A Charming and idyllic Swedish Country Home in Summertime

The Swedish country house of interior stylist Anna Furbacken would look perfectly at home in an Astrid Lindgren tale. It's so idyllic! Nestled in the countryside in central Sweden, the historic croft is made up of one larger house and several outhouses positioned astound a central lawn - making it a perfect venue for parties like midsummer this Friday! 

Anna has been renovating the house over time to create a home where she and her family can relax and be themselves, both outdoors and in. The interior offers a refreshing respite from the 'perfect' living spaces we're so used to seeing these days, offering a wonderful glimpse into family life on the farm. Look out for antique furniture, an array of vintage lights and soft, earthy, muted tones - as well as refreshing glimpses of laptops, cables, messy cushions and the odd margarine tub. 

Outdoors, there's plenty of seating to go around with a chilled bamboo sitting room area, hammocks and a long table with a mix match of chairs. It's the kind of place, you'd be happy to pull up a seat and stay for a while under the midnight sun. 

Note the choice of panelling in the kitchen (I'm all into panelling having installed it in our cabin. See my panelling guide here) - Anna has opted for a traditional bead panelling which perfectly matches the history and style of the house. 

The pendant you can catch a glimpse of in the picture above has become really popular in Sweden among the boho living aficionados, it's from HK Living. 

I'm sure many happy childhood memories will be made at this beautiful house. And what a glorious place to spend midsummer's eve! 

Could you imagine wiling away your summer days here? 

See more of Anna's home over at @annfurbacken and more about her work as an interior stylist here. 

Here's a peek inside a few other Scandinavian country homes this bright and sunny Monday: 

An idyllic red and white Swedish farmhouse

A cosy country home in rural north Sweden

Jessica's charming croft from 1900

Kram! 

Niki

Photography: @annfurbacken shared with kind permission

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Glad Midsommar!

Today is about plucking wild flowers to wear in your hair, dancing around a maypole to the merry tune of a fiddle - and eating deliciously sweet strawberries. Glad Midsommar!

Credits: The Simple Things Studio. Styling: Angela Perosin / Oscar and Ruby

If you'd like to recreate a little midsummer magic at home, here's a short and pretty guide. 

And if you're single don't forget to pluck nine wildflowers and place them under your pillow - Swedish tradition dictates that tonight you'll dream of the person you're going to marry!

Happy Midsummer's Eve wonderful friends!

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An idyllic Swedish summer cottage in Orust

With preperations under way in Sweden for one of the biggest events of the calendar year - midsummer's eve, I thought it would be apt to show a pretty former sea captain's cottage over looking the beautiful Gothenburg archipelego, on Sweden's west coast. What a perfect spot this would be to enjoy the longest day of the year: sing, eat and dance around a maypole with family and friends, don't you think?

55 Kvadrat. Photography: Anders Bergstedt

Just so idyllic!

And guess what...it's for sale! How incredibly tempting! Could you spend your summer's here?

More pictures and the complete details here.

The Gothenburg archipelago is one of my favourite places in the world, it's absolutely stunning. My family and I have spent many incredible summers sailing around the islands. Do let me know if you ever visit and I can give you some tips.

More Scandinavian summer cottage tours here if I've got you in the mood (this one might come up first so just scroll passed). 

Don't miss my mini midsummer's eve guide tomorrow...wild flowers at the ready!

Have a lovely day!

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A Beautiful, Spanish Style House in California

It's a little grey here in Scandinavia today so I thought I'd escape to Altadena, California for today's home tour - fancy joining me?! This beautifully renovated home is the work of interior designer Rosa Beltran of Homepolish. Rosa told Domino magazine that the "home was a badly done faux Mediterranean 1990's spec house" when she was called in to help. After countless structural changes, interior updates and newly sourced furniture and light fittings, the house has been transformed into a beautiful, light and modern Spanish architectural style house. Let's take a tour.

// affiliate links marked with * //

The ceilings in the sitting room are 9 metres (30 foot) high - Rosa felt they made such a dramatic statement, the room didn't need many other elements. My eyes are also on that tree in the corner of the room - it's such a clever way to add a little height and draw the eye upwards.

