Swedish Style: Bohuslän Coast

We now travel up the coast from Gothenburg to the Bohuslän Coast. Originally part of Norway,  the Bohuslän Coast is named after the Norwegian Medieval fortress  Bohus Fastning.  This rocky coastline gives visitors seemingly endless opportunities for exploration among its charming fishing villages and craggly inlets.  This is where the locals know their fisherman’s name, and the menu is always fresh seafood; herring, salmon, mussels, shrimp.

Rocky inlets are dotted with colorful cabanas.

Wood-framed summer homes are built into the rocky ledges. As we move up the coast, more “Falun red” is seen on many houses. As their winters are long and dark, Swedes savor the light while they have it during the summer months. Interiors are often kept very light, with white and neutrals being the palette of choice.

A classic seaside house in "Falun Red" with white trim.

Swedes love their gardens and window boxes. Walk down any street in any village, and it is obvious that great care goes into a “natural” story-book aesthetic. The vignette created within the window frame is as important as the flowers in the window box itself.

Windows are decorated with flowers and Swedish folk art.

The gardens of a Swedish summer home have an effortless naturalism to them.