A Rustic Summer Cottage On The Swedish Island of Gotland

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts on Thursday. I've been thinking about you all and also how to approach all of this here on MSH. After some thought, I've decided to do what I (hope I) do best: provide somewhere where we can all come each day, pour a coffee, put our feet up and feel inspired - even if just for a few moments at a time. What do you think? 

With that in mind, today we're heading on a virtual trip to the Swedish island of Gotland. I paid my first visit during our Baltic sailing trip last summer (you can read / see pictures of our trip here) and I've been dreaming about it ever since. Located off the east coast of Sweden, the island offers everything you can possibly imagine: breath-taking scenery, rolling hills, great swathes of deserted sandy beaches, roads lined with banks of wildflowers, hundreds of ateliers, galleries and farm shops, you name it! It's a truly magical place! 

Tempted to add this to your 'future holidays' file? If so, this traditional limestone cottage with pretty blue window frames is waiting for you! It sleeps 8 and made up of a main house and guest house both of which have been decorated in a charming pared-down, rustic way. Oh, and it has a heated pool (after all, the Swedish summer can be highly suspect at times!). Ready for the tour? 

Beautiful!

This is EXACTLY my type of holiday home! Could you imagine staying here too?

Have you been to Gotland? If not I can highly recommend it, and when you do, this place is available to rent through Airbnb (totally one to add to your list!).

In the meantime, here is some more beautiful inspiration from the island:

A charming 19th century house on Gotland
A relaxed Swedish summer cabin by the sea
Your island retreat on the island of Gotland
A pared back Swedish summer house on Gotland
A Beautiful Gotland home in soothing shades of grey

And if you'd like to add one thing to your own home to get a taste of the island - and feel that little more cosy, it's a Gotland sheepskin throw*. I've had mine for 5 years and it's invaluable!

Think I might just go back and look through my pictures of our trip to the Blekinge archipelago and Gotland again and re live it!

Nothing like starting the week with a little dreaming, don't you think?

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Airbnb. 
*Affiliate link

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Elsa's Inspiring Summer Cottage on the Swedish Island of Gotland

Following the Danish cabin I featured the other day, I took your feedback on continuing with the Scandinavian summer cottages this autumn as a green light! 

There are some people whose style just resonates with you immediately - and for me, one of those people is Elsa Billgren. The Swedish TV presenter, fashion and interior stylist and author of the book The Key to the Home: decor, friends, and the food we share, co-produced with Sofia Wood, Elsa and her family 

divides her time between Stockholm (take a tour of her lovely apartment) and the incredible Baltic island of Gotland. 

And I'm excited to share a peek inside the living room, bedroom and bathroom of the latter today. Rustic, calm and pared down, the family cottage in Ljugarn is a wash with subtle off-white tones, surfaces rich in patina and one-off pieces, making it a perfect place to unwind and recharge surrounded by the rugged nature of Gotland. Step this way! 

Pendant 'Liv' light by Klong, sofa from meli meli, rug: Cappelin Dimyr

Elsa found the wall mounted sculpture at a Salvation Army store. The fruit sculpture is from Ala Gård, Gotland. 

Source a similar kinetic mobile here*, mantis wall lamp, white linen curtains*

The island of Gotland and Fårö is absolutely amazing! It's one of my favourite Swedish islands, and we've sailed to quite a few. See my Baltic island hopping guide here! 

And just how lovely are these rooms in Elsa's cottage? See more from snapshots from her city and island life here. 

I've shared many more homes from the island in the past - mostly with a rustic touch, all beautiful. Here's a small selection to get you started: 

A converted schoolhouse on the Swedish island of Gotland

A 19th century house, ready for summer

A rustic summer cottage on the island of Gotland'

Have you been to Gotland? If not, it's definitely one to add to your travel bucket list! 

See you Friday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elsa Billgren, shared with kind permission. 

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Dreaming of Summer: A Gotland Island Retreat with a Pool

It's grey and cold in Malmö today. In moments like this, nothing lifts my spirits more than dreaming of summer—when I think Sweden shows its finest side. 

