A Swedish west coast retreat, family home and studio

Hello Monday! A storm is brewing here in Southern Sweden, and although I don't want to be out in it, I'm looking forward to the prospect of batoning down the hatches, getting out the blankets and lighting a few candles. This definitely calls for a cosy home exposed to the perils of nature. This Swedish retreat by the sea in Frilesas, Halland (not far from here) was originally designed and built by owner Fred, a carpenter. He was looking for a weekend bolthole and decided to keep it small, open-plan, simple and modern. But when he met his partner Lina, a designer, they decided to extend it to create a family home and a studio from which Lina could work. Now Lina and Fred  live here with their 6 month old son Stig and it's undeniably cosy, warm and welcoming. A perfect haven from a storm raging outside!

Lantliv by  Maria Delice  Karlsson with kind permission.

Could you ride out a storm in here?! 

Read more about it here (in Swedish). Or check out other cosy Swedish retreat's here (romantic log cabin anyone?!) and here.

In the last image I spy a sheepskin rug - which leads me to my latest news - I'm very excited to welcome my new sponsor BLACK SHEEP (WHITE LIGHT) purveyor of eco-friendly icelandic sheepskins and other select natural design products. I have my eye on this one in particular! They also ship worldwide - perfect! Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make this blog possible.

PS Oh and the other piece of exciting news is that my home is featured in the November edition of IKEA Family Live! I'm a big fan of IKEA as you know, so it's an honour to be included!

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

A white Skåne home with a fabulous woodburner

I love keeping an eye out on homes for sale here in Skåne. And just occasionally I come across a real gem (thanks Stil Inspiration for this tip!). It's no secret that I love white (don't we all?!) but I also dream of having a wood burning stove one day too. I love the stark contrast of this one against all the pale wood and white walls. I could live here, could you?!

Bo-laget via Stil Inspiration with thanks

I spy Eames DSR chairs (15% off with code MYSCAN), the Lightyears Caravaggio lamp in the kitchen and Gubi Semi Pendant lamp over the dining table. A few IKEA pieces too; the clock, urban chairs and foot stall in the kitchen. Great mix of designer and highstreet!

Meanwhile, I'm compiling a fireplace moodboard on Pinterest, and using these beautiful homes with fireplaces as inspiration. Sooooo cosy!

Have a lovely day!

A rustic retreat on Sweden's west coast

This converted barn and tower in Korslid, near Bottna, on Sweden's west coast is the country home of writer and journalist Kenneth Kauppi, gardener Catherine Thelander and their family. Recently featured in Lantliv, the family have lovingly renovated the farm buildings over 25 years to create a beautiful rustic open living space and studio. The family love to stay in the summer to relax, swim and kayak in the archipelago, explore the great open spaces that surround the house and generally take some downtime. I can certainly see why!

Photographer Patric Johansson with kind permission. Lantliv.

Such a lovely rustic retreat, I especially like the art work what about you? And there's that indoor swing again....

A Swedish cottage with a beautiful mix

It's Friday! Woohoo! To celebrate here's a truly inspiring cottage in Höganäs here in Skåne. I would love a home like this - it's got the perfect mix of orginal wood beams, whitewashed brick walls, industrial style lamps and furniture and a touch of shabby chic. The white floors on the upper level are the icing on the cake for me!

Hemnet via 79 ideas

What do you think?

If you're ever in Southern Sweden, Höganäs in well worth a stop thanks to it's fantastic design shops - Lily & Oscar and Magasin 36 (which also does the best brunch ever!).

Have a wonderful weekend!

PS If you understand German and fancy a little read about design bloggers and their homes check out this article.....they've included my portrait picture and a few snaps of my home in the gallery too!!

A weekend retreat in Skåne

Hello! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! In Southern Sweden it's becoming increasingly popular/ trendy to  escape city apartments at weekends / in the summer to a 'kollonilott' (an allotment often with a small house). Seeing these pictures, it's a far cry from the small veggie patch allotment my parents had when I grew up (I remember hours of raking, digging and once trod on a slug bare foot....). This allotment site comes with a beautiful cottage owned by Emma Persson Lagerberg and is currently up for sale. 

Emma Persson Lagerberg, Fastighetsbyrån

Coud you see yourself relaxing here?

A pretty Västergötland farmhouse

This is the home of stylist and writer Anna Truelsen, husband Michael and children Johanna, Joel, Jonatan and Joshua in Västergötland, Sweden. They had to wait ten years to buy the farmhouse, but it seems good things come to those who wait! The family spent five years renovating the home and Anna is now converting the barn to create a home office from where she'll write her blog My Lovely Things.

Stylist: Anne Ralf Hållbus Photographer Jonas Lundberg, Lantliv

Such a lovely home, very relaxed with a lovely mix of old and new (I see an injection of modern with Eames chairs throughout - for 15% discount (code MYSCAN) on Eames chairs click here. Yay!)  The key idea I'm going to steal from Anna's home is using a demi john as a vase and simple jam jars on the dining table with wild flowers, so simple yet so pretty!

One of my dreams is to have a lovely gazebo, converted barn or shed in my garden from which to write just like Anna. I'll have to keep an eye on her blog to see the end result, exciting!

That's it for me for the week. It's surprising how great the internet has been here in the (very beautiful) Gothenburg archepelagos. Have you been here? It's one of my favourite places in the world and where I met my husband 9 years ago. If you ever come let me know and I'll send you some tips, I've got so many favourite islands!

Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday!

A stunning skåne home

Hello! I'm so excited to share this home with you today! It belongs to Josephine Ekström who owns the beautiful shop Lily & Oscar in my Father-in-law's home town of Höganäs here in Skåne, South Sweden. Her home, which was formerly a general store, is a true reflection of the type of items she sells in her shop - beautiful unique pieces with a vintage or antique touch. Truly lovely space.

With kind permission from Josephine Ekström, Photography: Anne Rosén Rösio for Elle Decoration via French By Design. 

The style of this home is right up my street, how about you? I think my favourite space (although it's extremely hard to choose) is the hallway with the stunning tiled floor. I also love the wood rafters against the white in the bedroom and sitting room.

Do you have a favourite room or feature?

A beautifully renovated Swedish farmhouse

This beautiful turn of the century Dalarna farmhouse was the childhood home of  Swedish photographer Helena Blom. Thirteen years ago Helena and her husband Göran returned with their children Elliot and Emma. Since then they have lovingly restored the home. It was important to Helena that the features which make an old house so charming such as the uneven hardwood floor, creaky staircase, beautiful fireplace and wood stove remained intact while the home is updated to reflect modern family life.

With kind permission from photographer: Helena Blom. Lantliv

What a beautiful home! I think my favourite room has to be the sitting room with it's wonderful white floors, wood burning stove and wood beams (and saddle of course!).

What do you love about this home?