Your Swedish island retreat?!

Hello there! Every now and again a little pearl comes up on the Swedish estate agency market (even though in this instance you could say it's a slightly larger pearl).  Situated in Southern Gotland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, the 18th century house has been renovated in keeping with the beauty and natural wilderness of the island using materials such as wood, stone and natural linen. Oh and did I mention the sea view? Are you ready to be 'herrskapet' of a Gotland manor (at the weekends at least....)...?

Fantastic Frank

My favourite room has to be the master bedroom - so simple yet so beautiful.

How about you?

There aren't so many items to pick out from this home (it's waiting for you to put your signature stamp on it!). But to get started - you can source beautiful bed linen and throws in beige, charcoal and white here, I love this vintage bamboo screen and why not throw in a cosy Gotland sheepskin?

You know what's coming don't you? Yup - all my favourite homes on Gotland (and there are so many!) - definitely check out this idyllic swedish island holiday home, a charming, pared-back holiday home, a small island hide-away, and the boho summer home of a fashion photographer.

Have a lovely day! 

The Swedish island home of a fashion designer

I stumbled across the Swedish cottage of Carin Rodebjer, fashion designer and creative director / founder of Rodebjer earlier today and had to share it with you! I wonder, if like me, it will set of a sequence of daydreams - starting with beautiful summers, ending up in 'my year on an idyllic Swedish island' (seriously, I got that carried away!)?  Whichever it is, the cottage and barn on the Swedish East coast island of Gotland are undeniably charming, and surrounded by the most beautiful wilderness. What's even more unbelievable is that Carin (who originally hales from Gotland) has put the property on the market....so perhaps our dreams can come true after all?!

Home-owner Carin Rodbjer. For sale through Bertwig

We can't all live in a 19th century Swedish cottage (unless of course you snap this one up!) but we can at least get the look. Here are a few items I love:  for vintage wallpaper this shop is great. I like this and this vintage school / classroom 'plant' sketches.  This is one of my favourite places to source Gotland sheepskin throws. Buy a traditional swedish rag rug here. The little chair and table are from IKEA.

If you're as fascinated by this little island as I am, you might want to check out these other cottages and homes which are equally pared-back and relaxed, and all unique. I once contacted the owner of this one for my book, but sadly it'd been sold. One of these days I'll make it there, I'm sure of it! Have you been?

Are you ready to up sticks and move to a lovely home like this one? Or perhaps you already have your own island cottage - if you do, pleeeease share!

Have a lovely day!

An utterly idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

I can't tell you how many times I've started to write this post only to delete it again. The truth is, there are no words to describe this idyllic Finnish cottage in the Inkoo archipelago belonging to Jonna Kivilahti, the blogger behind Mrs Jones- it's just to dream that you're there. The doors of the black and white cabin thrown open to reveal panoramic views of the glistening sea beyond.  Soaking up the warm sun on the terrace, watching the sail boats glide by. You might go inside to make lunch or even light a roaring fire on cooler evenings. Either way, I can't think of a more idyllic way to wile away a weekend, a week...a few months....

Photography: Krista Keltanen with kind permission

What an utterly idyllic retreat. Could you imagine spending your weekend here?!

Get the look - Terrace - this black sun lounger is similar, black lantern. Kitchen - white string shelves, striped rug, grey marble chopping board, Marimekko mugs. Dining area - bentwood chair, Series 7 chairs. Bedroom - try notPERFECTLINEN for the most beautiful washed bed linen, this striped cotton jersey top is similar (and fab for summer days by the sea!). Hallway - hunter boots and white converse.

In case you're wondering how to achieve that perfectly glossy grey floor in your own home - Farrow & Ball recommends Strong white paint in Full Gloss with a coat of Interior wood primer & Undercoat underneath to ensure the best finish or for areas of high traffic - the Floor Paint finish which is slightly less glossy but more durable. So there you go!

