LET’S HYGGE August 2025

[definition of hygge]

a quality of cosiness and comfortable living that engenders a feeling of contentment and well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

Let's Hygge Lindbjerg Graphic Journal Blog

Add a little hygge to each month

A warm greeting from Sweden!
We have spent the last month tucked away on our little farm, with paint on our hands, sawdust in our hair, and the happiest kind of chaos filling the house. Our youngest son Carl has been here with his Australian girlfriend Georgina, as well as two of our friends, Lance and Antonio – a cheerful crew of carpenters and joiners who brought energy and laughter to every corner of the renovation.

The project of the summer has been transforming the old shed into a proper bathroom and washing room – quite the upgrade from our temporary outdoor shower and loo! With morning meetings over coffee to plan the day’s tasks, and everyone taking turns cooking for the team, it’s been less of a holiday and more of a Swedish Summer Camp. At times, we’ve had up to 11 people around the dinner table, with mattresses scattered across the living room floor.Yet amidst the hammering and sawing, we’ve had the sweetest moments: early morning walks collecting wildflowers for bouquets, swims in the lake that take your breath away, evenings by the bonfire, foraging for mushrooms, and filling baskets with blueberries and raspberries. It’s been a month of community, laughter, and simple joys – memories I will treasure for years to come.

Being away from the computer and using my body and hands every single day has been such a refreshing and grounding experience. There is something deeply satisfying about creating with what’s already there – giving old materials a second life, allowing them to tell their stories.

We’ve been lucky to reuse so many beautiful pieces from the barn itself. The floorboards we discovered in the attic are over 150 years old, yet in perfect condition – a kind of craftsmanship and quality that is rare to find today. The stone steps leading to the little house were made from stones we unearthed while digging the drain. The old hand-cut rafters, which were once used for drying hay and fencing, are now part of our outdoor shower, creating a rustic and elegant privacy screen.

Some of the most charming pieces came to life through creativity and collaboration. We don’t know exactly what the old washing bench was once used for, but Lance transformed it with a new top made from reclaimed timber, and now it proudly holds the porcelain sink as one of the room’s centrepieces. Above it, an old sieve has been repurposed as the frame for the mirror, adding a touch of rustic character that makes us smile every time we see it. Antonio crafted a row of hooks from leftover cuttings of the old rafters, turning scraps into something practical and beautiful. Every door and window has a history too – pieces we’ve collected through the years, each adding character and warmth.

Blending these rustic, timeworn materials with modern touches – like sleek tapware, soft lighting, and carefully chosen details – has created a space that feels both authentic and fresh. It has been a truly wonderful and creative project, filled with moments of discovery and joy. Below is the final result of this year’s Swedish Summer Camp – a result we will treasure for years to come, and a process we will cherish and look back on for the rest of our lives.

If you want to read more and see additional photos of our little Swedish farmhouse, you can find last year’s story here .

This month’s film recommendation is the Swedish film Den sidste rejse (The Last Journey). A tender and funny story about a film instructor who sets out on a journey with his father – revisiting the same route his father once took him on as a child. It’s a road trip filled with love, laughter, and the bittersweet beauty of life’s fleeting moments. This film made me both laugh and cry – a perfect summer watch. You can watch on here .

Novembervej by Nik & Jay – a song that always stirs something in me. It’s a tribute to that deep sense of belonging to Denmark, no matter where in the world you are. This duo is a long-time crush, and if I ever became a millionaire, I would fly them to Sydney to play. You can listen to it here: Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube