A Swedish Summer Farm with Space for Everyone

One of the things I love about Sweden is how seriously people take their summer holidays. It's not unusual for families to take four weeks or more off, often staying close to home rather than travelling abroad. Days are spent at summer cottages, camping, visiting friends and family, swimming in lakes, and making the most of every precious hour of sunshine (and maybe a little rain too!). If you explore the Swedish countryside, you'll often notice several buildings on one property. Alongside the main house there might be a barn or, as in today's home, an attefallshus, a compact, self-contained guest house that's perfect for welcoming family and friends over the summer.

We visited Sweden's magnificent High Coast a few years ago and, in a very nerdy moment (according to my children!), I became fascinated by how the land is still rising every year after being compressed beneath a kilometres-thick sheet of ice during the Ice Age. It's such a beautiful part of Sweden, with dramatic coastline, peaceful forests, hidden beaches and wonderful walking trails. 

Today's 1920s farmhouse nestled in the High Coast is exactly the kind of place I'd happily disappear to for the summer. Perched on a peaceful hillside, it comes with a charming timber guest house complete with its own kitchen and living space, plus a separate cottage for any extra family or friends who happen to "drop by" (and never leave!). I can just picture lazy breakfasts with fresh eggs from the chicken coop, long lunches that somehow roll into dinner, and evening dips in the Baltic Sea. Best of all, everyone can enjoy spending time together, then retreat to their own space when they've had just enough family bonding for one day (half the secret to a happy holiday, don't you think?).

And for those of you who've been asking where Swedish families keep all their tech and computer screens, this home has the answer. There's even a dedicated home office, neatly tucked away from the rest of the house.

Ready to take the tour?

I love how this property offers the best of both worlds in terms of interiors - a rustic barn and traditional guest cottage, and a modernised main house that still keeps to a pared-back scheme. Lovely!

Do you have these types of summer houses in your country too? Could you also imagine spending the summer here? 

You might also check out Maria's house on the high coast which I featured two years ago - so beautiful!

Have a happy wednesday! I'll be back on Friday with another lovely tour - see you then!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks.

READ MORE...

0

Designer Notes: At Home with Gabriella Belin

Why hello there!

It's raining here for the first time in weeks and, to be honest, it's so welcome. The humidity is finally lifting, and it means you can actually get a few things done around the house. Even so, I hope it doesn't last too long!

In Gothenburg, I know two children who'll be happy to be staying indoors today, the three daughters of interior stylist Gabriella Belin. Their bedroom is so lovely, with its big desk, open shelving, and playful bed (all of which I would have absolutely loved as a child!).

Signs of Gabriella's talent as an interior stylist shine through in the rest of her home too, with its beautiful earthy tones, clever design solutions, effortless style, designer lighting, and a very cool ceramic shelf, as well as carefully chosen furniture sourced from antique and vintage shops. I also spotted the Gotain Sweet pea fabric in the kitchen once again, it's definitely the curtain of the moment! I'm tempted to follow suit. How about you? I hope you enjoy these lovely corners.

Happy scrolling!

Beautiful home. 

There's an ease about it that I love. Do you agree? 

In case you're wondering about any of these things: the kitchen is from Vedum, the chairs are Borge Mogensen.

And for the colours: 

Sitting room – Coconut, cabinet Olive

Kitchen – walls: Claro, beading: Lys Toscana, cabinets: Hummus

Children's room - walls: Scandinavian light, darker colour on the bed: Humble yellow, beading: turkey. 

If you don't have access to Jotun paint, you can always google search the colour codes and your nearest dealer should be able to match it. 

You can see more of Gabriella's home and work here. 

And how about a few more lovely apartment tours today? Take a peek at:

Hannes' cosy Swedsh apartment

A cosy Swedish home with earthy tones

Hanna's Swedish city home and country cottage

Thank you so much for stopping by, as always. I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Gabriella Belin

READ MORE...

7

A Dreamy Swedish Lakeside Villa With Its Own Private Cape

One of my favourite pastimes at this time of year? Spotting beautiful summer houses while out on a walk, driving through the countryside or gliding past them by boat, and imagining what it would be like to move right in. And when it comes to dreamy waterside homes, Sweden is hard to beat. With one of the world's longest coastlines and around 100,000 lakes, there are endless idyllic spots to while away the summer.

This charming villa in Börlänge is exactly the kind of dreamy place I am talking about. Perched on its own private cape on Lake Ösjön, the lovingly renovated 1927 house comes with sweeping views, its own beach, a lakeside sauna and no fewer than five fireplaces (lets hope no one needs to use them this summer!). The interior is also absolutely beautiful. The paint colours and wallpaper feel wonderfully timeless and remind me a little of Carl Larsson's world. I even spotted one of his prints in the bathroom, could that have been the inspiration?  Ready to come and dream a little with me?

An absolute dream, and so beautifully maintained too. I love how the window frames have been painted in shades of green, butter yellow and soft grey. It draws your eye to the windows and, of course, the shimmering lake beyond. Painted wooden staircases are also a popular feature in Swedish homes and can be found in every colour imaginable, from muted blues and greens to sunny yellow and vibrant red.

The geraniums on the banister are looking a little pecarious though, do you agree? 

But all in all, how blissful would it be to while away a few summer days here? I can't think of a more relaxing spot. Could you?

Since it is the the season of the Scandinavian summer house, here are a few more to dream about: 

A magical, fjord-side house in Norway
A treasure in Brömma
A timeless beach house on the North Danish coast

Hope you're enjoying some sunshine, wherever you are!

UPDATE!! It dawned on me this morning that I forgot to include the loo pic featuring the print by Carl Larsson - the piece is called 'Lisbeth Prepares a Bath'. Here it is:

I love the work of Carl Larsson, and was once lucky enough to visit his house for a tour. I can highly recommend a visit!

 Niki

Photography courtesy of properties & partners, with thanks.

READ MORE...

8

A Charming Summer Cottage Outside Ystad

Has anyone else been melting this week?! This heatwave sweeping across Europe really has been something. I hope you're managing to keep cool! 

We are are actually in Mallorca for a few days, visiting my sister and celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary. Per and I were married here, in the beautiful north of the island, so it's always great to come back. But here's the funny thing... while we're enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine, it's actually going to be hotter in southern Sweden tomorrow than it is here! 

The good thing about a Swedish heatwave is that you're never far from the water. Whether it's kayaking, sailing or an evening swim, there's always a cool lake or stretch of coastline waiting.

Today's home is just outside Ystad, one of Sweden's prettiest medieval towns, on the edge of Nybrostrand and only moments from the cool blue Baltic Sea. With open fields all around, a lovely garden and a charming guest house for summer visitors, it feels like the perfect place to enjoy these long, sunny days. Shall we take a look around?

I can imagine the lack of clutter and the calm, airy feel of this home makes it wonderfully cool on a hot day. Don't you agree?

I really like the darker colour of the skirting boards, door frames and even the ceiling in places, this is something I am planning to do in our cottage too. I also love that final touch of green in the guest house, it adds a time-honoured feel. 

Was there anything that particularly caught your eye about this Ystad home?

Right friends, I'd better dash! My family are downstairs waiting to head into the square here in Pollença for a light aperitivo, and who am I to argue on a beautiful Friday evening?

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.

¡Salud! Until Monday!

Niki 

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors, with thanks.

READ MORE...

3