my scandinavian home

Summer at this Swedish pool villa?

Not far from Kivik, a summer paradise on Sweden's Southeast coast, you'll find the picturesque village of Södra Mellby - not far from where Nora and Laura of Our Food Stories used to have their charming summer house. It's well worth a visit by bike - but for those of you who fall in love, you might want to think about snapping up this villa!

The two-bedroom open-plan villa has clearly been revamped by someone with a keen eye for design - and has absolutely everything you might need to rock about in style all summer! I for one, would be perfectly happily flitting between the white linen sofa, to coffee at the rustic table, followed by an afternoon siesta on the daybed (curtains can be pulled across at night to form a bedroom). But on days like today (the sun is shining in South Sweden!), the pool and outdoor kitchen are surely where the action is!

Note the magnificent ceiling height and the blend of natural materials from concrete and wood to linen and wool - which add so much texture! Ready to dream?

The villa is laid out over two floors with a bedroom on each. Sometimes it can be hard to gauge the configuration so I've shared the plan below. There is also a separate dwelling with a further bedroom.

Sovrum - bedroom, kök - kitchen, vardagsrum - living room.

Could you imagine living here?

One to share with Per I think, I can already see him setting up the barbecue and our Friday night drinks around the pool!

Would you like to see a few other pool villas today? It would be rude not too with the lovely weather we have in Scandinavia right now! Here are a few of my favourites:

A Swedish photographer's magnificent pool villa (the cat steals the show!).

Airbnb tip - the Stonecutter's farm on the island of Öland

18 ideas to steal from a Swedish pool villa, from budget to blowout

Also, take a peek at 10 small pools for every space and budget and 15 outdoor shower and bathroom ideas!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Erik Olsson, with thanks.

5 Simple yet Impactful Ways to Add Interest to a Room, Swedish Style

Good morning! Yesterday was a big day, Sweden celebrated 500 years of independency - and the sun was shining for the occasion! I feel very honoured to have called this beautiful country my home for over nineteen years. To mark the occasion, I thought we could take a tour of a humble Swedish home - which combines form with function, in true Scandi fashion!

This lovely apartment is located in a 20th century building in Gothenburg and measures 33m2 (355 ft2). The living room serves as somewhere to relax and sleep, while a separate dining area in the kitchen means you can dine in style (or al fresco!). There are five simple yet impactful decor factors I love about this apartment which bring interest to the rooms. Here's the low down:

1. Checked tablecloth - going for checks rather than a simple linen table cloth adds a little pattern to the kitchen and brings the look up to date. Source a similar one here*.

2. Use size as a surprise! When it comes to lamps, it can be fun to play with dimensions. By going oversize or tiny you'll make a statement and add interest to a room. Not everything should be perfect, after all!

3. Go natural: speaking of lamps, we've been seeing white paper ball lamps for a while now, but a new dimension has been doing the rounds lately - with 'natural' paper. I love this one from Imprint House (owned by Natalie Walton whose home I once featured here!).

4. Throw in some stripes (or other bold patterns): after all, it's all about the element of surprise. You don't need to go all out, just one or two pieces like an armchair and cushion will do the trick.

5. Bring the balcony inside: greenery has so many health benefits and is a great air purifier. If you live in an urban area, why not bring it one step nearer by placing plants on a shelf just inside the door for year-round plant-therapy!

I hope you enjoyed my observations! Did you spot anything in particular? If so, please do leave a comment below, I'd love to hear about it!

You can see a ton more small spaces in this archive - I love these small flats and cottages:

This charming allotment cottage is a summer dream

Jane's cosy cottage in earthy tones

A calm one-room Swedish apartment in the heart of the city

Have a lovely, sunny day (even if its cloudy out!).

Niki

Photography Jonas Berg, Styling: Livindeco for sale via Stadshem, found via Nordroom with thanks.

A Danish Family Home with a Warm, Golden Touch

Good morning! How's life with you? In Sweden, it seems like the weather gods have been storing all the sunshine up for May and June and we're certainly not complaining! In fact, we're busy trying to make the most of it as you never quite know when it will disappear again! In Mie Borup's lovely Danish house, which she shares with her partner and their three young children Wilbert, Ingrid and Bille - the sunshine floods in through the windows, basking the living space in a wonderful golden light.

Take a look through the rooms and you'll spot a blend of well-loved Danish design as well some must-have pieces of the moment! Let's take a closer look.

Arguably the most popular lamp of the moment in Scandinavian homes is this one by Valerie Object. I think everyone is drawn to it as it comes in a variety of zesty hues so it's a great way to add a touch of colour. But actually, Mie is a real dab hand at DIY and made this look-alike lamp herself! If you're on instagram, check out her highlights for more information.

Another popular piece right now: the humble glass wall cabinet! Have you noticed them a lot in Scandinavian homes lately too? I think they add so much to a wall, and you can vary the items for a constantly changing display.

I don't think I've seen shelves like this before, have you? I have a feeling they are vintage - I'll do a little digging on that one and update the post if I can find out more!

