This summer, a dream almost a decade in the making came true—we bought a little piece of Sweden!

Every year we travel back to Lina’s hometown of Härnösand to visit family and soak up the great Swedish summers. For years, we had talked about someday owning a summer home here, but on Lake Långsjon where Lina’s parents own their own summer stuga. Properties rarely come up for sale, it’s one of those pristine lakes where families hold on to their cottages for generations.

And then, one Saturday morning, an email from Lina’s dad put some wheels in motion.

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The Buying Story

For context, in Sweden, summer homes (stugor) are very common. These are not insulated for winter, so they’re meant to be enjoyed during the long, bright summers. Think simple, cozy, wooden cottages with lots of outdoor space, usually passed down in families.

When Lina’s dad spotted a listing on our lake, he immediately sent it to us. It was not just on Lake Långsjon, but on the same side of the lake as my parents’ stuga, tucked away from the main road. We knew right away this was the one.

But if you know anything about Swedish real estate, it works differently than in the U.S.:

• Homes usually go to market for about two weeks.
• Then the bidding begins.
• And the final price can be driven way up, depending on competition.

We wanted to avoid that at all costs.

So we acted quickly. Lina’s parents went to meet the sellers and began building a connection. We put in a strong offer above asking before the home officially went to market. The sellers felt drawn to our story (a daughter who had moved across the world, coming home to raise her kids on the same lake she grew up on), and thankfully, they accepted our offer.

It was equal parts strategy and heart. And it worked.

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Welcome to Our Lakefront Stuga

Now, the fun part: the tour!

Our stuga is simple but perfect. It has:

• A one-bedroom main cabin with a small kitchen, living space, and bathroom.
• A bunkhouse in the back—classic Swedish style—for the girls to sleep in (and where we used to sleep as kids when visiting my parents’ summer house!).
• A shed and greenhouse for storage and gardening.
• An outdoor toilet (outhouse)—very traditional for summer homes.
• A lakeside sauna (arguably the best part), with breathtaking views of the water.

And of course, the lake itself—our daily view, complete with what we’ve lovingly named Blueberry Island after spending hours there one summer filling our buckets (and staining our hands) with wild blueberries.

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Our Plans for the Stuga

While we’ll use this home for family summers, we’re also planning to share it. We envision hosting guests through short-term rentals—families who want to experience the Swedish countryside, dip into the lake at midnight when the sun still hangs in the sky, or warm up in the sauna after a chilly swim.

Design-wise, we’re keeping it cozy and simple, true to traditional Swedish summer style:

• Light woods, simple furniture, and splashes of color.
• A mix of new pieces (yes, IKEA!) and antique finds from local shops.
• Just enough to feel welcoming—without clutter—so the lake view remains the centerpiece.

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Why This Stuga Matters

For us, this isn’t just about buying property. It’s about coming home. Lina grew up swimming in these lakes, picking wildflowers on these trails, and now our girls get to make their own memories here.

It’s also about legacy. This stuga is something we can enjoy now and hopefully pass on for generations—just like so many Swedish families have done before us.

So here’s to lake swims, blueberry-stained fingers, sauna nights, and long summer evenings where the sun barely sets. Our Swedish stuga is more than a summer home it’s a piece of our story.

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✨ Next on the blog and You Tube channel: We’ll be sharing how we decorate and furnish the stuga (hint: a mix of IKEA runs and antique shop treasures).