Scandinavian Summer Escape: Stay in This Lovely Liseleje Cottage by the Sea

I often get emails asking for tips on places to visit and where to stay in Scandinavia — and I’m always happy to help! As you might have noticed, I even enjoy scouring the web for beautiful holiday rentals. After all, for those of us who are passionate about design, where we stay is just as important as the adventure itself.

Today, I have a real gem in Denmark to share with you. Owned by Henrik Walentin, this charming thatched cottage in Liseleje is where tradition and character meet in perfect harmony. Every room is thoughtfully curated, creating a space that feels both personal and inspiring. What really stood out to me is the use of colour — it’s subtle enough to feel calm and restful, yet brings just the right amount of energy and vibrancy to each space.

The garden is lovely, but it’s the sunroom that really captures the magic (as you’ll know from the homes I often feature here!). It’s the perfect spot to read a book, play games, or enjoy a meal bathed in natural light — even when the skies are grey.

Liseleje itself is a delightful town to explore, with winding lanes, local markets, and — best of all — a beautiful white sandy beach just a short stroll away. Henrik tells me there are still a couple of weeks available this summer, although you might need to be quick!

Let’s see what's in store.

Charming!

Henrik has a wonderful eye for detail (I've been following his instagram for quite some time now - do take a look if you love this thatched cottage). 

Is there anything specific that caught your eye? 

Could you imagine making yourself home here for a few weeks this summer? If so, you can find the listing here. 

You can find plenty more beautiful holiday homes in this archive (hop over this one if it comes up first - unless of course you'd like to take the tour all over again!). 

On another note, I have been writing some interesting pieces for IKEA lately, the latest of which is about a wonderful little rug called RAKLEV which has stood the test of time for good reason. If you'd like to read my piece and hear from the designer behind it, take a look here. 

Thanks so much for stopping by as always. 

Kram!

Niki

Photography Henrik Walentin, featured on Landfolk. 

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Formland is Calling – and I'm Already Packing my bags!

Sponsored post - thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

When you work in interiors, there are a few events you mark on the calendar in pen, not pencil. Formland is one of mine.

If you’ve been following along for a while, the name probably rings a bell. I’ve been making the trip to Herning, Denmark twice a year for... well, as long as I can remember. It’s become something of a design pilgrimage—a chance to soak up inspiration, catch up on the latest trends, and listen to fascinating talks.

This Autumn's show runs from 17–19 August, with a focus on Spring/Summer 2026 (I know, we're only just finishing up here with summer 2025, but a girl can dream!). There’ll be 352 exhibitors showing off their latest creations, with many of my favourite Danish brands among them. 

If you’re toying with the idea of going, here’s a little nudge: it’s free for international visitors. So why not? Come for the design, stay for the pastries - and maybe we can have a coffee together too! 

Here are a few highlights to keep an eye out for at this Autumn's fair: 

The exhibitors

With over 352 exhibitors to discover, there’s a lot to take in – and chances are, many of the pieces you’ll spot will be popping up in the homes I feature on My Scandinavian Home in 2026. You can find all the exhibitors here.

Activities and talks

One of the things I love most about Formland (aside from the coffee and dreamy styling) is the energy that comes from all the extras — the curated concept areas, inspiring trend zones, and genuinely good talks and workshops.

Each show brings fresh ideas, from insightful chats with trend experts to clever installations that make you want to rethink your entire home (again). There’s also a strong focus on sustainability, including a circular concept area that’s always worth a wander. You can find the full programme here.

Can't make it to the fair? 

No worries — you can follow along from your sun lounger (or wherever you are) as I’ll be sharing all my finds live from the fair on Monday 18th August over on my Instagram Stories. So grab a coffee and pastry and join me virtually!

Niki

PS I'll be back tomorrow as usual with a very exciting home tour to share with you, see you then!

All the photos featured are from Formland exhibitors, shown from top to bottom: Muubs, House Doctor, Bloomingville, Lene Bjerre Design. 

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A Gentle Return to Swedish Summer Cottage Life

Hello! Thank you so much for your patience over the past two weeks while I took a little time off to enjoy summer with my family. This morning feels bittersweet. Sweet, because I’ve had a wonderful couple of weeks soaking up everything I love about life in Sweden — long summer evenings, wildflowers, and the simplicity of days spent in a pared-back summer cottage. But there’s a hint of bitterness too, as summer slowly begins to retreat. School is starting soon, and there’s the faintest rustle in the leaves — that quiet signal that autumn is on its way, and with it, the long, dark winter waiting in the wings.

