Your own little fisherman's cottage on Sweden's west coast?

We're slowly touring the beautiful Swedish west coast - namely the Gothenburg archipelagos. It's a really special place for my husband and I since it's where we met. The waterways are dotted with little fishing villages with bright coloured 'fiskebodar' (fishing huts) and clapboard cottages perched on the rock face. Yesterday we visited picturesque Smögen where, the boardwalk bustles with people shopping, or buying fresh seafood by day. And by night it comes alive with restaurants and bars with live bands. If you're a party person, it's a must! But what's behind the doors of those little old clapboard fishing cottages? As you've guessed, many of them are just as charming on the inside. Here's a tour of a little white cottage in the heart of Smögen dating back to 1830....

Source: For sale through Stadshem, with photography by Janne Olander. 

Oh so charming! How wonderful would it be to have a little cottage like this to go to in the holidays? Your dressing gown hanging in the hall ready for that daily dip?

Get the look: I like this industrial pendant (keep an eye out for others here). Retro kitchen storage. Source a Swedish rag rug here (IKEA also sells them). 

You can see more pictures of this lovely cottage and the village of Smögen here. 

If you fancy touring the islands next summer here's a guide to some of the islands and places to stay. One of these days I'd like to create my own guide as there are just so many hidden gem!

We're heading south now (sniff sniff), and wifi might be a little touch and go. I'll do my best to post Friday but bear with me! 

Have a wonderful couple of days!

PS I also love this traditional Swedish cottage also near Gothenburg and this fisherman's cottage on the South coast. One day....  

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An Inspiring, Light-Filled Workspace / Studio in Hannover

What does your work (creative / bill paying / studying) space look like? Since my career started in the early 00's the 'workspace' has changed an incredible amount. My first ever job fresh out of uni, was in Dubai. We had a nice office above the tennis stadium but it still makes me shudder to recall the receptionist diligently recording our arrival time in an excel sheet - waiting to admonish us by the end of the week ( a regular occurrence for a night owl!). I've also worked in corporate offices in London, Lund and Copenhagen - as well as from home. But these days I finally feel like I've 'landed' in the shape and form of a wonderful, light-filled studio in the centre of Malmö. Best of all - every morning a freshly brewed coffee awaits - no excel timesheet in sight. 

This year, those who can, have worked from home - and I have a sneaking suspicion, this is set to continue. For those of you who need social interaction, a local studio is a great alternative. Thankfully, there are some wonderful, relaxed, friendly, and practical ones popping up in every city. 

If you live in Hannover, Germany you're in luck! My talented friend and businesswoman extraordinaire Holly Becker of Decor8 blog has just opened Decor8 Studio. 

Divided into two rooms, the studio is located bang in the city centre and perfect to rent for offsite team meetings, photoshoots, podcast production, workshops, events and just about anything else your work might involve. It's also decorated in true Holly Becker style: minimalist, with pops of pastel and some beautiful furniture and accessories. So, even if you don't live in the north German city, there are plenty of ideas to steal for your own home and workspace! 

Ready for the tour?

The Shoot Space

The light-filled 'shoot space' room has been painted in fresh white with a beautiful pale yellow / wheat ('Organic No. 317') accent wall. FYI This colour was everywhere at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen a few weeks back - and set to be a strong trend for 2021!). 

A simple round table from IKEA serves as a perfect place for meetings and a Vertigo pendant lights up the room after dark. 

The Punctual shelves in blue are from Ferm Living and a vintage Alky lounge chair by Castelli Brown provides as a perfect spot for a quite read between shoots! 

Simple white sculptural pieces such as the Shell vase* and Ridge vase can be seen on the shelves alongside interior magazines. 

Holly made the desk herself using plywood and trellis legs.

The Gathering Space

The bright and airy room next door is a dedicated 'Gathering Space' and features a kitchen and dining area as well as a balcony with lovely views over Bödekerstr - a picturesque quarter of Hannover. In this room, Holly has opted for an earthy accent wall in 'Linen' - a textured clay-based paint by Nen.do) which gives the room a wonderful, calm feel. 

A HAY loop table takes centre stage under a large rattan pendant light from Market Set (one of my latest favourites from the lighting world!). 

An HK Living knotted cushion and white sheepskin throw* help guests to feel comfy! 

The gallery wall has been made up of a blend of mirrors, photography, samples and prints (The Poster Club* is a great source for similar prints and ships worldwide - just saying!).

A Skagerak natural wood and white bookshelf has been placed near the window beside a Menu afteroom chair* and a linen pin board from Ferm Living. 

I'd be quite happy spending a day or two (actually scrap that - working FULL TIME) in this studio, how about you? Sadly, Hannover is a little far from Malmö, so instead I'll be stealing some ideas for my own studio instead, how about you?!

You can see more pictures of the studio in the latest edition of 'Holly magazin' (in German)- alongside a piece about our Autumn #30dayhomelove instagram challenge which is currently running on instagram. If you haven't already, why not come and join the final 14 days?

Visit Decor8 Studio / @decor8studiospace to book this space. 

I hope this tour has given you plenty of inspiration today! If it's got you in the mood for a revamp, there's a load more inspiration here: 

Home office

The fab Brooklyn home and studio of a creative duo

Interior designer Genevieve Jorn's Malmö home office (and see the 'before' here) 

The lovely light-filled workspace of a nutritionist

5 vintage inspired home offices

Studios / Co-working / Atelier spaces

Interior designer Holly Marder's studio in the attic (which can easily be transformed into a guest room)

The inspiring studio and home of Pepa Poch (the plunge pool!)