The mastered has been placed on a raised platform - note that the gaps in the slats mean that air can circulate under the mattress which is vitally important to prevent mould.

Apart from the beams, which are of course beautiful, I also love the set of three pendant lamps and also the way a pretty top has been hung up for decoration. Easy art which can be changed according to your mood, the day of week or the season!

The pond mirror from Ferm Living is a popular piece for obvious reasons: mirror and art in one!

Rattan and vintage furniture ensure a lovely, relaxed look in the children's bedrooms.

Another beautiful glass cabinet! They are great for storage since you can see everything inside and yet they keep the dust off. Keep a look out for glass cabinets at second-hand stores - and paint them to match your style!

I love the masks! You can pick up similar at Hay. Note the classic Peter Rabbit book. I used to love Beatrix Potter as a child, but my daughter burst into tears when I read out that Peter Rabbit had lost his button and had got himself into danger with Mr McGregor (spoiler alert!), so we had to wait a while longer before we read it again!

On warm days, the family spills out into the garden and relaxes on rattan furniture or around a table under the boughs of a tree.

Note what a difference an outdoor rug can do to create a room-like feel!

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Mie's home! You can see more corners over on her instagram @mieborup.

Mie also sells secondhand danish children's clothes at @small_reusers and adult clothes at @det.lille.gule.hus.salg.

Would you like take the tour of a few other Danish homes today? Here are a few that are bound to inspire:

A calm and earthy danish home with a warm golden touch

Prints, pattern and splashes of colour in a Danish home

The Copenhagen home of an interior stylist and vintage store owner

This Danish summer cottage is available to rent this summer and so is this one! Just saying!

Right, I'm off to enjoy a little sunshine - work can wait. After all, as I mentioned, we're never quite sure how long it'll be around for!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @mieborup, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: danish home

This Tiny Swedish Cottage is a Perfect Summer Oasis!

I can never resist a tiny living space - especially when they are this pretty! This cottage is located in Slottsskogskolonien - Sweden's second oldest allotment! It is a mere 19 m2 (204 ft2) but has everything you might need for the weekends and holidays. In the entrance, simple hooks and shelves serve as a makeshift hallway and a dining space is bathed in daylight. Step into the main living room, and an open-plan kitchen and living room offer a place to chill. At night, it's time to climb the ladder to a cosy nest in the rooftop and snuggle up for the night! The owners also have shared access to an onsite communal bathroom.

At these allotment cottages, the real magic happens outside though. After all, the purpose of them is to provide a garden in the city for those without. The plot provides a place to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables, as well as dine al fresco all summer long surrounded by the sweet scent of lilac!

Ready to look around? Välkommen!

High shelves above the windows provide extra storage space for books and other small treasures.

Built-in seating helps to maximise space - and can also offer more storage underneath.

Notice how the underside of the table has been painted Klein blue - this seems to be the theme this week (check out Wednesday's Danish home tour!). I love the idea of using paint to bring in the latest trends, it's a sustainable way of keeping your home upon to date!

A traditional Swedish sofa and two simple wicker chairs ensure a social area in the main living room area, while a little spot under the roof serves as extra storage.

A simple wooden ladder leads to the sleep loft.

It took me several goes through these pictures before I noticed the door above! It conceals a storage cupboard.

I love the use of two-toned wood panelling in the kitchen! Note how this panelling is beaded for a more traditional look.

How lovely. I could sit in that spot in the garden all weekend, how about you?

Here's an idea of the layout:

Glossary: kök - kitchen, stuga - cabin, förråd - storage.

Speaking of small spaces, Per is headed up to our little cabin this evening, while I travel to Karlshamn in Blekinge (it's a beautiful part of the world which I once covered in this travel guide) for my daughter Liv's swimming gala. Fingers crossed for her - I know she's a little nervous!

I hope you have some fun plans too!

In the meantime, I'll leave you with some of these beautiful tours from the small space archive:

This allotment cottage is a true summer oasis

A charming allotment cottage in Malmö, Sweden

A beautiful allotment cottage in summertime

See you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Kvarteret Mäkleri - where it is currently for sale!

FILED UNDER: small spaces swedish cottage tiny house

Prints, Splashes of colour and Playful Pattern in a Vibrant Danish Home

The country of Denmark is divided into three main land masses - the mainland (Jutlund), Zealand (the island on which Copenhagen is located) and then Funen - there island tucked in between. And everything is connected by spectacular bridges! I have had the pleasure of visiting Funen on several occasions - probably the most memorable of which was a filming session in the castle belonging to the owner of Carl Hansen & Søn. If I were to return to Funen, I'd love to stop by for a coffee with Ann-Sophie at her beautiful house in Ødense - I can see from the pictures, it would bring an instant smile to my face!

Ann-Sophie Ulka - founder and creative director of Fabrek a fabulous online design and interior shop - shares her home with her partner and their three boys. And in true Danish style, she has filled the house with splashes of colour, prints, pattern, Danish design and playful accessories all the while ensuring a calm feel (the balance is in their genes, I tell you!). The result is a vibrant home with a wonderful, relaxed feel. Let's take a tour!