Planning a Summer in Sweden... a lakeside cottage, Scandinavian design and childhood memories

Obsessed with Scandinavia? Who, me? After my recent trip to Copenhagen I suddenly refound my love for the Scandinavian countries (although the one for their design had never gone!). I spent many childhood holidays here - camping in Summer, cross-country skiing in Winter - and they were all wonderful. Fishing until midnight as it never got dark, jumping into the nearby lake straight from our tents, grilling sausages on an open camp fire and going on canoe expeditions on the look out for wild beavers. In Winter we would travel up with other families in a caravan of cars packed full of kids, skis and groceries from Aldi (cause you know what the prices are like in Sweden!) for a week of fun in the snow. My parents were truly Scandinavia-holics. IKEA was a standard stop on the way home and my mum even dressed me as Pippi for a school party. Ahhh...those were the days.     (top image: Dinh Linh on Flickr)

Me in my Pippi outfit, age...8?

Our packed green Lada with matching canoe in Norway early nineties

And now I want to go back! I have been googling like mad on the hunt for the perfect holiday cottage by a lake (Glenn doesn't share my Dutch love of camping) and trying to find the easiest way to get to Sweden from Scotland in July. One week relaxing in one place and another week touring around and visiting various places including Stockholm. Lakes, canoes, camp fires and endless Summer evenings combined with a visit to one of the hippest design cities in Europe. Sounds like a plan. Shame it's still only March.

Image: DianeCA

I love the simple, functional but beautiful 'Scandi style'; pure, natural materials, clean lines, quality products and fresh, happy colours. No unnecessary decoration, but form follows function. Here are some inspirational photos featured on Scandinavian design blogs and designer websites:

A picturesque Swedish cottage and its interior featured on the Designheaven blog

A bright and airy space featured on the blog From Scandinavia with Love

A bathroom featured on the wonderful design blog by Stockholm-based Emma

Colourful products by Darling Clementine, Norwegian design agency inspired by the past and their Scandinavian design heritage.

Plenty of inspiration for your interior on the lovely blog Scandinavian Chic (two images above)

Lots more to drool about on design blog Roomservice

Great looking 'retro' tableware by Swedish brand Sagaform

More great home decor on Tinaminastina's blog

Beautiful, durable woven rugs made out of plastic, designed and made in Sweden by Pappelina

Did I miss any good Scandinavian blogs and sites? Anyone been to Stockholm recently - share some tips with me please! And if anyone knows the perfect Swedish lakeside cottage, please share the details with me - thanks! :-)

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