A Converted School House on the Swedish Island of Gotland

Summer dreaming here again on My Scandinavian Home - with a virtual trip to the beautiful Swedish island of Gotland - and a magnificent, converted school that's just come on the market (are Per's ears burning yet?)! Dating back to 1860, Frojels Annex is located in Western Gotland and made up of a series of buildings which have been lovingly restored, all the while ensuring original features such as the big stone walls, atrium and beams play a starring role. The entire place sleeps 14 - which makes it a perfect place for an extended family to gather in summertime and unwind.  No doubt there are some bikes at the ready to take on of the gravel lanes down to the Baltic for a swim, before coming home to recline on vintage furniture in one of the many outdoor social areas. A perfect summer oasis in which to relax, be together - but also be alone! 

Could you imagine spending your summers here?

I understand the bidding has already started - but if you're quick, it might not be too late to jump in! More info via Bertwig here. 

If you're looking for a Scandinavian adventure this summer which includes Gotland, check out my guide to Swedish island hopping in The Baltic.  

In the meantime, why not lengthen your virtual stay on the island today and take a look at: 

A rustic summer cottage

A relaxed Swedish summer cabin by the sea
Your island retreat on the island of Gotland
A pared back Swedish summer house on Gotland
A Beautiful Gotland home in soothing shades of grey

 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

PS Thank you so much for your all your lovely comments about our new bedroom nook at the cabin (and for sharing your tips on air circulation) - it means so much. We're hoping to head up there later this week finish off some of the details. We still don't have blinds - with a 4.30am sunrise that's a little bit of a struggle!

Photography: courtesy of Bertwig with thanks 

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Tiny Cabin Update: Panelling, Wood floors & Our Cosy Bed Nook

Disclosure: Norrlands Trä have kindly agreed to collaborate with us on this project

Things are taking shape in our little cabin at a rapid pace, so I felt it was time for an update!

Here's the lowdown and a few snapshots - plus I'm looking for some advice on the mattress situation further down the post (looking at you van owners!), please feel free to share your tips in the comment section and ask any questions!

Wall and ceiling panels

As you know, we were adamant about having panelling as we felt it would be a great way to create a relaxed coastal cabin feel. Are you a fan too? 

Having researched the various different styles of panelling - from contemporary to traditional we settled on the more modern Borstad Slätspont in white S0502-Y from Swedish brand Norrlands Trä. 

The wall and ceiling panelling gave the cabin an instant lift and feels contemporary yet coastal, smart yet relaxed - I love it when a plan comes together! 

Wood floor

The day I took the above picture it was freezing outside, and I couldn't help thinking how 'cold' the cabin felt with the concrete foundation. So, I quickly got to work on finding a wood floor.

We decided on the primed parquet pine floor in ultra protect white, also from Norrlands Trä. Light pine is a classic choice for Swedish summer cottages as it has a pared back, understated feel yet still has that wonderful softness and warmth. 

Side note: Pine is soft, which means it can be dented / marked quite easily. If you do go for this type of flooring, it's something you ned to bear in mind. We figured that wood is a living, breathing material which changes with time, and we'd embrace any marks the family make! Having said that, we'll be laying rugs in 'high flow' spots such as the kitchen, living room and dining area to protect the floor and add that all important hygge! 

After: 

I love that you can clearly see the grain and knots in the wood, it really helps to draw nature indoors and adds texture and depth to the space. 

The bed nook

In our plans, we included a nook for a 160 cm bed (with more space bunks in the loft). Since the cabin is small (30 m2 / 322 sq ft) it would also need to double up as storage without compromising on aesthetics (you know me!). Below is how the space looked during the build (while being surveyed by Per!):

This is how it looked once the panelling, floor and railings went in:

And finally, The bed nook

I did a ton of research into 160 cm beds with front storage but couldn't find anything! So, in the end we designed a wall-mounted bed platform with central legs and two VERY long pull-out drawers on wheels (see below). Leftover panels were used for the fronts for a seamless look. 

And we finally had a bed! 

Sidenote: we're working on the air circulation -most likely, we'll drill holes in the base and also add a special air circulator layer under the mattress (without this, bacteria can build up and a mattress can quickly become mouldy underneath). This still a work in progress though, so tips are very welcome! 

In the meantime, we're so looking forward to sleeping and hanging out right here. So excited!

I hope you enjoyed this update! Please do give me a shout below if you have any questions. 

