A Relaxed Swedish Island Summer Cabin on The Water's Edge

Per and I both grew up with sailing, and as you know, we usually spend our summers sailing the Swedish, Danish, Norwegian (and sometimes North German) coastline. I readily admit, Per's more into the technical (some might say important) stuff like trimming the sails, navigation etc. While I'm more of a G+T, fair-weather type of sailor who's forever asking to sail closer to the shore so we can take a look at the waterside cottages!! In my mind, the prettiest coastal homes of all can be found out on the islands. What I love most about them is that despite their prime location, they often still possess a wonderful, understated feel.

Just with all Scandinavian summer houses, the focus is on being outdoors - and the interior should never distract from the beautiful surroundings. This wonderful cabin, nestled on the water's edge on a tiny island called Jutholmen in the Stockholm archipelago, is a fine example of this! 

Formerly a workshop, the cabin has been transformed into a year-round holiday home with a relaxed industrial meets boathouse vibe. In fine weather, the family can head outdoors and relax on a large terrace overlooking the water. 

Bamboo furniture from Tine K Home and iconic Swedish Grytthyttan outdoor dining furniture help to add a natural, laidback feeling to the outdoor terrace without taking away from the stunning scenery! 

The island is accessed by boat - and once settled, a small speedboat is used to head to the nearby island of Dalarö which has many restaurants, shops and cafes. People often use their boats to head to smaller uninhabited islands to enjoy picnics and swim.

In Sweden 'allemansrätten' gives you the 'right to roam' anywhere in the countryside as long as you don't disturb or destroy it, enabling everyone to experience nature and enjoy the beautiful Swedish lifestyle. That's one very large playground!

I love this fairly basic outdoor kitchen. Why miss a moment of sunshine to wash-up and cook when you can do it outside! 

The interior has a relaxed, industrial vibe. Mainly black and white, touches of wood help to bring a warm feel to the space. 

Wood panelling, vintage ship lights* and vintage school biology print* help to draw attention to the coastal location, adding a subtle 'sjöbo' (boat house) vibe. 

I spy vintage gym equipment - always a winner in my eyes, and not a bad spot for a round of boxing either! FYI Etsy is a great source for vintage gym equipment*! 

Bunking up! Simple sleeping quarters lime this or a common site in Swedish summer cottages and are ideal for family and guests to catch some shut eye before another day outdoors soaking up the sun (or rain!!!). 

The Swedish summer can be chilly at times. I'm not kidding when I say last summer we witnessed water temperatures of 9.5 Celsius (49 Fahrenheit) and driving rain on the east coast. A sauna is ideal (some might say mandatory) for thawing out after a day on the frigid waters - and taking a dip in the sea. When visiting it's unlikely you'll have a private 'bastu' (sauna) like this one, but many islands have public saunas you can book (one of my favourites is on the island of Tjärö - which I featured in this post). 

What a stunning oasis! 

This rare gem of a property was actually on the market a few weeks ago but, as you can imagine was quickly snapped up - more details here.

Probably the most ridiculous question I've asked all week (although you never know!) - but could you imagine spending your summers here?! 

I'll be thinking about this beautiful cabin when we take to the water this summer - maybe I'll discover come other hidden gems (from a distance!) - if so, I'll be sure to let you know! 

If you have more time today / over the weekend - take a peek at: 

A photographer's charming cabin in the woods

An idyllic summer cottage that dreams are made of

A charming and relaxed summer cabin by the sea

All so dreamy - do you have a favourite? 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend friends, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Sjönära with thanks

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Before and After: A Dreamy Beach House On Australia's Gold Coast

The vision some people have is simply incredible. When Sarah and Aaron Waters came across this (rather blurry!) 1960s red brick house on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia, they immediately saw its potential. The family have been renovating it since 2008, transforming the property from a dated living space into a breath-taking, white clad, light and airy beach house for the entire family. It's easy to see why Bilinga Beach Abode has appeared in glossy mags such as Adore magazine and often hired as a backdrop for photoshoots. Ready to feel inspired?! 

