Virtual Vacay: My Scandinavian Summer Spree with Lilly
Last month, VERANDA published a story on the trip I took last summer to Sweden and Denmark with my daughter Lilly. It was thrilling to see images I snapped on my iPhone come to life in the pages of one of my favorite publications. If you don't subscribe to Veranda, (by the way, you should!) you can read the full interview here.
I never shared all of the photos from my trip, and with international travel out of the picture for the near foreseeable future, I felt it would bring some much-needed inspiration to my readers who may also be missing the joy and wonder of travel. I savor these memories with Lilly and can't wait until we can explore the world again!
Denmark
Our first leg of the trip was to Denmark, where we experienced the Rosenborg Castle Gardens and the Royal Stables at Christianborg Palace… the first of several royal residences we toured.
Streets of Denmark & The Royal Stables
Lilly and I on the streets of Denmark!
Lilly in the Rosenborg Castle Gardens.
The beautiful architecture of the royal stables.
Door inspiration at The Royal Stables.
Sweden
We spent a week in Stockholm and each day we tackled one historic residence, often having to travel by ferry! Needless to say, those day trips were worth it.
Drottningholm
The stunning blue and white garden room with china on display.
One of many beautiful, hand-painted tile stoves (
Kakelugnar Stoves) we saw on our trip.
Princess Lovisa Ulrika's library, which she undertook the task of modernizing after receiving Drottningholm Palace as a wedding present (can you imagine?!)
Windows overlooking the palace gardens.
Hand-painted wall coverings and Swedish check slipcovers.
Hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper in the Chinese Pavillion coupled with the most beautiful bold blue paneling.
Ett Hemm
The most charming outdoor patio and garden at Ett Hemm, Sweden's finest hotel.
Gripsholm Castle
Lilly taking in the castle.
The castle is home to the world's oldest portrait gallery.
Ornate painted decoration could be found everywhere in the castle: floors, walls, and ceilings.
I loved discovering these Swedish check bedhangings and the bold green tiled stove paired with the wide plank Swedish pine floors.
Gustav III Pavilion
The muted, pale Swedish palette at it's best in the dining room.
The Grand Salon, considered by many to be the finest Pompeian-style room in Europe.
A most beautiful enfilade looking from the Grand Salon.
Royal Palace
The classical sculpture hall from Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities.
Svindersvik
Svindersvik was my most favorite stop: a sublime summer farmhouse. Here in the salon, a beautiful hand-painted chinoiserie wallpaper is a backdrop to slipcovered Gustavian furniture and a blue and white tiled Kakelugn.
Beautiful hand-painted detail of the Kakelugn.
More colorful handpainted wallcoverings with green gingham. So pretty!
Other Notes on Our Trip
Where we stayed: Hotel Diplomat in Stockholm
What we ate: Our favorite meal of the trip was at Ett Hem. It is such a special place thoughtfully designed by Ilse Crawford. We ate in the kitchen at the pine farm table while the chef made our meal.
What we took home with us: Special accessories from Svenn Tenn, books on Swedish wallpaper, treasured time with Lilly, and inspiration to last a lifetime.