A Cosy Cabin Where the Outdoor Space Takes Centre-stage

I've gone a little off piste this week. OK, majorly off-piste, with not one but TWO cabins Down Under. The first: a garden hideaway, was on Wednesday, and the second - today! But who can blame me when they exude relaxed charm? 

The Woods Ocean Grove is made up of two cosy cabins nestled in the woods in the Ballerine Peninsula, Wadawurring, Australia. With the roar of the ocean and calls from the bush forever present, the property has been designed to embrace the great outdoors with an al fresco dining area, kitchen, bathroom and fire pit. 

Living in Sweden, I understand the allure of embracing the great weather when it arrives - and love the idea of carving out zones in the garden (or even a little balcony). Don't miss the snapshots of the interiors too - full of easy vintage style as well as colours and materials inspired by the ocean and bush beyond, drawing the outside in. 

Lovely inspiration for a balcony. I really like how they've added bar stools and a bar for coffee... wine.... If your balcony is covered, a swinging chair is a great idea too! 

The tiles in this outdoor bathroom give the space a complete look and an air of permanency. And you can never go wrong with a clawfoot tub, right? 

Outdoor curtains add a whimsical, soft touch to spaces which could otherwise come across 'hard'. In this instance, it's a perfect way to ensure privacy in the bathroom too! 

Anyone for tennis?

I actually used to play college tennis (many moons ago)! My serve is so bad these days though I prefer Padel. But I'd be happy to pick up my racket for a swing on this court! 

Could you imagine staying at The Woods Ocean Grove too? Find out more here. 

How great is the outdoor space? I know we don't all have gardens as big as this - but it's still amazing what you can do with a balcony or even a windowseat - and by adding lots of blankets, cushions and oil lamps you can enjoy it long into Autumn, maybe even winter! 

I've also always loved the idea of using colours that reflect your surroundings. Granted that in a city this can be tricky - but there's nothing to stop you from bringing in chestnut browns, rust and burnt orange come autumn, and vibrant green shades in the spring, storing and brining out items is such a quick way to refresh the home and embrace each season - and means you'll appreciate what you have even more. Do you like to update your home for the season? 

Have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back on Monday with a Scandinavian home tour! 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography by Marnie Hawson, styling Belle Hemming Bright. Shared with kind permission. Last picture by Nikole Ramsay. 

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Getaway from it all: A Light and Airy Airbnb Garden Hideway

 It's one of those days where I've got a big photoshoot, the house is a mess, one of my girls has forgotten her cross country trainers.... and I've got a zoom call in half an hour. What I really feel like doing is emigrating to Australia. In fact, this studio will do!

You might recall the a very beautiful workspace belonging to Kawa Heart Studio. Dee also runs a light and airy Airbnb - accessed by a secret path. 'A space less ordinary', the studio is located in a former glass studio in their lush garden on the fringes of old Fremantle town, Western Australia. 

Built from recycled materials and powered by solar energy, Dee Kawai Tang has worked her magic with the interior, kitting it out with classic mid-century and vintage pieces which are bathed in sunlight from the Cathedral-style windows. All in all, a perfect garden hideaway in which to retreat, create and simply relax. 

I'd fly over right away if I could!

Could you imagine staying here too? 

There's a lot more colour entering the interior world right now, but I think this studio is a perfect example of how white is always right (see what I did there?). It looks so fresh, light and airy in this studio and everything within it really pops as a result. 

More info and pics of this lovely studio on airbnb.

Check out all my other favourite homes in Australia right here. 

Right folks, dreaming over for the day... I need to hurry across town with these trainers! 

Happy Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

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Alva's Warm and Inviting Swedish Country Home and Farm Shop

Alva Herdevall is a Swedish author (Heirloom Skills: a complete guide to modern homesteading - which has been hugely popular in Swedish, is now available to pre-order in English) as well as a self-confessed plant lover, homesteader & permaculture designer". Once a city girl (Alva also lived in Malmö for many years), the writer moved to Krusenbergs farm in Uppsala where she and her partner Anders Rydell have created a country life with their small children and four legged friend. 