You can see more pics of this lovely cabin on Jonna's blog and instagram. 

These beautiful images have been captured by Krista Keltanen - you might recognise the name from this Finnish cabin built from containers or this beautiful rustic Finnish summer cottage also featured on here. Imagine!

Oh and there's over 53 summer cottages to explore in my archives. I would recommend pouring yourself a coffee first, but hey, it's Friday so perhaps one of these would be more appropriate. Just saying.

In the words of the Finns - Kippis!

Summer at this charming Swedish cottage?

I've been dreaming of villas in tropical paradises lately (as you know!), but actually when the warm weather arrives and the skies clear here in Sweden there's nowhere I'd rather be. And I'm not alone. Many Swedes take to their summer cottages for the month of July. The cottages are more often than not decorated in a lovely relaxed, fuss-free style with a focus on the simple way of life. Today I stumbled across this charming traditional family summer cottage in Kyrkeby a little hamlet north of Gothenburg and it immediately reminded me of these care-free summer days with long lunches alfresco and dips in the sea. Let's take a tour...

For sale though Stadshem. Photography: Janne Olander.

So pretty don't you think? Charmingly simple and laid back. I love the pretty floral wallpapers and traditional stove - is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: traditional bench with storage, source pretty vintage tea sets here, the purple anorak is by Danish brand Noa Noa, pink hunter wellies. The traditional Swedish rag rug. This bold floral cushion is similar.

You can see more pics of this home here (did I mention it's for sale! Tempted?).

I've shared a few other idyllic traditional Swedish summer cottages in the passed including this pared-back one on Gotland, an idyllic cottage with an outdoor kitchen and a summer home with a lovely bed nook. Oh so lovely!  Do you have a favourite?

A few mid week links I love from around the web:

You know it's summer when.....22 of the prettiest outdoor showers. And my latest purchase (for those with indoor showers).

A simple peach caprese salad. Mmmmm.

This hanging plant pot. Grow your own Pineapple plant.

Still grey where you are?  Embrace it with these paint colours!

Have a lovely day!

A super relaxed, boho cottage in Australia

I'm feeling all relaxed and inspired working from Djäkne, a café and communal workspace in town. It's amazing what a change of scene can do, don't you think? I stumbled across this lovely boho coastal cottage over at Apartment Therapy and it immediately matched today's mood! Situated in Victoria, Australia, the 100 year old home is rented by Kirsty Davey (founder of Otis and Otto), Simon Taylor and their daughter, Mali. The family lived in Melbourne and loved to come out here at the weekends before realising this is where they wanted to live permanently. The lovely, relaxed home is filled with vintage, reclaimed and restored pieces, works by local and overseas artists and a rich blend of textures to form a lovely base from which to enjoy surfing, cooking, gardening and other outdoor adventures. Let's take a peek....

Photography: Sophie Timothy for Apartment Therapy. With thanks.

Aaaaah, what a charming home, don't you think? 

Could you imagine moving to your 'weekend' retreat permanently? I shared this account by Sara Tasker recently who moved to the country and shared her lessons learned here. And this Swedish artist took up permanent residence in this former school house (honestly, I can totally see why!).

Where do you dream of moving to?

Get the look: Kitchen / dining: vintage Thonet / bentwood chairs (love these!), SMEG fridge,
Chemex brewer, Apollo coffee maker, source a beautiful range of copper pans here. Bedroom: white waffle bed spread. Porch: Hunter wellies, black plant stand.

You might also want to check out Kirsty's shop for lovely handmade pieces by local artisans (some of which can be seen in her home).  

You can also see more pics and a full write-up of this Australian home over at Apartment Therapy.

Other similarly relaxed Australian spaces you may have missed: a dreamy cottage,  a retro beach house and Kara Rosenlund's weatherboard cottage.  You might also want to get lost in my archive of  summer cottages for the longest mid-week coffee break ever.





Have a lovely day!