A Photographer's Charming Swedish Summer Cottage In The Woods

Buoyed by my recent summer cottage kitchen renovation I picked up a copy of Swedish magazine Lantliv (Country Life) a few weeks ago. And, OH WOW, did it have some incredible homes in it - don't you love it when that happens?! I got particularly stuck on this charming summer cottage in the woods of Northern Uppland. A former petrol station dating back to 1930, the building was about to be torn down when photographers Lina Ericsson and Karl Anderson acquired it as a weekend retreat from busy Stockholm life. The pair set about lovingly transforming it into a unique and charming home full of antiques, second hand finds and pieces from Lina's sustainable interior shop Noy Road. The result is everything a Swedish summer cottage should be; simple and relaxed yet warm and cosy and packed with charm: a perfect place for Lina, Karl, daughter Charlie and their Jack Russell Terrier, Vilda to switch off, surrounded by nature.

The kitchen is a mix of freestanding and open shelving from IKEA - giving the space a relaxed vibe. I love how the couple have maximised space by adding a book shelf over the window. 

The six metre (SIX METRE!!!) high ceiling gives the sitting room a lovely light and airy feel. The rattan chairs are from Silka Design and the handmade wool rug is from Noy Road. Source a similar sheepskin here*. 

Vilda has adopted the handmade wool rug as her own - and who can blame her?! The linen cover and cushions on the IKEA sofa are also from Noy Road. 

Sheer curtains in the sitting room help to keep out bugs while slipping in a soft pool of light. On warmer days they can move outside and enjoy the shaded terrace (as demonstrated by Vilda - who's looking super relaxed out there, I must say!). 

Lina and Karl have made a feature of the doors and architraves by painting them a soft green. The hammam and linen towels are from Noy Road. 

The veranda has been given a new lease of life with recycled windows from Umeå Byggnadsvård while the floor was transformed using a linseed oil-based paint. I absolutely love this type of painted chequered floor - it's so easy to achieve and yet so striking! Do you feel tempted to do the same in your home?

The cottage was originally a traditional Falu red but Karl wanted to do something different and opted for green umbra. The garden is packed with homegrown vegetables - one of Lina's passions. 

Just beautiful.

I can't imagine a more idyllic retreat, can you?

Imagine how difficult it would be to close the doors on a Sunday and head back to town! Mind you, you'd feel relaxed knowing that the place is waiting for you come Friday.

Did you spot the DIY clothes line in the main dining room area (first picture)?  - isn't it clever? I found a DIY tutorial here - and you can also pick up a similar one here.

If you're feeling the Swedish summer cottage vibes after this tour, why not pour a coffee, light a candle (hey, we're talking Scandi here, after all!) and check out this Swedish Cottage archive. It's one of my favourites! If this cottage pops up first, you might want to look through the pictures all over again, or simply scroll on passed for more inspiration!

Ha så fint! 

Niki

These photographs were taken by Karl Anderson / @karlandersonphotography and shared with kind permission from Lantliv. 

*affiliate links

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A Charming Open-Plan Swedish Summer Cottage

Why, hello there friends! It's a bit of an exciting week as I'm on my way to the West Coast for a few days with Carpe Diem Beds. First stop: the pretty fishing village of Fiskebäckkil which I included in my travel guide last summer. How I've missed real live events, have you? These pretty summer places are quite deserted now that every has returned to the city, but there's a real beauty about them in Autumn and winter when the nature and wildlife takes over. On the other side of Sweden, this pretty cottage in Hölö belonging to architect Ninni Ryott, is sure to be locked up for the winter. But since I refuse to let summer go until the strength in the sun's rays finally fades, I'd love to take you on a tour! 

Built from wood and painted in Falu red, the cottage was built in 2013 and designed to match the other traditional buildings on the estate. 

It might measure a mere 45 m2 (484 f2), but Ninni has worked hard to ensure there's plenty of space for the entire family with one large room for dining and socialising. The main living area feels extra spacious thanks to the tremendously high ceiling  wonderful white wood panel walls. 

The space has been furnished with a relaxed blend of old and new - with blue and white a central theme. 

A ladder leads up to a loft with four beds - a bunk for each member of the family! How my children would love this, they're always asking if they can sleep in my bed and they're 10 and 13 (but that could just be because we have a Carpe Diem one and they are amazingly luxurious!). 

What a wonderful cottage, so simple just as a Swedish summer cottage should be, yet light and airy and very cosy. 

I wouldn't mind knocking about here all summer, how about you?

See more of Ninni's work over at Ryott Arkitektur (I love the cabin by the sea she designed too!). 

If like me, you're looking to prolong summer this week (hey, it's not quite October, right?) - you might also like to check out these cottages: 

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods

A traditional Swedish summer cottage enjoyed as a year round home

An oasis on a Swedish island

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Ryott Arkitektur

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Are You The Next Owner of this Idyllic Swedish Photographer's Cabin?

Four years ago, I was leafing through the pages of Swedish country life magazine 'Lantliv' and came across this summer cottage. Bowled over, I reached out to the owner to ask if I could share it here on My Scandinavian Home. Safe to say, I've been dreaming about this beautiful cottage in the woods a couple of hours North of Stockholm ever since - and frequently turn to it for inspiration for our tiny cabin. 

The estate agent describes the cottage as an idyllic place where nothing has been left to chance. And looking through the pictures I can only agree! In the summer, Lina, Karl, daughter Charlie and their Jack Russell Terrier Kilda make the most of the great outdoors cooking, tending to the vegetable and flower patches or simply relaxing on the terrace. 

