A cottage in the Stockholm archipelagos

A cottage in the Stockholm archipelagos

Holiday homes rural retreats Summer cottage swedish cottage swedish home

I don't know what the weather's like where you are but here it's starting to feel....er.....dare I say it....Autumnal. So today I thought I'd add a little sunshine here on the blog instead. And if I close my eyes this rainy, windy Tuesday morning I can dream I'm at on this beautiful waterside cottage. It's the fabulous home of one of Sköna Hem blogger Åsa Myrberg of @mycasa on Ekerö in the Stockholm archipelagos. If the beautiful, light filled and relaxed interior doesn't do it for you, the setting certainly will. Summer anyone?

Sköna Hem, Pernilla Hed. 

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

Sköna Hem. Pernilla Hed.

What an incredible place to spend long summer days?! The Stockholm archipelagos really are fantastic too.

For more Scandinavian summer cottage dreaming click here - warning, you'll need to pour yourself a cup of tea first - there are hundreds of them! (the home above might come up first, if so, scroll past it).

I'm off to The Conference in Malmö today - anyone else going? Last year's was so inspiring!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

A super stylish get-away in Northern Sweden

A super stylish get-away in Northern Sweden

Holiday homes restaurants swedish home

I hope you had a great weekend?! I'm often receiving mails from readers asking for suggestions of wonderful places to stay in Sweden. And today I found a new tip - Sågverket - an oh so cool youth hostel / conference centre in Northern Sweden. Described recently in Residence magazine as Norrland's super stylish hang out, Sågverkat is a got-to place for romantic weekends, creative conference or simply somewhere to relax and get-away from it all in a stylish environment. Personally I'd go there just to enjoy the decor and scenery alone how about you?! But we all need to be quick, it's up for sale. Anyone sitting at their desk this Monday morning feeling like a new challenge?!

Fantastic Frank

To get a complete picture of the beautiful property and it's surroundings you can see more pictures over at Fantastic Frank.

Tempted?!

Today is my eldest daughter's first day at school. I thought she was so big until I dropped her off at the school gate this morning and she suddenly looked so small. I hope she'll be OK.....

And I hope you have a great start to your week too!

A beautiful pared-back Finnish cabin

A beautiful pared-back Finnish cabin

Finnish home Holiday homes Log cabin Summer cottage

Well hello Monday! I hope you had a great weekend? For my family and I it was a matter of unpacking and settling in back home punctuated by the odd dip in the Öresund sea. Although my summer holidays are over for this year (sniff sniff), it doesn't stop me dreaming and feel inspired by idyllic Scandinavian holiday homes. Take this Finnish summer cottage I spotted over at Emmas Design blog, for example. Belonging to Johanna Lehtinen and photographed by Krista Keltanen , this black, white and wood cabin is beautifully simple, letting the surrounding nature do the talking. Just as a holiday home should do. I could spend some downtime here, could you?

Photography: Krista Keltanen, Bolig Liv. Via Emmas Design blog with thanks.

What a location?!

Anything you love in particular about this summer cottage?

If you're after more Finnish cabin inspiration this bright Monday morning how about this one from Time of The Aquarius (pictures here and here) another fine eample of the pared-back Finnish holiday home style.

 Have a lovely day!

The bohemian summer home of a Swedish fashion photographer

The bohemian summer home of a Swedish fashion photographer

Holiday homes rural retreats Summer cottage swedish cottage swedish home

Many Swedes choose to spend their summers on the beautiful east coast island of Gotland and I can totally understand why. One such person is fashion photographer Peter Gerhke (who has shot for H&M among many other brands) and his family. The family's relaxed, bohemian style stone country house is radically different from their permanent residence in Stockholm which is decorated with a far more contemporary feel. The family spend their time at the summer cottage bare foot, enjoying the grape vines and fig trees in the garden, cooking using home grown vegatables and herbs or fishing and swimming in the clear waters of the Baltic sea. Now that's a way to spend a summer!

Photography: Martin Löf. MILK Decoration with kind permission. 

I love the idea of hanging out bare-foot and care-free don't you?!

My favourite room, has to be the bathroom. I love free standing baths in the middle of the room, and just look at that beautiful original wood floor!

For more inspriation from Gotland you might want to check out this former light house keeper's cottage, the idyllic summer home of the blogger behind a Beautiful Living, and a beautiful Swedish summer retreat. Summer on Gotland 2015 anyone?!

It's Friday - woohoo! Any great plans for the weekend? Whatever you do I hope you have a fantastic couple of days. See you Monday!

A little piece of Scandinavia in Toronto

A little piece of Scandinavia in Toronto

Holiday homes International homes rural retreats scandinavian design furniture Summer cottage

Because the summer's not over yet - here is a beautiful Scandinavian styled guest house in Toronto, Canada owned by John and Juli Baker of Mjolk, an online shop selling items by Scandinavian and Japanese designers (it's starting to become a bit of dangerous week!).

Remodelista

 For more info on where to find some of the fab items in the home check out the Remodelista's article....perfect!

Enjoy the sun!

Glamping, Cornwall style

Glamping, Cornwall style

Holiday homes rural retreats

Hi campers! I'm back, and what a week! Anyone in England and Sweden will tell you that the weather last month was attrocious - so we packed for rain and more rain. And guess what? The weather was hot, hot, HOT! Perfect for breakfast al fresco and surfing on Cornwall's finest beaches! Here are a few pics from the wonderful Polgreen Glamping complete with beautiful fields, Rosie the sheep, pigs, chicken, a nature trail and a wonderful little honesty shop stocked with produce from the local farms. Thank you Sarah and Simon for a wonderful stay!

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MSH

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MSH

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All photos: Polgreen Glamping or My Scandinavian Home as specified

I can warmly recommend this wonderful 'glamping' site, especially if you would like to get back to basics but with an added touch of luxury - double bed with a duvet in a tent anyone?

At the weekend I managed to catch the Olympic men's cycling in Richmond Park, London - which was so exciting! Now I'm totally into the Olympics, which is why i'm writing this post so late (I couldn't tear myself away!!).

It feels good to be back in sunny Sweden though and I'll be blogging daily again with lots of interior design inspiration, so pop back tomorrow!

It's always good to be home!

A weekend retreat in South Africa

A weekend retreat in South Africa

Holiday homes International homes

Since it's the week of all white holiday homes in beautiful locations, I had to feature this beautiful weekend retreat of architect Minky Lidchi which I found via the wonderful blog 79 ideas. I visited South Africa for the first time last autumn and already can't wait to find an opportunity to go back.

Photographs Martin Hahn: house and leisure via 79 ideas

If there's one thing that truly stands out to me it's the beautiful walls. I long to have textured walls like this. I also love the sculptures, very beautiful! What do you reckon?

Beautiful cool white home in St Barths

Beautiful cool white home in St Barths

Holiday homes International homes

Summer has officially arrived in Sweden and everyone's been kicking back and taking it easy. The weather has been fab all weekend too - YAAAY!  To celebrate I thought I'd post a few pics of this stunning beach home in St Barths. How about this for a holiday retreat?!!

Marie Claire via Purple Area

 If the backdrop of the tourquoise seas and white sands don't make you feel like you're in paradise, the home itself might just be the rum in the colada?! 

Since it's holiday time here in Sweden I'm going to be posting a little less, but do stop by as I'll definitely be popping in here and there each week. Enjoy the sunshine! N x