Settle: A Rustic Hideaway In A Former Railway Carriage & Boutique Cabin

I have a total weakness for rustic spaces, do you? I spotted this cosy gem of a retreat over at Desire to Inspire yesterday and fell in love! 'Settle' is a retreat in Norfolk, England created by John - who owns and runs a reclamation yard, and his partner Jo - a well-known floral designer.  The incredible resort offers guests a choice to unwind in rustic railway carriages, bell tents or a boutique cabin overlooking woodland and lakes. I'm particularly in enamoured by the railway carriages and cabin which combine earthy textures and heritage materials with contemporary comfort - so, it's just to turn up, light a fire, maybe run a bath (wait till you see the outdoor one!)... and relax. 

The carriages: 

My eye is on one of the three beautifully restored retired railway carriages. Each offer two berths, a lounge area with a wood burning stove as well as a bathroom and small kitchen - although you might prefer to cook supper over the lakeside fire pit! 

The Cabin

If you'd prefer something a little more spacious, there's also the boutique cabin which looks like something out of a magazine (actually scrap that - it has been in a magazine!). Hand built by Jo and John, the fully equipped cabin has everything you might need for a relaxing retreat - a real home from home! 

The questions is, would you go for the freestanding indoor bath, or the lakeside wood-burning tub? 

Meet you there? 

In case you're keen - hop over to Settle to find out more (or simply dream!). 

Shall we indulge our shared love of rustic further today? How about these cosy gems? 

Before and after: a dated cabin becomes a Scandic-inspired Colorado retreat

A cosy candlelit cabin in the Norwegian fjords

Leanne Ford's dreamy cabin

A charming A-frame cabin on the Danish island of Orø

Have a hyggelig day friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Settle, via Desire to inspire - with thanks. 

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Scandi Cool Meets Mediterranean Warmth in a Beautiful Mallorcan Finca

Have you ever been on holiday and dreamt of staying? For one Swede, this is exactly what happened! Annsofie Stendahl booked a one-month holiday to Mallorca in the Spanish Balearic Islands over 22 years ago. With the long, dark, cold Scandinavian winter looming, Annsofie couldn't bear to leave - and when her friends packed their bags, she made a spur of the decision moment to stay.  

Annsofie found an incredible finca in the countryside. Once a vineyard and farmhouse, the house had been lying dormant for over 70 years and required a huge amount of work. Annsofie rolled up her sleeves and set about transforming it into a wonderful oasis, which is also enjoyed by her husband Viking and son Loke. 

Today, the once derelict garden features a wonderful covered social area with bespoke corner seating built by a local carpenter and cushions from IKEA). The family also enjoy a lush pool and outdoor bar (because, why not?).  

There are lots of beautiful rattan lamps like these available here*. The table was picked up in Thailand. 

Inside, a fresh white Scandi cool palette meets the warmth of the Med. The living space is sparsely furnished with wonderful vintage pieces, many of which have been purchased in nearby Palma. 

I love the cool linens in the master bedroom - try Bemz for an identical white linen bed skirt* (available in different sizes), I've got this one in my bedroom and it's wonderful! 

The beautiful stone walls have been left exposed around the windows and other parts of the house, adding a load of texture and warmth and ensuring the Mallorca character shines through. 

Annsofie transformed a former wine cellar into an atelier from where she can paint and create ceramics. 

How wonderful! What a life they've made for themselves!

Could you imagine moving abroad? 

Many Scandinavians have made the island their home - a few of which I've featured in the past. Here are a few other wonderful homes to dream about today: 

A relaxed oasis in Mallorca - with a Finnish touch

Scandinavia meets the Med in a beautiful Mallorca Finca

A wonderful townhouse in Palma - owned by a Swede

I've mentioned many times before that my older sister lives in Mallorca, and whenever I visit, I'm always tempted to stay! We haven't been able to visit for over three years now, so I'm super excited that we're going to visit in a few weeks. Since we're a bit of a rowdy crowd (!) we decided to book our own villa in the same village rather than inflict ourselves on Charlie et al for an entire week! I can't wait to see them all as well and discover more of the island. I'm also excited about visiting some of the vintage stores in Palma. I think Per's praying I don't stumble across a huge ceramic pot or other large item to bring back home. Trust me, it happens! 

I feel there's a bit of a theme forming this week already (did you see yesterdays holiday home in Kefalonia?). I'm curious to see whether it continues... (you may have noticed this blog is very unplanned, I simply share what inspires me day to day!). 

Niki

Photography: Anna Malmberg 

Styling: Mari Strenghielm

Shared with kind permission. 

*affiliate links

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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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