A few summers ago, my family and I went on a sailing trip up the east coast of Sweden. Halfway through, we almost abandoned ship due to bad weather. We had two choices: leave the boat where it was and come back for it once the wind had died down and the sun reappeared, or turn the trip into an exciting adventure and set sail for the Baltic island of Gotland. We chose the latter, and it became a journey I'll never forget (see my guide).

Blessed with wildflowers, rugged nature, and incredible light, Gotland is dotted with pretty villages, beachside restaurants, and countless artist ateliers—making it impossible not to fall in love with the island.

Needless to say, I've been dreaming about returning ever since.

For now, I'll get my fix of the island through this Gotland summer house that has just come on the market. Made from wood and stone—reflecting the surrounding nature—the coastal villa is beautifully pared-back while also offering a spa-like touch with its pool and sauna. Best of all? I can almost feel that incredible  warmth from the sun on my skin.

Let's take a look around!

Look at that coastline! So rugged and beautiful and the light is pin sharp thanks to the clean air.

Do you live by the coast too? 

Could you imagine spending your summers here or visiting Gotland? If so, take a look at my guide for all the things to see and do. For somewhere to stay, try The Stonecutter's Farm, a rustic summer cottage with a pool or limestone barn in Faludden. 

Fancy seeing a few more cottages from the island? Here are a few others - some more rustic than others:

Elsa's inspiring cottage on Gotland 

A summer oasis on the Swedish island of Gotland

A converted schoolhouse on Gotland

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Bertwig, with thanks. 

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Beautiful Limestone Barn on the island of Gotland (It's on Airbnb!)

Are you an early or late  holiday planner? I have to confess I'm a little of a last-minute traveller, but there's something to be said for having a wonderful trip to look forward to! If you're thinking of visiting Sweden this summer, I would suggest booking Kalkstenslada (Limestone Barn) early. I stumbled across the property on Airbnb this morning, and I've been dreaming about it ever since! 

According to the description, the barn is newly refurbished and nestled on a headland in beautiful Faludden, southeast Gotland, surrounded by meadows and paddocks. Tracks lead down to a sandy beach and a pretty harbour. 

If you go, I'd recommend hiring bikes and explore the island, it's one of the world's best kept secrets, with galleries, farm shops, vintage stores and cafes and restaurants waiting to be discovered! And once you're back at the barn, it's simply to kick back and relax in true Gotland style! Tell me I haven't got your summer sorted?

The concrete floors and chalk walls beautiful reflect the rugged nature of the island. 

Source similar vintage wood chairs here*.  The lovely table looks like it's been made by a local carpenter but do correct me if I'm wrong! 

You can achieve the mottled effect on the walls using lime paint (I use Kalklitir - and would recommend adding a topcoat). 

The main living room is completely open plan with a kitchen (the units looks like Lerhyttan by ikea), dining area and sitting room. The stairs lead off it to bedrooms upstairs. 

Rattan furniture with blue cushions adds a relaxed, coastal vibe while a map and bird motif art give a nod to the surrounding area. Two Gotland sheepskin throws* have been draped over the sofa. 

I'd be perfectly happy curling up here this weekend and leafing through those coffee table books, how about you? 

Blue and beige bedlinen matches the colour of the nearby beach, giving the bedroom a fresh, summer vibe! From some of the rooms, you can see the glistening sea in the distance! 

Gotland is breath-taking! Per, the girls and I sailed there one summer. We were only meant to stay for a couple of days, and Per had to drag me off after four! I'd have stayed all summer if I could have. See some pictures and my guide to island hopping in The Baltic. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? 

You can find more information about Limestone Barn and book your stay here. 

It would be rude not to share a few more houses on Gotland with you today. Here are a few of my favourites: 

A rustic summer cottage on Gotland with a pool (available to rent) 

Elsa's lovely summer cottage

A converted schoolhouse 

A 19th century house ready for summer

Right folks. That's it from me this week. I just need to wrap up a few things at my desk and then it's time for the WEEKEND! And we have a birthday in the house too - 'Grattis' Per! 

Wishing you all a relaxing couple of days, see you Monday! 

Niki

Images courtesy of Airbnb / Kalkstenslada

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