Where the Sea Meets Home: A Swedish Coastal Escape

It’s Friday! And if there’s a day for dreaming, this has to be it. Long-time readers will know my biggest dream is to one day live in a little cottage by the sea — listening to the waves crash against the shore, watching treasures wash up with the tide, and breathing in that salty fresh air.

And this lovely little cottage? Well, it’s pretty much spot on! It’s just appeared a few years too early, as my teens aren’t quite ready to trade in their urban lives for the wonderfully quiet rhythm of Sweden’s south coast. Even so, it doesn’t stop me dreaming!

With the sea as your closest neighbour and the gentle sound of the waves as a backdrop, this Ystad cottage feels like a world of its own. Big windows frame the ever-changing horizon, a wrought-iron staircase leads up to a serene master bedroom, and the clean, simple Scandinavian style lets the views take centre stage. A wood-burning stove promises cosy evenings after windswept walks, and a morning dip is only a few footsteps away.

I don’t know about you, but I can just imagine sitting here with a cup of coffee, watching the sun rise over the water. One day, perhaps…

This lovely cottage really is just the ticket — I’ll be storing it in my mind and dreaming about it this weekend. Location aside, I also love the sleek kitchen with its pendant lamps over the worktop, the exposed beams, and that wonderfully simple décor that lets the sea views do all the talking.

What about you — can you imagine living in a place like this, or do you prefer a little more hustle and bustle around you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if, like me, you enjoy a good coastal daydream, here are a few more homes by the sea that might just steal your heart: 

Coastal living, only cooler - the home of an artist in England
A charming Danish cottage with a coastal vibe
An artist's atelier and cottage by the sea in Cornwall, England

Thank you so much for stopping by and dreaming with me this week, and for all your lovely comments — I’m really looking forward to sitting down with a quiet moment this weekend to read and respond to them.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mäklarna Ekström (where it is currently for sale).

READ MORE...

14

An elegant Malmö home with Shades of Green, Ochre and Red

I'm all settled in my studio today and it's one of those bitterly cold February days - so I'm not planning on going anywhere! It makes sense therefore, to feature a home right here in the heart of Malmö! 

I have driven past this apartment a thousand times, unbeknown to me that there was an elegant space filled with art, concealed just behind the facade! 

Despite the large spacious rooms and beautiful bones it was actually the choice of furniture that stood out to me - a blend of contemporary finds and the occasional vintage piece as well as the deep earthy tones including forest green, red, ochre and slate - adding. contrast and cosiness. 

All it needs now is for someone to take over the reigns and make it their new home. Could that be you? 

Did you spot the projector on the wall in the first picture? I can't tell if the owners have made a box to conceal it themselves, or it was bought like this (I'm thinking the former), either way it's so subtle - way better than a big TV screen, don't you think? 

Is there anything that popped out at you? 

See more Malmö apartments here today: 

The wood and white home of a creative

The earthy home of a Swedish florist

An artists home in a former atelier

Have a lovely day folks - stay warm! 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Bo-laget with thanks. 

READ MORE...

11

10 fab ways to decorate your home with clothes

It's no secret that us girls love a walk-in-wardrobe. But sadly for men, clothes are creeping into the bedroom and acting as the latest wall space accessory too. From necklaces and dresses to shoes and bags, it's the walking-wardrobe. And I love it. 

New York stylist Mary Alice Stephenson's jewellery chest designed by Closet Factory via The Coveteur    

IKEA Livet Hemma

Via Wit and Delight

Via Xunya

Via Brunch at Saks

Via Atelier Rue Verte

Via Cherry Blossom

Via interior photos

House to Home

Adler & Co by A Merry Mishap

I love so many of these ideas. The layers of IKEA mirrors. Using cornicing as shoe holders - perfect. The motorbike sure beats a chair to throw all discarded clothes over or? How far would you go? Sometimes less is more perhaps, it just depends on how fab your wardrobe is!

PS I've hoarded all these pics in Pinterest have done my best to credit but unfortunately not all roads to lead to Rome so if you can give any tips on original publishing house / photographer / stylist I'd be sooo happy. Tack tack!

READ MORE...

