An idyllic Finnish cottage with an outdoor summer kitchen

As January comes to a close and the short, snowy days continue,  I find myself dreaming of the summer sun more and more. And when it arrives - I'm going to be outdoors along with the rest of Scandinavia. That's why I thought I'd share the latest developments of one of my favourite summer cottages - an oh so idyllic family retreat on an island in the Finnish archipelego. The ongoing renovation project is driven by owner Minna Jones of Time of The Aquarius and her partner and has been well documented here on My Scandinavian Home (here and here plus her year round home here). To me, the residence epitomises the essence of the Scandinavian summer - life at a cabin with a beautiful, yet basic interior and maximised to ensure time outside enjoying the long awaited summer days. Last season the owners added an outdoor kitchen to the mix. And the good news? It's easily replicated.  Here are a few new snaps of Minna's home and her fab new outdoor kitchen.

Minna Jones, Time of the Aquarius

To get a similar outdoor kitchen: try painting an IKEA trestle table,  the water can with tap and lights are from Granit, buy a camping stove here. Finnish birch basket. Rattan furniture is set to be big this spring / summer - I'm a big fan of the uber comfy BYHOLMA chair.

Other items I know and love: Bertoia chairs, Butterfly chair and String shelves. IKEA PS 2012 chest of drawers and FÖRHÖJA kitchen trolley.

To get a full picture of the summer cottage and for more images of the plan, interior, grounds, surrounding nature and family life at the cottage you can wile away a few hours on Minna's dreamy blog.

I also absolutely love this Finnish log cabin with a sauna.

Summer in Finland anyone?!

And because it's still January (just): I loved how Scandinavisk summarises the 'Sense of Scandinavia' in Thursday's piece. And this beautiful video by Volvo featuring Amanda Begman's song 'Vintersaga' (winter tale) perfectly sums up the coldest season in Sweden- I was particularly excited to see it even features the beach by my house here in the South! Thank you AMM blog for the tip!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you so much to Ana of Blog Milk Shop for all your amazing technical help with my blog lately! Ana is not only my tech saviour but she also creates the most stunning blog templates available to buy here.  

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A magnificent Finnish apartment

Oh are we in for a treat today with this magnificent Finnish apartment! Not only does it have the most beautiful bones - large windows which flood the rooms with light, high ceilings, sculpted wainscoting, and original period features (just look at that ceiling in the bedroom!), but it has also been beautifully styled for sale through Bo LKV by the uber talented Marja Wickman (whose home I once featured here and here). Marja has used shades of grey and white and simple, contemporary pieces allowing the architecture to take centre stage. Unsurprisingly the space was snapped up in an instant (we'll have to be quicker next time!).

Source: Bo LKV, styling Marja Wickman. Found via Nordic Design with thanks. 

Is it worth me asking if you could live here?!

A few items I know and love: Thonet chairs, Cove print by Silke Bonde, ABCD poster - D,  cork bench.

For more beautiful Finnish inspiration it's so well worth exploring my 'Finnish home' archive (if the first home you see is the above one, just scroll passed it).... I know it's not the same as being there in person, but it will transport you to Finland in your dreams if only for a few hours!

Have a lovely day! 

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The fantastic home of a creative Finnish duo

Just hearing a home is owned by Finnish interior architect Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhanen I already know the space is going to be pretty fantastic. And that's exactly what this apartment is. Located in Helsinki and decorated in mainly white, black and grey, this family home marries vintage finds with scandinavian contemporary pieces. Love.it.

Photography: Mikko Ryhanen with kind permission. Interior designer Joanna Laasjisto via Emma's Design Blog

So fab don't you think?

I spy: Thonet 209 chair (15% off with MYSCAN),  Louis Poulsen AJ table lamp, Knoll Platner Coffee table  and the Knoll Bertoia dining chairs.

You can see Joanna's wonderful previous apartment here.

Looking for more Finnish inspiration? There's lots and lots of beautiful Finnish home inspiration here!

Have a lovely day!

PS We're in transit in Singapore airport - there's a play area for children with free wifi. It's the simple things in life.... :)

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The fabulous Finnish home of a creative duo Part III

How many wonderful new angles can you shoot in one home? When it comes to Helsinki based interior architect and designer Joanna Laajisto and photographer Mikko Ryhänen's home the answer is never enough! This will be my third post (see previous posts here and here) and every time the home tour is equally as inspiring! Here are some snap shots of their kitchen, dining room and sitting room taken by Mikko. Pretty incredible don't you think?!

 Joanna Laajisto. Photography: Mikko Ryhänen via Nordic Design with thanks

A few items I see and love: White Thonet 209 chairs in the kitchen,  black and white Marimekko bowls, Bertoia sidechairs and sheepskin throw, Carl Hansen CH25 Lounge Chair, a vintage moroccan rug and last but not least a fabulous Knoll Platner coffee table.

