Helen's Cosy Swedish Cottage At Christmas

The First Sunday of Advent is just around the corner and already we're seeing stars and twinkling lights appear in windows throughout Sweden. With the shorter days and much of the country blanketed in snow, the decorations help to brighten up the darkness and add cosiness and warmth.  

A couple of winters ago I spent a magical few days at my dear friend, interior designer Helen Sturesson's cottage in Blekinge, southern Sweden. You have likely seen some of these cosy Christmas pictures before, but I couldn't resist featuring the entire cosy tour today. 

I love the rustic feel and focus on understated tradition - little wonder the family choose to spend Christmas here by the fire. Ready to get into the festive spirit?

So magical! 

I'd be so happy here cosying up by the fire, how about you? 

It's so lovely and quiet there, and only a short walk from the baltic sea.

The glass decorations seen on the table, hanging on the tree and on the windowsill are all mouth-blown on the Danish island of Bornholm by atelier Pernille Bülow. My family and I are actually heading to the island this weekend to visit the Christmas market so I must stop by and pick up some Christmas decorations! I can't wait, it's such a beautiful part of the world! 

I hope you enjoyed this tour of Helen's charming little cottage! 

Niki

 

Photography - Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home

Home / styling - Helen Sturesson

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6 Rustic Cabins For a Cosy Weekend

As we inch nearer December the temperatures are starting to dip and the North of Sweden, Norway and Finland are dusted in snow. Sadly, there's no snow here in the south yet, but the cold wind has me dreaming of snuggling up in a rustic log cabin by the fire this weekend. Do you feel the same? 

I did a little digging in the My Scandinavian Home archives to retrieve some of my favourite cabins. Some  are way out in the woods and others are deep in the Norwegian fjords or by a frozen lake in Finland. One of them (the last one) I have had the pleasure of visiting not once but twice in person! The first time was to shoot the Norwegian cabin for my book The Scandinavian Home*, and I was so mesmerised by it, I returned with my entire family that winter. If you click on the link you can take the entire fabulous tour - and see my girls in action. It was minus twenty-five degrees celsius so we were well wrapped up! 

I hope these cabins get in you in the mood for a cosy weekend and you can experience the wonderful feel of them through the pictures! 

1. Visit Lisa's cosy cabin deep in the Norwegian fjords 

2. A rustic hideaway in a former railway carriage, and boutique stay

3. A cosy Finnish cabin boy a frozen lake

4. A cosy cabin in the woods

5. Hilde's Norwegian cabin in wintertime

5. An incredible Norwegian cabin for cross country skiing

Oh, so lovely! I would be perfectly happy to spend my weekend at any of these cabins, how about you? They all look so cosy with their roaring fires, snuggly blankets and rustic backdrop! 

We are driving up to Norway after Christmas for a few days to relax and enjoy the snowy landscape - maybe do a little skiing if it's not too cold. Having seen these pictures, I can't wait! In the meantime though, I'll imagine I'm in one of these lovely places! 

Have a cosy weekend all! 

Niki

Credits: 1. Gunn Kristin Monsen 2. Settle 3. Krista Keltanen 4. Alice Saunders 5. Hilde Mork 5. James Gardener for CICO Books. 

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Stay in Your Very Own Tower Near Malmö, Sweden

It's funny how you can live somewhere for twenty years and still discover new and exciting places in your neck of the woods. Yesterday, I stumbled across this tower on instagram and realised with much excitement that it's located just outside Malmö. Not only that but you can rent it for over night stays! Naturally, I'm already planning my trip. And of course, I had to share it with you in case you're headed this way too! 

These pictures are decidedly summery, and the pared down look is wonderful for balmy nights under the midnight sun. But my guess is that it will feel equally as cosy when there's snow on the ground and you're wrapped under a blanket with a log burner going, don't you think? I hope you enjoy the tour of this charming stone tower as much as I have! 

When it comes to holiday homes, simplicity is key. And I think this lovely tower has been decorated to perfection, with plenty of hooks for clothes. 

This is the log burner I was talking about - so cosy next to the bed! I love being able to see the wood-burning stove from our bed in the cabin too! 

Maybe I can even convince Per to get strumming on the guitarre!

I'm mesmerised by the big glass doors on the ground floor and these large windows on the middle floor - so beautiful! 

At night the candles above the bed can be lit for a romantic evening looking out over the fields. Just saying.

What a perfect stay! 

Could you imagine hanging out here for a few days? If so, head on over to Tornet i Pile for more information about booking a stay or organising an event. You might also like to get involved in one of the food workshops! 

Incidentally, I am fully aware that I am busy sharing summery pictures while the rest of the online world appears to be turning increasingly Christmassy (I've even spotted even a new phrase this month 'Novent'! 

