An Old Tack Room, Reimagined for a Cosy Stay

I once heard that winter is meant to be a quiet reset — a season to lean into tiredness, keep warm, and stay cosy at home rather than fighting it. Never one to sit still, I was forced into this mindset yesterday evening when a snowstorm in Malmö meant I had to cancel padel.

Fun fact: in Sweden, part of your driving licence involves something called the “moose test” — basically proving you can handle a car in bad conditions, either on ice in winter or oil in summer (I think it involves slaloming around bollards without panicking). London doesn’t have anything like that, so Per understandably gets nervous when I’m out driving in snow and wind.

That said… an evening at home with a glass of red, and my newly arrived copy of Vogue Scandinavia doesn’t sound too tragic. Anyway — I digress. You’re not here for my winter ramblings. You’re here for the home tour. And luckily, I have a lovely one, just for you!

This cosy little home for two in Suffolk, England feels like the ultimate escape. Tucked away on a quiet family estate, The Old Tack Room is compact, calm, and very cosy. The interior was created in collaboration with Design & That, and features soothing tones, beautiful textures, and an easy, open-plan layout made for slow mornings and long evenings. by the fire. 

And then there’s the estate itself. A stay might include yoga classes… or private dining… or beauty treatments… or horse riding… or watersports. Or — and let’s be honest, my favourite option — tiramisu and a glass of red by the fire (and maybe a cuddle with a llama!). Which would you choose? 

Either way, it's the perfect escape for the weekend! 

Lovely!

Once again, we're witnessing the warmth of veering away from sheet white walls and opting for warm, muted tones instead - sometimes so subtle, you might not notice. 

Recently, while working on an interior design project here in Malmö, we opted to paint the white walls a soft off white and the result was instant. It felt warmer, welcoming and a little more luxurious. 

What colours do you have on your walls? 

I also really love the traditional wood panelling, it works wonders here.  Oh, and the kitchen is beautiful too! 

If you're curious about a stay - check out the Old Tack Room for more info. 

And for more cosy stays to dream about (or book!), I love: 

A magical escape on a Norwegian island outside Bergen
A limestone barn on Gotland
A rustic stay in a former railway carriage

I am not sure if you noticed but I got my days muddled up this week. I had promised to post Tuesdays and Thursdays this year - but now I realise that it might need to be a little more flexible depending on what I am up to - so Monday or Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. I do hope that works fine from your side? 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, 

Niki

PS I am so looking forward to finding a quiet moment this weekend, pouring a coffee and reading through / replying to your comments, it's something I so enjoy! 

Credits: Sand and Stone Escapes

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Old Meets New in an Artist’s Home in Devon

Calling all artists! Is it not a dream to live amongst sprawling grounds, a beautiful walled garden, and a very cool house – with space of your own to create? While I love to write, I was reminded this week just how much I love to make things with my hands, sewing an outfit for my daughter for a party. There’s something so grounding about it: the rhythm, the focus, the way it quiets your thoughts and pulls you fully into the present moment (even if the results aren't always quite what I had in mind!). Do you also like to make things?

That’s why I was immediately drawn to this house in Devon, on the English south coast. It feels like the ultimate artist’s paradise. Rooted gently in the landscape, this quirky home sits within a formerly abandoned Victorian walled garden, now ingeniously transformed into a cohesive cluster of buildings using brick and local stone. Inside, the spaces are made up of eclectic, carefully chosen pieces in muted, earthy tones – nothing shouty, but everything quietly fascinating to the eye. Relaxed modern architecture sits alongside old stone walls, creating rooms that feel both calm and deeply personal. It’s the kind of home that invites creativity. And if you need to down your tools for a while, the sea is a short drive away. Bliss! 

And then there's the atelier - complete with it's own wood burning stove! 

Lovely, lovely, lovely! 

Could you imagine living somewhere quirky like this - with a wonderful space to create? 

There are so many great details too. It's truly a home that tells the personal story of those who live there. 

Did anything stand out to you in particular? 

We used to spend our summers in Devon when I was little - it's a really beautiful part of the world. I've featured a few homes from that neck of the woods before including: 

A cosy cliffside hideaway on the Devonshire coast
Signs of summer and a dreamy Cornish home
An artist's home and atelier by the sea in Cornwall

I hope you enjoyed this virtual visit to a British artist's home today.

Niki

PS I am really enjoying all your comments, they add so much! If you have time, you might like to wade in on the discussions around curtains and pairing socks in this post - or start a new discussion below. There's no pressure though, you might also like to stop by here quietly to enjoy the tour and then scuttle away again, and that's absolutely fine too, everyone is welcome here! 

Photography courtesy of The Modern House 

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A Small Stockholm Space with a Playful Twist

I am always drawn to the opposite. Mention a documentary about climbing Mount Everest or another daring adventure and I’ve hit play before they’ve even put on their crampons – from the safety and warmth of my sofa, of course. And here on MSH, there’s always room for a big old house in a remote country setting – even if many of us live right in the middle of the city.

