A truly idyllic Swedish 'kolonistuga' (allotment cottage)

With July just around the corner Swedes across the country are gearing up for the summer vacation. Some will go abroad, some to summer cottages. And some wile away the long days at a 'kolonistuga'; a small cottage on an allotment. This pretty, pared-back kolonistuga just outside Gothenburg, belongs to Elin Lannsjö and her boyfriend Viktor who enjoy relaxing summers bare-foot, tending to their garden and entertaining friends.  When it comes to decorating, Elin relies on her gut feeling, selecting items made from natural materials such as wood, stone, cermics (including her own creations) and natural colours. What a truly idyllic space! Could you spend your summer here?

Lovely Life: Styling Johanna Bradford. Photography Kristin Lagerqvist

Oh so lovely, don't you think?

Sadly we can't all have a Swedish 'kolonistuga' but the great thing is we can create a wall of chopping boards, straw hats or anything else that takes our fancy (do you have a collection gallery wall?). I also love the Thonet chairs painted in matt black leaving only the tip of the legs in natural wood - this trick could be used to spruce up flee market finds or items at home you've grown tired of (remember these beds and side table legs painted in neon?!). There's always Pretty Pegs too. I see a potential DIY project for the weekend, do you? And it's only Monday! 

See more images and read about this lovely home here (in swedish).

Other home tours beautifully captured by Kristin and Johanna include the boho home and atelier of a Swedish artist and a relaxed space with floaty linens. Or if you're after more 'kolonistuga' inspiration - how about this one?!

Have a great start to the week!

An idyllic Swedish summer cottage in Orust

With preperations under way in Sweden for one of the biggest events of the calendar year - midsummer's eve, I thought it would be apt to show a pretty former sea captain's cottage over looking the beautiful Gothenburg archipelego, on Sweden's west coast. What a perfect spot this would be to enjoy the longest day of the year: sing, eat and dance around a maypole with family and friends, don't you think?

55 Kvadrat. Photography: Anders Bergstedt

Just so idyllic!

And guess what...it's for sale! How incredibly tempting! Could you spend your summer's here?

More pictures and the complete details here.

The Gothenburg archipelago is one of my favourite places in the world, it's absolutely stunning. My family and I have spent many incredible summers sailing around the islands. Do let me know if you ever visit and I can give you some tips.

More Scandinavian summer cottage tours here if I've got you in the mood (this one might come up first so just scroll passed). 

Don't miss my mini midsummer's eve guide tomorrow...wild flowers at the ready!

Have a lovely day!

An idyllic Swedish cottage with outdoor kitchen and shower

Hello! How are you this Monday? The schools break up in Sweden later this week and I'm starting to get that summer feeling; think bare feet, dips in the sea, fishing, cooking and eating alfresco and showers under the open sky. At least that's what would happen if I were to spend the summer in this idyllic Swedish summer cottage. Like many Scandinavian holiday homes, it's been designed to make the most of the outdoors. And for rainy days, the interior has been decorated with traditional rag rugs, summer quilts in a basket, antique and vintage Swedish furniture and wicker chairs for enjoying the summer read. Oh yes! Could you spend your summer here?

 

 

Photography: Clive Tompsett (shared with kind permission). Sköna Hem

I'm such a big fan of holiday homes with a black exterior (see also this and this cottage!).

And I've always been a fan of bathing and showering outdoors (do you remember this post?!). Not only is there something special about washing under the open sky but they're also perfect for rinsing little feet after a day at the beach. Do you have an outdoor shower?

And move over barbecues - this summer I've got my eye on an entire outdoor kitchen (more inspiration can be taken from this Finnish cabin - so wonderful?!). 
More fabulous Swedish summer cottage inspiration here.

Thank you to everyone who entered the Houseology give-away this weekend. The winner has now been announced here..(oh how I wish I'd won!). 

Have a great start to the week!

A pared-back Swedish summer home on Gotland

Oooo, it's Friday and it feels like the summer's finally arrived here in Sweden - wooohooo! When it comes to Swedish summer time - a pared-back lifestyle is the way to go. Many like to retreat to a summer cottage for up to 4 weeks to make the most of the long summer days and surrounding nature. This home of a Swedish actor and comedian on the beautiful island of Gotland is a fine example, although a little bigger than most! It's made up of several buildings which allow friends and family to come and go and it's decorated with a lovely no-frills approach. And guess what? it's for sale! Could. You. Imagine? Gotland anyone?!


 

All Photography: Mats Hemlin / Bertwig fastighetsförmedling

Could you wile away a summer with family and friends in this cottage? If so, you might want to see the full tour here....

Other Gotland homes I absolutely love include this former lighthouse keeper's cottage, the boho home of a Swedish fashion photographer and the idyllic stone cottage of a stylist / photographer.

Got to love Gotland!

In case you're in the mood for a little Scandinavian summer cottage inspiration today (hey, the sun's shining, it's Friday, why not?!) you might want to check out all the summer cottages / Swedish cottages and rural retreats I've squirreled away over the years. 

Roll on the long summer holidays..are you up to anything fun?

Don't forget tomorrow I'm holding an exciting weekend give-away so pop back if you have the time, I think you're going to absolutely love the prize. 

Have a lovely day!

An idyllic Danish cottage

I hope you're having a great start to the week? I'm actually in the small fishing village of Gilleleje today for the second day of a photo shoot for my new book - so exciting (more news to follow at a later date)! We've got to leave the hotel shortly but before I go I thought it would be fitting to share an  absolutely idyllic Danish former fisherman's cottage belonging to Dorthe Brocante. The palette of blue, indigo, charcoal and earthy tones is so pretty, don't you think?

Photographer: Martin Sølyst (with kind permission). Stylist: Eva Marie Wilken for Bolig Liv. via Nordic Design

 Wow! How I'd love a home like this, how about you?

Anyone want to skip work this morning and drink coffee in the garden with me?!

I love, love love the ceramics. I was at a wonderful styling workshop at The Hive hosted by Dietland Wolf  in which she talked about black on black styling using textured ceramics. The detailed shot of the three black vessels in Dorthe's home reminds me of how beautiful it can be to group three items of the same colour but with different surface texture and shapes.

More beautiful cottages here. And Danish homes here.

Got to rush but I'll leave you to dream! Have a lovely day!