Scandinavia Meets The Med In A Beautiful Mallorcan Finca

Tjena! Hur är läget? Did you know that Swedes absolutely love the island of Mallorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands? They even have an affectionate nickname for it: 'Mallis'! This actually came as no surprise to me as, after all, we know Swedes have impeccable taste, and as a fellow fan of Mallorca (I've been going there for years since my sister lives there), I'm fully aware of just how beautiful the island is. Needless to say, I've featured several Scandinavians who have made Mallorca their home in the past - including the wonderful boho townhouse belonging to the founders of Dusty Deco. And today, I was excited to discover this beautiful finca belonging to Mercedes Lopez Coello. 

Mercedes and her husband Mads moved from Sweden to Mallorca with their dog, and settled in a finca in the hills of Moscari, in the North of the island. They have since had two sons - Oliver and Felix and today the family use this house as their holiday home, while living nearer to Palma. The wonderful finca is a place the family can come to in order to relax and reconnect with nature surrounded by the scent of bougainvillea, lavender and olive groves. Here are a few snapshots. 

The finca has been decorated with a blend of pieces, including elements picked up in Sweden - against a backdrop of cool white. 

Fruit likes this can be bought in one of the many Sunday markets across the island, along with olives and other delicious local produce. 

I love this simple DIY idea!

Source a similar basket lamp here* to decorate. 

I'd be quite happy to sit here and watch the sunset over the hills everyday, how about you? 

How idyllic!

Talk about a Monday escape. It had me dreaming about a year in Mallorca - it would be so fun to live nearer my sister too! 

Could you imagine kicking back here? Or perhaps you have your own 'smultronställe' - a special place you can relax and enjoy yourself surrounded by nature? 

See more of Mercedes' home as well as snapshots from the island here. 

I also love these homes on Mallorca: 

A relaxed Finnish oasis on the island of Mallorca

Scandi meets Mallorca in a wonderful boho townhouse

A relaxed Danish oasis in Palma

Wishing you all a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Mercedes Lopez Coello

*affiliate links

READ MORE...

3

A Contemporary Finnish Cabin On The Water's Edge

This is turning into a very Finnish week, I must say! I love that, since I always feel I don't show nearly enough homes from this Nordic country. While yesterday's Finnish home tour wouldn't have looked out of place in my Relaxed Rustic book (formerly known as Modern Pastoral), this holiday cabin designed by award winning architect and owner Joanna Laajisto has more of a contemporary edge. Villa Rauhanniemi is perched on the edge of lake Karjalohja (don't even try to pronounce that!) in Southern Finland and designed to embrace the indoor-outdoor lifestyle our Nordic friends so enjoy in summertime. The pared back interior allows the lush surroundings to take centre stage while natural materials such as wood help to add warmth. But most of all, I love the deck. I could just imaging sitting there watching the sun going down with a drink - wait till you see it! 

What an idyllic setting! I recognise the last image from an outdoor space round-up I created a few months back. It's so great to see the cabin it's connected to!

Could you imagine spending summers here, looking out over the lake? 

I'm sure it's magical in winter too, when the lake turns to ice and the world is covered in a soft blanket of snow. 

You can see more of Joanna Laajisto's work here. 

Take a peek inside a load of other incredible Scandinavian holiday homes, cabins and rural retreats in the archive. It will have you dreaming of summer! 

I'm off to Denmark this morning by train (carrying a load of paperwork including my negative test!) - where I'll be making a short film about hygge with Knud Erik Hansen, CEO and grandson of the founder of Carl Hansen & Søn for their online open-house event in June - register for our live Q&A here!). Come and join me on Instagram stories for a sneak peek behind the scenes! Knud Erik's house is simply incredible! 

Niki

Photography: Mikko Ryhänen found via Desire to Inspire with thanks. 

READ MORE...

9

Surfs Up At A Boho Studio And Holiday Home Hideaway

How wonderful would it be to work for a few hours and then head out for a surf? That's exactly the set-up Dee Kawai Tang has created at Kawai Heart Studio! Located on the wild coast of Australia on the edge of Fremantle, the atelier was hand built in the 90's using recycled materials and has been lovingly converted into a light-filled photo studio and guest cabin - a few hundred metres from the sea. The family also rent out Lady California Bungalow a beautiful art-deco style property filled with natural light and birdsong. Here are a few snapshots of the two spaces. I could just imagine heading here to write a book (I've always loved the idea of a writer's cabin!), chill or simply head to the nearby beach - how about you? Oh and, please tread quietly - sleeping baby alert! 

