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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A Danish Cabin with a Nordic Beach Vibe

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Denmark, and I left full of inspiration! So, today I thought we'd make a virtual trip to the North of Zealand, around 60 km from Copenhagen where Mads and Sara have their cabin. 

The cabin is 76 sqm (818 sq.ft) and also has a small separate guesthouse. The family bought the 1960s cabin in 2021 and have set about adding a coastal touch to the space. 

"We have decorated with tones of blue to reflect the sea and added lot of natural materials such as wood, jute and lots of pebbles and shells from the nearby beach for a cosy, Nordic beach vibe" the pair explain.

Think vintage touches, stripes and plenty of pastels.  

Ready to feel inspired? 

Simple, relaxed and very pretty! I'd be happy to spend my summers here, how about you? 

I particularly love the way they have applied paint to some of the vintage finds like wall cabinets and wardrobes - a clever way to revamp something old that's fallen into disrepair! 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Mads and Sara's cabin? 

See more snapshots here!

Fancy seeing a few others Danish cabins today? Here are some favourites I've featured in the past: 

A charming and relaxed cabin by the sea

A beautifully simple white danish cabin

A Danish cottage oasis on North Zealand

Inspired to visit Denmark and experience one in person? This light-filled Danish cabin is available to rent. 

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @kulhusehytten, shared with kind permission.

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11 Ways to Bring Nature into Your Home, Danish style!

Did you know adding touches of nature to your home has been proven to boost happiness? And it's something our Scandinavian friends do so well. 

Today I'm taking you on a tour of Tina Abild's idyllic Danish summer cottage on the Kattegat coast which is full of nature-themed touches. Here are 11 ideas to feel inspired by! 

1. Natural materials: wood, rattan, linen all helps to bring texture to a room.

2. Wildflowers: there's nothing like the wonderful scent of flowers cut from the nearby meadow or hedgerow! Forage first thing in the morning to avoid drooping. 

3. Terrarium of foraged items from the beach: display a small selection of items collected from one spot, in this case dried seaweed, driftwood and pebbles from the nearby beach have been displayed a in a glass bell jar. 

4. Art that reflects nature: collect art that is reminiscent of the surrounding environment. I this cottage, a fish serves as a reminder that the Kattegat sea is a short walk away. 

I love the old ironing board used as a side table, so clever!  

5. Dried and pressed flowers: collect your favourite blooms to dry and press and use as art the following year. 

6. Driftwood display: old, gnarled wood from the beach makes for a beautiful display in a glass jar. 

Adding baskets with handles to hooks creates space for yet more storage - for example for small items like gloves, hats and other pieces that are difficult to hang. 

7. Dried flower wreath: when it comes to a second home it's next to impossible to keep plants alive, instead get crafty with flowers and dry them in the shape of wreaths for a decorative display. 

Tina made this pretty lampshade herself - it's a great way of up cycling a vintage Le Klint sax lamp! 

8. Display books about nature: even better if the tome is about the surrounding area! 

9. Hang simple bunches of dried flowers: a simple display of thistles looks pretty hanging from a doorknob. 

10. Use botanical or floral themed textiles: carefully selected curtains, bedspreads and curtains can also serve as a way to draw the natural surroundings indoors. 

Any avid readers of My Scandinavian Home will have noticed lately just how popular these vintage glass cabinets have become - particularly of the wall-mounted variety! Adding curtains is a great way to hide more unsightly items from view! 

11. Line the windowsills: if your windows open outwards, use the sills to showcase stones, shells and wildflowers like cow parsley! 

Another simple, yet pretty idea - using beautiful vintage textiles as makeshift curtains to obscure the bathroom from view! Look how well the details show up in the light. 

Outdoor showers are a summer dream, don't you think? One day we'll build one at our cabin, but in the meantime, I'll admire Tina's shower from a far! 

So many beautiful ideas! I can't wait to take go for a walk by our cabin now so that I can have a little forage. Has Tina's idyllic summer cottage inspired you too? 

See more snapshots and follow Tina's latest projects over at @sommerhus.ved.kattegat.

Would you like to see a few more Danish summer cottages today? Here are some truly inspiring getaways: 

A Danish summer cottage oasis on the north coast of Zealand

A dreamy Danish cottage with an outdoor bathroom

A charming summer cottage on the island of Fejø

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography: @sommerhus.ved.kattegat shared with kind permission. 

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A Dreamy Rustic Cottage in a Hidden Corner of Tasmania

I always try to stick to scandinavian homes here on the blog, but every now and again I go off-piste in a spectacular way! Like today. Those of you who know me well, will confirm my lifelong dream of visiting Tasmania, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Despite being on the opposite of the world and no doubt a very different climate, there are a few similarities with the Nordics (at least from what I have seen!). Firstly, Tasmania appears to be characterised by incredible, wild untouched nature. And secondly, this nature often inspires the decor in a beautiful way. 

I feel so drawn to the relaxed vibe of the cabins and cottages I so often discover on Airbnb! And this charming little rustic cottage is no different! Beautifully captured by Lean Timms who tells me 'it's such a special space, you'd love it' (I have no doubt!), the 160 year old cottage is hidden away in a secret, secluded corner of Tasmania, inviting guests to 'slow down, unplug and reconnect.' 

Owner Christine Hansen - founder of The Patina Factory,  recently returned from an eight year Hiatus in Sweden and has loving restored the one-bedroom cottage using only locally-sourced natural materials which compliment the antique timber frame. The result is a charming and relaxed cottage in which to kick back, unbind and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. 

Ready to take a look? 

"Living in Sweden, I really came to understand some fundamental things about what makes a building beautiful" - Christine Hansen. 

I'm already on that daybed looking out over the Mersey river, how about you? 

The style reminds me a of a farmhouse high up on a hill in Vermont that I captured for my first book Relaxed Rustic (formerly known as Modern Pastoral). Which also took my breath away! 

See more pictures of this luxury rustic cottage in Tasmania on Airbnb here and follow Christine for more over at @twissstreet. 

Have you been to Tasmania? Or perhaps you're lucky enough to call it home? If so, please do share your experiences in the comment section below! Did anything stand out to you? 

Here are a few other dreamy Tasmanian properties I've featured in the past: 

Captain's Cottage - a bolthole in Hobart

A wabi-sabi getaway in the Bay of Fires

A relaxed artist's cabin by the sea

Whale song shack 

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography by the talented Lean Timms, shared with kind permission. 

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