Sunday, August 15, 2010

Where sheep skins meet designer classics..

This quiet, sparse, yet cozy Summer hideaway is located on 'Stenkusten' (pebble/rock coast) in the North West part of the stunning island of Gotland in Sweden.


Gotland was a favourite holiday place for my family when I grew up and I have very fond memories from here. Known for it's amazing and varied landscape, Viking and medieval heritage and fabulous sheep. I say 'sheep' rather than sheepskins, though the latter is something you can't leave the island without! Soft, curly skins in a range of silver, greys, near blacks and even browns - simply divine!

Google image

The interior of this particular house rests on a base of soothing whites and abundance of natural light, all wrapped in a sooty black exterior that surprisingly blends so well with the rugged landscape. Every room holds an array of designer classics which due to the minimal decor are allowed to come to their own right.

 via Sköna Hem

Peaceful monochromatic room with lovely design classics by Bruno Mathsson (chairs), Charles & Ray Eames (brown 'Dimple' table - yum!), Östen Kristiansson (small white table). The large floor vases are by famous Swedish ceramists Anna-Lisa Thomson (the one in the foreground, 'Paprika' from 1948) and Ingrid Atterberg (the striped one, 'Negro' from 1953).


The living area is filled with pieces by Danish design legends, such as the sofa by Hans J Wegner, table and chairs by Poul Kjaerholm, and floor lamp by Arne Jacobsen. And just look at that 11 meter  long window facing the ocean outside.. Divine! Inside the 'cube structure' behind the chairs is the kid's room - a simple and clever solution to divide the open plan without building permanent walls.


The dining area is dominated by more Arne Jacobsen treasures such as the three legged 'Ant' chairs, matching table. The lamp is also by Arne. See I love this man so much I feel like we are on first name basis.. :) Also, I am the lucky owner of six of these 'Ant' beauties, and they are waiting for me in storage in Sweden for when we move there next year. Can't wait to reunite with them. The children's room is simple and functional with cute animal masks adorning the wall hooks, and a 'grandchild chair' by the famous John Kandell.

  via Sköna Hem

A sheltered garden behind the house, with a decorative 'open shed' for chopped wood, which to me is a gorgeous touch.. I love stacked wood..! The boat rests on the typical pebble beach that has given its name to this part of the island -  'Stenkusten'.


It would be a dream to own a little cottage here and to be able to spend long lazy Summer holidays by the rugged coastline. It is also a long standing dream of Isabella's to also visit  'Villa Villekulla' the official home of her no 1 role-model in life, Pippi Långstrump (Longstocking to my English speaking friends)! Secretly I think Oscar does too.. :) Pippi's house is located close to Visby, the main city on the island and was a favourite destination for me as a little girl!..



xx Charlotta

26 comments:

Unknown said...

What an amazing home, and this island truly sounds ideal! Just lovely.

k said...

wow that looks like such a dreamy place!

Stacey said...

This is a beautiful home and Gotland sounds like the perfect family getaway. I love how unpredictable the landscape is too! The last picture(of Pippi?) is so adorable.

Tuuli - Lumo Lifestyle said...

Never been to Gotland, even though it is not that far away... Have seen so many Gotland, these included. Maybe next summer...

Hope Isabella is feeling well now.

carolina @ patagonia gifts said...

oh this place looks perfect for a short getaway... or maybe a long one? love it! hope Isabella is feeling better. xo

Tina said...

Great post! It breathes Sweden!
Haven´t been to Gotland but it´s for sure on my getaway- list. It´s not very far from Blekinge and nowdays you can also fly to Gotland I think.
Also lots of interesting information about the furniture and their creators. I adore Jacobsen as well!
I´m sure your Ant chairs will come to great use once you move back to Sweden.
Must be so exciting coming home!!!
And of course, Pippi Långstrump rules!
Lots of hugs!

katrina lauren said...

oh my. this is absolutely amazing. i love the white wood floors and ceilings...so pretty! the sun room is wonderful...how nice it would be to sit in there with morning coffee looking around at the beautiful world surrounding me...sigh. i dream.
xo.
k

Cath said...

Wow... I think you've just unearthed my dream holiday home - or full time residence, I'm not fussy! Beatifully minimal and stylish, and at the same time cosy and family friendly. Hmmm...it may be time to get a holiday home on the coast :)

Happy monday my dear! xxx

jeanette from everton terrace said...

I always feel so much more peaceful in a monochromatic room. Good for me I tend to be on the hyper side. Would adore roaming that countryside Pippi style!

Mary Ann said...

thanks for sharing this beautiful destination dreamland. hope you are having a great start to your week! verbena cottage

Lilla huset på prärien said...

Jag har ju aldrig varit på Gotland men jag älskar de där vackra fårskinnen! De är bara helt underbara. Måste bara ta mig till Gotland nästa sommar...

Kram J

Unknown said...

lol that little girl is precious!!!

I am a big fan of paneled walls, they are perfect.

xo
Nuit

Malvini FF said...

I never thought I'd says this about sheep, but those are very attractive sheep!! nice color!
as for pipi ... I'm going trhough the pipi fase allllll over again, ... and it never gets borring ... makes me want to clean house with rollerbrushes ... :)) I need to get to sweden on day!
vxx
PS/ great post!!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

I love the fond memories you breathed life into and shared with us in this post. I love the comment about Pippi Longstocking and the shout out to your English speaking gals! She brings back memories for me. Now I'm singing Baa Baa Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool...Yes, Sir, Yes Sir, One Blog Page Full :)

Kat Ibáñez said...

You can visit Pipi Langstrum ´s house!! Oh I didn´t know it! This girl was so creative and always full of imagination, I really liked her!!
Love Jacobsen´s designs, they are simply amazing, but I should disagree with the sheepskin souvenir! :)

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Ingrid said...

thanks for all the beauty!!!

Ingrid

Anne said...

I must go there someday! It looks like the ideal holiday destination. Pipi is a wonderful role model, no matter how old we are. Her spunk is admirable. I love those sheep also. We have discussed someday getting a goat or 2 to keep our dog busy (she has far too much energy), but some sheep would be really lovely. Have yourself a wonderful week!
xo,
Anne

Anonymous said...

What a gorgeous place! Lucky you as a child!

xo

Eddie & Jaithan

... said...

I love the image of the black sheep! They perfectly match with the Swedish interior below. Good styling Charlotta:-)

Hope you are doing well!

XO

Lise M.

T said...

Looks so relaxing and nice :)

Julie@beingRUBY said...

HI Charlotta
What a wonderful place to spend childhood summers... fabulous.. It looks to be unspoilt .. I hope it still is!!!

You made me laugh with Pippy Longstocking!!! I don't think have ever seen those movies but have heard of her.. Must watch them sometime.. and love the black sheep too!!!

Well all these interiors look so relaxing.. uncluttered... perfect style for getting away from it all..

Hope you have a fabulous week xxx Julie

Leigha said...

What a lovely place to vacation. I used to daydream of mopping the floor like Pippy Longstocking did (I think with rollerskates? Or something wild?).
I am so pleased to hear Isabella is feeling better!
Leigha

Ida - Decoria.se said...

De här bilderna måste ju garanterat få dig att längta till Sverige :-)

Unknown said...

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shopgirl said...

I love Pippi!!! I went to the children's Museum in Stockholm last year and took loads of pics of me in her house and the dolls. I think I was one of the few adults in there.

Mariska Meijers said...

Pippi is part of my childhood xx

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