Retreat into these books set in Scandinavian summerhouses for a midsummer escape to Sweden, Denmark, Norway, or Finland.
This tiny island retreat was built out of love. Architectural designer Alex Scott Porter helped her father, Bruce, a writer and retired professor, build
From the front gate to the back door, this Swedish cottage is loaded with character. Welcome to the sixty-fifth post in the series "Living Large in Small Spaces". Nearly every week I receive a comment from a reader that goes something like this: "Just when I think I've found my favorite cottage, you come up with another one I love and I have a new favorite." Believe me, I understand. It's a conundrum for me to decide which small home to feature, there are so many that catch my eye and heart. The delightful cottage in Sweden that I'm featuring today is one of them. Trust me, you'll want to take in every inch of this cottage. It's just that charming. I love the contrast of white beadboard walls against the hardwood floor in the entry, the potted flowers on the windows sills and the little touches of black. And those white wellies are so sweet. A wonderful, whimsical corner keeps the cottage playful. Although this cottage is entirely painted in white and much of the furnishings are white, it maintains warmth with layers of textiles, woven baskets and materials taken from nature. Little bits of color add interest and give the eyes a place to rest. This is a casual, unfussy style. An abundance of windows keeps the 650 sq ft cottage bright and cheerful. The small eat-in kitchen has maintained its old-fashioned, rustic appeal. Exposed brick is never a bad idea. I'm crazy about this bedroom. Perfect imperfection. We don't have a headboard, so I'm thinking I seriously need to sew up a bunch of pillow covers like these and pile them up. Tea and conversation in this room? Yes, please. A nap in this hammock would be nice. Outdoor living here is as welcoming as the cottage itself. Imagine alfresco dining on the lawn. Even the little ones have a shady table. I have no idea what this crude structure is, but I think it's wonderful, the perfect backdrop to the landscape. Okay, you've read my commentary on this cottage. Now it's your turn to weigh in. What do you think? Source: Nicety Live Journal Join me next Saturday for another post in the special series Living Large in Small Spaces See more home tours and small living ideas in the Living Large In Small Spaces Series here.
