Marianne's Charming Swedish Country Escape

Remember the lovely home of Swedish interior designer and graphic designer Marianne Wikner I featured a few weeks ago? Well, I made a great discovery! Marianne also has a summer house in Österlen, Southern Sweden - and it's equally beautiful! Surrounded by farmland in Grevlunda, the lovely old house is a place Marianne and her partner go to relax and switch off at the weekends and in the holidays. Just like their home in Mariefred, the interior is full of wonderful vintage finds, art items made from warm wood and distressed leather and layers of texture. It also has the same creative feel, yet the palette is made up of a soft, off-white with contrasting dark woodier effecting the surrounding landscape. I hope you enjoy the peek inside! 

Beautiful! 

I particularly love the relaxed, creative feel of the space as well as the magnificent, high ceiling in the main living room area - how amazing is that? Just imagine that fireplace in wintertime! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I love Österlen, it's a beautiful part of Skåne (my adopted home county here in Southern Sweden). I've featured loads of lovely houses from the area before. Here are a few of my favourites:

Before & after: A fire station becomes a family summer home

A century-old Southern Sweden Home

Oak and a cosy roaring fire in a country kitchen

If you're not already following Marianne on instagram it's an absolute must! You can find her here. I'm so looking forward to following her journey with her new home and seeing more pictures of this place too! 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Marianne Wikner (except image 8 by Malin Poppy Darcy Mörner).

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A 19th Century Swedish Cottage Where the Past Meets the Present

In the space of three years, owners Malin, Wilhelm and their daughter Olivia have transformed a former Fisherman's cottage in beautiful Österlen, South Sweden into a light-filled family home. A combination of white, wood and concrete, the living space has gone through a total gut renovation and appears way more spacious than its 85 m2 (914 f2) thanks to the airy open-plan layout and wonderful high ceilings. Malin and Wilhelm were keen to flirt with the past - and signs of the original 1870 architecture are everywhere: exposed beams, wood panelling and on the upper level - the original floor which has been whitewashed - all of which adds oodles of charm! At this time of year, life spills outside where several seating areas and an abundance of fruit trees await! Anna Truelsen and Jonas Lundberg paid a visit to take these pictures. 

What a summer oasis! 

I can't even begin to imagine the level of work the family have put into this renovation (it would be so interesting to see the 'before' pictures - apparently it was in a total state when they bought it!). 

The bedrooms in particular really stood out to me - I love the dark wood exposed beams, they add a wonderful contrast to the room. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Österlen is a lovely part of Skåne (the county I live in) and known for its beautiful landscape and light, attracting many artists. 

I recently featured this house in Österlen, being sold by Laura and Nora of Our Food Stories and out of coincidence, I met the new owner at a party last week (Sweden is a very small world!). Needless to say, they were thrilled and can't wait to spend summer there! 

Other houses I've featured (and love) from the area include:

Marianne's charming Swedish country home

The before and after pictures of a Swedish fire station that became a home

A 100-year-old Southern Sweden house

A charming shaker-style Swedish country kitchen in Österlen

Here in Sweden, the sun is shining, and the school summer holidays have begun (queue very messy house and an empty food cupboard!). This afternoon, I'm sneaking off over the bridge to Copenhagen to see all the latest design news from 3 Days of Design. If you'd like to follow along, head over to my instagram stories! 

Wishing you all a lovely, sunny day! 

Niki

Homeowner: Malin Hansmark

Photography: Jonas Lundberg 

Styling: Anna Truelsen

Featured in LEVA&BO

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The Dream Swedish Country House of 'Our Food Stories' is For Sale!

If ever there was an opportunity to snap up a beautiful country home in Österlen, South Sweden this would be it. In fact, when Laura and Nora (of Our Food Stories / Design Tales) reached out to me this morning to tell me the news they were selling I nearly cried on their behalf. But all good things must come to an end, and it's time for this incredibly talented couple to focus on projects in their home country of Germany. Which means that this beautiful house from the 1800s in the tiny village of Södra Mellby is waiting for a new owner!

Since buying it in 2019, Laura and Nora have carried out extensive renovations all the while being careful to maintain the original charm. You might recognise the incredible oak DeVOL kitchen (I once featured it here) - but this is the first time I've shown the rest of the house. And true to their signature style, I was thrilled to see the entire space has been furnished with a wonderful blend of vintage and antique pieces as well as Scandinavian design items, against a calming earthy backdrop. Ready to take a tour? 