I'm so looking forward to sharing other areas of the cabin with you soon. 

Wishing you a trevlig helg! (lovely weekend!), 

Niki 

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A Charming Little Swedish Summer Cottage By The Sea

The countdown has begun for the Swedish summer - and there's a sense that everyone is rushing around trying to get everything done and all the loose ends tied up before heading off for 3 - 6 weeks (yes, really!) for some downtime. Nothing says summer like the quintessential Swedish summer cottage. Usually simply decorated, there's a strong emphasis on providing as many bunks as possible in order to host the raft of passing guests as they go about their tour! You see, summer is a time for catching up with friends and relatives from afar, bringing their own bedding for the night with them. 

This charming 100 year-old cottage in the Gothenburg archipelagos may only be 30 m2 / 322 sq ft - but it has everything you need for a perfect summer by the sea. Think beautiful wood beams, walls rich with patina, light filled rooms and a huge terrace from which to chat into the early hours while looking out over the bay. 

I've just picked up a similar chair for our little cabin called the Boogie chair by Karup. 

Simple wood walls in the kitchen and other natural materials help to connect the cottage with the surrounding nature.

A loftbed in the rafters creates a perfect place for a summer snooze! 

Vintage and antique pieces help to create a relaxed, lived-in vibe and connect the cottage to its past. Plus, a foldable table like this one is ideal for small spaces! 

The sofa doubles up as a futon - ideal for the arrival of impromptu guests! 

Charming in everyway.

The beauty of these small spaces in summer time is that life spills outside, expanding the living space immensely. But for chillier days, there's that lovely wood burning stove which invites a quit read or riotous games of cards (do the card games in your family get out of hand too?). 

Lovely! 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? If so, check out the listing over at Fastighetsbyrån. 

It's a beautiful part of the world - near some of my favourite islands! A little boat would be a must so you'd be able to go out for day trips and explore the archipelago (see my island hopping guide!).

I'm excited about sharing some news from our own little cabin with you tomorrow - it's coming on leaps and bounds now! 

Kram! 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån

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A Small(ish) Relaxed Boho Swedish Home Full of Soul

'Lived in', 'homely', 'real' - these are just some of the words used to describe the homes I am getting  requests for via e-mail. Well friends, I've got good news - this one fits the bill perfectly! Located in Gamla Enskede in Greater Stockholm,  this cosy Swedish home measures a rather small 58 m2  / 624 sq ft, but rather than whittling away possessions, the owners have made really clever use of space to ensure everything has a place! 

Laid out over two floors which are connected by a magnificent Packhus spiral staircase, every spare inch of the maisonette has been put to use. Keep an eye out for bespoke custom-built furniture and open and closed storage - which provides a home for books, LPs, clothing and as well as other items, while a fine art collection fills every inch of wall. I also love the use of colour - including muted, earthy tones and a dramatic black floor ensuring a relaxed, warm and inviting home that's full of soul. 

Ready to take a look? 

Jøtul fireplace, source a similar vintage scissor lamp here*. 

This corner reminds me a lot of the artists home in Oslo, Norway from my book The Scandinavian Home. So many lovely works of art! 

Jugendros wallpaper, Lim & Handtryck

The staircase doubles up as a library - which is ideal as it makes the most of a large wall space while keeping all the books in reach. 

A home workspace has been carved out in a small spot on the landing. 

Chrysanthemum Toile wallpaper by William Morris

A recess under the sloped ceiling serves as a bedside table, while bespoke storage on the opposite side of the room creates space for clothes. 

Note that while 58 m2 sounds small, in Sweden they do not count any floor space that has a ceiling height of less than 190 cm / 6ft2 or any areas that can't be accessed from inside. It's a little more complicated than this, but this is the basic gist! 

Why shouldn't you be able to have a bath in a small bathroom? I love that there's a little place to soak with a glass of wine under candlelight, at the end of a long day!

Such a cosy space! I'm sure there will be some of you who'll think this lovely space is spot on. And others who prefer a more minimalist aesthetic. Either way, I'm sure we can all agree it has a wonderful lived-in vibe! 

Would you like to see a few more relaxed homes today? Put your feet up and have a scroll through these beauties: 

A vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul

A charming Copenhagen home full of vintage finds

Your very own garden retreat on a budget

Har det så bra! 

Niki

Photography: Boukari

Styling: Copparstad

For: Historiska Hem

Found via Nordroom with thanks

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