A striking Danish log cabin

Hello Friday! To celebrate the weekend I always try to find an all singing all dancing, awe-inspiring home. I spent several hours rifling through Pinterest and other sources for the perfect home today. And then I found it! It's hard not to instantly love this Danish cabin by the Haderslev Fjord with it's almost entirely exposed wood interior, high ceilings and contemporary furniture. The basic way it's been furnished allows the incredible vista to do the talking and yet there's also something incredibly cosy about it too. I could definitely spend my weekend here, how about you?!

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

By LivingGap.com / Photos by Karsten Damstedt. Architect Kim Holst.

Such a fantastic space, don't you think?!

I have a real penchant for Scandinavian holiday homes as you'll know from these archives: rural retreats, summer cottages and log cabins. Pure escapism for the weekend (just scroll past the home above as it will likely come up first).

I hope you have a fabulous couple of days and see you Monday!

A beautiful pared-back Finnish cabin

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!

A chalet in the Swiss Alps

Hello Friday - woohoo! A dream weekend for me is all about planning great escapes to rural outposts. So this Friday it had to be some kind of cabin tour to celebrate the end of the week. And I've got just the thing. Montagne Altarnative  are farm buildings which have been converted into contemporary living areas in the heart of a medieval village in the Swiss Alps. The renovations have been painstakingly carried out with passion, dedication and openness to integrate harmoniously with the rugged mountains and beautiful nature beyond. Weekend in the Swiss Alps anyone?!

Montagne Alternative as featured in Marie Claire Maison. Via Blissful Blog with thanks

Ooooo, how I could Whisk myself away there....how about you?!

Although I love to ski in the Alps in the winter I've never visited in the summer, have you? It's definitely a dream of mine.

This space reminds me a lot of this dreamy Norwegian cabin by the sea (same look, different nature!). Even if, like me you live far from the mountains, this mountain-themed children's bedroom is proof the mountain can come to the city too!

On Monday we're heading to France for our summer holiday. I'm so excited as I absolutely love France, and we'll be attending my sister's wedding while we're there! Since it will be a bit hectic, I've decided to share posts every other day (rather than every weekday) over the next fortnight starting on Monday, I hope this is OK?

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

The extraordinary 'Ordinary House'

I have a real penchant for houses tucked away in a forest somewhere, how about you? One day I hope my dream of renovating a Scandinavian retreat by a lake or the sea will be realised. In the meantime, I'll  store away inspiration from homes like this beautiful black wood paneled cabin. Named 'The Ordinary House' it is really anything but ordinary, in fact it's a bit of an architectural feat and simple stunning inside. Could you spend your weekends here?

Photographer: Björn Lofterud via Skattejakt

There are a couple of things that caught my eye. Firstly the Eames Side Chairs (try LiveAuctioneers for vintage ones like the ones here or Design Collectors). And secondly the bright coloured tribal-inspired rugs and textiles in the sitting room which are so now and create such a warm and cosy atmosphere (Anthropology and Loom Rugs sell a beautiful selection).

Is there anything in particular which catches your eye?

Other retreats I absolutely love include this sea-side cabin in the Stockholm archipelagos, a white and wood holiday home, and a Finnish chalet. And so many others here!

The photographer behind these beautiful images of The Ordinary House, Björn Lofterud also sells wonderful prints here.

Quick reminder: have you had a chance to enter the give-away to win a Rosendahl Monkey by Danish designer Kay Bojesen yet? The competition is open to everyone worldwide - I wouldn't want you to miss out!

Have a lovely day!

A Norwegian cabin by the sea

For a long time now my dream has been to renovate a beautiful wooden cabin by a lake or sea here in Sweden so that my family and I can spend weekends and holidays there (this Finnish family are my inspiration). This Norwegian cabin owned by Kari K.Holm and her German born architect husband Jurgen Kieh is just what I'm looking for. The house is designed for outdoor living, for every indoor space there is an outdoor area to match. From the many verandas Kari and Jurgen can wave at friends as they sail by the island. An idyllic retreat! Imagine this space with candles, Christmas decorations and a roaring fire?

Photography Pia Ulin (with kind permission). Dwell.

Do you think my dream will ever come true? I promise you'll be the first to know if it does!

What do you dream about on gloomy Monday mornings?

For more cabins and retreats check out this Finnish log cabin, this romantic log cabin with a twist and this Danish retreat. So beautiful!

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

A beautiful basic weekend cabin

In Scandinavia I sometimes hear about people enjoying their free time in a basic cottage without running water and electricity. Now it's becoming popular in the UK too. It seems everyone's keen to escape the demands of daily life - the more disconnected the better. In fact people will pay a small fortune to go back to basics. No WIFI? No worries. No mobile reception? Bring it on! This beautiful, basic 'Ermitage' cabin designed by Paris based architects Septembre is just the tonic for a weekend retreat if you need some alone time.

Septembre via Lotta Agaton and Wabi Sabi with thanks

Could you spend your weekend here?

If you love this, you'll also love this Finnish family cabin in the snow. And this Swedish cottage is so cosy (love the bed in the wall!). There's always this oh so fabulous eco-friendly holiday home out in the Finnish forests too! Or for something further away - may absolute favourite - a beach retreat in Uruguay, heaven! Which one would you pick?

Before I leave you to get on with your weekend - I've got an exciting new sponsor to introduce. Made in Design is an incredible online modern and contemporary design shop and are offering my scandinavian home readers 10% off any orders over 90.00 GBP until 15th December 2014 using the code SCANDI-HOME (terms and conditions apply - for more information visit Made in Design). The Signal ZigZag floor lamp and Signal wall lamp are top of my Christmas wish list!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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!