A Fairytale Swedish Summer Cottage / Plus Camp Adventure, Denmark

Cities and towns across Scandinavian are starting to buzz with life again as people slowly return from the countryside and head back to work. But for some, like me, their heart remains at their summer cottage. There's something magical about the laid back, simple lifestyle they afford - and of course, their lush surroundings. Curious to sample Swedish summer cottage life yourself? This idyllic croft from the 1800s just came on the market! Located a short distance from Stockholm  - the traditional Falun red and white cottage is fairly small (50 sq m / 538 sq ft), but definitely big on personality - and wouldn't look out of place in an Astrid Lindgren tale. There's only one foreseeable drawback - and I'm curious to hear if it would be a deal breaker for you or not. Read on to find out! 

And the deal beaker (or maker)? The only loo is a compost one in an outhouse. This is not unusual for an old croft which is yet to be modernised. Helen (as in the interior designer I work with) has an outdoor loo at her cottage too. They once lived there for a year and she remembers waking up in the night and trudging out in the snow to go to the loo! But she says they got used to it and in the end and don't give it a second thought any longer. My granny had one too (as well as an indoor one upstairs) - and I remember it being full of spiders! But the one at this croft is charming in every way. Would it work for you?

Could you imagine spending your summers here? 

If so, this pretty cottage has your name on it, and we'd all love to be the first to visit (bringing our bed linen of course - as is the Swedish way!). 

Feeling tempted? Read more about it here. 

Fancy seeing some more pretty cottages over the weekend? Here are a few others that belong in an Astrid Lindgren tale:

An idyllic farmhouse in the Swedish countryside

This 20th century Swedish house is straight out of a fairytale

A charming Swedish summer cottage that dreams are made of

All this talk of Sweden, and I'm actually in Denmark right now. Having been double vaccinated, we've taken the opportunity to head over the Öresund bridge for a couple of days. Our first stop was Camp Adventure (for a press trip) - which has treetop climbing (have you ever done it? Once you get over the nerves, it's so exhilarating!) and the kids absolutely loved it!

As well as an awesome 45-metre tower you can climb (the structure is magnificent - and has won several architectural awards (not my picture below!):  

And best of all (for me, not the kids, they spent 8 hours in the tree tops!), Northern Europe's largest 'pick your own bouquet' flower farm! It was beautiful:

Keep an eye out for the yurts / cabins (they're pretty booked up so you'd need to plan in advance to stay the night). You can also pair it with a long weekend in Copenhagen since it's only a 50 minute drive away. 

Right, I'd better put the kettle on - the rest of the family will be waking up any moment and I need to take the most of the peace and quiet before the mayhem begins and a day at the worlds oldest amusement park: Bakken. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend - I hope you've got some fun /  relaxing plans. 

Niki

Cottage photography: Historiska Hem

READ MORE...

3

A Traditional Swedish Summer Cottage, Enjoyed as a Year-Round Home

It's only a few weeks until midsummer (the most important date on the Swedish calendar) and many are preparing to make their big escape to the summer cottage. But for Linnea Fors and her family (which includes her partner and their dogs Oliver and Ronja), it's simply to stay in place and make the most of what the surrounding nature has to offer.  You see, their house used to be a summer cottage up until a few years back - and they were astounded that no one thought of living here all year round. And as the summer cottages in the surrounding area start to fill up for the summer,  Linnea and her family are kicking back, enjoying everything that their traditional Falun red and white croft in Västmanland has to offer. On sunny, warm days the family spill out onto the terrace and garden, and on chillier days they enjoy the comfort of an interior that's filled with beautiful old furniture and soft, linen cushions. Plants and freshly cut flowers line every surface, ensuring nature is never far away. Ready to 'kika in'?

What a dream!

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more pictures from Linnea's beautiful home over at @ostersaby155.

Here are a few other traditional Swedish summer cottages to enjoy this bright and sunny Monday: 

A dreamy 17th century swedish summer cottage, with a focus on 'the more the merrier'

A charming Swedish cottage with an outdoor kitchen and shower

An idyllic cottage on the island of Gotland with a pink caravan! 

Wishing you all a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Linnea Fors, shared with kind permission

READ MORE...

2

An Idyllic Swedish Summer Cottage That Dreams Are Made Of!

