Glad Midsommar! - And a Pretty Summer Table Setting

This Friday marks Midsummer's Eve, the most significant day in the Swedish calendar. The celebrations begin with the crafting of floral headdresses, followed by dancing around the Maypole, and culminate in a gathering with fun garden games. I've always cherished Swedish Midsummer's Eve – a joyful celebration of light and nature spent with loved ones, accompanied by plenty of Aquavit and singing! Emma Johansson's charming photographs, where even the glasses wear flower crowns, beautifully capture the spirit of the day.

If you'd like to join the festivities, here are some past posts for inspiration: 

A short and pretty guide to celebrating midsummer

6 simple foraged flower displays for Midsummer

5 simple steps to hosting midsummer

A mini guide for celebrating midsummer

Single? Don't forget to pick seven different wildflowers and lay them under your pillow on Midsummer's Eve. Swedish legend has it that you'll dream of the person you are going to marry! 

Glad midsommar! 

Niki

PS I'll be taking a short break over Midsummer - back on Monday! 

Photography: Emma Johansson, shared with kind permission

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A Perfect Swedish Summer Cottage For Midsummer's Eve!

It's the start of a new week - but not just any week. Here in Sweden, we're gearing up for arguably the biggest event of the year - Midsummer! On Thursday evening the city streets will slowly become deserted as folk flock to the countryside to spend 'midsommarsafton' (midsummer's eve) with family and friends on Friday. 

It felt apt to share this quintessential Swedish cottage on the island of Gotland to mark the occasion. You might just recognise it, it used to belong to Emma Sundh (previously featured here with a different layout and furnishings!). The pretty red and white cottage is every inch the archetypal Swedish summer cottage - and it has a large garden that's perfect for dancing around a maypole with flowers in your hair! 

Step inside to discover rooms painted in earthy tones to mirror the surrounding nature, simple decor, touches of floral wallpaper and the most beautiful masonry oven! 

So idyllic! And such a pretty cottage, don't you think? I'd be perfectly happy to spend my summer months here. It helps that Gotland is the most amazing island. Located in the Baltic Sea, the nature is verdant and wild, with rugged shores and sandy beaches, as well as wildflowers growing in the hedgerows. Small ateliers and farm shops are dotted along the roadside, and a cool eatery is never far away. If you'd like to visit, you can read more about the island in this travel guide I wrote a while back. 

Most importantly, it has so much space to dance around like a frog on midsummer (read more about hosting a Swedish midsummer celebration here). 

Step inside more beautiful summer cottages on Gotland today here: 

A rustic summer cottage with a pool

Elsa's inspiring summer cottage

A beautiful limestone barn

A converted school house

Speaking of summer cottages, Landfolk and swedish magazine Hus & hem are currenty seeking Sweden's loveliest summer cottage. You can see the shortlist (some of which you'll recognise from past blog posts) - and vote for your favourite here. 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Länsförsäkringar Fastighetsförmedling (currently for sale). 

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A Warm and Inviting Home in Södermalm, Stockholm

There's plenty to love about the summer - but one of my favourite things is the light. You simply don't get that wonderful golden light in Sweden any other time of the year - and it gives everything such a wonderful, warm feel. 

This apartment in Stockholm has been captured at exactly the right time of day to capture it in all its glory. And I love the way the golden light hits the touches of colour: a red chair here, a yellow flower there to make it pop. Also, keep a look out for classic teak furniture, bold patterns (by the likes of Svenskt Tenn), the eclectic blend of furniture and playful details - as well of course, as the lovely balcony, which looks like a perfect spot for a Friday night drink or two! Skål!  

This is the second time in the past two weeks that we've seen a home with red accents - could it be a growing trend in Sweden perhaps? Either way, it definitely adds energy to each room! 

Is there anything in particular you love about this home? 

