Small spaces: a little summer cottage in the heart of the city

Cycling through Malmö, it's exciting to see all the bright green leaves spring to life on the trees after many months of dormancy. And across town, allotment season has begun! I was amazed to discover that Swedish allotments often have 'kolonistuga' - small inhabitable cottages in which you can live from late spring to early Autumn, providing a country oasis in the heart of the city. Do you have something similar in your country?

This pretty cottage was on the market last year and I was excited to see it snapped up by Hannes Mauritzson (who's apartment I once featured here). Located on 'Slottsskogskolonien' in Gothenburg, which I believe is the same allotment area as Elin Lannsjö's charming allotment, the cottage measures a teeny 27 m2 / 290 f2. Hannes has applied his own signature touch to the little cottage using a lick of paint and vintage touches - while some of the original wood still shines through. Take a quick peek at how it looked when Hannes bought it and then scroll down to see how the pretty cottage looks today! 

What a perfect place to tend to blooms, maybe grow a few veg, sip rosé and sleep over the summer, don't you think? His faithful four-legged friend Charlie certainly looks content! 

And just in case the Swedish weather gods aren't playing nicely (fair chance!) - there's always the wood burning stove too! 

Would you like to see more allotment cottages today? I've featured quite a few in the past: 

A truly idyllic Swedish allotment cottage

A charming little summer cottage in the heart of the city

Lovely details in a Danish allotment cottage

An endearing cabin on a Danish allotment

I hope these lovely spaces have filled you with inspiration today. 

Niki

Photography / credits: Hannes Mauritzson - shared with kind permission

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Celebrating Skovby Anniversary Edition Chairs at my Cabin!

Paid partnership with Skovby, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love! 

Hello from the cabin! I have to say I love an excuse to come up here and this time, I had the perfect reason: to capture a fine pair of iconic #825 dining chairs. And not just any  - these fine specimens are a special Skovby 90-year Anniversary Edition!

You'll likely recognise the name Skovby as I've been a proud ambassador for the Danish furniture brand for many years, and have had the pleasure of capturing items such as the display cabinet, coffee tables, desk and many more items in my home over the past few years. 

It's incredible to think the brand has been handcrafting beautiful pieces for 90 years in their workshop in Denmark. To mark the event,  Skovby is launching some exciting new anniversary edition pieces.  

Skovby finds a great deal of inspiration in nature and the iconic #825 chair already comes in 12 different wood finishes and a choice of over 50 covers yes FIFTY! - see the oak and black leather version in my dining room), and now they have launched two special anniversary editions in nutmeg and green. 

I had the pleasure of capturing the soothing, warm nutmeg version here at the cabin. 

Side-note: I'm so happy warmer days have arrived and we can throw the doors open (at least here and there!), it makes our little cabin feel so much bigger and brighter. 

The chair draws inspiration from mid-century furniture and yet also has a light, Scandinavian touch. I love a comfy dining chair - and this one has a gentle curved back and comes with a choice of over 50 covers for the seat. You can even choose your own customisable fabric! 

So lovely, don't you think? 

Sadly these chairs are only on loan up here - but the #120 extendable dining table and little #840 stool (made from leftover wood) are a permanent fixture at the cabin! See more pictures and read more about why I chose them here (you won't believe how far it can extend, we've held some great parties around it!). 

In addition to the chairs, Skovby has also launched a special anniversary edition of the iconic #33 dining table in four exciting combinations which combine the nutmeg and green shades with either oak white oil or walnut natural oil - read more about it here.

If you love what you see and would like to find out more, Skovby has stockists all over the globe. Find your nearest store here.

Sadly, it's time to close the doors here at the cabin and head back to the city again. I hope I'll be back soon!

In case you're curious about anything else you see at my little cabin, you might find what you're looking for in my Cabin kitchen post - or the cabin archive in general. Otherwise please do give me a shout below and I'll do my best to help! 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

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A Swedish City Home In Soothing Shades

It's Friday friends, woohoooo! This week on the blog we've visited a Swedish country house with a fabulous party barn (who's in?) and a summer cottage on the island of Öland (with a pool and available to rent!). So today I thought it was time to head to the city. This duplex in Sweden's second largest city of Gothenburg is full of inspiration. 

Think soft tones of dusty pink  as well as earthy greens and a deep blue shade, all of which help to create a soothing feel. Also, it's worth paying attention to the wonderful mix of furniture which includes a limited-edition IKEA x Ilse Crawford daybed (remember that collection?) to designer Wishbone chairs as well as several mid-century pieces.

If you're looking for small space inspiration, the owners have made clever use of space under the sloped ceilings in the bedroom and created a really stylish small bathroom complete with washing machine! Ready to take a look? 

I don't think I'll ever tire of a deep earthy blue-grey, it's such a timeless shade and adds so much character to a room. Notice how it's been used in the bedroom - blowing the 'light colours in small spaces' rule out of the water! I also appreciate how the chest-of-drawers has been painted in the same colour as the walls to ensure a calm feel. 

The bathroom is also fabulous - successfully incorporating a washing machine into an already tight space. And although an investment, the marble top really helps to elevate the look. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Would you like to see a little more inspiration today and over the weekend? If so, you might like these archives: 

Swedish homes

Danish homes

Norwegian homes

Small spaces

Right friends, I'll leave you to enjoy your Friday and the weekend ahead! Thank you so much for stopping by! Vi ses på måndag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nya Kvadrat, found via Nordroom with thanks.

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An Idyllic Swedish Country House With a Party Barn!

Ever dream about moving to the Swedish countryside? Or somewhere rural near you? What makes me tempted is the nature (of course) but also how much space you get! Take this wonderful house near Hjälmaren (Sweden's fourth largest lake= - with its own party barn and workshop. Imagine? The interior has been impeccably decorated in an array of earthy tones and bold wallpaper. It's amazing what a splash of paint can do - something particularly noticeable in the kitchen where the cabinets, island and architrave has been painted in the same dramatic deep blue / grey tone. I have also always loved the idea of having a sofa in the kitchen - so sociable and cosy! Ready to feel inspired? 

Idyllic! 

I have to say, this house looks so familiar. I have shown SO many interior on here that it's hard to keep up - even if I have featured it many moons ago, it's well worth revisiting and this time round it's on the market via Historiska Hem - so someone's dream to move to the country is about to come true! Could it be you? 

Per would absolutely love that workshop. And imagine the parties you could have? So much fun! 

Speaking of the countryside, I discovered a new channel on Swedish TV yesterday - 'Den Stora Älgvandringen' ('The Great Elk Trek') - a channel purely dedicated to following the elk migration in real time through a series of hidden cameras in the North of Sweden. It's in its fifth season and has a cult following. I watched it for about ten minutes last night and absolutely nothing happened - no elk, no deer, not even a bird! I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I think you may need a fair amount of patience to enjoy it! Swedish Psychologist have put its popularity down to being a perfect antidote to the fast paced life we lead. 

That said, if you live in a house like this one, I'm sure you'd spot passing elk every now and again! 

Happy Lillördag (little Saturday)! 

Niki

Styling: Copparstad Interior, Photography: Utsikten  / Historiska Hem

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