That said, some of the most inspiring homes are often the smallest ones. Spaces that rely on clever planning, flexible living solutions and smart storage – and prove that you don’t need endless square metres to create something full of personality.

And that’s exactly what this bright little Stockholm apartment does so well.

Measuring 36 m² (388 ft²), the one-bedroom apartment is full of lively prints, small pops of colour set against a soft, neutral backdrop (note the distinct lack of white), and a joyful collection of playful details that gently nudge a smile as you move from room to room.

Even though we haven’t seen the sun for some time, these cheerful touches make the flat feel bright whatever the weather. And isn’t that part of the magic of a thoughtfully put-together home? A flower-shaped bath mat underfoot. A botanical shower curtain that turns everyday routines into something a little more joyful. Cherry-themed glasses catching the light. A tablecloth dotted with tiny lemons, quietly reminding you not to take life too seriously. None of it shouts – it simply delights.

It’s a lovely reminder of how small, inexpensive details can completely transform a space – great news for renters and homeowners alike. Which playful touch would you borrow for your own home? And do you lean more towards calm and neutral, or do you enjoy adding cheerful little surprises like these?

Let’s take the tour!

Notice the Aarke carbonator again (told you it was popular here in Scandinavia!) – and I also spy a Sjöstrand Coffee machine, which we have at our cottage. Lovely appliances!

Have you noticed how popular blue and white ceramics have become lately? A true classic that perfectly suits the nostalgic phase we’re in.

How cute is this table cloth embroidered with lemons (from Swedish brand Midnatt)?

Another popular piece right now - the blue and white Klippan blanket. 

Tables attached to the balcony are perfect for saving space on a small balcony. And the chess set is lovely too! 

Cobalt blue is set to continue as a key colour this year (and hopefully forever once we've invested in it, after all, we don't need to stick to trends, just what we love!) - and this Siesta bedding from Midnatt is so vibrant! Word of caution if you buy Swedish bedding - their sizes are quite different, for example the pillows are almost square shaped (50 cm x 60 cm!), it's very strange! 

It's clever how they've created a thread of cobalt blue throughout the flat - look back and you'll spot small details everywhere - it really helps to tie the space together. 

Oh, so fun! 

I loved looking at all the details in this apartment, so fabulous! 

Did anything stand out to you? 

I think I might treat myself to the lemon tablecloth, it would be so pretty on our garden table at our summer cabin! 

Here are some more homes with a wonderful, playful touch: 

12 playful details in Sussie's Danish home (pink stairwell anyone?)

A Stockholm home full of colour and creativity

A vibrant loft with splashes of colour and playful art

I hope this home tour has filled with you ideas or at the very least brightened up your day. 

Thank you so much for dropping by! 

Niki

PS I have just written a piece for IKEA on how to update your bedroom for spring if you'd like to take a peek :) 

Credits: Historiska Hem, shared with thanks

 

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16

A Cosy Cottage Escape in the French countryside

Hello there friends, how are you getting on? I’m not going to lie, January in Malmö is not my favourite time of the year. The world is devoid of colour (I sent a picture to my sister in Mallorca the other day and she thought I’d put a black and white filter on it!!), and it’s really cold and raw. Hence, why I have been dreaming of cute places to stay far and wide. A mental escape if you like. And that’s what led me to this cosy and charming little cottage.

Aptly named La Petite Maison, the stone cottage is tucked away in the peaceful countryside of the Percheron region in Normandy, France, part of the picturesque Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. Here, we're told, you can truly slow down, enjoy panoramic views over rolling fields and woodlands, and step into a world of simple, rustic beauty — everything from the cosy wood-burning stove to the carefully curated décor feels like it was picked with love.

Owned and lovingly restored by a couple who fell head over heels for this corner of French rural life — and who live on the same property in the larger La Grande Maison — this little guest house was created so that visitors can experience the “Perche Effect”: that calm, gentle rhythm of life that only the countryside seems to offer. Every detail of La Petite Maison reflects their passion for this slice of France, from the antique-found décor to the quiet garden just outside your door. Bienvenue! 

Charming in every way — and just the virtual escape I needed on this grey winter day. How about you?

If you’d like to see more pictures — or even enquire about a booking (hey, why not? I don’t think any of us would regret that choice!) — head on over to Perche Effect.

On a brighter note, my day is actually very exciting as I’m at a photoshoot in Copenhagen, at a studio called The Lab, capturing a new collection for a client. It’s an amazing place, absolutely brimming with Danish creativity. I’ll see if I can share a few pictures on my Instagram stories — I hope you’re also up to something fun today.

If you fancy lingering for a while, you might like to delve into these tours:

A pretty, Swedish run b&b in the south of france
A Swede's lovely vintage-inspired home in the south of france
A stunning French country home filled with antiques
A swedish photographer and French hat-makers charming home

Have a lovely day, folks!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Perche Effect, with thanks. 

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