A Beautiful Farm Stay With a Pared-Back Rustic Vibe

I hope you had a lovely weekend? We enjoyed a magical midsummer at a friend's cottage in Båstad (pronounced B-or-stard - in case you were wondering!!). It had everything I featured in Thursdays 'midsommar round-up' - including the famous four seasons in one day (the Swedish weather gods treated us to 27 degrees celsius and sunshine, a hail storm and thunder and lightning) - a true Swedish midsummer! We're staying at our own cottage for a few days now - and will stay put in Sweden the entire summer- but it doesn't stop me from drooling over ideas for future holidays abroad! In case you're in the same boat, you might just want to archive this wonderful farm stay in Portugal. Surrounded by vast fields in the beautiful Alentejo region, Herdade Cucumbi is a guest house offering four bedrooms and three apartments with a pared-back, rustic interior and a lovely Scandinavia meets Portugal vibe. Oh, and you might just like to enjoy a book and aperitif by the pool too! 

Something for 2021 perhaps? Perhaps I'll see you by the pool! Make mine a Ginjinha! 

You can read more about this wonderful hotel here. 

Curious about other travel destinations? 

You'll find a ton of amazing design hotels in this archive and might also come across some pared- back, rustic holiday homes stays in here too! 

While on the subject of holidays, one of the things that has struck me during the pandemic is how I've been inspired to adapt my home to feel more like a holiday home. I mean, why wait until we can travel (even cross country) - when we can bring a touch of sunshine to our own homes? I hope the rustic and natural touches in this hotel might inspire you to adapt your living space a little too!

Niki

Photography Sanda Vuckovic found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks. 

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5 Simple Steps To Hosting A Swedish Midsummer

Tomorrow is Midsummer's Eve, one of the most important dates in the Swedish calendar and second only to Jul (Christmas). Up and down the country, our Nordic friends are flocking to Systembolaget (the state-owned off-licence) to pick up beer and schnapps before it closes for the holidays. Midsummer celebrations usually take place in the countryside so tomorrow the city streets will be deserted. Sadly, this year dancing like 'frogs' (long story) around a maypole on the village green won't be on the agenda. But this won't stop the revelry! Inte alls! Famous for experiencing all four seasons in one day, nothing yet nothing gets in the way of raising a glass (or two) to the summer solstice! Devoted to eating, drinking, dancing and other assorted pagan rituals, Swedish midsummer has been around since the 1500s. Why not channel the swedes and hold your own midsummer celebration? As with all things Scandinavian, its super simple and doesn't require a lot of effort. Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Midsommarkrans (Midsummer crown):  In my humble opinion, the most beautiful floral crowns  are handmade with whatever you have to hand from nearby meadows or hedgerows. Above, Elsa Billgren is in the process of creating a daisy crown on the island Gotland - and below are a few snaps of my daughters and I gathering wildflowers last year near our summer cottage. Wilted, bent and some very far from perfect, but oh so pretty all the same! Here's a simple tutorial on how to create a floral crown. 

 2. Set a simple table: the midsummer table is rustic and understated. Think wildflowers, candles for when the revelry continues well into the early hours and a spot for everyone - young and old and even furry friends - at the table.

It wouldn't be midsummer in Sweden without a down pour - so anoraks are a must! But if the weather really is THAT bad, it might be time to reluctantly move the festivities indoors, in which case, it's all about bringing the summer in! 

3: The drinks: Think refreshing ice cold water infused with elderflower, cucumber and lemon, Swedish craft beers and of course, a 'nubbe' of akvavit - taken with a nubbevisa (akvavit song). 

4. The midsummer feast! Dine on sill (pickled herring), boiled new potatoes with dill and a variety of salmon before tucking into some deliciously sweet, juicy summer strawberries (FYI the recipe for the layered strawberry cake can be found over at Honestly Yum). 

5. Single? According to Swedish tradition, pluck seven types of flowers and place them under your pillow. You'll dream of your future husband or wife! 

Wishing you a 'glad midsummer'!

See you Monday!

Niki

Photography:
1. Emily Slotte 2. Elsa Billgren 3-5 My Scandinavian Home 6, Nåde studio, 7&8 Homespo, 9 Abby Mitchell Events, 10 Wedding Chicks  11 & 12 - Honestly Yum.

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Swantje's Beautiful, Quirky, Colourful and Unique Home

I thought I'd shake things up a little today with a move away from Scandinavian summer cottages to a fabulous house in Münster, North West Germany. Outside of Scandinavia it may be, but a quick search on google maps tells me the city is a mere 4-hour drive from the Danish border - which may explain the hint of Scandinavian design! I caught up with art director, graphic designer and illustrator Swantje Hinrichsen to find out more about her beautiful, quirky, colourful and unique home. 

