An Idyllic Blue and White Swedish Cottage In The Countryside

Up for a little dreaming today? How about this proposal: quit your job, sell your house / give up your rental and swap it all for a beautiful 19th century house in the Swedish countryside. Love the water? Even better! This newly renovated cottage is in Onsala, Halland county - a few kilometres from the Kattegat sea. There's even a little harbour where you can moor your boat. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. The pretty white and red clapboard cottage has been impeccably renovated in shades of blue, white and light wood - in true Swedish style! I also love the blend of iconic Scandinavian pieces and antiques. Now it's just waiting for someone to come along and cherish it as much as the previous owners have. Could it be you? Or me? Or one of your friends?

Well, what do you think? Ready to make the move?

I can't tell you how tempted I am. Its a really beautiful part of the world too - not far from the Gothenburg Archipelagos! 

I couldn't resist including a picture of the laundry room. In Sweden the washing machine tends to be either in the basement, a separate laundry room or in the bathroom (whereas in the UK it's often in the kitchen). Where is the washing machine in your home? Despite the awkward basement room with its low ceilings and small window - the owners have managed to add a light, whimsical touch with linen curtains (try Grey Moose Atelier* for similar)! 

You can see more pictures and dream about this house here (in Swedish). 

Fancy taking a peek inside a few other white and blue homes today? 

Feel inspired by this white and blue Swedish apartment

Trend report: True blue, baby 2020 loves you (still proud of that heading!)

A soothing blue and white Copenhagen apartment (it's also available to rent via Airbnb!)

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday friends!

Niki

Photography: Janne Olander for Stadshem

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A Magical Rural Escape by a Norwegian Fjord

I am constantly astounded by just how magical some Scandinavian summer residences are. Not because they are luxurious - far from it. You see, Scandinavian summer houses tend to be pretty pared back affairs. The focus is on kicking back and allowing the nature to help you unwind. Slipping away for the weekend or for an entire summer, there are no flights to catch and no schedule to keep. It's a simple life which dances lazily to the tune of eat, sleep, swim repeat. This enchanting summer house on the banks of a fjord in Northwest Norway belonging to Monica (AKA @tante__monica) is a fine example of how the Scandinavians have got it exactly right! 

"The summerhouse has no electricity or water and no road. Usually we arrive by boat," Monica tells me about her family summer house. "But at this time of year we have to walk through the forest since the boat is on land due to winter storms."

So where do they get their water? 

"We retrieve water for washing from a well, and we either get our drinking water from a nearby waterfall or we bring it with us on the boat." 

And the electricity? 

""For cooking we use propane, for light we use old oil lamps and candles and for heating we use the wood burning stoves," Monica explains. "We listen to music on our phones. We love to be there and not have to think about what's on TV. Instead we sit on the veranda and watch the sun go down as the birds fly or swim by and the fish jump from the fjord."

"It's quite romantic, but of course a lot of work," Monica says. "We have no animals, so we have to cut the grass ourselves. We do this once a year in order to allow for the wild flowers and plants to grow and attract a variety of insects. Every year we look forward to seeing if any new species appear." 

"Norwegian flower meadows are now in huge decline and our goal is to make our meadows rich in species again." 

The house is beautiful with a fascinating, if not tragic history. 

"My father grew up in the house. It was built during the war in 1942-43. Sadly the older house which stood there before burnt down. It was a huge tragedy for the family. My father was only nine and had to jump out of the kitchen window and my great grandmother was helped out through the window of her bedroom."

Today, the property, which was built after the fire, has been decorated in a serene, understated way. Vintage and antique pieces pop against a white and grey backdrop, and touches of blue and green mirror the surroundings. 

"I like to use items that have always been here. If we are in need of something new, we tend to buy old furniture and accessories. They are more charming and go a lot better with the house," Monica explains. 

Plates and other items were stored in a wall mounted cabinet with a subtle blue / brown theme and a simple rag rug can be seen on the floor. 

This lovely picture - captured for a feature in Lev Landligs - a Norwegian country life magazine - shows a pair of vintage beds, which had already been painted green when Monica found them. 

