Your 2020 Off-the-grid Getaway: Nolla Cabin In the Helsinki Archipelagos

Hello! Happy new year! I hope you had a wonderful, relaxing break? Is anyone else back at work today and feeling as slow as anything?! I'm on my third coffee and nothing seems to be happening (send more caffeine!)! All the same, I think 2020 is going to be a fabulous year, don't you? I thought I'd kick it off with a tour of the magnificent yet basic Nolla Cabin, a 20 minute boat ride from Helsinki. What fascinates me, is that it's a cabin of two halves. It's both tiny and big at the same time. Located on Vallisaari island and measuring 9m2, it offers views over the beautiful Helsinki archipelago which is home to over 1000 butterfly species! Finnish designer Robin Falck's intention was to inspire visitors to come and enjoy the Nolla (meaning zero) cabin while living with a minimal footprint. Read on to feel inspired!

The little cabin is equipped with two camping beds, along with a Wallas stove for cooking and heating (the stove runs on Neste MY Renewable Diesel provided by the host).  

The electricity is generated by solar panels on the roof (we're warned that supply might vary!) and has no wifi - but with views like that and an island to explore, I think we can all agree that it's hardly needed! 

Visitors are encouraged not to bring packaged foods and cosmetics in order to comply with the zero-waste ethos. 

Also, being off-the-grid, the cabin doesn't have running water BUT fresh water is available at the guest port 400 metres away and there's a dry loo on the island too - phew! 

What about a shower? With the beautiful waters of the Helsinki archipelago on your doorstep you have all the cleansing water you might need (depending on the time of year and quoting Per: 'it's OK once you're in - and great once you're out!'). Hmmm...

Up for the challenge in 2020? 

The Nolla Cabin is only 20 minutes boat ride from Helsinki. The best news of all? Finnish renewable energy company Neste is donating the rent to the The Ocean Cleanup, who develop advanced technologies to rid the world's oceans of plastic. 

You can book your stay here. 

While on the subject of Finland - I think it's pretty cool that the country has recently sworn in prime minister Sanna Marin. At 34 years of age, she is the world's youngest serving state leader. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of her first policies is to reduce the working week to four days and enjoying a six-hour workday. Which potentially means more time to spend at places like this! I think I need to have words with the Swedish PM!

Up for a little more Finish design today? I love:

Suvi's beautiful modern home on Finland's West Coast

An inspiring Finnish home with an element of surprise

Old meets new in a beautiful Finnish home

Have a lovely day friends, it feels good to be back! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Airbnb

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How About A Getaway At This Cosy Lakeside Cottage?!

If your Christmas holidays are anything like mine, we'll all need a holiday to recover from the holiday! And I've got my sights on The Leo Cottage on Lake Michigan, Union Pier, Michigan. It's hard to imagine that interior designer Kate Marker completely transformed the 1920s property in a matter of months - and on a budget too! In my mind, I'm already chilling on the antique furniture and clearing the cobwebs with lakeside walks. But the big question is - do you go for the master bedroom with the beautiful reclaimed clawfoot bathtub or fireside reading in the smaller, yet super cosy second bedroom? Tough call! Whichever, you decide, I'm sure you'd leave e feeling completely revived and ready for the year ahead. Enjoy the tour!  

Isn't it cosy?! 

Could you imagine relaxing here for a few days? And if so, did you decide which bedroom you'd prefer?! I think I'd plump for the one with the wood burning stove - it looks so toasty! 

The Leo Cottage is available to rent here (just saying!). 

Oh, and if I've got you in the mood for a winter getaway but Michigan is a bit of a stretch, here are a few other cosy cabins available to rent this winter: 

An airbnb hideaway in the woods (before and after!)

A cosy log cabin in a Dutch national park

A dreamy cottage to rent in south east England

Two idyllic Danish cabins to rent

The shack on Bruny island

Roll on the winter holidays! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Leo Cottage with thanks. 

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A Cosy, Riverside Cabin Where Cool Scandinavian Meets Warm Californian style

Oh, have I got a dreamy cabin to share with you today. Not only has 'River Cabaan' been decorated to perfection by owners Karie Higgins and Lee Gibson (both of whom are spatial designers) - artfully combining Scandinavian design, mid-century and as touch of California to create a cosy nest - the cabin is also completely secluded and overlooks the Wilson River, just one hour from Portland, Oregon. Think spinning well loved vinyls on the deck, books by the fire and a cosy riverside fire pit. How's that for getting away from it all? Oh yes. And it's on Airbnb too. I think it would be rude not to book a stay, don't you? Just got to make my way across the Atlantic first. Enjoy the tour!

