A Dreamy Escape To Rent in Kefalonia, Greece

A quick show of hands from everyone who'd rather be somewhere else today? As I sit at my desk all weary eyed (I haven't had my morning coffee yet!) I'm dreaming about an escape to this incredible Péra Perou villas Kefelonia, Greece. I mean, who wouldn't rather wake up here? The good news is there's space for all! The property is divided into three villas each decorated with a minimalist yet earthy vibe, and designed to enjoy the incredible vista over wild, rugged mountains and sparkling emerald waters. The question is, how quickly can we get there? 

I love the seamlessness between the indoor and outdoor space. Notice how the outdoor seating area is sunken so it doesn't obscure the view from indoors. 

How's this for a suite? It offers a natural progression from sleeping, to sitting and then heading outdoors. And even has a romantic fireplace for winter visits. I've always dreamed about having a fireplace in the bedroom! 

Walls that are rich in patina are having a moment right now. But this feels like it's true natural habitat! I'm a huge fan of kalklitir lime paint for most areas of the home. Tadelakt is your best bet since it will give you the same affect while remaining waterproof. 

The decor is so well thought out (both indoors and out) - and is beautifully simple. I love the way it mirrors the surroundings - and allows the vista to shine. 

Gaaaah, take me there now! I want to be the girl in the pool! 

Are you tempted? 

If you're up for a little more dreaming today, pull up a seat and scroll through the holiday home archive, there are SO many dreamy places in there. 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Ioanna Roufopoulou / Péra Perou

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A Charming Open-Plan Swedish Summer Cottage

Why, hello there friends! It's a bit of an exciting week as I'm on my way to the West Coast for a few days with Carpe Diem Beds. First stop: the pretty fishing village of Fiskebäckkil which I included in my travel guide last summer. How I've missed real live events, have you? These pretty summer places are quite deserted now that every has returned to the city, but there's a real beauty about them in Autumn and winter when the nature and wildlife takes over. On the other side of Sweden, this pretty cottage in Hölö belonging to architect Ninni Ryott, is sure to be locked up for the winter. But since I refuse to let summer go until the strength in the sun's rays finally fades, I'd love to take you on a tour! 

Built from wood and painted in Falu red, the cottage was built in 2013 and designed to match the other traditional buildings on the estate. 

It might measure a mere 45 m2 (484 f2), but Ninni has worked hard to ensure there's plenty of space for the entire family with one large room for dining and socialising. The main living area feels extra spacious thanks to the tremendously high ceiling  wonderful white wood panel walls. 

The space has been furnished with a relaxed blend of old and new - with blue and white a central theme. 

A ladder leads up to a loft with four beds - a bunk for each member of the family! How my children would love this, they're always asking if they can sleep in my bed and they're 10 and 13 (but that could just be because we have a Carpe Diem one and they are amazingly luxurious!). 

What a wonderful cottage, so simple just as a Swedish summer cottage should be, yet light and airy and very cosy. 

I wouldn't mind knocking about here all summer, how about you?

See more of Ninni's work over at Ryott Arkitektur (I love the cabin by the sea she designed too!). 

If like me, you're looking to prolong summer this week (hey, it's not quite October, right?) - you might also like to check out these cottages: 

A photographer's charming summer cottage in the woods

A traditional Swedish summer cottage enjoyed as a year round home

An oasis on a Swedish island

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Ryott Arkitektur

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A Cosy Vintage-inspired Holiday Cottage On The Sapphire Coast

Have you got any holiday plans coming up? In the Brantmark household we're feeling crazily excited about a trip to Mallorca to visit my sister and the girls' cousins in the first week of November. It will be officially the first week of the winter season there, but we're confident it will be an improvement on the Swedish weather, what do you reckon? 

Even so, a trip to Australia and New Zealand remains high up on my list for the future. One day friends, one day! In the meantime, I shall keep adding charming holiday rentals to my archive. And this one is a beauty! Located half way between Sydney and Melbourne in Pambula, New South Wales, Lotte's Hjem is a beloved 150 year old weatherboard cottage beautifully restored by partners Harrison Balodis and Miranda O'Rourke, which they then generously opened up as a holiday rental. 

Anyone who visits can expect to sit back and celebrate the simple pleasures in life such as collecting fresh flowers and seasonal herbs from the garden, reading by firelight and enjoying a morning coffee on the veranda - surrounded by beautiful vintage pieces and family heirlooms. While travel to Australia might be off the cards right now, there's nothing to stop us in the future - and for now, it's just to sit back and dream! 

Who's in? 

It looks like such a perfect place to unwind, doesn't it? Plus, it makes me want to spend the weekend strolling around Swedish 'loppis' (flea markets) - I think I'll do just that! 

Read more about the philosophy behind a stay at Lotte's Hjem here. 

Fancy dreaming about other Australian and Tasmanian haunts this today? Here are a few others I've earmarked: 

Dream stay: a Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia 

An idyllic holiday home and garden by Lynda Gardner 

Captains Cottage, a Bolthole in Tasmania

A cosy hideaway by the sea (wait till you see the bathroom!)

How wonderful, I do love a little holiday home dreaming, how about you? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Lotte's Hjem with thanks.  

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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

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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. 

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