The idyllic Swedish summer cottage

When it comes to March and the first real warm days of the year, I dare to dream of long, carefree summer days. Freshly baked bread (by my man - after all, the secrets out - I'm the world's worst baker!!), the dewy grass under my feet and our children dashing around the garden screaming with laughter. In fact, the setting is not unlike that of the summer cottage of photographer Carina Olander in Dalarna, Sweden. Dating back to the 1800's, the charming cottage had no warm water and was in desperate need of renovation when the family first acquired it. Today, white washed walls serve as a simple back drop for a mix of antiques and vintage finds. The door is idly thrown open to the garden - which takes centre-stage all summer long. What an idyllic setting, don't you think?

Photography / home-owner: Carina Olander, shared with kind permission.

Oh how I'd love to be enjoying 'fika' under the boughs of that tree right now, fancy joining me?!

Get the look from Carina's lovely cottage: kitchen / dining room - Bialetti coffee maker, keep an eye out for a pair of industrial pendant lamps here, Moroccan woven shopping bag. Second dining space: bamboo lounge table and sofa bench from Tine K Home (I also like this folding table in bamboo for smaller spaces), set of linen cushions.

You might also like to take a peek inside more dreamy scandinavian summer cottages in this archive, and a whole host of idyllic Swedish cottages here (if this comes up first just scroll passed it). There really is something extremely special about a Scandinavian summer cottage, don't you think?

What does your 'summer dream' look like?

Have a wonderful weekend!

PS You probably recognise Carina's name as I'm often sharing her beautiful photography here on the blog - including the home of a collector, a country home at Christmas and a beautiful Gotland home in soothing grey.  Oh so lovely?!

Your New Year cabin hide-away?

As the Christmas holidays draw near I'm dreaming about getting away from it all for a few days at a little remote hide-away. Nothing fancy, just my family and I and a little wood burning stove - doesn't that sound wonderful?! This tiny Swedish cottage in Marie Emilsson's garden at Håkesgård, just outside Varberg on Sweden's west coast fits the bill perfectly. The traditional falun red cottage, which includes a kitchenette, bedroom and basic facilities has been newly renovated in classic green tones to match the surroundings. Oh and it has a hot tub too. Guh! How I'd love to spend my holidays here, how about you?!

Credits: Photography - Kristin Lagerqvist (blog here) - shared with kind permission. 

So pretty! And the surroundings? Beautiful!

Could you imagine spending a few days here?

Get the look from Marie's little cottage: Morris Willow Bough wallpaper, Farrow & Ball sells a selection of green paint like this, straw fedora (source vintage ones here), buy beautiful grey linen fabric by the yard here, L:A bruket soap, these traditional linen cushions /pillows are pretty.

You can see more pics of Marie's lovely cabin here. 

The second to last image of the wood burning stove is taken from the main house - and features a beautiful garland made with fir and other foliage gathered from the garden - more pictures and a great tutorial of how to make this garland here.

Although not currently for hire, word on the (blog) street is that Marie might start to make it available - watch this space! In the meantime, if you're in Varberg, Trip2garden is definitely worth a visit with it's garden, café, shop and gallery.

More beautiful homes captured by Kristin Lagerqvist include a vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul, the lovely home of Johanna Bradford and an idyllic allotment house. I have to say, this Scandi-boho style is one of my favourites.

And if I've got you dreaming about getting away from it all, you might also want to check out three of my favourite archives: swedish cottages, rural reteats and log cabins (just scroll passed if Marie's cottage comes up first). And relax!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the give-away to win two vases from Nordal - the winner has now been announced here.....drum roll....

Step inside a beautifully simple Swedish island retreat

I hope you had a wonderful weekend? We went to visit friends at their summer cottage on the east coast of Skåne, which was lovely and soooo relaxing! I always find these cottages provide such a perfect way to switch off - partly because the Swedes have got it so right by keeping the decor simple and pared-back, offering the essentials but without distraction. This lovely holiday home on Gotland, an island off Sweden's east coast beautifully captured by Erik Lefvander and stylist Anna Mårselius is a perfect example of this. Home to Johan, Joanna, Melina & Ziggy, the muted colour scheme is complimented by strictly natural materials throughout for a calm living space centered around enjoying the simple pleasures in life: nature and each other.

Photographer Erik Lefvander / Stylist Anna Mårselius shared with kind permission. Featured in Residence Magazine.

So beautiful! Could you imagine spending your holidays here?

It really is such an inspiring space. I love the oil lamp over the kitchen table, bespoke wall to wall sofa lined with cushions and bedroom with space for the entire family. What a well thought out home!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

I'm such a big fan of Gotland and have featured many, many beautiful homes from the island on here before, some of my favourites include a charming 19th century house, a simple island retreat, and a beautiful home in soothing grey.

Hey, I've got an idea. Shall we just skip the working week and head there instead?! 

A charming 19th century house on Gotland

If you've followed my blog for a while, you'll know I have a weakness for homes on the Swedish island of Gotland in the Baltic. That's why I was really excited to come across this beautiful 19th century house. The owners have successfully renovated the property to embrace its history and at the same time bring it up to date.  Think wood burning stoves, tiled masonry ovens, rickety stairs, original wood floors and traditional earthy colours blended with mid-century and modern day finds. The style is laid back, traditional and rustic. Welcome in!

Photography: Jörgen Kristiansson for Fastighetsbyrån. 

Simply lovely, don't you think?

Oh and it's for sale. I know. 

You can see more pics of this lovely home (as well as the exterior) here (just in case your mind's not already made up!).

A few items I know and love from this Gotland cottage: dining area - Bentwood chairs, Gotland sheepskin throw, Klong oil lamp, source a beautiful vintage dough bowl here. Sitting room: chefs hat lamp, Gubi mirror. Bedroom: lampe gras wall lights. stonewashed linen bedding, dark grey quilt.

It would almost be unfair not to share some of my favourite Gotland homes from the past, don't you think? Here goes: a beautiful Gotland home in shades of grey, the bohemian sumer home of a fashion photographer and an idyllic island holiday home. Do you have a favourite style?

My blogging constantly brings new challenges and this afternoon I have another first. I've got a photo shoot with my neighbour's poodle, Daphne. I've been told she's a real natural behind the camera (she comes from a family of models after all) but most of all I'm looking forward to her company - I'm sure we'll get a long just fine!

Have a lovely day!

Swedish calligrapher Ylva Skarp's cosy winter home

Swedish calligrapher and designer Ylva Skarp knows how to create a beautiful home at Christmas (see it all decked out here). This winter she's created a cosy feel in her country home using sheepskin throws draped over armchairs, ottomans and dining chairs. You can see evidence of her work in various forms throughout the home- on fabric, in prints, engraved in the concrete floor and spontaneously written on blackboards. Such a personal home, don't you think?!  

Expressen. Photographer Helena Blom. Ylva Skarp.via The Style Files with thanks

I love the mix of rustic and industrial and how she has made her home a personal work of art. Is there anything that stands out to you?

Source sheeepskin rugs and throws here, You can get hold of one of Ylva Skarps beautiful prints here.

Thank you to everyone who entered the Occa-Home weekend give-away. The winner will be contacted by e-mail today and mentioned in the give-away post.

Have a lovely day!