An Architect's Delightfully Calm Copenhagen Home (And It's On Airbnb Too!)

When you go on holiday do your prefer an airbnb or a hotel? - Or perhaps something in between? When travelling with the crazies I prefer an airbnb but when it's just Per and I - I'd more likely opt for a hotel (or a romantic B&B!) - mainly because I love a good breakfast buffet! But then I discover Airbnb apartments like this one in Copenhagen. Owned by an architect, the three-bedroom apartment is situated on one of the capital's most sought after streets and features beautiful sky-blue walls, light wood features and a blend of antique and new nordic design pieces. Who's to say you can't nip to the local bakery and pick up a fantastic wienerbrød (Danish pastry) and freshly brewed coffee to go in the morning?! The next time I'm in Denmark's capital city, I'm totally checking in here - and I might just never leave! Could you imagine staying here too? 

Mayor Aj5 sofa, Formakami pendant*

"Both architects, we transformed this historic apartment into a comfortable and calm home. With a focus on natural and luxurious materials, we have allowed the history of the place to inspire the design."

Circle pendant shade, Georg Jensen pitcher*

I love the backsplash. I spotted something similar in this magical Norwegian mountain cabin. You can create a similar one by treating a sheet of copper with acid for an aged look.  

"The apartments finished with a mixture of mid-century Scandinavian furniture, contemporary furniture, auction finds, and pieces from Justine's home in South Africa."

Copper clothes hanger* (similar)

Isn't it beautiful? I love the sky blue and copper touches in particular. 

If you're visiting Copenhagen and would like to hang out here for a while, the apartment is available through Airbnb right here.

Fancy exploring some other Airbnb options in Scandi-land? Here are a few I've got my eye on:

Two idyllic Danish cabins
A beautiful apartment in Bergen (love this!)
A hygge Danish log cabin near the sea
An off-the-grid getaway on an island in the Helsinki archipelagos
A romantic lakeside schoolhouse in Sweden

Quite a varied list, I must say! Which would you choose?

I've got to hurry home from there studio now as a local Malmö paper is coming to my house for a home story - so fun! God knows how the kids left it this morning but I'm pretty sure there's a lot of tidying up to be done. Gah! 

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Airbnb found via Nordic Design with thanks

READ MORE

1

A Beautiful Former Chapel on Gotland Turned Airbnb

Gotland has been on my mind lately! Any long-term readers will know that I fell head over heels in love with this beautiful Swedish island when we sailed there a few years back (see my guide here). The only problem? Living in Malmö, it's always felt a little tricky to get there, so we haven't visited nearly as often as I'd like.

But lately I've been dreaming about a girls' weekend at Sibbjäns, perhaps? Or a stay in a beautiful Airbnb? Which is how I stumbled across this gem!

Welcome to a former Baptist chapel dating back to 1912, in the little village of Fide, around 5 km north of Burgsvik in southern Gotland. Today, it's a much-loved family summer home, which the owners also rent out as an Airbnb. And it's not hard to see why it's become a guest favourite! Sleeping up to eight guests, the property is surrounded by beautiful countryside, with lovely cycling routes, a beach just 2 km away and its very own pool!

Inside, the chapel has been transformed into a wonderfully relaxed home, with soaring ceilings, wood-panelled walls, colourful patterned floors, vintage furniture and quirky artwork. I love the slightly eclectic mix, which feels so personal and full of character. And that glazed veranda looks like the perfect spot for long summer lunches!

Shall we take a peek around?

What a beautiful place! I love all the pattern and the eclectic mix of items which all come together beautifully, and the entire place looks like such a relaxed place to be.

Have you ever visited Gotland? And could you imagine gathering a few friends or family members for a stay in this old chapel? I certainly could! You can find it on Airbnb here, in case you're looking for something for next summer.

Oh, and one tip if you're planning to book an Airbnb in Scandinavia. Guests are often expected to bring their own bed linen and towels, unless otherwise specified, so it's always worth checking before you go.

I suspect this comes from the Swedish summer cottage tradition, where guests often bring their own bedding when staying with friends. It saves the hosts mountains of laundry, especially when washing facilities are limited. A small detail, but definitely worth knowing before you pack your bags!

Thank you so much for stopping by this week, here's to a relaxing weekend ahead!

Happy Friday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

READ MORE

19

11 Dreamy Airbnbs in Sweden and Denmark for a Summer Escape

 

Spring is here, and along with the wood anemones, a flurry of emails has started to land in my inbox asking for Airbnb recommendations in Sweden and Denmark. Before the real deluge begins, I thought it would be nice to gather some of my favourites here in one place, many of which you might well recognise from the blog.

From city hideouts and tiny seaside cabins to country pool villas and idyllic island getaways, there’s something for everyone to check into and unwind this summer. And even if you’re not planning a trip, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found in the different styles and settings too!

Simply click on each link to explore the full tour here on the blog. You’ll also find links to book each Airbnb from there.

Ready to explore? Let's kick off with.....

Denmark

A short hop over the bridge from where I live, I visit Copenhagen every Wednesday and it never fails to inspire me. This place looks like the perfect crashpad from which to explore! 

Calling all lovers of design - this apartment in the heart of Copenhagen is a dream. The only problem is, you wouldn't want to leave! 

One of my most viewed posts ever, this little waterside cabin on Zealand, Denmark is the perfect place to unwind with a book! 

If you're feeling intrepid, why not make your way to the Danish island of Anholt and make this little cabin your home for the week? It's the perfect place from which to relax on a white sandy beach or pull up a seat in a boho-style restaurant in the harbour and tap along to live music! 

