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A Dreamy Swedish Summer Cottage By a River

Are you on Facebook? I still post on the My Scandinavian Home page three times a week, but I also still love a little scroll through my private feed for latest news! While it used to be more about people posting about their lives, these days it's more about missing cat alerts on community neighbourhood pages, am I right? But some of the groups I've joined come up trumps - one of which is a Swedish page called Torp och stugor, köp, sälj, hyr (crofts and cabins, buy, sell, rent). 

This weekend someone posted that they are selling their 'summer cottage 40 minutes from Örebro and 2.5 hours from Stockholm' which they describe as a 'real summer paradise with two bedrooms, a big guest cabin, fireplace, terrace and a pier at the end of the garden with access to a lake and much more'. And was 'anyone interested in buying it?'. Erm, me? Sadly it's a little too far away from Malmö, but I thought it'd be rude not to pass the message on in case you might like to take up the offer. Ready to dream?




Note the door frames and skirting boards have been painted in another tone - just like we saw in Freja's  Danish home last Wednesday. In Freja's home the pea green shade was a starker contrast to the walls which gives a more contemporary vibe, whereas here, the tone blends nicely with the wall colour to create a more traditional and calm look. I also love that the window frames have been painted in the same tone. It reminds me of the paintwork in a beautiful rustic Norwegian cabin I once featured. 











The summer cottage is pretty much closed for business in the winter - as the water is on only in summertime. But when summer arrives, I can imagine it springs into action. In Sweden, it's common for people to go and visit friends and family at their cottage for a few days - it's a way of keeping in contact. 

My Swedish Father-in-law always says, 'guests are like fish, they start to smell after three days'. Always makes me laugh (naturally, we also make sure to not out stay our welcome when we visit him!). I guess it depends on the guest and how close you are, but three days or not, we can all agree that a little personal space is great for everyone! 

At this Swedish cottage, a separate cabin in the grounds has been converted into a wonderful guest bedroom complete with a bed and dining table so you can truly make yourself at home! 








And of course, they have a simple, yet lovely outdoor shower. 

Speaking of which, this weekend, we finally put up our outdoor shower (which was a press gift). It's a copper one with a really clever Danish design and simply plants into the grass so you can place it where ever you want. It has a tap and you can attach a warm and cold hose too! We LOVE it! If you're quick you might catch a glimpse of it on my instagram stories today. Right now, they have a special end of summer offer in case you're interested! 


I hope you enjoyed the tour of Julia's summer paradise! 

You can find more information here about the listing if you're interested. 

I noticed quite a few lovely details while looking through the pictures. One of my favourites is a painting of the cottage in the kitchen - I wonder if this was painted by one of the owners or perhaps as a present from one of their guests? 

I have a very romantic view of a cottage with its own pier - there's something about the direct access to water which I absolutely love. Perhaps it's the sense of freedom. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this pretty Swedish summer cottage? If so, I'd love to hear more below, it's often a detail or observation I've missed. 

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån with thanks. 

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A dreamy space in Santorini

Mondays are made for dreaming aren't they? And, be still my beating heart...I've just found a little touch of paradise that will keep us all dreaming all week!  Photographer Sara Medina Lind has just visited Santorini (now top on my list!) and stayed a couple of night at Sophia Suites. Thankfully for us she got out her camera and captured breath-taking vistas from the magnificent rooftop (complete with lush pool), serene white interior and beautiful designer pieces within. Could you imagine spending a few days here?!

















Simple stunning! That view!

We can't all have magnificent rooftop pools overlooking the mediterranean.....

.....but we can certainly steal ideas (after all - if it weren't for the rounded stone walls the interior could almost be Scandinavian right?).

I spy:  Black rattan hanging chair / Lounge chair and ottoman / Carl Hansen CH07 shell chair / Z1 pendant light - black sisalPlywood group LCW chair.

Other fabulous hotels for a whole load more of Monday morning dreaming: a little piece of paradise in the philippines, and a magnificent seaside design hotel on Mykonos.

Have a wonderful, dreamy start to the week!

PS The voting is now open for the Amara International blog awards and I've been selected to be in the running for category 'Best European Interiors Blog' so exciting!!  If you'd like to vote for me and make my day you can do so here - it only takes a second, I promise!

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A Weekend Guide to the Danish Island of Bornholm in Winter

Out in the middle of the Baltic sea - not far from Sweden, Germany and Poland, you'll find the Danish island of Bornholm. It's known as a summer paradise, with many Danes and other eager tourists taking the ferry over in droves to explore the island, lie on the sandy beaches and soak up the summer sun. My family and I have spent a wonderful few days during a sailing holiday many moons ago and I have so many fond memories. But I've never thought about going there in wintertime. Until now! 

