Northern Design

You can take a girl out of Norway, but you can’t take Norway out of the girl…. I don’t think this is the original saying, but it certainly fits in this instance!). Marriken moved from Norway to Portugal 11 years…

There are some people in this world who are blessed with a rare talent to transform homes into beautiful, distinctly unique spaces – which could also grace the pages of a magazine. Sofie is one of them. We first met…

Hello friends! It’s so great to be back here on the blog after my summer break! I am easing myself in slowly with this wonderful summer cottage in the picturesque fishing village of Simrishamn, south Sweden. It’s a popular summer…

The Scandinavian summer is all about making the most of the great outdoors, especially after the long, dark winter! Summer cottages are therefore designed to capitalise on the outdoor space. Alfresco living room areas, kitchens and bathrooms are a popular…

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, all words and pictures are my own. I only work with reputable brands I love and think you will too!  When something was designed in 1944, can you still call it a ‘latest offering’?…

Do you live in a city? With 56% leading urban lives the chances are high! We all know that high density populations mean rent / house prices can be high, and in many cities new dwellings are carved out from…

While up at our cabin, rather than relaxing, I can’t help but spend my time plotting our next update. A long way in the future, we’d like to have an outdoor kitchen! Do you love them too? There’s something about…

The rain is coming down in Sweden and I’m guessing there are plenty of card games going on behind closed doors of everyone’s summer cottages. Meanwhile, judging by these pictures, the sun is shining over the Öresund strait in the…

There’s something very special about July in Sweden. The lush green of the countryside. The flowers in full bloom. The chorus of the birds and insects going about their work. Little wonder Swedes press the pause button for a few…

A friend of mine recently transformed a tiny outhouse into a living space and asked me about small dining space solutions. I’ve been on the lookout ever since! And this Stockholm apartment popped up just at the right time –…

I discovered this little gem yesterday evening and was immediately drawn in by the tiles (keep an eye out for the ones in the kitchen and hallway too). The split-level apartment is on one of Gothenburg’s most well-loved streets and…

Did you know adding touches of nature to your home has been proven to boost happiness? And it’s something our Scandinavian friends do so well.  Today I’m taking you on a tour of Tina Abild’s idyllic Danish summer cottage on…

We’ve come back to the city (Malmö) for a few days – even so, my heart as always at this time of year, is in the Swedish countryside. I have been busy taking my camera around our little neck of…

Sponsored by HVLG International. All words and pictures are my own. Do you find that when it comes to decorating a home, there’s always some items that are easier to buy than others? And it’s so personal! While I might…

Tjena! Sweden is slowly waking up after a long weekend of Midsummer celebrations. The sun shone for us all too (usually Midsummer’s Eve can be particularly dicey as the Nordic weather gods know we all want to eat alfresco!). All…

This Friday it’s arguably the biggest event in the Swedish calendar: Midsummer’s Eve! It’s a magical day includes dancing around a pole with flowers in your hair and a delicious afternoon meal alfresco with friends and family.  Why not join…

I always try to stick to scandinavian homes here on the blog, but every now and again I go off-piste in a spectacular way! Like today. Those of you who know me well, will confirm my lifelong dream of visiting…

Why, hello there! It’s Friday, the sun’s shining and we have the weekend stretched out in front of us, what’s not to love! Before we all head off, I’ve got one final home tour I’d love to share with you.…

It’s been way too long since I featured a house on the Swedish island of Gotland, don’t you think? Long-term followers here know that I have a huge love for the Swedish Baltic island. We visited by sailing boat a…

Today, I’m excited to be taking you on a journey to Finland and the beautiful island of Rääntiö (try pronouncing that one?) in the stunning Eastern Gulf of Finland. Rather than tell the story of the island and this charming…

Not far from Kivik, a summer paradise on Sweden’s Southeast coast, you’ll find the picturesque village of Södra Mellby – not far from where Nora and Laura of Our Food Stories used to have their charming summer house. It’s well worth a…

Good morning! Yesterday was a big day, Sweden celebrated 500 years of independency – and the sun was shining for the occasion! I feel very honoured to have called this beautiful country my home for over nineteen years. To mark…

Good morning! How’s life with you? In Sweden, it seems like the weather gods have been storing all the sunshine up for May and June and we’re certainly not complaining! In fact, we’re busy trying to make the most of…

I can never resist a tiny living space – especially when they are this pretty! This cottage is located in Slottsskogskolonien – Sweden’s second oldest allotment! It is a mere 19 m2 (204 ft2) but has everything you might need for…