A Cosy Vintage-inspired Holiday Cottage On The Sapphire Coast

Have you got any holiday plans coming up? In the Brantmark household we're feeling crazily excited about a trip to Mallorca to visit my sister and the girls' cousins in the first week of November. It will be officially the first week of the winter season there, but we're confident it will be an improvement on the Swedish weather, what do you reckon? 

Even so, a trip to Australia and New Zealand remains high up on my list for the future. One day friends, one day! In the meantime, I shall keep adding charming holiday rentals to my archive. And this one is a beauty! Located half way between Sydney and Melbourne in Pambula, New South Wales, Lotte's Hjem is a beloved 150 year old weatherboard cottage beautifully restored by partners Harrison Balodis and Miranda O'Rourke, which they then generously opened up as a holiday rental. 

Anyone who visits can expect to sit back and celebrate the simple pleasures in life such as collecting fresh flowers and seasonal herbs from the garden, reading by firelight and enjoying a morning coffee on the veranda - surrounded by beautiful vintage pieces and family heirlooms. While travel to Australia might be off the cards right now, there's nothing to stop us in the future - and for now, it's just to sit back and dream! 

Who's in? 

It looks like such a perfect place to unwind, doesn't it? Plus, it makes me want to spend the weekend strolling around Swedish 'loppis' (flea markets) - I think I'll do just that! 

Read more about the philosophy behind a stay at Lotte's Hjem here. 

Fancy dreaming about other Australian and Tasmanian haunts this today? Here are a few others I've earmarked: 

Dream stay: a Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia 

An idyllic holiday home and garden by Lynda Gardner 

Captains Cottage, a Bolthole in Tasmania

A cosy hideaway by the sea (wait till you see the bathroom!)

How wonderful, I do love a little holiday home dreaming, how about you? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Lotte's Hjem with thanks.  

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An Apartment With Inspiring Touches in Copenhagen, Denmark

I was watching New Amsterdam on Netflix last night (I know, probably not very design cool, but it's an easy watch after a long day!) while intermittently browsing through instagram (Per hates it when I do that!), and I stumbled across the Danish account of Stina Bothilde. From what I can gather, Stina and her family divide their time between a beautiful old apartment in Fredriksberg, Copenhagen and a weekend retreat in Hønsinge, West of Zealand. They both caught my eye for different reasons, and I'm pretty sure I'll feature her cabin at some point. But today, I couldn't resist giving you a small tour of their city space. I say small tour since Stina hasn't shot that many angles thus far. Even so, these lovely rooms / angles are filled with lovely 'effortless Danish' inspiration. 

In the dining area, a pair of Opaline Hubsch lamps hang over the table, the cables draped from the original electrical source. A long brown cushion (made with curtain fabric) helps transform cabinets (from Handcrafted Interior) into seating while adding a touch of on-trend colour while classic wishbone chairs are arranged opposite. 

A galaxy globe mobile by Kaja Skytte hangs in the corner, while a basket of blankets lies in wait by the balcony door. 

In the sitting room, original art from Isola Studio* (check to the pieces here*!) and a print Arthus hangs on a wall painted in Space by Jotun Lady. The rug is from Søstrene Grene. 

It's just a teeny room - as with many city apartments space is of a premium and you simply need to make do with the square metres you have. All the same, it looks super cosy! A wall mounted pocket organiser* from Norman Cph (as seen on the wall) are perfect for storing books in lieu of a bedside table. 

I love the wood on the casing of the bathroom cabinet - combined with the brass holder - it really makes the space! 

Well folks, I might not have been able to show you the entire home, but I have a feeling this is a start of something beautiful! 

Check out Stina's instagram feed for the latest updates. 

And if you're into all things danish after seeing this - go ahead and pull up a wishbone chair and scroll through this danish home tour archive. It's a favourite of mine! 

By the way, I've been really enjoying the comments lately, especially when a discussion arises, they are so fun to read and remind me of what a great community My Scandinavian Home is! Thank you. 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Stina Bothilde - shared with kind permission.

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A French Photographer's Earthy Home on The Vendée Coast

Kicking off the week with snapshots from the beautiful home of French photographer and director Aurelie Lecuyer, husband Jean-Christophe and their three children in a forest on the Vendée coast. The 1970s house exudes calm thanks to the wonderful warm wood, layers of texture and earthy tones. Think surfaces dotted with lamps and foraged pieces, contemporary lighting, sculpted built-in furniture and shelves laden with artefacts, books and magazines. All the while, the look is clean, calm and relatively contemporary.  Be still my beating heart! 

Simply wonderful!

A perfect home with which to kick off the week, do you agree? 

See more snapshots over at @aurelie_lecuyer - and recently commissioned work from Aurelie's photography portfolio here. 

If you're loving the wood, you're also bound to feel inspired by: 

20 ways to add warmth to your home with wood, Sanne Hop style

A beautiful, relaxed home with sky high beams

Life change: a swedish family home in the French alps

And of course - the magnificently crafted 'tiny mobile house' I featured on Thursday! 

Wishing you all a wonderful, calm start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Aurelie Lecuyer - shared with kind permission 

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A Beautifully Crafted Tiny House On Wheels

Spreading some tiny house love today. I came across this in the feed of Anna Malmberg, a Swede living in the South of France (you might remember her beautiful house which she shares with her hat maker husband and their son) . Anne helped her friend Romain Lemonnier to style and take these pictures of the tiny house that he had built in a nearby village. The cabin was bought by a man who had been homeless for many years. He inherited some money when his Mother died and was finally in a position to buy himself this property. He calls it his 'castle'. Looking at the level of craftsmanship that has gone into it, I can see why! Curious to look around? 

How incredible! And so inspiring for anyone looking to build a tiny house. Unless of course, you'd like to ask Romain to build one for you (more info here: P'tite Nid Mobile). 

It made me think more about the little cabin we are building - which incidentally has suffered from a slight delay - apparently the foundation needs to breath for three months before we can kit out the interior. Even so, I hope the first spade will go into the ground within weeks. Exciting! More to follow soon! 

Here are a few other truly inspiring tiny homes: 

Before and after - a tiny Swedish cabin in the woods

A Swedish couple turn a Mercedes sprinter van into a tiny mobile home

Dream life on a budget: a tiny cabin and pottery studio

A beautifully revamped caravan

Looking for inspiration for a small apartment? Take a peek in the small spaces archive. 

I'm heading over the bridge to Copenhagen today for 3 Days of Design. I'm so excited as I get to go 'abroad', tuck into Danish pastries (a given!) and experience some incredible Danish design. Winner!  Keep an eye on my Instagram stories if you'd like to follow along!

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

Photography: Anna Malmberg, shared with kind permission. 

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