Last weekend Per and I took the 1.5 hour ferry ride from Ystad, Sweden to the island of Bornholm and spent a cosy, winter weekend there. Now, I must add that we were lucky to have snow, and it is definitely out of season - but fortune favours the bold, and those who dare to brave the cold will be treated to Christmas markets bursting with local arts and crafts, snow covered forests, pretty fishing villages and coastal walks all to yourself! Here are some snapshots and a summary of the activities you mustn't miss should you visit the Danish island of Bornholm in wintertime: 

Visit the pretty village of Svaneke 

We stayed in the newly renovated hotel Siemsens Gaard in a pretty room overlooking the harbour. The in-house restaurant was absolutely perfect too - cosy with delicious in-season dishes (you don't want to go far in the cold, so it was a treat to wonder across the candlelit courtyard! 

The view from our room! 

Take a walk around the old fishing village to look out the pretty cottages all decorated for Christmas and explore the array of small boutique shops (I particularly loved Olivarius bookstore).  

Sampling the freshly baked bread and Danish pastries at Svaneke Brød bakery was also a highlight! 

Blow out the cobwebs by taking a wintery stroll by the coast. 

Take a walk in the forest



If the coast is not your thing, head to Almindingen forest in the centre of the island, and pick one of the many trails for a hike. During our stay the snow covered forest looked like something out of a fairytale! 

Shop local! 

Tour the island by car and pick up locally made arts and craft, glassware, lighting and other items from beautiful independent interior design boutiques such as Storms Rum (above), Lille Krusegaard, Matters - House of Craft and Hjorths fabrik as well as small vintage and secondhand stores. You'll likely pass many honesty stalls along the way which selling everything from handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, eggs, honey and other locally produced items! 

Watch glassmaking in action 

Bornholm is very famous for glass-making - and includes ateliers like Pernille Bülow with whom I collaborated with for this Christmas tour of Helen's cottage. We loved watching a glass-maker in action at Matters - House of Craft in Nexø. 

Visit a Bornholm Christmas market

There is nothing more hyggelig than a danish Christmas market! In the weekends leading up to Christmas the island is full of them! Nestled beside a shipping wharf, Bornholm Christmas market in Nexø is brilliantly off-the-wall and a great place to buy anything from local beer, honey, jewellery, glassware, chocolates and knitwear! 

Svaneke Blomster flower store had a beautiful stall! 

I loved that there were oil barrels dotted around the market offering a place to warm our hands - they were completely in fitting with the industrial shipping location! 

Other Christmas market must-dos include the small, yet charming one at Siemsens Gaard Hotel in Svaneke where you could warm the cockles over a mug of gløgg and hotdogs (below): 

Also, don't miss the incredible Christmas craft market at Hjorths Fabrik - recognised as one of the best preserved industrial monuments in Scandinavia. At Christmas, the museum is taken over by local seamstresses, potters, jewellery makers and artists selling their wares. It's a Christmas market shopping paradise and not far from the ferry port in Rønne so easy to get to without a car too! 

Sustainably made silk shirts hand printed with the ink from pressed wild flowers by Gevandt was one of the items you could buy at the arts and craft market. 

All of the original potters wheels and tools (seen below) are still in use in the atelier. 

If you're looking for something really local, keep an eye on the calender for the village Christmas market in Gudhjem. Lanterns light the way and a pretty Christmas tree by the harbour awaits! 

Tuck into a Dansk Julefrukost (Danish Christmas feast)



It wouldn't be Christmas in Denmark without a feast. Book a table by the sea at Melsted Badehotel (above) and tuck into a taster many including all the local Christmas delicacies washed down with a local brew and aquavit. or indulge in a cosy evening at Njord in Svaneke. 

I hope you enjoyed these snapshots from our wintery weekend on Bornholm! I just thought it would be fun to share our quirky trip with you - especially if you love to hear about more alternative Scandinavian destinations! 

If you're more of a warm weather person who likes more action and restaurants and bars buzzing with atmosphere then you should definitely consider visiting Bornholm in summertime! You can also see my guide about island hopping in the Swedish Baltic or touring the incredible Swedish west coast islands. And you might also like to read my Scandinavian city guides, including 20 things to do in Malmö in winter time

Came here today looking for Scandinavian Christmas decorating ideas for the weekend? Head over to this archive for a ton of pretty ideas! 

Right guys, I think that's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I hope you have a really cosy and relaxed weekend! 

Niki

All photos and words by me. 
Thank you to Destination Bornholm for funding this press trip. 

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