Sweden

Live like Pippi Longstocking and getaway from it all at this traditional-style country Swedish cottage. 

Go for a quirky, laidback stay at this wonderful, creative stay in Skåne, southern sweden. 

The area of Österlen in south Sweden is popular among artists and comes to life in summer with artisan bakeries, cosy restaurants, galleries and live music - and this is a charming base! 

Escape to the magical island of Gotland this summer and stay in this limestone barn. 

Gotland is famous for it's rugged coastline and beautiful nature - which you'd experience firsthand at this cosy little beach front cabin. 

Connected to the mainland via a bridge, the island of Öland is a summer destination for the Swedish royal family. The palace might not be available on airbnb, but this charming stone cutter's cottage complete with pool is also a wonderful option! 

If you're visiting Stockholm it would be a real pity not to enjoy a few days in the stunning archipelego. I vote for this stay on the island of Dalarö (wait till you see the inside!). 

They are all charming in their own way, and I’m pretty sure you’d have a wonderful stay at any one of them. But did any catch your eye in particular?

Have you visited Sweden or Denmark in the past? If so, do you have a favourite place? Perhaps you even have a favourite Airbnb you would recommend. If so, please do share below.

That's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by, and for all your comments. I can’t wait to find a quiet moment with a coffee this weekend and respond to them all.

Niki

Images courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

READ MORE

9

This Beautiful Danish Summer Cabin is on Airbnb!

I am not sure if you know that I write a regular feature for Simply Scandi UK. It's a quarterly magazine focusing on Scandinavian design, and I've had the pleasure of contributing for two years, writing about everything from Scandinavian culture to travel and more. My latest feature involves researching Airbnb's (it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) and I've been stumbling across all kinds of beautiful properties, including this one! 

Located in Tisvilde, the cabin was designed in 1934 by a female relative of Kaare Klint - and although newly renovated - many of the original details shine through (as do items by Klint such as the safari chair and pendant and table lamps!). Visitors are invited to treat the cabin as a home from home in which to unwind beside the beautiful Tisvilde Hegn woodland, an hour North of Copenhagen. Feeling active? Tisvilde is a popular summer idyll among Copenhageners and boutique stores, farmshops, cafes and restaurants as well as a sandy beach are a short cycle ride away! 

I'm definitely adding this little cabin to my airbnb list, if you're visiting Denmark this summer, you might want to as well! Here's a peek inside. 

What a lovely cabin! I'm already sinking into one of those safari chairs - or cycling to the beach with the warm wind in my hair! How about you?

It would be perfect getaway to combine with a few days in Copenhagen - that way you'd get the best of both worlds. 

Find out more on airbnb here. 

Would you like to see a few more Danish summer cottages today? Here are some lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

A white, light and airy cabin on a Danish island

A dreamy cabin by the sea

A little Danish cabin in the woods

Before and after: a rundown Danish cabin becomes a vibrant summer home

I hope this fills you with inspiration for the weekend! Have a great couple of days, and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks 

READ MORE

4

A Dreamy Lakeside Swedish Cabin Escape on Airbnb

It’s Fredag (Friday), the sun is shining, and after a few days at our cabin over the Labour Day holiday watching blackbirds and oystercatchers roam around our garden, I’m fully immersed in the Swedish nature. In a country with just 10 million people (not far off the population of London) and land that stretches 1,574km (978 miles) from north to south, it’s easy to find the perfect solitude.

If you’re planning a visit, there are plenty of idyllic and remote Airbnbs to be found – like this gem. Tucked away in a forest clearing in Näsum, Skåne (southern Sweden), LakeView Cabin is a classic Swedish wooden cottage that’s been lovingly renovated with a fresh, minimalist yet comfy feel. With it's own pier and bathing deck, it's perfect for those who love a morgondopp (that bracing pre-breakfast dip!), plus there’s an outdoor shower and a sauna for warming up afterwards. All of it nestled in the kind of peaceful, whispering forest that makes you forget what day it is.

As the owners put it: “It's perfect for couples, winter bathers, life lovers and nature lovers who appreciate nature and peace and quiet as much as we do.”

For those of you who may live a little too far away to book this, there’s still plenty of inspiration to be gathered – from the way they’ve embraced the great outdoors, to the little thoughtful details indoors, like nature-themed embroidered cushions in an otherwise minimalist white room.

I hope you feel inspired and that this gives you just the virtual getaway you need to ease into the weekend!

What a perfect getaway—and by my calculations, it's only a 1.5-hour drive from Malmö, so maybe I should book a long weekend there myself. 

Could you imagine relaxing here? If so, you can find more details on Airbnb. 

Keen to discover a few more Scandinavian Airbnbs? Here are a few lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

The Stonecutters' farm on the Swedish island of Öland

A beautiful Danish summer cottage

A fabulous Copenhagen home that's available to rent

A beautiful limestone barn on the Swedish island of Gotland

A cosy riverside cottage in Denmark

An architect's calm home (and Airbnb) in Copenhagen.

A magazine-ready cabin on a Swedish island

Getaway from it all in a Swedish lakeside cottage

A rustic pool villa on the island of Gotland

So many wonderful places to stay – perhaps this will entice you to this part of the world this summer? Välkommen!

On another note, I’m sorry for being so slow to reply to comments this week. Poor Alice has been home sick all week, and with work and the Labour Day holiday thrown in, it’s been a bit of a juggle. But I’ve loved reading every single one of your messages, and I’m so grateful that you take the time to write and share your thoughts and observations. I’m looking forward to sitting down with a coffee tomorrow and replying properly.

Have a relaxing weekend and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks. 

READ MORE

8