Facade before (see above too!)

Facade after

The facade has been completely updated with fresh white wood cladding for a true beach vibe. Bi-folding doors also ensure a seamlessness between inside and out.  

Gaaaah! Will you look at this oasis?! 

I love the clear glass fence around the pool. Surprisingly I still come across pools in private homes today without a safety fence. Here's proof that you can have a pool that's safe for children and yet still looks lovely! 

Sitting room before

Sitting room after

Not kidding. Is it even the same house? The amount of work that has gone into the transformation is quite incredible. It's not for everyone. But this snapshot shows that if you do have the budget, time and patience it's quite incredible what you can achieve! 

Couldn't resists including this lovely pic of one of the children on the skateboard ramp - such a cute idea! 

Cleo rattan chair from Hello Trader, Pineapple Traders print, Boheme cotton cushion.

Before Bathroom

I guess this picture was taken when the old bathroom had been ripped out - but it's still fun to see the bare bones before Sarah and Aaron transformed the space into this....

After bathroom

Loving the pink tiles! 

Their other bathroom has had a multi-page spread in Adore magazine, and when you see the pictures, it's easy to see why - it's beautiful! 

Tiles from Tile Trends Tweed, cabinets from Hello Trader

Sadly, I don't have any before pics of the bedroom, but here are the results. Think golden tones and layers of cosy textiles....

Desert Sun Landscape print, Dune Bed Head  

I'm seriously blown away by this transformation. It will definitely make me see houses that come on the market here in Malmö from a new perspective! 

Would you consider a renovation project? Or perhaps you've already done one (or are knee deep - or neck high in one right now!) - if so, I'd love to hear about it! 

One question, living by the sea in Malmö, do you think I could go all out Australia Gold Coast with my decor? I'm tempted but then again, I'm not sure we have quite the same winters! Bah! Perhaps subtle 'coastal' nods would work better here! 

You can see more of Sarah and Aaron's beautiful home over at @bilinga_beach_abode,  

Other Scandi-inspired Australian homes to love: a cosy home for seven in Byron Bay, a relaxed beach house in natural, earthy tones and a Dream stay: The Bower. 

Oh and, whatever you do today - take a quick browse through the 'before and after' archive - it's one of my favourites! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Bilinga Beach Abode. 

Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 19, 11, 12, 17, 18  Bilinga Beach Abode 5, 15, 16 Villa Styling / Adore magazine 8. Elouise van Riet-Gray for Lana Caves

Thanks so much to my fab friend Sarah Brooks-Wilson for the tip! 

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The Vibrant, Colourful Sitting Room of a Swedish Photographer

Sending a little sunshine from Sweden today. This quirky (don't miss Gizmo!), vibrant and fun sitting room belongs to Jenny Brandt Grönberg a local photographer based just outside of Ystad, Skåne. Jenny loves to do things differently and has such a distinct, playful style which always puts a smile on my face. I especially love her sitting room, with it's bold pops of blue, green and pink as well as a fun and eclectic blend of vintage furniture, lighting and art. I hope you feel as inspired by it as I do! 

I hope this mini tour has brightened up your day as much as it has mine!

I once showed a complete tour of Jenny's home many moons ago here - and her fab prints are available here. 

Love to see some other vibrant, colourful Scandinavian spaces? Check out a cheerful Swedish home with flashes of bright colour, take a rare peek behind the facade of Nyhavn's colourful facade and enjoy this fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours. 

Also, 15 fabulous Danish homes that will brighten up your day. 

In a bit of a hurry as my eldest daughter finishes primary school today so we're off to celebrate over lunch in the sunshine (no one wants to be missing that sunshine - you never know how long it will last - is it the same where you live?!). This comes after my stepson took his 'studenten' last week and graduated from school! GAAAAH! Where did the time go? They grow up so fast, don't they?! 

I'll be back tomorrow with an exciting home tour! In the meantime, sending you a barrel load of sunshine and love from Sweden! 