Swantje has painted the Danish design Kristina Dam coffee table in NCS 4050 Y60R. A Hay Danish design sofa can be seen in the background. 

From what period is your house?

My boyfriend and I live in an old house built in 1928 in Münster, close to the canal. 

The bright yellow shelf by Dutch designer Mickey Philips is an example of the many quirky and unique touches in Swantje's home. Source similar abstract prints from The Poster Club*. 

Can you tell us a little more about the layout?

The house is 145 sqm (1560 square feet), laid out over three floors. When you walk through the door you are greeted with a colourful hallway with bikes on the wall. The stairs lead to the first floor which has an open-plan living space with a kitchen, dining room, living room and bathroom. The second floor is under the roof and contains the bedroom, a workspace and closet room (we call it 'the everything room', a second bathroom and a small balcony. 

How would you describe your style? 

Very graphic, colourful, warm, natural, conceptual and intuitive - with a touch of Scandinavian design. 

The freestanding kitchen units are from IKEA and the back wall has been painted in Kolorat K711-17-34-25/T. Ceramics from Studio Hear Hear, Studio Oyama, Mette Duedahl and TYBO Art and Craft line the shelves. 

The dining room wall has been painted in Kolorat K/0-0-15-54/T. 

There are some beautiful, fun details in your home, what do you look for when acquiring items?

I love craftsmanship, contrasts, materials and artisan ceramics. 

I love the road bikes, are you and your boyfriend keen cyclists? 

My boyfriend totally is. He is super passionate about it and also restores vintage road bikes from the 70s / 80s and 90s in his spare time using a workshop that he shares with others. 

Colourful racers like these are starting to be a big trend among the young and hip in Sweden right now (whether they are just used for peddling around town or into proper racing). I particularly love the ones with an eighty's vibe - they remind of the bikes my sister and I used to ride to school on! Have you ever owned a racer? 

Source similar bike wall brackets here*. 

Would you say your interior is a reflection of your personality?

My home, work and colours are kind of my way to express myself. They help me stay true to myself, help me change perspectives, charge my batteries and transfer emotions and thoughts. They are my visual language. 

Thank you so much for inviting us into your lovely home for a virtual tour today Swantje! 

If you'd like to see some more snapshots of Swantje's house, check out her wonderful instagram @swantjeundfrieda or for more info about her work, hop over here: www.swantjehinrichsen.de. 

Other German homes to love today: a delightful, colourful farmhouse in Northern Germany,  a pared-back, yet warm family home with handcrafted pieces and a serene family home in Berlin.

On a completely separate note: my children are enjoying their fourth day of the Swedish school summer holidays. All I can say is, I have total respect for all parents around the world who have been juggling the children being at home AND home schooling while trying to work over the past few months. How on earth did you do it? It's only 11am, the house is a mess, I've been asked over 100 questions (by each child) and we've completely run out of food. Thank goodness the sun is shining! 

On that note, I'd better get to the supermarket! But I'll be back tomorrow with one final post before Midsummer's Eve on Friday (will you the celebrating it?) - see you tomorrow! 

Niki

Photography: Swantje Hinrichsen

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Step Inside A Swedish Summer Cottage Oasis From the 1700s

I was meant to post a tour of a city apartment today, and then I realised my mind is already in the countryside - sitting by the sea, legs dangling idly in the cool, sparkling Scandinavian waters. So I hope you don't mind that we return to the beautiful island of Gotland today (yes, I am obsessed!). This summer paradise dating back to the 1700s is nestled in the old town of Visby, a few hundred yards from the Baltic Sea. The current owners described the renovation as a 'treasure hunt' since it unearthed so many exciting discoveries from times gone by including a deep well and an old baking oven. And now, it's time to pass over the reins. Could you be the next one to enjoy this little oasis, with its historic details, traditional kitchen, earthy tones and a seat under the boughs of a blossoming peach tree all summer long? 

 

 

Forget the summer - I could live here all year round, how about you?

So happy to see there's an outdoor shower in the garden too, there's nothing nicer than rinsing off under the open sky don't you think (see my outdoor shower and bathroom round-up here!). 

I think I've linked to it quite a few times already (understatement, I hear you say!) but just in case you missed it and would love to see a few more pictures from Gotland and other east coast islands, take a peek at my travel diaries. 

This summer we're hoping to sail up Sweden's west coast (weather permitting!) and I was thinking of taking my camera and writing a feature about it once we're back. What do you think? Could this be interesting? The Gothenburg archipelago is one of my favourite places in the world and I'd so love for you to experience it one day (if you haven't already!). 

Leaving you with a few other charming summer cottages today: 

A Danish oasis on North Zealand

A Swedish island summer oasis

A striking cabin on the island of Ingarö

Have a lovely, sunny day friends!

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån - with thanks

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