As I wrote in my Njuta book, though, I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t appreciate these golden summers nearly as much if I didn’t yearn for them through the rest of the year.

Have you had a lovely summer too? I know in many parts of Europe, it’s only just getting into its stride — and for friends further afield, it’s the middle of winter (hang in there — your turn is coming!).

To ease back in, I thought I’d share a wistful, traditional Swedish summer cottage that perfectly captures the feel of the season here. Every piece of furniture, every handwoven rag rug, every patch of romantic wallpaper — even the nicks on the stairs — tells a story of summers spent by the lake. It’s the kind of relaxed, unfussy home where nothing has to be perfect — and thank goodness for that. It means more time for picking flowers, lounging on the jetty, or debating whether it’s too early for ice cream (answer: it’s never too early).

And speaking of practical joys — keep an eye out for the baskets. They’re a bit of a Swedish summer hero. Woven, humble, and endlessly useful, they’re used for everything from carrying plates and cutlery down to the water’s edge, to transporting picnic supplies to the garden table, to collecting blueberries or firewood. Far more practical than a tray — especially when navigating bumpy paths, uneven lawns, or small children underfoot. They’re the kind of everyday detail that makes summer living feel that little bit more effortless.

You might also spot plenty of other classic Swedish touches in the photos — the tiled masonry oven, the curtains by the door to keep the draft at bay and retro glass food storage containers (now used for all kinds of nbits and bobs!).  If anything jumps out at you, I’d love to hear in the comments!

So pretty! I recognise many of the relaxed touches from our own summer cottage, which Per’s grandparents built nearly 100 years ago!

Did you spot the large array of baskets? And how pretty are those hand-painted tiles in the kitchen?

Another factor I thought about is the exposed cables. In Scandinavia, I've noticed it's perfectly acceptable to leave cables exposed - tacking them in a straight line across the ceiling, around doors or down walls - instead of paying vast amounts to chase and conceal them. Is this also the same where you live? 

Was there anything else that caught your eye?

Perhaps you'd like to kick off the week by touring a few more summer cottages today? How about:

Before and after: a rundown croft becomes an idyllic summer cottage
A magical wood-clad summer cottage
A charming open-plan summer cottage

Thank you for stopping by, I'm happy to be back — wishing you a relaxing start to the week!

Niki

PS I usually post Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but this week there'll also be an extra post tomorrow as there's an exciting event coming that I am keen to tell you about! See you then! 

@clindholm_design for Historiska Hem

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Sun, Sea & Summer Pause

A little postcard from our Swedish holiday (sadly, this isn't our window – but we are having a wonderful time with plenty of dips in the sea!) – just popping in to say hej and let you know I'll be taking a summer break and will be back posting again on Monday, 4th August.

Thank you so much for stopping by here since 2011 (can you believe that?) – and for all your lovely comments and support. It truly means the world to be part of such a positive and inspiring community of Scandinavian design lovers.

If you'd like a little inspiration while I'm away, feel free to have a browse through the archive using the search function – there are so many beautiful home tours waiting to be discovered, from charming summer cottages to stunning Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian homes.

Wishing you a relaxing and joyful summer – see you soon!

Warmly,

Niki

PS Also, don’t forget to make the most of 20% off at Skandinavisk with the code SCANDI20 – in summer, I especially love the ØY - island solitude (you can see my favourite island here) and HAV - distant shores fragrances, inspired by Scandinavian nature. 

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Where Life Happens Gently: Inside a Tranquil Swedish Family Home

Some days call for a sense of calm—and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the family home of @emiliaolssons. This Swedish villa is awash in soothing tones and furnished in a pared-back style, where every piece adds quiet interest. All around, glimpses of family life unfold, framed by lush greenery.

Keep an eye out for the cosy touches kept within reach: a chaise longue perfect for sinking into with a good book, and a basket of blankets tucked under the stairs, ready for chillier days. All in all, a charming family home where life happens—but calm is always just around the corner.

I have to say, I've been writing this post in the car, under a little duress as we are on our way to watch some tennis in Båstad fun - even so, this has offered me just the level of calm I needed! 

I love the snoozing family dog on the stairs, the children playing, and also all the lovely furniture and lighting. If you're looking for more information on some of the items, please visit @emiliaolssons for details. I will also try to pop in later this evening to update the post as some pieces are definitely worthy of a mention and link, so please do pop back! 

Is there anything that stands out to you about this lovely Swedish family home? If so, I'd love to hear in the comments below. 

Niki

Photography: @emiliaolssons shared with kind permission. 

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