A Charming Swedish Family Home in the South of France

Tjena! It's long been known that Swedes love their summer cottages - usually somewhere rural and near water for morning dips. But when you can enjoy a summer cottage lifestyle year-round like Kristin Lagerqvist does at her home in Varberg, West Sweden - a holiday home needs to offer something different. And Kristin and her family, found their paradise in Languedoc-Roussillon, Southeast France. True to Kristin's signature style, the home is decorated with local vintage and flea market finds and earthy tones which look beautiful beside the original French floor tiles and architecture of the old town house. On warmer days, life moves up to a rooftop terrace with a dining area and daybed. Bienvenue!

How lovely!! 

And what a wonderful change of scene! They must feel like they've really landed when they arrive. And I bet there's no end to the enjoyment Kristin gets from those French antique markets and curiosity stores. magnifique! 

Her house is charming too, pared back, relaxed, full of charm!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

See more pictures of Kristin's home in Varberg and house in France here. She also has a wonderful boutique and offers inspiring workshops here. 

Would you like to take a peek inside a few other homes in France belonging to Swedes? 

A Swedish photographer and French hatmakers home in France

A Swedish bed & breakfast in France

A Swedish family home in the French alps

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography Kristin Lagerqvist - shared with kind permission 

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A lovely relaxed cabin in the Stockholm archipelagos

Since the clocks went forward and the evenings have got lighter, I've dared to dream of long lazy summer days. In Scandinavia it's popular to head to pared-back summer cottages by a sea or lake and spend the summer surrounded by family, friends and nature. This bohemian cabin out in the Stockholm archipelago is the holiday home of Swedish designer Carouschka Streijffert. Decorated with a mix of antique finds and treasures picked up on travels,  it's surely impossible to be anything but relaxed with it's laid back style and incredible vista. And if the weather turns - throw a couple of logs on the fire. What's not to love?!

Interior: Carouschka Strejffert. Photography Martin Löf (with kind permission) via Remodelista with thanks

Could you spend your summer here?

I say roll on balmy summer days with candlelit suppers alfresco and chilled glasses of wine!

Here are some other dreamy Scandinavian retreats to get everyone in the mood for summer this Wednesday morning: a Norwegian cabin by the sea, a Finnish island retreat, and a Swedish cottage with a lovely nook.

Have a lovely day!

PS don't forget to enter the Beach House Company bed linen give-away! 

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Charming Details In a Danish Allotment Cottage

'God morgen' as they say in Danish! How was your weekend? I read that today is referred to as 'blue Monday' - considered by some the saddest day of the year. Apparently, it's down to a number of factors including bad weather (check), long nights (check) and of course this year, a certain word beginning with C! Well, not on my watch friends, because we're going to be wrapped in a warm bubble of 'glæde' as we tour a charming kolonihavehus (allotment cottage) in the Danish countryside! It may be pared-back - but it's also full of warmth thanks to the carefully selected vintage furniture - as well as the small, joyful details which give this little space, a big heart! Welcome to Danish knitwear designer and interior stylist Gaia Brandt's world!

Are you familiar with the 'kolinihave' concept? These little Scandinavian cottages are built on allotments - and were originally designed to provide shelter in between toiling the soil. These days, they have become a picturesque summer holiday retreat for many city dwellers. I've shared more details about this type of Scandinavian housing here. 

Usually, there are tight restrictions on how many days a year you can stay - and the water is turned off between Autumn and springtime. But come summertime, these little cottage communities come alive and provide a perfect summer oasis! 

As with most Scandinavian summer cottages, the look here is simple, with a focus on bringing the outdoors in. 

Look closely though, and you'll spot lots of wonderful details - a unique pot here, a wall-mounted dolls house there, and lots of mobiles, which draw the eye upwards. 

A simple Danish rag rug helps to protect the wood floor in the kitchen. 

Playing with over-sized items helps to bring the living room area alive! 

Could that be a TV behind the sheet? 

An otherwise disused corner of the room has been transformed into a display area for a vintage collection of hearts, dried flowers and other ornaments. 

On warm summers day, the doors are thrown open so Gaia and her children can flit between the outdoors and inside. 

I bet many a strong coffee has been enjoyed right here!  

So lovely, don't you think? 

I can practically feel the warmth on my skin from the pictures (taken by Gaia's sister Kira Brandt - a talented photographer - for Danish magazine Boligliv. 

I'm also finding this tour so inspiring for the tiny cabin Per and I are planning to build this year (more to follow very soon!). 

Did you get any ideas for your own home? 

I forgot to mention that Gaia is a real dab hand at DIY / crafts. Check out her styling work for magazines here and see pictures of her latest home over on her instagram feed. 

And - for more inspiration to brighten up the start of your week, you might like to check out: 

A charming little allotment cottage in Malmö

A danish artist's relaxed allotment cottage

An idyllic Swedish 'kolonistuga' 

Blue Monday? What blue Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Kira Brandt / styling Gaia Brandt for Boligliv - shared withy kind permission. 

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An Endearing Danish Summer Cabin on an Allotment

It's only a couple of days until midsummer, and Scandinavians are gearing up to the big event. The atmosphere in the city is slowly changing as folk load up the boot of their cars, ready to ride out to the countryside. Danish family Nicolai, Sofia and their three-year-old child will no doubt be exchanging their urban apartment to enjoy the long weekend at their charming little kolonihave (allotment house). The small wooden cabin is located in Åbyhøj, a quiet suburb of Aarhus known for Northside festival - a popular 3-day music event. The cosy pared-back abode has everything the small family need to enjoy the summer holidays - including a kitchen, dining area, sitting room which doubles up as a bedroom, and a loft bed. On warm days, life spills out onto the newly built terrace and lush garden. Kom indenfor! 

I love the relaxed summer vibe, mixed furniture and touches of green and blue - a perfect little escape! 

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Scandinavian allotment houses are really special. I've explained the history behind them here. If you feel like taking peek inside a few more, click on any of the links below:

A charming Swedish allotment cottage in summer time

An inspiring Danish kolonihave with white washed walls

A truly idyllic Swedish kolonistuga

So lovely! I hope you're feeling inspired too! 

Niki

Photography:

1, 2, 3, 5, and 9: Julie Wittrup Pladsbjerg & Mikkel Dahlstroem / Another Studio

4, 6, 7, and 8: @sofiaganer

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Your Swedish island retreat?!

Hello there! Every now and again a little pearl comes up on the Swedish estate agency market (even though in this instance you could say it's a slightly larger pearl).  Situated in Southern Gotland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, the 18th century house has been renovated in keeping with the beauty and natural wilderness of the island using materials such as wood, stone and natural linen. Oh and did I mention the sea view? Are you ready to be 'herrskapet' of a Gotland manor (at the weekends at least....)...?

Fantastic Frank

My favourite room has to be the master bedroom - so simple yet so beautiful.

How about you?

There aren't so many items to pick out from this home (it's waiting for you to put your signature stamp on it!). But to get started - you can source beautiful bed linen and throws in beige, charcoal and white here, I love this vintage bamboo screen and why not throw in a cosy Gotland sheepskin?

You know what's coming don't you? Yup - all my favourite homes on Gotland (and there are so many!) - definitely check out this idyllic swedish island holiday home, a charming, pared-back holiday home, a small island hide-away, and the boho summer home of a fashion photographer.

Have a lovely day! 

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