Roost padron chair, Batik cushion*, Moroccan pouf*

The extra wide windowsill also doubles as a lovely nook - and a perfect spot for a morning coffee looking out over the garden. Imagine?!

Layered rugs soften the look of the monochrome stairwell, and the tribal fabrics add an exotic touch to an otherwise classic look.

Jute rug*, Kilim rug*

The high ceilings and spacious design of the bedroom allowed for a wrought iron four-poster bed - a material typically seen in Spanish style houses. I love the way this has been combined with other textural elements including a sculptural pendant lamp, Scandinavian style bench and linen curtains.

 The bathroom was inspired by the hammam experience - and features the most beautiful wall-to-wall mirrors (the patina!), a Moroccan style tiled floor and rustic wood elements.

Rustic wooden bench*, Light grey Clover tiles

Living here would kind of feel like you're permanently on holiday, don't you think?! How fabulous!

I've got a weakness for rustic wood (one of my favourite pieces is my bench / coffee table in my sitting room) and batik so I'll totally be pinning the sitting room and bathroom!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

You can read more more about this renovation and see a few more pics on Domino magazine. Thank you so much to The Style Files too (where I first spotted it).

Things are getting a little crazy around here as the summer holidays are coming up. Sweden pretty much shuts down in July and it's like the whole country is trying to get everything done before they leave - oj oj oj! It doesn't help that this is a short week too as it's midsummer's eve on Friday.

Speaking of which, I've been compiling a midsummer inspiration post which I can't wait to share with you over the next few days! Wild flowers at the ready...

Have a great day!

Niki

Photography Chad Mellon. Shared with kind permission from Domino Magazine.

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A Magical Norwegian Cottage With a Wabi Sabi Vibe

Here in Scandinavian we're counting down the days to Midsummer's Eve. Nature has sprung to life in a riot of colours - with meadows and grass verges bursting with poppies, daisies, harebells and lupins. The sun casts a long, hazy shadow well into the evening as adults and children alike soak up every last drop of golden sun. In the small hamlet of Nesodden, near Oslo, Norway, Hilde Mork and her two children are enjoying the midsummer sun from their magical country cottage. Last year, Hilde and a colleague converted the former ceramics studio and stables into a family home using 100% recycled and secondhand materials. Inspired by Scandinavian functionality and 'Nordic wabi sabi', today the cottage also serves as a studio for Hilde's work as a graphic designer, photographer and storyteller - and an idyllic base from which to enjoy the surrounding forest and countryside. Velkommen inn to Hilde's magical world - where the beauty lies in the imperfection. 

Grey curly sheepskin throw*, outdoor string lights*, bowl (below) by Dantes Ceramics

The neighbour's cat often stops by for a visit, making himself at home beside a vintage cabinet, cookery books and bunches of dried flowers. 

In this close-up you can really see how the kitchen has been built using secondhand and recycle materials - from the reclaimed porcelain sink and taps to the cabinet doors. A vintage scissor lamp* provides light after sunset.

A simple rail serves as storage for an array of pots and pans and a traditional woven birch basket* is ideal for other small items. 

In the winter a wood burning stove helps to keep the cottage feeling cosy and warm, while in summer it provides a perfect spot for a vase of wildflowers. 

A series of vintage mirrors help to bounce the light around while also creating a lovely wall display! 

On warmer days, life moves outside, where the family enjoy the surroundings in an understated way while making the most of the long hours of sunshine. 

 

What a magical world! Slow and sustainable living at its finest. 

Could you imagine soaking up the Scandinavian summer sun from this charming Norwegian country home? 

Take a peek at more of Hilde's home on her instagram @hildemork78 and find out more about her work as a freelance graphic designer, photographer and storyteller on her website www.hildemork.me. 

Up for a little more Scandinavian country inspiration today? Take a look at these magical homes:

A Beautiful Pared-Back Finnish Island Cottage 

Step inside an idyllic Swedish country home on a hill

A rural country home in Northern Sweden

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Hilde Mork, shared with kind permission. 

*This post contains affiliate links which means I might make a very, very tiny amount of money if you buy an item through the links marked with an asterisk. 

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