Stay well! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Jenny Brandt Grönberg

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A Cosy Toronto Home With a Scandi Eclectic Vibe

We've been loitering around Scandinavia a lot here lately, but I love to see the Scandi style reach far and wide in the world. This beauty of a home in Toronto, Canada is a great example! Owner Elena, a self-confessed 'cat lady' and 'plant Mom' as well as a digital content creator over at This house 5000 / @thishouse5000, describes her style as a 'Scandi eclectic mix'. Her home, which she shares with her husband, has been styled using neutrals, interspersed with earthy tones, a wealth of texture and lots and lots of plants! Welcome to Elena's world!

Art by LRNCE (check out all the art from this Marrakesh based lifestyle brand - it's wonderful!), rug from Loloi rugs, Bertoia chair*, DIY light fixture made with pendant from IKEA. 

The large sculptural ceramic vase is everywhere right now and believe it or not, it's from HM Home! Sadly, it's sold out (of course!) - but maybe they'll renew the stock soon. 

I first came across Elena's account because of this shower curtain (which I pinned a while back) - isn't it lovely? I love that her bathroom is relatively simple, yet there's still a lot going on thanks to the dark grouting, tiled floor and plants. 

I think this might be the third time I've shown a loo on My Scandinavian Home ever. No idea why, but I've built up my 'loo confidence' (LOL) now since the one in Courtney Adamo's beautiful Byron Bay home became an instagram hit as my most liked photo ever. It really made me smile! I love that Elena has used the cistern in her bathroom as storage but also candles for long, relaxing showers! 

Such a lovely home - striking that perfect balance of pared-back and cosy.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

You can see more pictures of Elena's home here: This house 5000 / @thishouse5000.

I'd love to visit Canada one day. I often imagine the country to be a kindred spirit with Scandinavia with its vast nature (for those of you who live there / been there - is this true?). My great grandmother was French Canadian too, which has always made me super curious. One day, huh?

Wishing you a lovely day friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elena / This House 5000 - shared with kind permission. 

PS as mentioned in all my past few posts - thanks for reading my reflection and for all your great comments, I've read them all and carry with them me in this community. 

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A Charming Swedish Allotment Cottage In Summer Time

If there's one thing the Scandinavians are good at, it's a staycation. It could be because the system is set up to give people a long summer holiday (3 weeks in a row is very normal), it could also be that everyone has waited so long for the good weather to arrive that the last thing they want to do is miss it! Some may stay home in the city (or countryside), others might visit friends and family, and others again might head to their summer cottage or 'kolonistuga' (a small house on an allotment that you're allowed to stay in over a limited period). I touched upon the latter a few weeks ago when I showed a wonderful little artist's cottage in Copenhagen. And today, I stumbled across this pretty abode! Located on aptly named 'Spenatgången' ('spinach aisle'), the one bedroom cottage has everything you need for a summer's day (an easy chair, a radio and a vintage tea set!) and reflects the simple, back to basic lifestyle that so many love to enjoy here in summertime.  After all, who needs a load of fuss around you when you have an abundance of light?! 

Look at the floor! Loving this mint hue - something to consider if you opt for a white interior! It also took me a while to spot the simple plug-in hob on the counter-top!

I can just imagine the owners toiling the earth before rewarding themselves with a cup of tea (actually... make that an extra strong coffee if I know my Swedish friends right!) in the deckchairs! 

As the Swedish proverb goes 'borta bra, men hemma bäst' (away is good, but being at home is best) - and when I look at this little cottage, these words certainly ring true. 

Could you imagine spending your summers here? Bet you know what I'm going to say! Yep, this charming allotment cottage in Gothenburg is for sale! Read more about it here if you're curious! 

You might also like a Danish allotment cabin, a weekend allotment retreat in Skåne and a truly idyllic Swedish allotment cottage. 

Here's to a simple summer! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Helins Mäklarbyrå with thanks.

I have been reading all the new comments that came in over the weekend on my reflection post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on such an important topic, I'm proud to be part of this community.

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