A Charming and Relaxed Swedish Summer Cabin By The Sea

Do you have a 'happy summer' place? On a warm summer's day there's nowhere I'd rather be than by the sea in Sweden. One of Sweden's most popular holiday destinations is the laidback island of Gotland. Located in the Baltic, the sea might be a few degrees chillier than Sweden's West coast, but what the island lacks in water temperature, it more than makes up for in stunning scenery, creative vibes and a friendly summer community! This charming, laidback cabin perfectly captures the relaxed and pared-back nature of the island. Complete with sea views, a sauna, outdoor shower and many, many hammocks - it has everything you might need to kick back and enjoy everything the island has to offer. The only problem is, it might be hard to leave once the summer comes to an end. Oh and did I mention it's on the market?! 

Hammock chair*,  Black Thonet chairs*

Rustic bench*, lantern*

Gotland sheepskin throw*

 

 Black and white striped blanket with pom poms*

Hammock with white fringe*

Could you imagine wiling away your summers here?

If only I could rustle up some spare cash - this cabin is my absolute dream! Maybe we can all go in together?! 

It's actually not situated far from Fabriken Furillen (featured in 20 instagrammable places to stay in Sweden) - so even if you're not quite ready to splash out on a Swedish summer cabin yet (as tempting as it might be), you might still like to experience a slice of Gotland summer life! 

Other wonderful homes on Gotland include - an idyllic retreat, a charming 19th century house, an inspiring island get-away, a beautiful home in soothing shades of grey and the bohemian summer home of a Swedish fashion photographer. 

Roll on summer!

Niki

Photography / for sale through: Fastighetsbyrån

Affiliate links marked with *

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A dreamy, rural Swedish summer cottage

The excitement in the air is palpable in Sweden: the warm weather has finally arrived and in just six weeks time people all over the country will be closing their laptops and heading out of town. Many will visit a summer cottage and spend the summer enjoying the simple things in life: long hours of daylight, nature and being together with friends and family. Despite it's size, this beautiful 19th century summer house (formerly a school for farm workers' children) just North of Stockholm has every trapping of a traditional Swedish summer cottage. Owner, Erica Franzén, who runs design firm Loft Stockholm, has carried out a total renovation and created a magical home which is pared-back and simply furnished with classic fittings, vintage finds and warm, natural textures. Outside it's red and white facade juxtaposes with the lush nature in which it resides - and a terrace has been put in place to enjoy it! Oh and....  you'll never guess what? It's for sale.....

Credits: Interior designer: Erica Franzén. Stylist Line Sandberg. Photography: Camilla Lindqvist. 

Guh! 

I'm actually having a hard time to complete this post now. In my mind I'm already enjoying long lunches on the terrace and Christmas by the wood burning stove! Help!

I mean, could you imagine?!

I'm sure it will get snapped up in no time, and if it's not by one of us, there's nothing wrong with stealing a few ideas now, is there?! Here are a few items I know and love: kitchen - lampe gras wall sconce, Meraki soap, source a vintage school desk here, grey sheepskin throw. Desk area: wishbone chair. Bedroom: William Morris Willow Boughs wallpaper.

Such perfect inspiration for the weekend, don't you think? I might just head over to the estate agent and drool over the remainder of the pictures. And after that, a visit to my 'summer cottage' archive is definitely in order. Meet you there?!

Have a wonderful couple of days and see you Monday!

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Jessica's Idyllic Swedish Country Croft From 1900

In the month of July, Swedish cities can feel very deserted. Many have fled to the countryside to 'nytta av' (benefit from) the lush greenery and 24-hour sunshine for several weeks, sometimes up to six! Hey, we've waited a long time for this good weather, when it arrives we need to make the most of it! Every July, Jessica, a high school teacher and the creator behind @bynilsgarden, locks up her house in Trollhättan to enjoy the peace and quiet of her pretty country retreat 70 kilometres away. Located in Mellerud, Dalsland, just West of lake Vänern, it's a place Jessica goes year-round to watch the seasons unfold. The traditional 1900 Falun red and white structure conceals a pretty, pared back interior with a country feel. Outside, a pretty veranda provides a spot to enjoy the evening sunset. I caught up with Jessica to find out more. 

"The house was built in 1900 as a small 'Soldarttorp' (soldier's croft). The previous owners took great care of it, renovating it slowly with a passion for old houses. It's located in Dalsland, next to the mountains and a beautiful lake".

Note: a 'soldarttorp' is a croft (or cottage) on the property of a farm reserved for Swedish volunteer soldiers. The dwelling was part of the soldier's pay and included a small field, a few farm animals and other small outbuildings. 

"I use it every month of the year. It's beautiful in summer but it's also special to light a fire when it's snowing outside". 

"I renovated this house myself and live here alone. I was looking to create a warm, cosy and relaxing feel with an old country style". 

"I love the silence and the good energy. It's a place I come to rest".

What a beautiful cottage! I can certainly understand why Jessica loves to come here year-round, how about you? It looks so peaceful.  

See more of this pretty cottage and Jessica's Trollhättan house on instagram at @bynilsgarden.

If you're feeling inspired, you might like to check out the country style living archive and Swedish cottage archives - they're packed with romantic homes and will have you dreaming of a move to the Scandinavian countryside! 