Days are spent 'odling' (toiling the soil and growing flowers, fruit and vegetables) - the results of which include a beautiful array of sunflowers, sweet peas, peonies, dahlia and other blooms as well as great gluts homegrown tomatoes, courgettes, beans and squash. Whatever the family have left over is preserved for the winter or sold through their honesty store and 'pick your own' farm. Fresh eggs and honey are also available to buy. 

Inside, evidence of the recent harvest can be seen overflowing in the kitchen and as a centre piece on the dining table and brightening up windowsills throughout the home. Here's a peek into Alva's beautiful world in the Swedish countryside. 

In September the forests and fields are ripe with edible delicacies. Swedes love to pickle and preserve whatever they have leftover and savour pickled cucumber, beetroot and other preserves on sandwiches or as a side dish throughout winter. Alva has a larder full of homemade jars - many of which she lists in her book. 

Do you preserve fruit and vegetables too? If so, I'd love to hear about some of your favourites!

Alva's home is a wonderful, warm, eclectic mix of vintage and antique finds, books, plants, pattern and prints. 

Yellow kitchen cabinets and a kilim rug in reds and blues bring warmth and cosiness to the kitchen. 

Anders built the outdoor kitchen and table, now laden with homegrown produce. Flowers and other produce are also sold through their farm shop (below). 

What a lovely life!

See more pictures from Alva's home and garden over at @krusenbergsodlarna and find out more about their store, wedding floristry and workshops here. 

Does it make anyone else want to move to the countryside? There's nothing quite like a little dreaming on a Monday!

Take a tour of other Scandinavian country homes in the country home archive. 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Credits: 

1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 14, 15 @krusenbergsodlarna

4, 5 by Roland Persson for book Modern Självhushållning published by Natur & Kultur Fakta.

2, 3, 9, 10, 12, 13 Idha Lindhag 

Shared with kind permission. 

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Photographer Nana's Light and Airy Copenhagen Home

Hello there! Forgive me if I don't write so much today. I have arrived in London to visit my mother, and there's a list of jobs to do as long as my arm - which involve everything from putting up a picture and stowing the parasol to checking the car tyre pressure (Dad where are you when I need you?). Even so, the sun is shining, just as it is in Nana Hagel's beautiful home in Copenhagen!

A photographer and writer, Nana has an eye for aesthetics and design - and this shines through in her light and airy pared down home. Warm textures such as wood, leather and wool add a tactile touch to the rooms, while a wall of shelves over the door (hugely popular in Danish homes) provide a perfect place to showcase personal items like books, lamps and vases. 

Let's take the tour! 

The incredible kitchen cabinets were handcrafted by Ask og Eng (check out their Norwegian studio and also Sanne Hopp's kitchen). 

I spy a Sjöstrand coffee machine. We have one of these in our cabin - and not only do they look pretty, they also make the best coffee! 

These pretty cup displays ('Sætter') are designed by my friend Caroline - and they've become hugely popular, for good reason! They're a perfect way to display a cup collection, and Nana's is particularly pretty! 

The Le Klint Sax lamps are lovely. I recently put one up in my sitting room at home and have been meaning to photograph it for ages. 

The decorative fan on the wall in the bedroom is from Sakura Copenhagen - a Japanese store selling lots of beautiful things including ceramics. 

Thank you so much Nana for inviting us into your home! 

For more views and snapshots of her Danish home, head to @nana_ha. 

So friends, I need to get on with those jobs - and then after that I'm so looking forward to seeing my sisters (I am a middle child, with an older and younger sister!) and some great friends who I haven't seen since before the pandemic!). 

I hope you have a great weekend too and that the sun is shining for you! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nana Hagel, shared with kind permission. 

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