Beni

Many years ago, Per, the girls and I sailed to the long, slim Baltic island of Öland. It's a fascinating place. to the mainland via a bridge, it's where the Swedish royal family spend much of their summer at nearby Solliden Palace. Funnily enough, while we were walking through the forest, Prince Carl Philip went past on his daily jog! Anyway, this is a very long-winded way of saying, sorry, but I have another rustic coastal home to share with you this week, which I couldn't resist, not least because it's located right on the shore with spectacular views over the cool blue waters of the Baltic Sea. Inside, the house is simply furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, evidence of it having remained in the same family for over a century. Whitewashed timber walls, worn wooden furniture and a handsome masonry fireplace create a wonderfully relaxed, unfussy feel, while touches of greenery and wildflowers bring the outdoors in. I also love how the owners have kept the inte...

It’s a beautiful day here in 'Sverige', and with midsummer now just a whisper away, we're all longing for slow days by the water.  And if there was ever a place made for that kind of summer daydream, surely it’s this charming beach cottage in Liseleje on Denmark’s north coast. Built in 1914, and even winning an architectural award at the time, the house sits perched on a cliff above the Kattegat Sea with its own private steps winding down through wild rosehip and soft sand dunes to the beach below. Can you imagine wandering down there first thing in the morning, coffee in hand, for a brisk dip before everyone else is awake? Would you brave the cold water? I havwe already had my 'badpremier' here and it was 16 degrees C - 'fresh' but invigorating! The cottage has belonged to the same family for 80 years, and there’s something wonderfully unspoilt about it all. Many of the original details remain, while the interior has been kept simple and relaxed with fam...

Stop the press. This beauty is for sale , and honestly, it’s taking every ounce of restraint not to jump on a train to Ystad and demand a viewing on the spot! If you’re into Scandi noir, you’ll probably recognise the nearest town as the home of detective Wallander. They even keep a table permanently reserved for him at the Grand Hotel. But I assure you, life out here in the countryside is far more about birdsong, long lunches and windswept walks than dramatic crime scenes! Set among the rolling Skåne countryside near the Hagestad and Backåkra nature reserves, this farmhouse feels wonderfully private. It’s easy to imagine slow mornings here with a cup of tea by the window, watching the landscape shift across the farmland with the changing light and seasons. Built in 1937, the house has been carefully restored by peeling things back rather than adding more, with the owners allowing its original soul to shine through once again. The moment you step through those sunny yellow doors (tell m...

I have seen thousands of Scandinavian cabins in my two decades of living here (some in person, many online!), and while each one is unique, they usually share a few themes: heirlooms and second-hand finds, or traditional pieces that reflect a relaxed, down-to-earth lifestyle, and colour palettes that mirror their surroundings with touches of coastal blue or countryside green. Not this one. And that’s exactly why it caught my eye. Currently for sale , this thatched cottage on the Danish Riviera blends old and new beautifully.  Copenhagen-based Studio Force Majeure collaborated with the founders of Ferm Living to decorate the space, creating an interior that feels both contemporary and rooted in tradition. Original architectural wood panelling and exposed beams, washed in a warm cream, provide the backdrop to a modern stainless steel kitchen, very cool animal print sitting room furniture, and an on-trend wave mirror. But you’ll also spot the hallmarks of a traditional Scandinavian ...