Feel Inspired by Charming 'The Station House'

This morning, I've woken up in Bodø, North of the Arctic Circle. It's flanked by spectacular mountains, deep fjords and the North Sea, which gleam under the midnight sun - which won't set again for three months. It's an awe-inspiring part of the world (do follow along on my instagram stories if you'd like to follow my journey!). Meanwhile, in the land down under, our Aussie friends are inching towards winter - which is one of the crazy things about our magnificent planet. As they say: the only constant in nature is change.

And today, I've got a beautiful 19th century cottage in Daylesford, Australia to share with you. Captured by Marnie Hawson, The Station House it is set in 3 acres of land and was built around 1853 making it one of the oldest houses in Daylesford. A few years ago, it fell into the hands of talented Theresa Albiloi who has renovated it to perfection! Walls were torn down to create an open-plan living space and the cottage was transformed to include five bedrooms and three bathrooms, all of which are full of vintage picked up  locally at Mill Market. 

Ready to feel inspired? 

It's the bathroom that does it for me. The vintage bath and stain-glass window - wow! I'd also be perfectly happy to sit and look out over the fields and relax too. 

Is there anything that caught your eye about The Station House? 

If you're visiting the area and would like to stay here, you can find more details here. 

Marnie Hawson has a knack for finding the most incredible properties - here are a few other houses she has photographed in recent years: 

Marnie's very own home in a former post office

A beautifully restored country retreat in Burrawang

The Whale Song Shack

A Swedish-inspired weatherboard cottage in South Australia

Right kompisar, I'd better get ready for my day out in Bodø - I've got lots of research to do for the magazine article and hoping to fit in a hike in the mountains tomorrow. Go, go, goooo! Luckily, the light is on my side for once! 

Happy midweek friends. 

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Interior / bookings: The Station House

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A Dreamy White Vintage-filled Cottage in California

I am often asked how I find homes for this blog. The answer is hours and hours of scrolling instagram, Pinterest, and interior magazines. But sometimes, I home just lands in my lap - and I was very excited when this beautiful cottage appeared in my inbox this weekend! 

The cottage is located in central Vacaville, California - a short drive to the Napa Valley and with the Sierra Mountains less than 2 hours away. It belongs to Colette Miller and her husband who have been busy renovating it to restore it to its former glory and add her own 'California Casual' vibe to the space. 

If you love light and airy homes, white wood panelling and plenty of lovely vintage finds, today's tour is for you! Oh, and it also features a romantic rustic sunroom and even a shed! Read on to hear more about this dreamy property in Colette's own words - and a load of beautiful pictures captured by Lynda Kennedy. 

"We downsized to this little cottage on a tree lined street 10 years ago. It is 1200 sq. ft (111 sq.m) with a detached garage and shed."

"The kitchen is on the to-do list, but I'm OK waiting. I call it the 'unfitted look'- I think when I do remodel it there won't be any drastic changes... maybe a Smeg fridge though!" 

"The previous owners had remodelled and took out the vintage wood paned windows and the wood floors were covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. All of the windows and had been replaced as well, so we found vintage windows and doors that we thought the home was probably outfitted with when it was built in the early 1940s." 

"We raised the ceiling in the living room and added two skylights to really let all the light in and it immediately felt so much more spacious." 

"We replaced the pot belly stove for a 60's Malm stove for the vibe we were going for."

"If someone were to ask my "vibe" I wouldn't really know how to answer. I don't really fit in one box, but if I had to put a name, I'd like to think it's 'California Casual". 

The back porch was open when we moved in. I knew the moment I saw it that it needed to be a sunroom. I had 6 old windows that we used to partially enclose and its my favourite space just off our master bedroom for morning coffee! 

"I love our little shed in the backyard too. It's been a gardening shed, an art shed, a sit-in shed when rain is pitter-pattering on the tin roof. And now that I have grandkids, I have made it into a playhouse for them to play in."

What a dream!

It feels like this property has fallen into exactly the right hands! I love that old windows and doors have been refitted - and also that a sunroom has been made from vintage finds, I'd be so happy sitting there, sipping coffee while the rain patters on the windows, how about you? 