5

The relaxed, vintage inspired home of an artist

Why, hello there! I hope you had a wonderful weekend?! While photographing (some beeeeautiful) homes for my book a few weeks back it struck me that they were almost entirely filled with one-off pieces - picked up on travels or found in flea markets, which made the spaces truly special.  I stumbled across this lovely creative home on Apartment Therapy captured by Natalie Jeffcott the other day and it too, is filled with a unique array of treasures, all of which come together simply because the owners Ben and artist Heidi Yardley love them. Situated in a converted stable at the end of a quiet cobbled lane in North Melbourne (what is it with me and Australian homes right now - did you see last week's posts?!), Ben and Heidi's house has been filled with vintage and second hand finds, for a lovely relaxed, bohemian vibe which is as personal as it is fascinating. 

Photography by Natalie Jeffcott / Apartment Therapy.

Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new. Did you see the arm for example (it makes sense when you look through Heidi's portfolio)?! And of course their very handsome cat Nico!

I love the colour scheme in the bedroom... so inspiring!

It's these elements of surprises which make the home so fascinating, don't you think?

Get the look: pick up a mid-century credenza here, macrame plant holder, this is a great source for vintage easels. Vintage tin boxes.  Heidi's art. I love the round chair in the bedroom but haven't found anything like it - any tips?

More beautiful artists' home to feel inspired by: a beautiful Copenhagen home in a former sculpter's atelier, an artist's home and studio in Stockholm, a Swedish artist's home in a former school.

Have a great start to the week!

PS Don't forget my talented friend Maria is offering 15% discount off her fabulous designs in her shop until the end of October. To redeem simply enter 15RABATTSCANDI at check-out - I've already picked myself up the Little Darling lamp love it! (ships everywhere in Europe). 

READ MORE...

1

Beautiful Danish Glassware and My Favourite Summer Drink!

After a tour of the Swedish West coast (travel guide to follow soon!), it's been wonderful to be back at our summer cottage for a few days. I spent a lovely afternoon with my friend Tove, catching up over a glass of herb infused lemonade. It was one of those afternoons which turned into evening... which turned into night (and may have eventually involved some Prosecco!). I'd invited Tove to come over and help me shoot a set of beautiful mouth blown glassware for Pernille Bülow (the glass workshop on the Danish island of Bornholm where the stunning SKY lamps are also made). And we decided to put the pretty setting and smokey ODIN glassware to good use in the process! Here are a few snapshots - and more details about the glassware, the lemonade and a few other pieces! 

I picked up the chairs at a nearby 'loppis' (flea market) - such a find! The questions is, do I re-paint them or leave them in their naturally dilapidated state? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

On the table you can catch a glimpse of the handmade ODIN jug and drinking glass in grey, which have been designed in the Pernille Bülow atelier and handmade abroad. As with all their designs, I love how the ODIN glassware has a simple yet strong expression, and perfect for everyday use as well as special events (like catching up with friends!).  

My daughter Allie and I made the mint, dill and basil infused lemonade in the morning. The syrup is super simple to make, tastes really refreshing, and if you make a big batch can last all summer long! Oh and it's perfect for pepping up 'stronger' drinks - just sayin'! Here's the recipe: 

Mint, Dill and Basil Infused Lemonade Squash

Ingredients:

2.5 dl water

300 g sugar

2 tbsp fresh dill  

5 g fresh basil

5 g fresh mint

3.75 dl lemon juice

Method

Combine the sugar and water in a pan, place on medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Rip up the mint and basil leaves and add to the pan. Add the dill stems. Bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place mixture in a container in the fridge for 60 minutes. Sieve the mixture to remove herbs. 

To serve: combine the syrup and lemon juice with 18 dl of water and serve on ice with a sprig of mint. 

Tove and I found the jug works perfectly as a vase too! The thistles and ferns are from our cottage garden.

As the sun sank lower in the sky we brought out an ODIN pillar candleholder and tea light holder in grey. There are also two lovely bowls in the range - the small bowl in grey which we used for crabapples and a large bowl. 

Such a memorable afternoon. I love it when a plan comes together!

You can find out more information about Pernille Bülow ODIN glassware here - and also take a peek at the SKY lamps which I've featured in my home here, here and here.

Thank you to Tove for a great afternoon, and also to my wonderful neighbors for the pretty setting!

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Pernille Bülow. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! 

READ MORE...

2