Sofa from Cb2, Serge Mouille wall light*, at by Caroline Walls, cane chair from France & Son 

White sheepskin*, IKEA Stockholm 2017 bench, Hide & Seek book.

Figure 02 print*, dark blue linen bedding*

Meet you by the fire pit?! 

In case you need any more convincing, there are a load more pictures over at @rivercabaan. 

And bookings can be made here!  

Thank you so much for the tip Allan!

Shall we take a peek at a few other cosy cabins? I know it's only Tuesday - but there's nothing like dreaming of a secluded cabin to get you through the working week! Here are some of my favourites of late:

Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin in Echo Park

Before & After: a dated cabin becomes a dreamy retreat

A super cosy off-the-grid cabin on Bruny Island

I'm still dreaming about our weekend at my friend's cabin in the woods a few weeks back too. Perhaps it's time to book another visit?

Have a lovey day friends, stay cosy! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rivercabaan / #rivercabaan with thanks

*Affiliated links

PS If you're an interior designer or architect, don't miss the opportunity to enter your top projects into the Antalis Interior Design Award (read more about it here). 

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A Dreamy Holiday Oasis In The Heart of The City

The clocks go backward in Sweden on Saturday (for the very last time if I recall right - phew!). If I'm entirely honest, it does fills me with a little dread, the evenings are dark enough already. Yes, I can wax lyrical about candles (see what I did there?!) and the cosiness that comes with hot chocolates and cosy blankets, and I do have many moments where I love to embrace the chill (wait until you see tomorrow's post!) - but today, can I just indulge my longing for sunshine and warmth with this fine specimen of a house? Situated in Bellevue Hill, Sydney (we might have guessed it's on the other side of the world!), this secluded home has been transformed into a magnificent 'holiday oasis within the city' by the talented team at CM Studio. Think furniture and accessories with a beach vibe - made from wood, bamboo, and rattan against a backdrop of fresh white, and windows that let in large, luscious bites of nature. Thank you for the tip The Style Files - you've brought an exotic touch to my day! I hope you enjoy the tour too!  

 

 

All that sunlight! Guh!

.... you'd feel like you were living in year-round paradise here, don't you think?!

I love the simplicity of the interior too. The minimalist vibe works because of all the subtle textures and surfaces at play which are just enough to add depth and interest to each and every room. 

Is there anything you love in particular?

Tomorrow, I'll be tapping into my inner hygge once again and sharing some pictures from our weekend at a friend's cosy Swedish log cabin in the woods. Hope to see you then! 

Niki

Design: CM Studio

Photography: Anson Smart

Styling: Alexandra Gordon

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A Contemporary Yet Cosy Rural Retreat In The Catskill Mountains

A few years back I visited the Catskill Mountains to capture homes for my first book Modern Pastoral - it was a bit of a whirlwind tour and I've always vowed to return. When I do, I've earmarked the studio at Table on Ten. Table on Ten is a restaurant, cafe, inn and a gathering place for farmers and artists alike. It's located in Bloomville in the western Catskills, just a few hours from New York. Known as 'studio on the hill', the cabin stands alone on a 23 acre hillside overlooking the Catskill Mountains. It's simple and understated, yet contemporary and cosy - just the way I like it! Think vintage furniture and a roaring wood burning stove. Oh yes, and you're only a stone's throw from the best wood-fired sourdough pizza west of the Hudson! 

Did someone say wood-fired pizza?! Even if you don't stay onsite (Table on Ten also offers three other apartments through Airbnb) - it's well worth stopping by at the restaurant to take in the rural surroundings and treat your taste buds! 

Sound like your kind of holiday? Perhaps we'll meet around the table one day! 

You can find out more about Table on Ten here (for the foodies among you - there's a sample of the menu here) and book this studio on Airbnb. 

A few other homes /spaces in the Catskills I think you'll love: 

A Calm White House in the Catskill Mountains

A Black and White Retreat in The Catskills (I visited and captured this one for my book - it was even more wonderful in person!). 

Before and after: an attic in the catskills becomes a light and airy guest room

See you there?!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Table on Ten with thanks.

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