Wishing you a wonderful mid-week - see you Friday!*

Niki

*I am posting three days a week during the summer holidays in order to spend a little more time with the crazies. Check in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - or enjoy the archives round the clock! 

Photography: Jessica / @bynilsgarden

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A Beautiful Farm Stay With a Pared-Back Rustic Vibe

I hope you had a lovely weekend? We enjoyed a magical midsummer at a friend's cottage in Båstad (pronounced B-or-stard - in case you were wondering!!). It had everything I featured in Thursdays 'midsommar round-up' - including the famous four seasons in one day (the Swedish weather gods treated us to 27 degrees celsius and sunshine, a hail storm and thunder and lightning) - a true Swedish midsummer! We're staying at our own cottage for a few days now - and will stay put in Sweden the entire summer- but it doesn't stop me from drooling over ideas for future holidays abroad! In case you're in the same boat, you might just want to archive this wonderful farm stay in Portugal. Surrounded by vast fields in the beautiful Alentejo region, Herdade Cucumbi is a guest house offering four bedrooms and three apartments with a pared-back, rustic interior and a lovely Scandinavia meets Portugal vibe. Oh, and you might just like to enjoy a book and aperitif by the pool too! 

Something for 2021 perhaps? Perhaps I'll see you by the pool! Make mine a Ginjinha! 

You can read more about this wonderful hotel here. 

Curious about other travel destinations? 

You'll find a ton of amazing design hotels in this archive and might also come across some pared- back, rustic holiday homes stays in here too! 

While on the subject of holidays, one of the things that has struck me during the pandemic is how I've been inspired to adapt my home to feel more like a holiday home. I mean, why wait until we can travel (even cross country) - when we can bring a touch of sunshine to our own homes? I hope the rustic and natural touches in this hotel might inspire you to adapt your living space a little too!

Niki

Photography Sanda Vuckovic found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks. 

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Swantje's Beautiful, Quirky, Colourful and Unique Home

I thought I'd shake things up a little today with a move away from Scandinavian summer cottages to a fabulous house in Münster, North West Germany. Outside of Scandinavia it may be, but a quick search on google maps tells me the city is a mere 4-hour drive from the Danish border - which may explain the hint of Scandinavian design! I caught up with art director, graphic designer and illustrator Swantje Hinrichsen to find out more about her beautiful, quirky, colourful and unique home. 

Swantje has painted the Danish design Kristina Dam coffee table in NCS 4050 Y60R. A Hay Danish design sofa can be seen in the background. 

From what period is your house?

My boyfriend and I live in an old house built in 1928 in Münster, close to the canal. 

The bright yellow shelf by Dutch designer Mickey Philips is an example of the many quirky and unique touches in Swantje's home. Source similar abstract prints from The Poster Club*. 

Can you tell us a little more about the layout?

The house is 145 sqm (1560 square feet), laid out over three floors. When you walk through the door you are greeted with a colourful hallway with bikes on the wall. The stairs lead to the first floor which has an open-plan living space with a kitchen, dining room, living room and bathroom. The second floor is under the roof and contains the bedroom, a workspace and closet room (we call it 'the everything room', a second bathroom and a small balcony. 

How would you describe your style? 

Very graphic, colourful, warm, natural, conceptual and intuitive - with a touch of Scandinavian design. 

The freestanding kitchen units are from IKEA and the back wall has been painted in Kolorat K711-17-34-25/T. Ceramics from Studio Hear Hear, Studio Oyama, Mette Duedahl and TYBO Art and Craft line the shelves. 

The dining room wall has been painted in Kolorat K/0-0-15-54/T. 

There are some beautiful, fun details in your home, what do you look for when acquiring items?

I love craftsmanship, contrasts, materials and artisan ceramics. 

I love the road bikes, are you and your boyfriend keen cyclists? 

My boyfriend totally is. He is super passionate about it and also restores vintage road bikes from the 70s / 80s and 90s in his spare time using a workshop that he shares with others. 

Colourful racers like these are starting to be a big trend among the young and hip in Sweden right now (whether they are just used for peddling around town or into proper racing). I particularly love the ones with an eighty's vibe - they remind of the bikes my sister and I used to ride to school on! Have you ever owned a racer? 

Source similar bike wall brackets here*. 

Would you say your interior is a reflection of your personality?

My home, work and colours are kind of my way to express myself. They help me stay true to myself, help me change perspectives, charge my batteries and transfer emotions and thoughts. They are my visual language. 

Thank you so much for inviting us into your lovely home for a virtual tour today Swantje! 

If you'd like to see some more snapshots of Swantje's house, check out her wonderful instagram @swantjeundfrieda or for more info about her work, hop over here: www.swantjehinrichsen.de. 

Other German homes to love today: a delightful, colourful farmhouse in Northern Germany,  a pared-back, yet warm family home with handcrafted pieces and a serene family home in Berlin.

On a completely separate note: my children are enjoying their fourth day of the Swedish school summer holidays. All I can say is, I have total respect for all parents around the world who have been juggling the children being at home AND home schooling while trying to work over the past few months. How on earth did you do it? It's only 11am, the house is a mess, I've been asked over 100 questions (by each child) and we've completely run out of food. Thank goodness the sun is shining! 

On that note, I'd better get to the supermarket! But I'll be back tomorrow with one final post before Midsummer's Eve on Friday (will you the celebrating it?) - see you tomorrow! 

Niki

Photography: Swantje Hinrichsen

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