What a truly magical place to spend your summers. 

I can almost feel the warmth on my skin and I'd never ever tire of the view, how about you? 

See more of Monica's beautiful summer residence over at @Tante_Monica. Monica is also a keen knitter and sells handmade Christmas stockings through her shop Tante Monica (@christmasknitting) and Norwegian jumpers together with her friend Katrine via @mokkastrikk. 

Keen to take a peek inside a few other Norwegian summer residences today? I love: 

A serene Norwegian home for the weekend

An idyllic fjord side summer retreat

The cosy and relaxed home of a Norwegian blogger

Niki

Photography: Monica Almskår Heggset & Lev Landig 

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My Day At A Charming Danish Cottage By The Sea

Collaboration* What does the sea mean to you? As an avid sailor and living by the sea in Malmö, Sweden, it's difficult to emphasise how much the sea means to me. The sound, the shapes, the light, the gentle saltiness. To gaze out to the horizon is to instantly unwind. Unlike the tumultuous waters of England's south coast where I spent much of my childhood, there's something disarming about Scandinavian waters due to the lack of tides and the beautiful blue-grey water lapping at whitish sands. It's incredibly grounding. I was inspired to discover Danish brand Skandinavisk has captured the impression of the Nordic coastline in a beautiful collection called HAV (meaning sea) - Distant Shores. On a recent visit to their atelier in Copenhagen, the team asked me what the sea meant to me and I felt it was easier to encapsulate in pictures rather than words. Here are some snapshots from my relaxing day in the pretty coastal village of Hornbæk, North Zealand, North East Denmark!

I was fortunate enough to hang out in this pretty cottage for the day belonging to Pernille Grønkjær Taatø's parents - Elisabeth and Per Grønkjær. The 1930's delightful cottage owes its charm to the blend of antiques, vintage finds, classic Danish design pieces and subtle treasures found on the nearby beach. 

The cottage was dotted with simple displays like this delightfully understated glass jar with pebbles and flora. 

Feeling instantly relaxed on this daybed - do you think they'd notice if I stayed all weekend, I would be as quiet as a mouse!

I felt my pulse lowering the moment I stepped in the door (not an easy feat right now with so much going on!). The soft grey-blue and white tones felt so calming! 

HAV scented candle (wonderfully subtle - and a new favourite!). 

The white washed wood cladded open ceiling gave the cottage a light and airy feel even on a fairly grey day! 

HAV Hand wash and HAV Hand and Body lotion

The HAV scent diffuser (seen on the shelf in. the entrance) is part of the Skandinavisk collection: "a new impression of the vast Nordic coastline - a meeting place where the cold Baltic and Atlantic waters touch the peninsula and the fresh wind and sea spray carry the resilient scents of the rugosa rose and hawthorn. from the shoreline." It set the scene for my afternoon by the water.

I love the beach in winter when it's at its most rugged. And although 'fresh', the local beach in Hornbæk on the shores of the Öresund sea proved to be the best spa afternoon I could have asked for.

It's not unusual to see Scandinavian people wondering down to the water in a robe. I wrapped up in a limited edition TEKLA x SKANDINAVISK bath robe "inspired by Scandinavian bathing culture - in all weathers" (softest thing E.V.E.R and a much needed hood to buffet the wind!).  

Cannot tell you how beautiful it was on this deserted beach. 

HAV hand cream - with extract of rockweed, designed to nourish and protect your skin from harsh climates (give me a load of that!). 

HAV body scrub 

The beach was speckled with little white shells, a few of which recognised from Elisabeth and Per's cottage, larger rocks and kelp. 

I actually used to be terrified of seaweed as a child (I remember my sister chasing me around with it!) - did you?! These days I see it in a more favourable light as I read that scientific studies have shown that seaweed bathing helps to lower stress and relieve muscle ache and join stiffness. Isn't that cool?! On the Swedish west coast there's a place where you can go for special seaweed baths and they actually massage you with the seaweed! 

What a wonderful day!

I wish I could have stayed for the entire weekend!