I think my favourite thing from these shots (although it's extremely difficult to pin it down to one thing) is the Knoll Platner coffee table and vintage Moroccan rug combination - they work so well together, don't you think?

I could spend my day recovering with my leg raised here (see yesterday's post!), how about you?!

For more beautiful Finnish home tours don't miss this pared back cabin, Minna's family holiday home in the Finnish archipelagos, and a cosy and warm Finnish table setting.  The Finns really do have a great sense of style don't they?!

Have a lovely day! 

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An utterly idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

I can't tell you how many times I've started to write this post only to delete it again. The truth is, there are no words to describe this idyllic Finnish cottage in the Inkoo archipelago belonging to Jonna Kivilahti, the blogger behind Mrs Jones- it's just to dream that you're there. The doors of the black and white cabin thrown open to reveal panoramic views of the glistening sea beyond.  Soaking up the warm sun on the terrace, watching the sail boats glide by. You might go inside to make lunch or even light a roaring fire on cooler evenings. Either way, I can't think of a more idyllic way to wile away a weekend, a week...a few months....

Photography: Krista Keltanen with kind permission

What an utterly idyllic retreat. Could you imagine spending your weekend here?!

Get the look - Terrace - this black sun lounger is similar, black lantern. Kitchen - white string shelves, striped rug, grey marble chopping board, Marimekko mugs. Dining area - bentwood chair, Series 7 chairs. Bedroom - try notPERFECTLINEN for the most beautiful washed bed linen, this striped cotton jersey top is similar (and fab for summer days by the sea!). Hallway - hunter boots and white converse.

In case you're wondering how to achieve that perfectly glossy grey floor in your own home - Farrow & Ball recommends Strong white paint in Full Gloss with a coat of Interior wood primer & Undercoat underneath to ensure the best finish or for areas of high traffic - the Floor Paint finish which is slightly less glossy but more durable. So there you go!

You can see more pics of this lovely cabin on Jonna's blog and instagram. 

These beautiful images have been captured by Krista Keltanen - you might recognise the name from this Finnish cabin built from containers or this beautiful rustic Finnish summer cottage also featured on here. Imagine!

Oh and there's over 53 summer cottages to explore in my archives. I would recommend pouring yourself a coffee first, but hey, it's Friday so perhaps one of these would be more appropriate. Just saying.

In the words of the Finns - Kippis!

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Your 2020 Off-the-grid Getaway: Nolla Cabin In the Helsinki Archipelagos

Hello! Happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing break? Is anyone else back at work today and feeling as slow as anything?! I'm on my third coffee and nothing seems to be happening (send more caffeine!)! All the same, I think 2020 is going to be a fabulous year, don't you? I thought I'd kick it off with a tour of the magnificent yet basic Nolla Cabin, a 20 minute boat ride from Helsinki. What fascinates me, is that it's a cabin of two halves. It's both tiny and big at the same time. Located on Vallisaari island and measuring 9m2, it offers views over the beautiful Helsinki archipelago which is home to over 1000 butterfly species! Finnish designer Robin Falck's intention was to inspire visitors to come and enjoy the Nolla (meaning zero) cabin while living with a minimal footprint. Read on to feel inspired!

The little cabin is equipped with two camping beds, along with a Wallas stove for cooking and heating (the stove runs on Neste MY Renewable Diesel provided by the host).  

The electricity is generated by solar panels on the roof (we're warned that supply might vary!) and has no wifi - but with views like that and an island to explore, I think we can all agree that it's hardly needed! 

Visitors are encouraged not to bring packaged foods and cosmetics in order to comply with the zero-waste ethos. 

Also, being off-the-grid, the cabin doesn't have running water BUT fresh water is available at the guest port 400 metres away and there's a dry loo on the island too - phew! 

What about a shower? With the beautiful waters of the Helsinki archipelago on your doorstep you have all the cleansing water you might need (depending on the time of year and quoting Per: 'it's OK once you're in - and great once you're out!'). Hmmm...

Up for the challenge in 2020? 

The Nolla Cabin is only 20 minutes boat ride from Helsinki. The best news of all? Finnish renewable energy company Neste is donating the rent to the The Ocean Cleanup, who develop advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic. 

You can book your stay here. 

While on the subject of Finland - I think it's pretty cool that the country has recently sworn in prime minister Sanna Marin. At 34 years of age, she is the world's youngest serving state leader. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of her first policies is to reduce the working week to four days and enjoying a six-hour workday. Which potentially means more time to spend at places like this! I think I need to have words with the Swedish PM!

Up for a little more Finish design today? I love:

Suvi's beautiful modern home on Finland's West Coast

An inspiring Finnish home with an element of surprise

Old meets new in a beautiful Finnish home

Have a lovely day friends, it feels good to be back! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Airbnb

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