Cosy Hide-away: The Butcher's House

Just taking a little time out from my virtual holiday in Tasmania to share this beauty of a house with you. For those of you who are not a regular reader, I have a slight obsession with 'Tassie' right now and sharing my third holiday house in as many weeks (see also a cosy hideaway by the sea and the whale song shack). But as I said last time, a girl can dream. And when we can travel to far-flung places, The Butchers House in Bothwell will be on my itinerary (it's looking like we'll need to spend several months in 'Tas' at this rate!). I've wisened up to the fact that it's winter there right now (thank you newly acquired Tasmanian friends!) - but I'd be quite happy to read a book by the fire in this humble heritage cottage dating back to the mid 1800s, before taking a nice long soak in this lion claw tub with a glass of Tasmanian Pinot! There's even a fireplace in the bedroom for the cosiest night sleep ever! Ready to dream? Step this way! 

Have I got you dreaming today too? I sure hope so. A little escapism is a fine thing! 

Find out more about booking your stay at The Butcher's House here. 

And here are three other incredible hideaways in and around Tasmania: 

Captain's Cottage

A relaxed artist's cabin by the sea

Your very own dream island hideaway

I'm so excited to share my guide of the Gothenburg Archipelagos with you tomorrow. Sweden's West Coast is my favourite place on earth, and having sailed there for over sixteen years, I felt it was finally time to share some snapshots - and ten of the best islands to visit! I hope you're going to feel inspired!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Butcher's House with thanks.

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A Cosy Hideaway By The Sea

OK I admit it, I'm currently obsessed with Tasmania. Could it be my itchy feet? Or perhaps it's because I keep on stumbling across incredible holiday homes on the island! One thing is for certain though, I need to visit one day! Locals tell me that it's quite chilly there right now (a quick look at the forecast and I see it's hovering around 9 degrees Celsius - brrrr!) but I'm perfectly willing to weather the cold by the fire in this wonderful hide-away -and once you see these pictures, I'm pretty sure you'll feel the same! The Burrows overlooks Great Oyster Bay and is filled with eclectic treasures, bespoke finds and original artworks. Owners Bek and Paul welcome airbnb guests and other visitors to come and enjoy the slower pace of life and rugged coastline, and who are we to decline?!  Ready to dream? You're in the right place!

Isn't it beautiful?

Could you imagine chilling here for a week or two? 

Obviously, we can't travel right now - and a trip to this wonderful place might be a long time coming, BUT there's still a load of inspiration to take away from this lovely cabin. For starters, it makes me want to spend my entire weekend scouring the local loppis (flea market) for vintage finds, and then paint one of the bedrooms a darker shade. I'm also considering more of a built-in daybed in the window nook. Hmmmm. Suddenly there's lots to do! 

Do you feel inspired too? 

See more pictures and find out more about booking a stay over at The Burrows.

Speaking of trips... I'm currently in Copenhagen for the 3 days of Design (although I'll only be here for the day). It feels so amazing to be back in one of my favourite cities - Danish design heaven! Take a peek at my instagram stories for updates if you're curious!

Niki

Photography Adam Gibson, courtesy of The Burrows. 

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Step Inside The 'Whale Song Shack' With A Dreamy Ocean View

The routine has started - which feels a little like work - home - work - home - work - home, interspersed with crazy early mornings where the kids can't find their gym kit / homework / bike keys - aaaagh! This could explain the copious amounts of getaways I've been sharing from the Southern Hemisphere lately. I mean, who wouldn't rather be reading a book in a cabin overlooking the sea right now?! And this one in Tasmania had me at the name: Whale Song Shack. Originally built by a local fisherman, the cabin has been transformed into a breath-taking holiday home where you can watch whales migrate, gannets dive and fish and fishing boats haul their catch from the window.  Inside, the whitewashed interior is deliberately pared back - with wood details and vintage finds adding plenty of warmth - or when the temperatures really dip, there's a wonderful stone fireplace! Ready to dream? 

 

Meet you there?

I've been contemplating writing another book lately - could you imagine what an incredible writer's retreat this would make? Gaaah! Amazing! For now, of course, it's all about staying put, but a girl can dream, right?! I hope this cabin has you dreaming today too - and given you a spark of mid-week inspiration for your own home!

See more photos and find more information about the wonderful Whale Song Shack (love their instagram too!). 

 Here are a few other cabins I dream about daily: 

The Soot House - log cabin inspired by the rugged landscape

Cosy weekend escape: Warner's Camp

Charming lakeside cabin

The Shack on Bruny Island

And nearer home, my friends' cabin: 

Our weekend in a cabin in the calm of the forest

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Whale Song Shack including photographs by Marnie Hawson and Kate T.

