royal cows & champagne…

Posted by Tiffany on July 19th, 2010    Add your comment »

original magazine photos by jonas gustavsson for allt om fritidshus magazine.

Right now is the time when many of our friends in Sweden are at their summer houses. I like picturing them there and look forward to visiting very much. But probably none more so than Malin Ehlin (aka Mrs. Murphy, featured previously here).

At the earliest sign of Spring I picked up the magazine På landet, now Allt om Fritidshus, where there was a lovely feature on Malin’s summer cottage by Maria Luthelius, allowing us all a sneak peek inside.

all original magazine photos by jonas gustavsson for allt om fritidshus magazine.

Malin spends her summer days in her torp on the grounds of Stenhammars palace, a residence that the royal family still uses.

According to Malin: “This place is all about royal cows, bright colored lights, Edith Piaf, and champagne!” Royal cows, of course, because her nearest neighbors are none other than the King’s cows. So simpleton beer just won’t do!

Renting from the King has its perks. Malin once ran into some ladies at a nearby flea market who were beside themselves with excitement when they heard where Malin was living. “The king gives such eminent lunches there!” they gushed. Malin is waiting for her invitation. She already knows that she won’t be partaking in the “royal hunt” because her dis-invitation is included in her rental contract with the King!

There’s really no mistaking that this is the home of Mrs. Murphy’s alter ego. It’s decorated in true Mrs. Murphy style, which Malin describes as a cozy place filled with stringed lights, literature, plastic flowers, and a disco ball.

The torp consists of a kitchen and lounge/bedroom downstairs with three small guestrooms upstairs that Malin has named the Elvis, Marilyn, and Audrey suites. The yard is filled with plastic flowers that are there because Malin claims not even weeds will grow in her garden.

And guests always get spoiled with slippers and champagne. That is, as long as the hostess doesn’t have to do the cooking… for an invitation back you should remember to bring the coffee and scones.

Noted!

---