my scandinavian home: International homes

Old Meets New in a Cottage in South Moravia

"Time slowly passing, homely comfort and instead of a television, only a huge window with a view of the garden." This is how Marika and Jirka - food bloggers and authors of cookbook The Kitchen Story, describe life at their cottage in a small South Moravian village.

It all started with a simple wish: "to switch off for a while, escape from everyday life and just be at peace." The pair were looking for somewhere they could getaway from the city and gather with friends and family without distraction. And they fell instantly in love with Chalupa mez sklepy.

The cottage required so much work that in the end it became a re-build, but the couple were determined to maintain the rural character and style (keep an eye out for wooden windows and floors, stone lintels and an exterior designed in collaboration with Adéla Lipar Kudrnova and Petra Stein).

Today, Marika and Jirka love coming here with friends and family (it sleeps up to 10) - and also rent it out as a guesthouse for others to enjoy. Let's take a look around.

Wow! I think this is the first home I have featured from the Czech Republic, which makes it entirely unique to me. I love the tones of rust red, pale blue and cream - which match the colours of the village. And I also appreciate how Marika and Jirka have combined a modern feel with a rich historical touch from the region, all while keeping the look simple, understated and comfy looking.

Was there anything that stood out to you about this lovely home?

You can see more pictures over on their instagram @chalupa_mezi_sklepy and find out more about booking the property as a holiday home here.

You know what's coming, don't you? Yep, I found another home tour from the Czech Republic that I've featured in the past! Take a peek at: a Scandi-inspired home in the Czech Republic in soothing neutrals.

Other connections on My Scandinavian Home include a beautiful Swedish home featuring a mural by an artist from the Czech Republic. And also, I feel very honoured that my Lagom book is available in Czech too!

Have you been to the Czech Republic? I haven't, but it's certainly on my wish list!

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @chalupa_mezi_sklepy, shared with kind permission.

Feel Inspired by Charming 'The Station House'

This morning, I've woken up in Bodø, North of the Arctic Circle. It's flanked by spectacular mountains, deep fjords and the North Sea, which gleam under the midnight sun - which won't set again for three months. It's an awe-inspiring part of the world (do follow along on my instagram stories if you'd like to follow my journey!). Meanwhile, in the land down under, our Aussie friends are inching towards winter - which is one of the crazy things about our magnificent planet. As they say: the only constant in nature is change.

And today, I've got a beautiful 19th century cottage in Daylesford, Australia to share with you. Captured by Marnie Hawson, The Station House it is set in 3 acres of land and was built around 1853 making it one of the oldest houses in Daylesford. A few years ago, it fell into the hands of talented Theresa Albiloi who has renovated it to perfection! Walls were torn down to create an open-plan living space and the cottage was transformed to include five bedrooms and three bathrooms, all of which are full of vintage picked up locally at Mill Market.

Ready to feel inspired?

It's the bathroom that does it for me. The vintage bath and stain-glass window - wow! I'd also be perfectly happy to sit and look out over the fields and relax too.

Is there anything that caught your eye about The Station House?

If you're visiting the area and would like to stay here, you can find more details here.

Marnie Hawson has a knack for finding the most incredible properties - here are a few other houses she has photographed in recent years:

Marnie's very own home in a former post office

A beautifully restored country retreat in Burrawang

The Whale Song Shack

A Swedish-inspired weatherboard cottage in South Australia

Right kompisar, I'd better get ready for my day out in Bodø - I've got lots of research to do for the magazine article and hoping to fit in a hike in the mountains tomorrow. Go, go, goooo! Luckily, the light is on my side for once!

Happy midweek friends.

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Interior / bookings: The Station House

FILED UNDER: airbnb holiday rental International homes VIntage inspired homes

Step Inside Mary's Cosy Family Home In Halle, Germany

Do you love to redecorate your home or move everything around once in a while? I featured Mary's home in Germany, four years ago and there have been so many lovely, small changes, I felt it was time to revisit!

Mary is the founder of @hyggeligt_hjem and lives with her husband, two sons, two cats and a dog in a beautiful old building in Halle. When they first moved in nine years ago, they decorated it in black and white tones (as was de rigueur back then) but slowly, over time, softer tones have crept in. Read on to hear about this lovely home in Mary's own words.

"At the beginning our walls were white, and over the years, I have become bolder and colour has crept in on the walls in the kitchen, master bedroom and children's bedrooms."

"I love Scandinavian design and like to combine my furniture with vintage pieces."

"I really enjoy changing our apartment again and again with small accessories such as vases, candlesticks and other items. It's much easier than rearranging and exchanging larger items!"

"Flowers are a must for me too. I usually buy a bunch or two on a Friday. I have a passion for beautiful, exclusively made vases and of course they have to be filled with beautiful flowers!"

"My favourite piece of furniture are the shelves in the living room from Mocoba. I also love our new sofa and Beni Ourain rug, it makes the room feel so cosy!

"I love to break up the calm tones with colourful prints on the walls or with cushions and blankets."

Such a cosy home! A big thank you to Mary for inviting us in today and telling us more about her decorating approach!

The kitchen especially caught my eye with the wood cabinets and red worktop - a little offbeat and so great!

Is there anything that stood out to you?

You can see more of Mary's home over at @hyggeligt_hjem.

Other lovely German homes I've featured lately include:

Igor's Berlin home, full of plants, art and books

A warm and inviting home for a rescue dog and her owners

A delightful colourful home in Northern Germany

Wishing you all a happy mid week!

Niki

Photography: @hyggeligt_hjem, shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: decorating with red International homes VIntage inspired homes

St Oak - a Dreamy Apartment and Holiday Home Near Berlin

Do you recognise the signature style in the picture above? Maybe this beautiful kitchen in a former schoolhouse, this Berlin apartment and country house or this charming cottage in Österlen, Sweden might provide a clue.

Yep, Laura and Nora of Our Food Stories fame have been weaving their magic again. And this time it's in the form of St Oak Apartments in the charming town of Kyritz, North of Berlin. The pair started the renovation last February and now the loft is open for bookings!

When it comes to beautiful design, they've certainly left no stone unturned. Not only does the 160 sq.m. (1722 ft.sq) apartment have a dreamy DeVol kitchen (the girls are chefs so they certainly know a thing or two about kitchens!), the apartment is full of Scandi design favourites including pieces from Frama, New Works and &Tradition.

Laura and Nora tell me that the town is lovely and calm and there's a lake nearby for swimming and boating. So, I might just have to pay a visit soon.

Take the tour to see if you might be tempted too!