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Dream Airbnb Stay: A Swedish Weatherboard Cottage In South Australia

"She who comes here, finds what's lost." This is the opening line on the 'about' page of My Sister & the Sea'. And looking at the pictures of this beautiful white weatherboard cottage and its surroundings, I can well imagine it's true! The little cottage is owned by sisters Sarah and Emma who have enjoyed endless family holidays here with 'sandy feet, long meals, naps on daybeds, swimming.... dreaming, laughing and loving." Nestled in the small town of Marion Bay on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, the cottage was actually moved from Sweden by the Australian government many years ago. The sisters visited Sweden together to draw as much inspiration as possible for the interior. Today, Airbnb guests are invited to come enjoy the white interior, indoor and outdoor bathing under the stars and a fireplace." Sound like heaven? Step this way!   

True to its Swedish heritage, the sisters have dotted the living space with remnants collected from their coastal walks. A plant has been trained to climb the window - just like you see in many Scandinavian homes (see this and this home as an example!). 

Rattan fans* make beautiful wall art.

A simple wall lamp from IKEA serves as a reading lamp over the day bed which has been covered in striped linen* and a mix of grey and olive green cushions. 

In the dining area, a basket hangs from a hook on the side of a vintage cabinet for extra storage and a classic Scandinavian brass candlestick holder* awaits dusk on the table. 

A glass cabinet is ideal for keeping books and other treasures dust free, while s simple tree trunk serves as a side table beside a canvas safari chair. 

A simple wall-hanging made from shells and striped bed linen* add a beachy vibe to the bedroom. 

In the back yard, various vintage chairs have been arranged around a farmhouse table, while a simple striped deck chair allows for a little alone time with a book! 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? In my mind, I'm already there! 

I'm sure it would be equally magical in the winter, watching the waves crash against the rugged coast and reading by the fire. 

One to add to the travel list for the days when we can move freely again! 

Check it out on Airbnb, visit their website My Sister And The Sea and feel inspired by their instagram @readandhall. 

Curious to see other Airbnb stays I've added to my (dream) itinerary when I travel down under? 

Australia:

Dreamy holiday let: a cosy waterside eco cabin

A charming miner's cottage amongst an acre of roses

A beautiful boho cottage in Byron Bay

The White House Daylesford

Tasmania:

The Shack: A super cosy cabin on Bruny Island

Captains cottage: A cosy bolthole in Hobart

A Dreamy little cottage by the sea

Have I got you dreaming too?

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

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Hang Out Here: A Dreamy Rustic Loft Under Swaying Palms!

I mentioned yesterday that the weather in Sweden is not great right now - at least, not what you would call 'summer' (a high of 16 degrees (60 Fahrenheit) today - and we live in the South!). The first response tends to be to batten down the hatches at the summer cottage and scurry back to the city. The second for some, if the rain really persists, is to book a last-minute summer holiday abroad! No easy feat this year. So, instead, I'll be dreaming of days at this luxury loft for two, a few steps from a pristine, white sandy beach on the island of Holbox, Quintana Too, Mexico. If the dreamy, cool white interior with boho touches of wood and rattan doesn't grab you - the double bed on the terrace surrounded by swaying palms is sure to seal the deal. The question is, what book to take?! 

At Casa Impala, it's natural all the way - from the concrete floors to the handwoven lighting. We might not all be able to travel right now, but I for one, will be stealing a few ideas to bring a touch of the tropics to my own home!

The mattress stands on a simple wooden structure and a simple cotton beige throw with a pom pom fringe* helps to break up the sea of white and add balance to the room. 

I love this white blanket with pom poms* too (just saying!). 

I'd happily work away from this spot by the window - although I have to admit it would be hard to concentrate with the waves beckoning in the distance!

I love that this loft has two outdoor spaces - one for lounging, another for an evening drink!

The stool reminds me of the ones I use as a bedside table (these vintage stools* are similar).

Those stairs! 

I'd happily hang out here for a loooong time. It could even prompt me to write another book (it would make an amazing writer's retreat, don't you think?!). 

Could you imagine hanging out here under the swaying palms too? 

Read more about Casa Impala onAirbnb! 

Did you get any ideas for your own home? In the advent of the current 'staycation' climate, I've been adding basket bags, straw hats and any other tropical vibes I can think of to my My own home! 

Oh, and in case you're putting together a holiday folder for 2021 or simply looking for some 'tropical' inspiration for your own home - you'll love the holiday home rental and design hotel archives. Perfect for a little dreaming until the sun decides to shine again! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Casa Impala / Airbnb

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