internal windows helping the light travel beautifully through every corner. The décor blends old and new with ease, and there’s art everywhere — a home clearly loved by someone with an eye for detail. And the best part? Not a single maths lesson in sight.

And then there’s the kitchen. With its bright yellow tiles and industrial vibe, it’s unusual — but wonderful. It’s the kind of space where you really do look on the bright side each morning, bathed in sunshine and sipping your coffee under those golden walls.

Enjoy the tour!

Wow! I’m not sure I’ve seen a school conversion quite like this before — have you?

The interior is full of surprises and lovely details too. Like the pink bathroom!

Were you surprised by the exterior? Can you imagine coming home here each day — or would it bring back too many memories of those science exams?

I’d love to hear if anything caught your eye.

You can see the full listing and read more about this unique property here.

Fancy seeing a few more school conversions today? Check out this converted school archive (this home might come up first, if so just scroll on past). 

Also, if you have a garage that needs sorting, I wrote a feature for IKEA that has gone live on their global website about how to maximise your garage space - in case you're interested in a read! 

Have a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photos: @danaozollapa
Styling: Thomas Lingsell
For Historika Hem

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A Swedish Flat Filled with Light, Character and Effortless Decor Ideas

Good morning! How are you faring this Monday? Are you ready for a fresh week of Scandinavian home tours (and whatever else life throws our way)?

It was such a joy to read your comments on the blog over the weekend – thank you! After sharing not one but two allotment cottages last week (here and here), one of the most frequently asked (and entirely fair!) questions was: but where’s the bathroom? A crucial detail indeed - and I hope my reply helped put your mind at ease.

To avoid any confusion (or understandable panic!), I’ve included a photo of the bathroom in this fresh, light-filled apartment in The Bakery in Gothenburg in today's home tour.

That said, you might be too busy admiring the beautiful decor to notice – think charming Shaker chairs designed by Børge Mogensen in the kitchen/dining area, fabulous lighting (I spy a Gubi Semi Pendant, plus an AJ floor lamp and Alma wall lamp), a sweet balcony, and a little home office nook tucked into the hallway. And how lovely are the flowers in the bedroom?

My eye was also drawn to the large kilim rug in the sitting room, which does a wonderful job of creating a cosy, defined zone. I actually have a fun little rug story to share with you at the end of the post, which I think you’ll enjoy.

In the meantime, I hope you love exploring this Swedish home as much as I did!

Oh, so lovely! This home has really helped clear my head for the start of the week. I love the fresh white floors, the beautiful rugs, and the internal windows that allow light to flood into the hallway.

Also – how pretty is the checked children’s bed canopy? I’ve seen many over the years, but never one quite like this. It feels both fresh and perfectly on trend! After a little research, I found it on Etsy. 

And the dress hanging in the hallway? Such a great styling tip. I hung my favourite summer dress in front of my wardrobe this weekend – and I’ve loved seeing it there. It’s the one I wear to parties, so just looking at it helps me dream of warm evenings, good times, and being surrounded by friends in the summer sun. I love how pulling out one of your prettiest wardrobe pieces can brighten a room like a piece of art. 

Now, about the rug – I had to share this story! An elderly friend of mine recently sold a rug that had been gathering dust in her attic for years. It was one she’d inherited from her parents and a little too large for her home. When she took it to an auction house, they valued it at 4,000 SEK (around 360 euros). But in the final twenty minutes of the online auction, things went completely bananas – and it sold for 34,400 SEK (around 3150 euros)! Not bad at all for something that had been long forgotten. Have you ever sold anything like that? Who knows what treasures we might all have tucked away in our own attics.

Anyhow, time to share a few lovely Scandinavian apartments with you - in case you'd like more inspiration today: 

Mia's charming Stockholm apartment, full of texture
An artful and creative home in Aarhus, Denmark
The earthy Stockholm home of a vintage shopkeeper

Right folks, I need to rush, as I’m heading to Germany in a few hours to discover the latest news and trends at Interzum in Cologne. If you'd like to follow my journey and see some glimpses from the fair please do follow along on Instagram. 

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week!

Niki x

Photography: Alvhem, with thanks.

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City Escape: An Allotment Cottage Oasis Tucked Away in Gothenburg

When I look for homes to feature here on My Scandinavian Home, I’m naturally a little dictated by the season. In the property market, winter is all about selling flats, while now, in late spring, it’s all about houses and summer cottages with nature on their doorstep. And just like you saw in Wednesday’s post, it’s also the season for the charming allotment cottage.

So, indulge me a little this Friday while I share another lovely kolonistuga with you – tucked away in a tranquil corner of Änggården’s growers’ association, a green oasis in the heart of Gothenburg. This little cabin is only 25 square metres (269 square feet), but the outdoor space plays a big role too, with its expansive terrace, tables and chairs, and even a pizza oven.

Inside, the green interior mirrors its lush surroundings. There’s enough space for a kitchen, dining area, and a sofabed, making it the perfect urban escape and one of those rare gems that seldom come on the market.

Ready to dream this weekend?

Can you imagine sitting here with your closest friends, sipping wine under the string lights this evening? Maybe a board of cheeses around the fire… or perhaps pizza? (It would be rude not to make the most of that outdoor oven, after all!) Lovely.

It may be simple, but sometimes, you really don’t need much more than that. Do you agree?

It’s also the perfect place to get into a bit of gardening – I’m sure the soil here is far more forgiving than the sandpit I’m currently battling with at our summer cottage (yikes!).

You can see more inspiring allotment cottages here, and if you’re in the mood for a little more city living, don’t miss these Gothenburg apartment tours: 

Izard's earthy green apartment (one of the most popular tours of the year). 
A beautiful Gothenburg apartment with a hint of English style
Inside Anna's coastal home on an island just outside Gothenburg

Thank you so much for all your thoughtful and interesting comments this week. I’m really looking forward to taking a bit of time out this weekend to reply to each one. You make this such a warm and welcoming community, and your insights truly add so much to every post.

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stadshem

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