Say the words 'Swedish summer cottage' and I immediately conjure up a picture of a little red and white cottage surrounded by lush, vibrant nature and somewhere to bathe a short "nakenfis" (I love this Swedish word - it literally translates as 'naked fart' but it's generally used to describe being nude!)  sprint away!! In fact, this idyllic croft in a village near Tierp an hour or so North of Stockholm is spot on! Dating back to 1909, the croft is made up of a main house and a series of little outhouses which wouldn't look out of place in Astrid Lindgren's 'Children of Noisy Village'. Step inside and you're greeted with white wood panelled walls, pretty wallpaper and painted wood floors. The furnishings are typically understated and a perfect blend of vintage and antique pieces. Ready for a little Swedish summer dreaming? 

Oh wow. This has me dreaming of 24 hour sunshine, morning dips and long, lazy lunches alfresco! 

Could you image wiling away a lazy summer here?

This is where I say - "well, it could be yours..." - and it was actually on the market for a very reasonable 750,000 SEK (€70k / $76k) via Länsförsäkringar (try pronouncing that!) but as you can  imagine, it was snapped up immediately! 

Up for a little more Scandinavian summer cottage dreaming? Pull up a chair and enjoy:

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods (absolutely love this!) 

A cosy rural cottage in North Sweden

An idyllic hideaway on the island of Dalarö

Actually, do you know what? I think I'll just share the link to the entire archive - there are hundreds of charming summer cottages in there from all across Scandinavia. And since it's a public holiday here tomorrow I hope it will tie you over until I return on Monday! 

Wishing you a wonderful long weekend friends - stay safe, stay well! 

Niki

Photography: Johan Fornstedt / Husfoto

READ MORE...

8

10 Idyllic Scandinavian Summer Cottages

There is nowhere I'd rather be in summertime than Scandinavia, it's a magical time which everyone embraces it with every fibre of their being. Being up at the cabin, I love to cycle around the village and take in the atmosphere. There's a certain joy in the air when everyone is leading a simple, yet joyful life with the same rhythm of sleep, swim, eat repeat (with a cool glass of rosé thrown in the evenings!). In honour of this, here is a round-up of some of my favourite Scandinavian summer cottages, I hope they will also have you dreaming of summers in Scandinavian and that you'll visit some day! 

1. A dreamy Danish cottage with an outdoor bathroom

2. Before and after: a rundown cabin becomes a vibrant Danish summer cottage

3. A charming little Swedish Sumer cottage by the sea

4. A beautifully simple light-filled Danish summer cottage

5. A light and airy Danish summer cabin 

6. A magical rural escape by a Norwegian fjord

7. A charming summer house in Finland 

8. A charming open-plan Swedish summer house

9. A fairytale Swedish summer cottage 

10. Glimpses of my very own little cabin - which I'm hoping to share more of soon! 

I hope you enjoyed this tours - and  this post might have inspired you to spend a summer in Scandinavia - it's a beautiful place to be. Just make sure you're prepared for every weather! 

Was there a particular cottage that really resonated with you? I'd love to hear which one and why! 

By the way - the top image is 

Nik

READ MORE...

4

A Danish Summer Cottage Oasis on North Zealand

It's Friday, the sun is shining here in the Öresund region - and it finally feels like summer has arrived!  Yay! In two weeks, school will be out, and - government guidelines permitting (in Sweden it's not currently recommended to travel more than 1-2 hours) - many are hoping this all blows over so they can head to their summer cottages to relax and enjoy the nature! Tine and Christian Hertz live in Copenhagen, but when time permits, they hop in the car with their children and swap urban life for a summer oasis in Tisvilde, North Zealand, Denmark. Acquiring a summer cottage in the picturesque village had been a lifelong dream - and when a small house came on the market, Tine and Christian jumped at the chance. On the small side, the pair built on an extension and carried out a loft conversion in order to make room for the entire family and guests. Today, the family can relax in a rustic, light-filled space where the outdoors merges with the indoors. Ready to transport yourself to a Danish summer oasis? Iben and Niels Ahlberg paid a visit and took these pictures: 

 

 

 

Absolutely beautiful! 

I love the back-to-basics feel and the way double doors can be thrown open to the garden on a sunny day. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I have to say, the surrounding area is stunning (I've had the pleasure of visiting several times and photographed two cottages there for my book The Scandinavian Home). A true summer paradise! 

Up for a little more Danish summer cottage inspiration today? It would be rude not to when the sun is shining so brightly here today!  

Two idyllic danish cottages to rent

A charming Danish cottage on the island of Fejø

An idyllic Danish summer cottage (love the little A-frame!)

A hyggeligt Danish log cabin

Right folks, that's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by (I've loved reading all your comments, especially with regards to my wood floor yesterday). 

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend - I hope the sun shines for you!

Niki

Photography: Iben and Niels Ahlberg - shared with kind permission. Incidentally, if you're looking for prints - check out their online shop North and Space! 

READ MORE...

1