Step Inside A Cosy Gower Country Home (Plus an Airbnb You Can Stay In)

Hej! Or maybe hi feels more fitting today, since I’m whisking you away to a lovely corner of Wales called Gower. I first visited many moons ago on a school geography field trip to study the coastline – and I remember being bowled over by how wild and beautiful it was. So, you can imagine my delight when I recently stumbled across the charming home of Jane Griffiths.

Tucked away in the woods in a secluded valley, Jane’s country home is not just where she lives – it also serves as a location for shoots and includes a separate annex which she rents out on Airbnb (take note!).

While Jane shares plenty of lovely images over on her Instagram @parkplacegower, I thought I’d post a little snapshot here to give you a taste of her pretty stone-walled haven, with its gorgeous beams and sash windows. The furniture is mostly vintage and gives the place a cosy, lived-in feel, while the master bedroom – complete with a bathtub – adds a touch of spa-like luxury.

I hope you enjoy this peek into Jane’s beautiful world on the Gower - snoozing dogs, an outdoor kitchen, deserted beaches and all. 

Would you also like to see a couple of pictures from her charming Airbnb? Here's a sneak peek: 

So pretty and cosy! I could easily imagine winding down here for a week or two – how about you?

Tap here for more information about staying in Jane’s Airbnb, and head over to @parkplacegower to see more lovely snapshots from Jane’s life on the Gower.

It’s a busy day here in Sweden as we’re all frantically trying to wrap up our work and shut our laptops before heading out to celebrate Valborg in the sunshine. Valborg is a traditional Swedish festival that marks the arrival of spring, usually with bonfires, singing, and friends gathering outdoors. And with a bank holiday tomorrow, it’s the perfect excuse for a proper celebration!

Are you off tomorrow too for May Day?

I’ll be back here on Friday and hope to see you then for one more inspiring home tour before the weekend, thank you for stopping by! 

Niki x

Photography courtesy of @parkplacegower, shared with kind permission. 

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A Serene Cabin Stay in Norway’s Wilderness

Why, hi there friends! I hope you had a wonderfully relaxing weekend. I also hope you have your bags packed, because we're heading off on a virtual trip to the Norwegian wilderness — to visit the newly built wood cabin of Lin Christin Mortensholm!

Now, as we’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather, you might be puzzled by the snowy picture above — but in some parts of Norway, the backcountry ski season is still in full swing.

Designed according to Lin’s philosophy of a "natural, quiet interior, and mindful living", the Scandinavian-style blond wood cabin was the well-deserved winner of "The Year's Cabin Gullfjæren". Naturally, I was keen to find out more — and discovered a beautiful, serene living space where the indoors blend seamlessly with the wild beauty of the outdoors.

Immersed in nature — where the contrasting seasons create an ever-changing series of striking landscapes — the interior has been kept wonderfully simple, allowing the surrounding scenery to take centre stage.

An open-plan design, the striking monochrome interior is furnished with an array of pieces crafted from natural materials like cork, wood and canvas. Freshly picked foliage, such as lupins and bracken, helps to capture the true essence of the season.

Ready to take a tour?

What a wonderful getaway! It's definitely the kind of place where you’d pull up, unpack and feel instantly relaxed, with nothing to do except immerse yourself in the incredible nature — whether walking, skiing, or simply sitting by the fire with a good book.

Can you imagine chilling here this week? Was there anything that caught your eye?

Hop on over to @lysthus_skrim to see more beautiful angles of Lin’s cabin.

It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVE Norway. It’s an incredible country. I’ve visited many times — for holidays, work, and to write travel guides for Simply Scandi magazine. Here are a couple of guides I’ve featured on My Scandinavian Home:

Spectacular Bodø and Lofoten

The Hardanger Fruit Trail

Is there anywhere you've been in Norway that you would recommend? 

Oh, and some beautiful Norwegian homes to feel inspired by: 

A magical rural escape by a Norwegian fjord

A summer fjord side retreat in Norway

A Norwegian house by a fjord

A ski chalet in Hafjell

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lysthus_skrim, shared with kind permission. 

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A Peek Inside Rene Humphrey’s Evolving Family Home in Malmö

It’s Friday, friends – yay! I’m keeping it local today… very local, in fact!

A few weeks ago, I moved into a new studio on Lilla Torg – a picturesque old square right in the heart of Malmö. I feel so lucky to be sharing the space with some truly lovely, inspiring, funny, and all-round awesome people – one of whom is Rene Humphrey.

Rene has a background in landscape garden design and now works as an interior designer and stylist. Needless to say, the home she shares with her partner Aron and their two little girls, Bonnie (4) and Billie (3), is beautiful in every way.

Set in a leafy villa area, the family moved to the house in 2022. Since then, Rene has been adding her signature touch to the space with an earthy palette, lush textures, and a wonderful sense of warmth. She also loves playing with shape and symmetry, bringing depth and personality to each room. All around the house, you’ll spot her collages-in-progress – mood boards that not only guide her interior projects but also shape her own home, one room at a time.

Dark wood has made a strong comeback in recent years, and it’s lovely to see how it adds contrast and character throughout Rene’s home.

The house is very much a work in progress, with some rooms still waiting their turn. I’m already looking forward to sharing an update when the next chapter unfolds! For now, here are a few lovely angles from Rene’s place to enjoy on this fine Friday!

So calm and serene! If I know Rene right, the garden will also be transformed into a complete oasis. But as a (rookie) gardener myself, I understand the length of time it takes. It's definitely more about the journey than the end destination! 

Did anything stand out to you about Rene's lovely home?

You can see more pictures from Rene's work and home, fashion tips, and delicious-looking culinary creations here. 

I must take some snaps from the new studio I work in soon, I think you'll like it. If you're curious about visiting Malmö, check out my city guides, including 30 things to do for design lovers and 15 favourite local hangouts - although so many cool places have popped up since then, I think it's time for a new one! Have you ever been to Malmö? 

It's a small place, and everyone in the design world is connected somehow. For example, Rene is great friends with Natalia Andersson, whose former home I featured here. Another Malmö home I think you'll love is Natalie's cosy city apartment where old meets new - who happens to be best friends and business partner to Patricia Rodi, a Swede living by a Scottish loch. I told you it's a small world!

That's it from me this week. I hope you have some fun plans for the weekend? It's been a long week of work for me so I am looking forward to kicking back in the sunshine with a glass of rosé! 

Skål from Sweden! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rene_humphrey, shared with kind permission. 

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