9 Ideas to Steal from the Scandi Summerhouse - Remodelista
Some of my fondest memories of growing up in southern Sweden include visits to my best friend’s summer cottage in Skummeslövsstrand, on the coastline of southern Sweden.
But, in truth, you don’t have to head to the archipelago to capture the experience: Plenty of the best areas are simple and easy to translate.
1. Dare to go dark.
A black exterior, Scandi-style. Until recently, red was the de facto cottage house color, but lately we’ve been noticing a trend of summerhouses painted or stained in shades of black.
A gathering area by a black woodstove at Sågverket Möten Rum & Kök. A very popular feature in Scandi summer homes is a freestanding fireplace that heats the entire living area.
2. Let life revolve around the hearth.
Shiplap cladding in a Hamptons bedroom. To learn more, see Expert Advice: The Enduring Appeal of Shiplap and Remodeling 101: The Ultimate Wood Paneling Guide with Jersey Ice Cream Co.
3. Create a shipshape look with paneling.
Photograph by Matthew Williams.
A Swedish sheepskin looks casually luxe when draped on a bed. Layering beds and chairs with sheepskins, that longstanding Scandi touch, adds warmth and lends the austere rooms a vitality.
4. Join the sheepskin brigade.
5. Build beds wherever you can.
Built-in beds (shiplap included) at A Scandinavian Cottage—in Portlandia.
6. Use shelves in place of furniture
A plywood shelf above the bed at A Summery Flat in Stockholm, with Affordable Small-Space Ideas to Steal. Summer cottages are typically tiny with little wiggle room in the bedrooms.
7. Bathe with a view.
A bathroom with a view, via A Puget Sound Cabin that Rests Lightly on the Landscape. Once summer finally reaches the Nordic countries, Scandinavians do as much living out in the open as possible.
For more, see DIY: Shelter Island Clothesline. Make like a Scandinavian and hang your linens outside to dry instead.
8. Let it all hang out.
Photograph courtesy of Suzanne Shaker.
9. Add a Dash of Sunny Yellow
Add a dash of summery yellow: In this airy bedroom at the Sågverket Möten Rum & Kök in northern Sweden, the ceiling is painted marigold yellow.