Before and after: an awe-inspiring Berlin photography studio

From my own home:

My home office

Per's home office

My favourite ergonomic desk chair which is also stylish! 

What does your workspace look like? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Holly Becker / Decor8 Studio

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Swedish Charm: Step Inside An Idyllic 1907 Villa

Do you live in your forever home? As someone who loves change, I find it remarkable that we've lived in our Malmö townhouse for seventeen years. While I love it and cherish the many memories we've created here, I can definitely see us moving once our children grow up. Perhaps it's because it's modern (built in 2001), and I've always been drawn to older properties—homes with charming details from a time when architects added decorative touches purely for the joy of it.

For this reason, one of my favourite pastimes is scouring real estate sites in search of forever homes, daydreaming about what could be! Admittedly, I may have even signed us up for the odd viewing—much to Per’s bemusement! And today, this lovely villa popped up—one I would undoubtedly consider a forever home!

Painted in the traditional Swedish red and white, the house sits just outside Stockholm and dates back to 1907. It has been beautifully maintained by the current owners, who have created a light-filled space with soft, muted tones, patterned wallpaper, and a mix of designer pieces. In the summertime, there are so many inviting spots to soak up the warmer weather—from quiet nooks and social gathering spaces to a sun-drenched terrace, all framed by a charming heart-motif fence.

The downside? It’s 620 km away—which is quite a stretch (Per would say impossible!)—but I thought maybe it might entice one of you, or at the very least, we can dream away together!

Ready to take a stroll on the sunny side?

In Swedish houses sun rooms like this one are extremely popular as they provide a sunny, sheltered spot to enjoy the garden, even on cooler or rainy days—which, as we know, can be quite frequent!

Note the calming shade of blue in this room. We painted Liv's room (old pictures now but you get the idea!) in a very similar shade called 802 clouds and it remains one of my favourite shades. 

A pair of classic Swedish DUX Karin chairs and a Gross ceiling light add a cool design touch to the room.  

Where would we be without wishbone chairs? Here, sheepskins help to create a cosy touch in winter. 

The pantry has had a huge revival in recent times - with many new kitchen designs incorporating once in some shape or form. I always look on in envy at my friends pantry's - some of whom have an entire little room (larder) dedicated to dried foods! 

PS I'm happy to see they love a Hellman's mayonnaise - as unhealthy as it is, no sandwich would be complete without it! 

Svenskt Tenn Klöverblad wallpaper adds interest to the otherwise fresh white stairwell and landing area. 

Notice how a children's storage unti from IKEA has been given a nice update with linen fabric. I'm also loving the striped wallpaper! 

This bunk bed is from Oliver furniture. 

 

A beautiful home - don't you think? It seems to tick every box - it's traditional yet brought up to date, features lovely wood floor and high ceilings, has working fireplaces and is filled with light. Plus the outdoor space is great too! Yes please! 

Could you imagine living in a house like this too? More images and information available here. 

See more lovely houses in this archive today. 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography Samuel Uneus for SkandiaMäklarna

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A Copenhagen Family Home Full of Books and Scandi Design Treasures

What would a home be without books?! For Miriam McKenna, an Australian gal living in Denmark, it's a case of "so many books, such little time!" Just the way it should be, don't you think?! When Miriam's not working as a postdoctoral researcher specialising on the theory and history of international law at a Swedish university, she's relaxing in her beautiful, light-filled home near Copenhagen airport with her Danish husband and their two young children. The brick villa is full of interesting details - including Scandinavian vintage (and contemporary) design pieces, art, subtle shades of blue, patterned wallpaper and of course, lots and lots of books! Ready to kick off the week, in style? Let's take a tour!

Oval Room Blue paint by Farrow & Ball, Stelton jug (I have loved this iconic Danish design piece even more since interviewing the designer's son earlier this year).  

The white shelves were homemade to fit the space. I really like how they extend over the doorway to make use of every inch of the wall!

Vintage daybed with Josef Frank fabric from Svenskt Tenn, Pull floor lamp*, Le Klint pendant* 

Fjällraven mini rucksack*, Pale Powder paint by Farrow & Ball 

Paradiset Wallpaper by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn, Bed from Oliver Furniture, Alvar Aalto chair

Duktig play kitchen from IKEA

Aranami wallpaper from Farrow & Ball

This house has me wanting to paint my home in shades of pale blue! That, and spend the whole week there reading!

Is there anything that stands out to you about Miriam's Copenhagen home?

If you're curious to read more, there's a really funny interview with Miriam and a few more pics over on A Cup of Jo. I'm always interested to read about families with dual nationalities, I think that's why it resonated with me so much. 

It'd be rude not to share a few more Copenhagen home tours today, or what do you reckon? So... pull up a comfy chair, pour yourself an extra strong coffee, light a candle (you know, hygge n'all!) and take a scroll through these inspiring Danish homes: 

A cosy danish loft full of plants and vintage treasures

Books, art and golden tones in a Copenhagen home

The timeless Danish home of a jewellery designer and vintage furniture collector

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Freya McOmish, Design: Miriam McKenna, first featured on A Cup of Jo.

*affiliated links

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