Gorgeous! 

Österlen is such a lovely part of Sweden. Home to many artists and musicians, the area is known for its relaxed vibe, rolling hills, stunning coastline, small boutiques and farm shops as well as countless ateliers and flea markets. It's also popular as a summer holiday destination, with many Stockholmers settling in for the month of July. 

The best thing about this house, is that whoever moves in wouldn't need to change a thing. It would be to just relax and enjoy the Österlen sunshine and maybe ride a bike down to the sea for a dip. Such a heavenly escape!

I need to speak to Per. 

Curious to hear more? The house is for sale through Mäklarhuset. 

If you loved Laura and Nora's Swedish home, you might also like:

Before and after: a derelict classroom becomes an incredible kitchen

The beautiful Berlin flat and country retreat of our food stories

Make-over: a fabulous Berlin Studio

Oak and a cosy roaring fire in a Swedish kitchen

Needless to say, the creative duo has amassed over 1 million followers on instagram. Check out Our Food Stories and Design Tales for more inspiration. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography: Our Food Stories / Design Tales, shared with kind permission

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5 Cosy Autumn Trends, Scandinavian Style

With the temperatures set to drop to a high of 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Sweden next week, it's time to make the home extra cosy. Here are some of the key Autumn trends from this part of the world. Think plenty of texture, warm and inviting hues and wonderfully tactile materials - with a few shapes thrown in! 

1. Earthy tones: think a neutral base with warm brown accents and plenty of texture.

2. Wood: tables, chairs, lamps, bowls, picture frames. mid-to dark wood is exceptionally popular right now and fits beautifully with the earthy tones while adding warmth. 

3. Fluffy rugs with contrast: get toasty with shag-pile rugs on the floors and walls!

4. Triangles: think lamps, vases and chair legs.

5. Arches and soft, round edges: the interior world's gone soft. Update your home with arched shape mirrors and rugs or furniture with rounded edges for a contemporary look. 

What do you think? Will you be adopting any of these trends in your home this Autumn? 

I love the earthy walls (check out my bedroom make-over post to see how to achieve the patina look), arched mirrors and fluffy rugs! Cosiness and natural light in one: just what we need here in Sweden this autumn. 

For more Autumn inspiration check out: 

11 autumn update ideas to steal from a Danish home

5 'mysiga' autumn styling tricks, Swedish style 

How to turn your outdoor space into a cosy autumn / winter haven

Here's to cosy times ahead. Unless of course, you're in the Southern hemisphere in which case, welcome to the joys of spring! 

Niki

Photography credits: 1. The Österlen home of Ellen Dixdotter taken by Petra Tungården 2. Linda Haglund 3. Anna Malmberg 4. Ellen Dixdotter with rug demo Cappelendymr 5. Sedsel Roug 6. @scandinavian.interior

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A 100 year old Southern Sweden house / give-away winner

Hello Monday, you've come around quickly?  I thought I'd kick off the week with a lovely house in Österlen, an area of rolling hills, fresh pastures and beautiful beaches East of Malmö. It's home to many artists thanks to the lovely light and so worth a visit if you're ever in Southern Sweden. This red brick home in the heart of Österlen is 100 years old this year and has been beautifully refurbished with careful attention to the detail and character of the original 'Doctor's House'. What a delight?!

Fantastic Frank

Oh, and did I mention it's for sale?! Could you live here?

I'm loving the raised den in the children's room - what a great touch?! The selection of different shaped vases on the dining table look so pretty and yet such a simple idea to recreate, and the Moroccan tiles (try made in mano for similar) used as wall decoration in the bedroom - what a fab idea?!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

A few items I know and love: Kitchen - House Doctor rug / series 7 chairs. Dining room: Normann Copenhagen Bell lights / try Farrow & Ball Railings for a similar grey and H&M Home for a selection of vases. Sitting room: Eames RAR rocking chair / Stockholm rug / Hay cushion. Bedroom: linen bedding, Moroccan tiles on wall. Children's bedroom: Hay cushions. 

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the weekend give-away - the winner has now been announced....here!!

Have a great start to the week. 

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