Helen's Cosy Swedish Summer Cottage Living Room

Kindly sponsored by Nordal, thank you for supporting the brands which make features like this possible*

A few weeks ago, I headed off to My Scandinavian Home interior designer Helen Sturesson's 19th century summer cottage in Blekinge on Sweden's east coast. We had such a lovely time! Last week I shared some information about the cottage's fascinating past and some snapshots of the cosy kitchen, including her Mum's incredible apple pie - take a peek here if you missed it! Today, I'm looking forward to showing you a tour of the main living room area and bedroom (the entire cottage is made up of three rooms: a kitchen, sitting room and bedroom. The loo is at the end of the garden and the bathroom is... in the Baltic Sea! A special thanks to Nordal - the Danish brand who made this trip possible - you'll spot many of their lovely pieces throughout the rooms! Ready to take a look?

The cottage is L-shaped, and the sitting room connects the kitchen (to the right) with the bedroom, when the family of four are here, they all share a room. Two windows flood the space with a warm southerly Autumn light. 

The room is made up of many different items collected over time - including a vintage sofa, a big glass cabinet which helps to keep books and games dust free as well as an incredible mirrored coffee table!

Oka coffee table with antique mirror sides and stone top, Mahe candleholder, Vela linen cushion cover

When Helen moved in, she peeled back the plaster on the wall to discover beautiful wood panelling. The planks are all numbers which could indicate the house has have been moved here - although this isn't confirmed (I have come across 'house moving' before in Sweden, does this ever happen in your country? 

CEMA pots in medium, large and extra-large, Club lounge chair in teak and paper rope.

Large 'kakelugn' (tiled ovens) stand in the corner of the main living room and bedroom and are amazingly effective at heating up the house.

Roa basket

In this picture you can catch a glimpse of the wood floor which squeaks as you move across it. A traditional Swedish 'trasmatta' (rug woven with rags / scraps of cloth which I wrote about in my Lagom book as they are a big part of the Swedish heritage) helps to keep drafts at bay and if you look very closely you'll notice the walls are wonky, adding to the charm! 

In the bedroom, floral wallpaper and natural wood help to bring the outside in and a candle brightens up the dark autumn day while adding a sense of calm.

Teak wooden stool, Aula linen bed cover

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot into Helen's cottage.

If you have any questions about anything, give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll ask Helen for the low down. 

Incidentally, it's not possible to buy the Nordal items directly from their website (they sell wholesale only), however, there are many webshops throughout Europe which stock their things. Find your nearest stockist here. 

Next week, I'm looking forward to sharing the final post of three: Helen's cottage ready for Christmas - weeeee, so excited about this one! 

Meanwhile, I'm busy packing for a two-day trip to Oslo, Norway (very excited!) where I'll be writing a guide for Simply Scandi magazine UK (my guide to Helsingborg appears in the latest edition and there's also a Christmas edition on sale right now which features a piece I wrote about our Swedish Christmas). The mag is available here in case you're curious! 

Do you think it could be interesting to share a guide to Oslo here on My Scandinavian Home too? 

Wishing you all a REALLY wonderful, relaxing weekend - and look forward to seeing you here again on Monday! 

Niki

*Thank you to Nordal for this paid partnership and helping to make My Scandinavian Home possible. All words and photos in this post are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

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A striking Stockholm home

Goood morning! I hope you had a great weekend? I have to confess to going back to bed with my coffee after the girls left for school this morning (you have to make the most of working from home occasionally, right?!). It was just what I needed to ever so slowly crank into action! And now I'm wide awake having spotted this home for sale at Alexander White. The turn-of-the-century apartment in the heart of Stockholm's Östermalm district has been beautifully curated by Swedish stylist (and blogger) Anna Leena. I particularly love the selection of furniture (that concrete table?!) and the warm cream, chocolate brown, grey and white palette - as well as the slightest hint of spring! 

Credits:  styling Annaleena Leino Interiors. Photography: Kronfoto / Adam Helbaoui for sale through Alexander White.

Oj oj oj, this apartment ticks so many boxes - high ceilings, period features, a lovely wooden floor, the swedish 'kakelugn' (tiled oven) and lovely, large spacious rooms. When can I move in? (if only!)....

Could you imagine living here?!

Get the look: Icha chair by Mass productions, this and this round concrete table are similar. Source an antique bust here. 

If you recognise any of the pieces (or are wondering about anything) - please leave a note in the comment section below, there's nearly always someone that can help (I really love that!). 

Have a lovely day! 

PS If you entered the recent give-away to win two fab cushions from Nordal, you'll be excited to hear the winner has now been announced here ('hold your thumbs' as they say in Sweden!).

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A relaxed Swedish space with floaty linens

Last night my man and I flew into Berlin - and what a GREAT city it is, have you ever been here?  Plus we've woken up to blue sky and sunshine - I can't wait to get out and explore! But first, I've got a couple of shots to share with you from a beautiful Gothenburg home. Captured by Tant Johanna and Kristin Lagerkvist, Sophia Bratt's lovely space is decorated with floaty linen textiles, vintage shabby chic furniture and touches of rattan for a relaxed, wistful, light and airy feel. What a truly lovely space, don't you think?

Photography: Kristin Lagerkvist. Styling: Johanna Bradford (shared with kind permission)

For me, the Z1 and Mark Schooley cotton lights steal the show. I'm currently deciding between the two for my new bedroom (Z1 light on loan) any thoughts on which one?! (my bedroom pre make-over here!).