How incredible! This relaxed style is right up my street. I'm pretty sure I could find a great rhythm of sleep, work, surf... how about you? 

See more of Kawa Heart Studio and take a peek inside Dee's own home over at @kawa_heart_studio. 

For more workspace / atelier inspiration check out:

The lovely home and atelier of a Swedish artist

A relaxed Danish artists cabin in Copenhagen

The boho home and atelier of a Swedish florist

Speaking of holiday home rentals, I'd be so happy if you could take the time to fill in this very quick questionnaire for me. It's a business idea I am thinking about developing and I'd absolutely love to get your thoughts if you have the time. You can find the survey here. 

Wishing you a lovely day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @kawa_heart_studio found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks. 

READ MORE...

0

Beautiful Stays: A Hundred-Year-Old Workman's Cottage

What's the temperature like where you are? In Malmö it's lovely and sunny and I did actually witness someone take a dip in the sea earlier. BUT they did need to withstand -2 C (and that's without the windchill!). Meanwhile, Down Under I'm guessing the waters are exactly the right temperature. Which is why I found my mind wondering to Dubbo, NSW, Australia today. Admittedly, this is because I've found a perfect place to stay. The Repose is owned and managed by Bede and Jemima Aldridge, co-founders of boutique Saddler & Co and Ric and Moir Jones. The four spent two years renovating the hundred-year-old property by hand, with Jemima taking the lead on the design, before opening the doors to guests. And what a great job they've done! Think whitewashed cladding, vintage touches as well as a dreamy bathroom and European-inspired courtyard. Did I mention that there's always a local bottle of wine waiting for you too? We're all aware that travelling to Oz is not an option right now, but if we close our eyes, we might just feel the warm sun on our skin while we sip wine in the courtyard. Or you could just keep your eyes open and feel inspired by the design that oozes from every image. Either way, you're in for a treat! 

"We all have European heritage and I purposefully ensured the cottage has interwoven elements that reference our love for 'gezellig' interiors and also the Australian quintessential cottage charm."

- Jemima Aldridge 

"Many of the items featured throughout are by Australian artisan designers, but the house also features a rather lovely custom brass lamp by Wo and Wé Collection as well as table linen and blankets by Timeless Linen."

The luxury bathroom features an original clawfoot tub restored with care, brass tap ware, original artwork, as well as complimentary Aesop hair and skin formations (now you're talking!). 

How lovely! I'd be happy to check in and stay for a while, how about you?

The decor makes me want to head off and for a 'loppisrunda' (flea market tour) - second-hand pieces add so much to a space don't you think? And of course, there's all that wonderful linen! 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Find out more about The Repose here. 

Other beautiful homesteads Down Under can be found here (keep an eye out for the 'before and after' and other dreamy guest houses). 

Har det så fint! 

Niki

Photographs: 1. The Repose 2. Lean Timms 3 - 8. Abbie Mellé 9 - 10. Lean Timms 11- 12. Alana Landsberry 13. The Repose

READ MORE...

4

A Weekend of Solitude at a Dreamy Island Hideaway

Recognise this place? I first featured beautiful Satellite island in 2016 and was completely blown away. It's been my dream to visit this remote and rugged island off the southern coast of Tasmania ever since. Sadly, I've yet to make it Down Under yet, but I know a girl who has. Twice! The lucky woman in question is travel photographer Kara Rosenlund, who completely fell in love with the island five years ago - and decided to return to capture the wilderness and pure solitude. Kara spent her days waking to the sound of low-flying gulls and the gentle lapping of the waves, foraging for fresh Tasmanian oysters  - and watching the sunset over the water. I couldn't think ion a more heavenly way to spend a weekend, can you? Here are here snapshots: 

So incredibly beautiful - what a dream! 

Could you imagine spending your weekend here?

Interestingly, Per just walked past my computer screen and thought this cabin was somewhere in Scandinavia (if only!) - perhaps that's why it's stuck with me all these years? 

More info about Satellite island can be found here. And you can see more of Kara's incredible photography here - and her lovely prints are available in her online store. 

Shall we compete the week with a tour of a few more island hideaways? Here are a few I dream about on grey, dreary January days: 

A cosy hideaway by the sea

The ocean-view whale song shack 

An off-the-grid shack on Bruny Island

A charming and relaxed swedish cabin by the sea

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography: Kara Rosenlund found via Lobster & Swan with thanks

READ MORE...

4