Here are a few other warm and inviting homes to put you in the mood for the weekend: 

Alva's inviting cottage and farm shop in Sweden

Imke's warm and inviting family home in Geneva

A boho apartment in Södermalm, Stockholm

In our house today it's a hive of activity since Hilton Carter (AKA the famous plant man from the USA!) is coming to visit and shoot something in our home for a forthcoming project. I've been a fan of Hilton's ever since I featured his former home which of course, was full of the most incredible plants! So the pressure is on, especially as Per and I only remember to water our plants when they're on the sad side! 

And then, I am looking forward to a very relaxing weekend with my family. Phew!

I hope you have a lovely few days, thank you for dropping by - see you Monday!

Niki

Photos: Therese Jahnson, Styling Thomas Lingsell - for Historiska Hem. 

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This Magazine-Ready Cabin on a Swedish Island is on Airbnb!

Can you work from home? Or more importantly, need a holiday? If so, this lovely Swedish cottage on the island of Dalarö in the Stockholm archipelagos for you.  At the top of the Airbnb checklist is 'dedicated workspace - a room with wifi that's well suited for working'. But when you read the full description, it's enough to make you want to switch off your laptop and soak up the tranquility of the surroundings instead! 

Built in 1968, the cabin is surrounded by the ocean, forest and nature, and the grey and wood interior has been designed to mirror the beautiful rocky cliffs and woodland, giving it a subtle raw, masculine touch. 

On sunny days, life moves out onto the terrace where a bed swing (such a great idea!), hammock and barbecue awaits. On colder days, a wood-burning sauna offers a respite from the chill. Oh, and dogs are welcome too! 

Feeling tempted? Wait till you see the pictures!

Could you imagine swapping your desk for the one in this cabin? Or simply booking this stay for a relaxing holiday? If so, you can find more details here. 

I was in the Stockholm archipelagos recently and I can't tell you how tranquil it was - rain or shine! it's a great place to hike (there are trails everywhere) or sunbathe on the warm rocks. If you're visiting the Swedish capital, make sure you stay a few more days to explore the islands! 

Looking for more wonderful 'stays' in Sweden this summer? I love these lets: 

A limestone barn on the island of Gotland

The stonecutters farm on the island of Öland 

Get away from it all at a lakeside cottage in Sweden

Just a word of warning - always check with a Swedish airbnb if they provide bedding. In Sweden, you are often expected to bring your own sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases so it's good to ask the hosts to make sure you don't get caught out! 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

PS I am exciting to be heading to 3 days of design in Copenhagen, Denmark tomorrow, let me know if you're in town too! 

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A Calm Swedish Home in the Heart of the City

Hej there! I hope you had a fantastic weekend! I'm at Bodø airport in North Norway waiting for my flight back to Malmö. I've had such an amazing time in the Arctic circle and can't wait to share more with you once I've had a chance to process my billion pictures! It is a truly awe-inspiring part of the world. 

Today, I'd like to shift our gaze to Sweden, and a beautiful, serene apartment nestled away in a quiet courtyard in Gothenburg. 

It's a living space where sculpted shapes, plants and texture punctuate a milky background to create living space that's calm and cosy. Keep a special look out for the wall art and interesting lighting fixtures, and also the small bedrooms - which are small, but thanks to a clever design by no means feel pokey. 

Välkommen in! 

This window seat has everything you might need for a quiet moment - books, music and a view out over the street below. Perfect spot for a Monday, do you agree? 

The bedspread makes me think of a Danish home. These type of quilts are extremely popular in Denmark and can be picked up from Jou Quilts. 

Look at vase! So fun! Sadly, I am not sure where it's from - if you know, please do share in the comments below. Jonathan Adler makes a similar lip vase. 

IVAR storage units from IKEA are great for hiding small items while also serving as a place to display favourite objects. Plus, they are easy to personalise with paint. 

A pop of red has been one of the big micro trends of the year, especially in Denmark! I love how a single red chair spices up this little room! 

Lovely apartment! Such a calm space right in the heart of the city. Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more homes with pops of fire engine red here: 

The eclectic home of a jewellery designer

12 playful ways to add colour to your home, from a Danish home

A home with red floors - with surprising results

Are you a fan of red? 

Happy Monday!

Niki

Photography Maria Sahlander, styling JosefssonLjung for Stadshem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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