If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting the Nordic coastline, you must come and visit us in Scandinavia soon. In the meantime, the divine Skandinavisk HAV - distant shores collection will immediately transport you to the Scandinavian coast and is available online here.

I'd love to hear more about your relationship with the sea / ocean - do you find it relaxing too?

Have a wonderful weekend friends - may your lie-ins be long, and your coffee be strong!

Niki

PS Win the complete HAV hand and body range over on my instagram this weekend!

PPS Thank you so much to Pernille Grønkjær Taatø (who's home featured in 15 coastal living ideas to steal from a breathtaking Danish home) and Elisabeth and Per Grønkjær for generously lending me their beautiful cottage for the day. Thanks also to my dear friend Anna Häggström who helped me document the daybed the sea (I've known Anna since I was five and we both felt so inspired by the location) - and of course Skandinavisk for capturing my love for the nordic coastline in a fragrance!


*This post is brought to you in collaboration with my wonderful partner Skandinavisk. However, all words and photos are my own and I only ever work with brands I truly love and think you will too!

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Before and After: A Dark House Becomes a Fresh and Vibrant Home

When we went to view our house, there were a few other people looking around, one of whom was a friend of mine. After the viewing, I asked her if she was interested, "nah, it was way too dark," she said. We bought the house anyway (it was the only house we could afford in the area) and the first thing we did was completely whitewash all the walls and lighten the floors - it made an immediate difference! 

This beautiful Hamburg home made me think of exactly that! Susan and her partner bought the property in 2019 and spent 8 months renovating it, transforming it from a dark property to a light, fresh and vibrant Scandinavian-inspired living space. Keep a look out for the soft blue shades, vibrant colours and Susan's own fine art!  Here are the before and after shots: 

Kitchen before 

Kitchen after

A new Reform CPH kitchen was put in and the tiles were exchanged for a wooden pine floor, giving the space a distantly Danish look and feel! 

Neon red is said to be one of the big colours of the year, and so easy to bring into the home, in the kitchen an Adhoc stool does the trick! 

One of Susan's own fine art prints 'Zone de Baignade' hangs on the wall. 

If you refer back to the top of the post, you'll see a glimpse of the light-filled dining space on the far side of the room. Three Flowerpot pendants hang over an antique table. 

The sitting room leads directly off the kitchen.

Sitting room during the building work

Sitting room after

A soft blue shade has been used on the wall, tying it in with other areas of the home and wall to wall shelving has been placed up and over the door - something you often see in danish homes (like this one). 

Hall and Stairs before 

Hall and stairs after

Despite ripping out the tiles, Susan has still used stone in her hallway in order to ensure a practical entrance. 

The runner was removed from the stairs to reveal wooden steps. The original banister has been painted black and white. 

Landing before 

Landing after 

The floor has been sanded for a lighter look and the walls and doors have been painted in fresh white and light blue. 

Susan's 'Neighbourhood' fine art print hangs over a simple IKEA stool at the top of the stairs. 

Upper staircase before

Upper staircase after

I couldn't resist sharing these snapshots of the upper staircase which leads to a third floor! I love the way Susan has captured the before and after - taking the look from dark and dingy to light and bright! 

Bathroom before

Bathroom after

The bathroom has also been gives a fresh, light overhaul and A DIY stool and striped bathmat add a touch of colour. 

A glimpse into the bedroom reveals a retro chest-of-draws against a soft blue backdrop. 

All in all, a really fabulous transformation! The level of work that has gone into this renovation is immense, but it's really paid off! 

The light wood floors make a huge difference to the overall look. If you have solid wood floors, it's surprisingly easy with a sanding machine and the right floor treatment (we did it in our house too). I love how Susan has applied touches of colour through paint and art too. You'd be forgiven for thinking this home is in Copenhagen, it has a very danish feel to it! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Susan's home? 

See more snapshots from Susan's home and find out about the colors she has used in her home here. You might also like to discover her online shop for limited edition art. 

Click here for a load more before and after features. Some of them are simply amazing! 

I hope this before and after tour has filled you with inspiration for the week ahead! 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hej.susan - shared with kind permission. 

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