The two traditional Swedish tiled ovens or 'kakelugn' are so pretty too. 

Is there anything you love about this space?

Another beautiful home captured by creative duo Johanna and Kristin include this lovely home  and atelier belonging to a Swedish artist. I've also shown a couple of Johanna's previous homes here and here. The girl's got style!

I hope you have a truly fabulous weekend. See you Monday!

PS I have a sneaking suspicion I'll appear on a TV show on Arte tomorrow at 2pm (If I remember right). And since I'm in Germany I'll actually be able to watch it, now that will be weird!

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Keeping it simple in white and wood

This apartment is great inspiration for someone who likes to keep it clean, or is simply a little colour shy. The white and wood theme is so relaxed and warm in this Swedish apartment for sale through Fantastic Frank.

Fantastic Frank via wonderful blog 79 ideas

I think my favourite picture is the last one thanks to the beautiful Swedish 'kakelugn' in the corner and the pretty collection of glass bottles used as candle holders on a perspex side table - clever!

What about you? Could you do white and wood?

Sorry if you had a few problems entering the give-away yesterday (there was a technical problem for a few hours and me and technical don't mix very well!). The problem is solved so if you'd like to enter to win a fab Vitra L'oiseau worth 100 euros stop by here, I'd love you to join in the fun!

I hope you have a lovely day (20 degrees and sunny here in London - now that's more like it!), let's hope I take it back with me to Sweden tomorrow.....

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Old meets new in a Malmö home

Today I thought I'd share a home here in Malmö, Sweden. This space appeals to me as it shows how adding a few primary colours and pastels can really brighten up a space and add a sense of fun. It also helps that the architecture of the apartment is beautiful too - and they have a 'kakelugn' (traditional Swedish tiled fireplace) lucky them! The owners have been bold and added a contemporary edge to an otherwise traditional space with painted chairs, a pink sofa, bold accessories and mid-century finds which all works together to add a very relaxed home, don't you think?

Bo-laget

I spot the MASKROS light, String shelving and what looks like a vintage Bumling pendant. I also love the mid-century touch (search Etsy for similar mid-century furniture).

Is there anything you like in particular about this apartment?

Have a lovely day!

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A serene Swedish home in soft, muted tones

We had our first flurry of snow here in southern Sweden yesterday. By early evening our house was all candlelit and my little girls cheeks were rosy from the cold wind outside. I do miss a lovely  roaring fire though - or perhaps a beautiful 'kakelugn' (tiled oven) like the one in this wonderful apartment in Gothenburg. Infact, the entire space is just lovely...the light wood floors, the soft grey and blue tones, the simple furnishings (those sheepskin slippers have my name on them!). I love how they've made a small bedroom cosy yet highly functional too. Let's take a peek inside....

Photography: Anders Bergstedt for Entrance Mäkleri - see the full tour here. 

So serene! I could definitely take homage here while the snow falls silently outside, how about you?!

A few items I know and love: kitchen / dining: House Doctor cluster light, bentwood chairs. Sitting room: gotland sheepskin throw, these sheepskin slippers are similar (toasty!), source a rattan chair here, I love this leather tote. Bedroom: wooden clothes rail.

Looking for a little more Swedish home inspiration today? There are over 340 Swedish homes in my archive - can you believe that? I'd say time extremely well spent, wouldn't you?! If this home comes up first just scroll past it.

Or, if warm weather and sunshine is more your thing, you might prefer to dream of a holiday at Villa Pia in Lippiano  Italy. Located between Tuscany and Umbria, Villa Pia is set in 5 acres of land and has vistas over olive groves, vineyards and a magnificent 10th century castle (how wonderful?!). It seems there's plenty to do too, with two swimming pools, a trampoline and an adventure playground - as well as cookery and art classes for children and adults. I'm already dreaming of afternoons on the terrace with a glass of prosecco and a book. How about you?!

Snow? What snow?!

Have a lovely day!

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A magnificent Malmö pad which could be yours!

I do love to keep an eye an eye on the Swedish property market (as I'm sure you've noticed!). Occasionally a home will reappear and it's fascinating to see the difference in the way it's been decorated. This fabulous space is one of them. As soon as I spotted the turn-of-the-century apartment on Malmö estate agent site Bo-laget, I instantly recognised it. The magnificent ceilings, tremendous ceiling height, original parquet floor and kakelugn (Swedish masonry oven) were a total give-away! The previous owners went for a relaxed vibe with mid-century and vintage finds (see the tour here). The new owners have kept the space equally minimalist, ensuring the architecture and period features take centre-stage, yet the furniture has a more contemporary feel. And now it's time for someone else to move in!

This apartment is for sale through Bo-laget. 

Could it be you?! If so, welcome to Malmö! 

Oh how I would love to take on this place too. The things I would do!

A few pieces I know and love: Togo sofa, Bertoia diamond armchair, source a similar Beni Ourain rug, Hay tray table, Bertoia side chair.

I'm so proud of the level of creativity in my adopted home town and have featured many, many fabulous homes from this city here in Southern Sweden over the years. Here are 5 of my favourites:

The relaxed family home of an interior designer
A stunning Malmö home
The atmospheric house with an ethnic touch
An elegant Malmö home in calming green
My neighbour's beautiful home!

Is there a style you like in particular?

Have a lovely day!

PS Make sure you stop by and visit us here in Malmö for a long weekend at some point - it's a perfect day trip from Copenhagen too. Just in case you do, here's a quick guide. Part II coming soon!

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