It’s a sunny bank holiday here in Sweden today, which means everyone is fully in relax mode. We’re up at the cottage and Per is painting a door, I’ve been tending to my roses (rapidly becoming a new favourite pastime), and I suspect a chilled glass of rosé may need to appear very soon… but first, I have a pretty cottage to share with you.
You may have noticed I have a soft spot for homes with a historical touch, and while this one is in Wales rather than Scandinavia, it has exactly the kind of quiet charm I can never resist. Tucked away at the Little Mill, this beautiful old cottage feels like stepping back in time.
Keep an eye out for the worn wooden floors, rustic beams, antique furniture and embroidered linens, every corner feels wonderfully lived-in and full of stories. I especially love the old farmhouse kitchen with its hanging copper pans, charming tiles and beautiful sink, as well as the layered rugs in the sitting room and those lovely textured walls that only come with age. Even the bathroom feels thoughtful and cosy, with pretty embroidery adding to the cottage charm.
Designed as a place to properly switch off, Maen Melin feels made for slow, simple days. I can imagine long breakfasts by the window, afternoons exploring the mountains, and evenings curled up listening to the river rushing past outside. Oh, and dogs are welcome too!
Race you to it!
So pretty! It feels wonderfully traditional, yet there’s also a subtle modern touch here and there too. I’m especially loving the striped bed canopy, such a lovely detail!
Could you see yourself spending a long weekend here? I can just imagine slow mornings with tea and thick slices of toast slathered in butter and marmalade, before heading up into the mountains for the day. Just in case here's the website for booking your stay!
Wales really is such a beautiful part of the world. Have you been? It’s actually one of the wettest parts of the UK thanks to all those mountains and Atlantic weather rolling in, so if you do go, definitely pack a solid mac and a good pair of wellies!
Have a lovely weekend friends, or as they say in Welsh, mwynhewch eich penwythnos!
Niki
Photography courtesy of Little Mill Abergavenny, with thanks.
" The old things- creaky floors, chipped dishes, hand-stitched quilts- carry the best stories". Skylight windows really light up the space, in the kitchen, bedroom. The thoughtful canopy over the bed, might help in sleeping on after daylight, but what a way to look at the stars at night! Lovely stone walls, stone-tile kitchen sink area, ole wooden pieces! Staying here with the wind blowing over the house in winter or at night might take you back to the peace and safety of a hundred or more years ago!
ReplyDeleteI love your description! It's a place made for relaxing surrounded by nature by day, and star gazing at night! It would be hard to leave!
DeleteI have been to Wales, and loved it. I would happily return, and this would be a fun place to stay. Beautifully historic and rustic. I can see myself snuggled by the woodstove with tea and a novel (or knitting) in hand, perfect for after a day's hike.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the movie The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain? It's an older movie starring Hugh Grant and it takes place in Wales. I think you would enjoy it.
I haven't seen that, and here's me thinking I have seen all Hugh Grant films! I'll see if I can dig it out.
DeleteOne of my favorite "My Scandinavian Home" posts of all time! So elegant in its rustic simplicity.
ReplyDeleteYay! I absolutely love it when that happens! It is indeed, beautiful.
DeleteWhat a cozy retreat! The textiles add such warmth (anyone know how to put together a pendant shade like the one in the kitchen?) and I'm struck by the pink and white doorway curtain that is so like a Japanese noren.
ReplyDeleteWe have similar pendants in our cottage kitchen - do you mean the one with the cloth, or without?
DeleteI visited Wales....many years (OK decades!) ago when I was a college student. I stayed with my older sister's elementary school pen pal and her family! I was there in January and remember the lovely, warm people and the sheep poking their heads out of the fog as we drove along. I was a guest in a modern home, but how I would have loved a stay in a cottage such as this. More copper pots to tempt me!! Such an interesting kitchen sink; I've never seen one like it! I like the Oriental rug in the living room. All the rustic elements are right up my alley. Thank you so much for sharing thsi home with us all!! : > )
ReplyDeleteI love your description of the sheep in the fog - it perfectly encapsulated Wales. I forgot to mention al the sheep! This would be a perfect stay for a trip to Wales!
DeleteI would love to visit Wales and this is certainly inspirational. All the layered textiles add a nice amount of softening and an offset to the handsome wood finishes from the beams and floors. Like another reader, I also found the cloth over the kitchen pendant an intriguing touch. Happy holiday, rose tending and rose sipping!
ReplyDeleteYou must! It is a beautiful part of the world. I have noticed that this style pendant lamp is really starting to come back. We have several in our summer cottage that have always been there (since the days of my husband's grandparents!).
DeleteLove Abergavenny, the Black Mountains and the Beacons. Know it well
ReplyDeleteLucky you! I am not sure I've been to that part of Wales, but I'd love to visit one day!
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