You can see more pictures of Colette's pretty cottage and follow her latest home updates over at @colettemiller. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Colette's home? If so, please do share in the comments below, I love to hear your thoughts, observations and reflections! 

The interior reminded me a little of Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin and also some of the properties by Australian Lynda Gardner (especially her Daylesford property) - two interior designers I admire. And I think the sun room holds similarities to romantic Camellas Lloret - somewhere I've always wanted to stay! 

I am busy packing as I am heading off to Norway tomorrow for a week. I'll be heading to Bodø and then the Lofoten islands for a travel piece for Simply Scandi magazine, and I am SO excited! If you'd like a virtual trip, do follow along on my instagram!

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

PS Don't forget to make the most of the 20% discount at Skandinavisk with code myscandinavianhome20 - I love their FJORD fragrance, they've managed to captured the scent of the Norwegian fjords beautifully! 

Credits: interior design - Colette Miller, photography - Lynda Kennedy, shared with kind permission. 

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A Cosy Small Swedish Apartment With Earthy tones

It's back to the city for today's post - and a tour of a charming boho Swedish apartment. 

The cosy space measures a mere 49 square metres (527 square feet) but it's been kitted out for maximum comfort with a kitchen, small dining area, sitting room and bedroom.

As with all small spaces, flow of light is important, and wide doorways and open shelving allow natural light to leak into every corner and create an airy feel. But for me, what really steals the show are the use of rich tones, and earthy patterns, all of which make the space warm and inviting!  

I especially love the nook in the dining area - made from an antique bench - I'd happily sit there drinking coffee and chatting for hours! 

Enjoy the tour! 

The apartment building dates back to the 1940s - evidence of which can be seen in the kitchen cabinets, windows and windowsills. 

Plants, books, art and other treasures give the home a personal feel, while plenty of storage ensures everything else can be hidden away to avoid a cluttered feel. 

A green corduroy sofa, amber cushion and dusty pink cushion add a hint of colour to the sitting room, while a sculptured table and ceiling light add plenty of personality! 

Spider plants (seen hanging beside the window) remind me so much of my Dad! He used to love them and they'd be everywhere in our home - even the bathroom! Do you have a plant that makes you feel nostalgic? 

Such a lovely home. The more you look, the more details you discover. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you'd like to see more small city apartment inspiration from Scandinavia this weekend, check out: 

A light and airy open-plan Swedish loft

A small Swedish apartment packed with charm and sunlight

A calm one room Swedish apartment in the city

Sasa Antic's small Stockholm apartment 

I think that's it from me. It's 26 degrees celsius (78 F) in Sweden today, which is crazy, so even the badkruka (meaning swim pot, a Swedish word to describe someone that is wimpy about getting in cold water) in me might go for a swim. Watch this space! 

Have a wonderful weekend, thank you so much for stopping by! 

Niki

Photos: Johanson, photography: Lindholm for Historiska Hem. Found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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Gen's Playful Swedish Summer Cottage

Only three weeks to go until midsummer and Swedes are counting down the days until they lock up their city homes and head out to the country to relax! My dear friend Genevieve Jorn will be spending her last summer with her family at her summer cottage in Almåsa, just outside Malmö - as they have decided to put it on the market. 

An interior designer and creative director at Farniente Beach Club, Gen has added her signature style with pops of colour and pattern throughout the little 40 metres square (430 foot square) cottage - giving the space a fun and playful touch, while the predominance of white, natural materials and wood panelling ensures it remains somewhere you can come to relax and kick back for the weekend or entire summer.

Let's take a little look around! 

What a lovely getaway! And so near Malmö too. 

It must be with a very heavy heart that Gen has decided to sell up - but I am looking forward to seeing what she does next. 

Find out more about this summer cabin here. 

Did the playful touches and use of colour resonate with you? 

Up for more inspiration today check out the entire summer cottage archive, other popular archives include before and after renovations, vintage inspired homes and small spaces. 

Happy Lillördag (little saturday)! 

Niki 

PS (AD) I am so happy to see so many of you have made the most of the 20% off voucher in yesterday's post, I hope you enjoy the Skandinavisk fragrances as much as I do! 

Photography courtesy of Eric Olsson with thanks 

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