I will get there with my Scandi Christmas inspiration (it is so pretty after all!), especially with first Sunday of advent two weeks ago - but I thought I'd wait just a little longer if OK with you guys! 

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends! 

See you Friday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Tornet i Pile, shared with kind permission. 

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Timeless Charm and Dark Blue Walls in a Small Swedish Apartment

While colours in the fashion and interior design world come and go, there is always one that remains: dark blue. It's timeless. And I'm a huge fan. 

Softer than black but still striking, dark blue is a stalwart in the world of interiors and adds a cosy, cocoon like feel to a room. Combine it with fresh whites and warm earthy tones for a soft, elegant look, and throw in lots of natural materials in the form of wood, rattan, cane, linen and wool for a look that's bang up to date! 

This beautiful apartment in Gothenburg is a fine example of dark blue done right! Oh, and it's also great inspiration for anyone who has their bedroom in the living room too! Välkommen in! 

The Flos Sarfatti ceiling light is a design classic which you'll find in many Swedish homes. 

I don't think I'll ever tire of linen bedding - it's practical, catches the light in a beautiful way, and the more you wash it the softer it gets. Try Wonder Linen on Etsy* for similar! 

*affiliate link

Wooden hooks from Norrgavel are a Swedish bedroom essential! 

Contrast is continued in the kitchen with black units and off-white walls. Notice the copper piping, cabinet and painting too! 

Swedes are going crazy for range ovens right now! They're more widely available these days as you can get them in both gas and electric induction versions. 

Rule break alert: the rug version of 'messy hair, don't care'! I kind of like how this one extends onto the wood floor. It's a little like rolling out the red carpet - everyday!

A jute rug adds a softness to the black and white bathroom. We've also added one to our downstairs loo and it makes the world of difference! 

Such a lovely home full of contrast! Interestingly, the estate agent have presented two versions of how to divide up the sitting room / bedroom area - one open-plan, and one divided into two separate rooms (vardagsrum - living room, kök - kitchen, sovrum - bedroom): 

Which do you prefer?

Also, would you consider going for a dark colour in your home? In Albin's room we've painted two of the walls in dark blue, but I've always regretted not going for the entire room. Next project? 

Not quite convinced with the dark blue? See other homes with this feature here: 

A striking small Stockholm space in dark blue

5 ways to rock the dark blue and beige look

A stunning Norwegian home in many shades of blue

And for those of you planning a small space, here are some great examples of Scandinavian style studio apartments: 

An elegant Swedish 'ettan'

A small Swedish apartment packed with charm - and sunshine!

8 essential items for a Swedish studio apartment 

Happy Monday friends! 

Niki

Styling: Emma Fischer & Annica Clarmell

Photography: Walti Hösli

For sale via: Entrance

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Stephanie's Charming and Relaxed Family Home

It's Friday people! Woohooo! I'm feeling lighter already - but I am also aware that Per and I have a big DIY project going on at the cottage which needs to be tended too over the weekend (I'm so looking forward to sharing the results with you once finished). No rest for the wicked, as they say!! I hope you have slightly more relaxing plans. 

Speaking of relaxed...

I stumbled across Stephanie Friedrich's wonderful family home on instagram yesterday and knew I had to share it with you! Stephanie lives with her husband and two boys by lake Constance in Germany and have created a beautiful, relaxed base in which to relax. 

Light and airy, the walls are mainly white, with a touch of floral wallpaper here and a lick of paint there. But the charm lies in the unique blend of furniture and personal items spread around the rooms. if you're working with sloped ceilings and awkward angles in your home, you'll likely love the master bedroom and bathrooms which maximise the space while working around the walls. All in all, a perfect home tour with which to end the week! 

Step this way. 

What a lovely, relaxed home! Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new - how about you? 

One of the key things I noticed about Stephanie's home is how art is displayed. None of it is 'too perfect' and it's a wonderful mix of 2D and 3D! For example, in the kitchen, unframed art has been spontaneously propped up on top of a framed art. And in the sitting room, small objects have been placed on top of frames or simply lent against the wall. 

Is there anything specific that stands out to you? 

I wouldn't blame you for wanting to see more of Stephanie's home. If that's the case, pop along to her instagram feed @fraeuleinotten for more corners and snapshots from everyday family life in Germany!

Would you like to feel inspired by other relaxed family homes this weekend? Pull up a seat and dive into:  

Chestnut tones in a delightful Swedish family home

I love my friend Helen's former home here in Malmö

12 child-friendly ideas to steal from a happy family home in Berlin

Folks, that's it from me this week! Thank you for stopping by, I hope you've enjoyed the tours! I've loved reading your comments and mails :)

See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: @fraeuleinotten, shared with kind permission. 

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