The inside is a picture of calm and feels completely clutter-free despite having everything they need for a perfect getaway. Think two tones walls in white and grey, open shelving and relaxed vintage furniture. It's with a heavy heart that the family have decided to sell this cottage. Could you be the next owner? Take the tour before you decide! 

It's not uncommon to find wood floors painted with patterned diamonds in Sweden. I love this affect - wood feels wonderful underfoot, and you get the illusion of tiles without the cost! 

The cottage has three bedrooms - one on the lower floor, a sleep loft (seen over the dining area above) and an extra bedroom in an outhouse. 

It can be hard to add storage to a sleep loft, and this solution from IKEA is great! 

The pair run the shop Noy Road, selling ethically and sustainable produced home textiles which you can see dotted about the cottage.  

Here are the plans so that you can understand the layout: 

And here's a link to the listing - just saying!! 

Sadly, it's a little too far from Malmö, or I'll have snapped it up in a flash. What a perfect little paradise, don't you think? 

Would you like to see a few more pretty Scandinavian summer cottages today? I love:

A charming danish cottage on the island of Fejø

Hannes lovely little cottage in the heart of the city

A fairytale Swedish summer cottage

And there are lots, lots more to explore in this summer cottage archive. 

Have a wonderful weekend, thank you so much for stopping by!

Niki

PS It was so interesting to read all your comments about allotments this week! 

Photography and plan courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån with thanks. 

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A Dreamy Danish Summer Cottage With an Outdoor Bathroom

Brace yourselves friends, summer has just arrived on My Scandinavian Home! Today, I'm transporting you to Ann-Britt's charming summer oasis in Southern Jutland, Denmark.  Known simply as '#haveno105 - or allotment cottage number 105, the classic black and white cabin is the perfect antidote to life in the city. Owner of lifestyle boutique Gemakker, Ann-Britt has kept the interior deliberately simple and pared back with a focus on easy living and a seamlessness between indoors and outdoors. Think bamboo furniture, nautical stripes, and touches of wicker, rattan and jute - all of which ensure a relaxed, coastal vibe. Keep a look out for the outdoor bathroom and 'lean-to' which ensure nature is never far away. The talented guys at Another Studio were there to capture these lovely images. Sun hats at the ready!

Aaaaah, lovely! Relaxed Danish summer style in all its glory! 

Could you imagine hanging out here all summer long? I certainly could! 

Sadly, I don't think this cottage is available for rent, however there are similar Danish cottages on airbnb. 

See more corners of Ann-Britt's summer cottage and read the story behind Scandinavian allotment cottages. 

Let's keep the Scandinavian summer alive today. Pour yourself a coffee, put your feet up and check out these cottages: 

A Danish cottage oasis on North Zealand

A beautifully simple white Danish summer cottage

A charming cottage on the Danish island of Fejø

Roll on summer, we're ready for you! 

Niki

Photography: Another Studio - shared with kind permission. 

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A Dreamy Swedish Cottage in the West Coast Archipelagos

On May 8th I'll have lived in Sweden for twenty years. TWENTY YEARS! I often think back to the summer I met Per - which signalled the start of my Scandinavian adventure. It was a warm and sunny July and I flew over to visit a Swedish friend. We took a road trip up to the stunning West coast archipelago where we spent a week hopping between islands, picnicking on warm granite cliffs and cooling off in the waters of the Kattegat sea. 

I fell in love with Sweden (and so it seems, a Swede!) that summer, with a special place in my heart reserved for the magical islands of the west coast. Even today Per, the girls and I love to sail there and explore the cosy fishing villages and beautiful nature. One of our favourite spots is the car-free island of Gullholmen. It's located just off the island of Orust and instantly recognisable from the tight cluster of cottages and dreamy boathouses. 

Life is slow on the island, and days are spent lolling on decks, watching boats sail past, enjoying a coffee in a little cafe or walking on the quieter stretches of the island to take in the scenery. Needless to say, it's a dream. 

So, when I spotted this charming cottage on ESNY, I couldn't resist sharing it with you to give you a glimpse behind the facade and dream of summer's on this magical little island! 

As with most Swedish summer cottages, the decor is simple and pared-back, with a nod to the coastal location. A glimpse of the channel and surrounding village can be seen from the windows, ensuring the island vibe is never far from sight! 

We're seeing so many window nooks right now, don't you think? They make such a lovely addition to a kitchen - offering a relaxed spot to grab a coffee and chat to whoever is cooking / brewing the coffee! 

Traditional rag rugs (as seen in the hallway) are the floor covering of choice in a summer cottage - I love that they come in all kinds of colours! 

A sea view and a kakelugn? I can just see envision how cosy this would feel come winter, with the wind whipping at the windows! 

Could you imagine sitting here, enjoying supper while the sunsets over the water? Pass me the rosé! 

The cottage even comes with a boathouse and private jetty. That's me sold! 

How idyllic! Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

Did I mention that the address is 'Krabban' ('the crab')? Love that! 

Sadly, this cottage is a little out of reach budget-wise for Per and I - but maybe if we all chip in together with some form of crowdfunding we could divide it between us, right? Always good to dream! 

See the complete viewing here! 

Would you like to see a few more cottages from the West coast of Sweden this weekend? Check out: 

A magical little summer cottage on the island of Klåverön

A charming little Swedish summer cottage by the sea

An idyllic cottage on the island of Orust

And if you're thinking of visiting the area (it's a bucketlist place for sure!), here's my guide to 10 beautiful islands to visit.

Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend friends! See you Monday! 

Niki 

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