a Bergs Potter Journal post

Elin Lannsjö

This summer, we are visiting the cottage of Swedish blogger, stylist and ceramic artist Elin Lannsjö. Tucked away among trees and flowers just outside Gothenburg, her cottage is a place where slower days, gardening and everyday rituals shape the rhythm of summer. In this edition of A Postcard From, Elin shares the moments, materials and traditions that make her cottage feel like home.

Freshly picked flowers from the cottage garden.

Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your world?

My name is Elin and I live in Gothenburg with my partner Victor. I work as a blogger, content creator, stylist and ceramic artist. Much of my world revolves around finding beauty in everyday life, whether that’s a garden in bloom, a thoughtfully designed space, a meal shared with friends or a quiet morning with a cup of coffee. Nature is a big source of inspiration for me, and so is creating with my hands.

How would you describe your cottage and the feeling it gives you?

Our cottage is small, simple and surrounded by greenery. It sits tucked away among trees and flowers, and from the moment I arrive, my shoulders seem to drop a little. It feels calm, grounding and far removed from the pace of the city.

What does summer at the cottage mean to you?

Summer at the cottage means slowing down. It is where I spend more time outdoors than indoors, where days are guided by the weather, the garden and whatever feels meaningful in the moment.

Outside the cottage, surrounded by terracotta.

Flowers gathered between slow summer days.

What does a typical summer day at your cottage look like?

It usually starts with coffee outside while both the garden and I wake up. There is always something to do here, whether it’s tying up a climbing plant, watering, planting something new or simply checking on what has happened overnight. But I’m equally good at settling down under a parasol with a book and letting a few hours pass. The most important task of the day usually is hopping on my bicycle and ride to the local bakery to pick up something sweet for afternoon coffee. The cottage has a way of making time move a little slower.

Nothing should feel too planned or perfect. A cottage should feel lived in, welcoming and connected to nature.

Elin Lannsjö

Which details, materials or objects make the cottage feel like home?

Many of the details that make the cottage feel like home are things we have reused or made ourselves. Old timber has been given new life as tables, benches and other pieces and I love knowing that the material carries its own history. Terracotta pots are another important part of the atmosphere. They bring warmth and character. Handmade ceramics, natural materials and things that show signs of age are what make the cottage feel personal to me.

The cottage garden in full summer bloom.

Freshly planted cosmos in terracotta pots.

How do plants and greenery shape the atmosphere of your cottage?

Plants are really at the heart of everything. They soften the spaces, create colour and movement, and make the cottage feel alive. There is always something growing, blooming or changing.

You often grow plants in pots – what do pots allow you to do at the cottage?

Pots make it easy to experiment. I can move things around, create new combinations and bring colour exactly where it is needed. They allow the garden to evolve throughout the season, while also helping protect many of the plants from snails and other small garden visitors.

Can you describe a small moment, gathering or ritual that defines a summer day at the cottage?

One of my favourite rituals is the very end of the day. Before going to bed, I brush my teeth out in the garden, wandering barefoot between the flower beds while taking one last look at everything. It’s such a simple thing, but it’s a small ritual that only seems to exist at the cottage, and one I look forward to every summer.

What do you think is essential for creating a true cottage atmosphere?

A sense of ease. Nothing should feel too planned or perfect. A cottage should feel lived in, welcoming and connected to nature.

What is it about the cottage that makes it feel like home?

What makes it feel like home is the familiarity of it all. The garden changes every year, but some things remain the same. There is always a blackbird singing somewhere nearby, morning coffee tastes a little better outdoors, and the rhythm of the days feels wonderfully familiar. Over time, those small things have become part of what home means to me.