Inside a Charming 17th-Century English Farmhouse

Twenty-two years. That's how long I have lived in Sweden. And I can safely say it's home. Having said that, I have always felt I have two homes: England will also be home too. Are any of you living outside the country you grew up in and feel that way too? 

So, after a very Swedish, very beautiful weekend last week where the sun shone on Midsummer's Eve celebrations up and down the country, I am hoping you won't mind indulging me here with a tour of a very traditional English country home. I felt extremely nostalgic the moment I saw it as it reminds me very much of my friend Natalie's home in the South Downs. 

Tucked away in the East Sussex countryside, this beautiful 17th-century farmhouse in Pett is full of character and charm. Original features are everywhere — including the incredible beams — adding to its warmth and deep sense of history. I don’t think there’s a single new piece in the entire house, from the tables and chairs to the wall units and the old pull-chain loo (we used to have those at school along with a very waxy loo paper!).

Known as ‘French Court Farmhouse’, the property’s name actually predates the Norman Conquest. The house itself was built around 1640, with later 18th-century additions - how cool is that? C.S. Lewis even stayed here once, writing about the beauty of the woods and the quiet, grounding pull of rural life. That magic still lingers. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

So beautiful! I love the garden — it reminds me so much of home (even if it does have a Mediterranean touch). And while the interior is very English, there are also hints of faraway places — objects, perhaps, collected on travels.

I used to visit East Sussex on antique auction hunts with my mum (a proud West Sussex native), and this place feels like the embodiment of everything we were chasing — timeless, peaceful, and gently spellbinding.

Does this farmhouse look quintessentially English to you as well? 

I love how the front lawn has been left largely natural — allowing the grasses and wildflowers to grow freely. In my book Lagom, I talked about how closely cut lawns can be like a desert for insects, and how they truly thrive in longer grass like this. I've been so happy to see rewilding take England by storm — it's become popular in Sweden too!

Was there anything that caught your eye?

Would you like to see a few more country homes to wrap up the week? Head over to the country style archive for beautiful rural homes across Scandinavia and beyond. Such a treat! 

I hope you have a lovely weekend — see you Monday!

Niki

For sale via Inigo (if you lover English country homes this estate agent website is like a glossy copy of House & Home magazine - there are so many incredible homes to look at (and buy!). 

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Global Soul, English Heart: Inside a Layered London Home

"Show me your friends, and I'll tell you who you are," so the proverb goes. I think the same can be said about a home—or at least, it should be. After all, it’s the one place in your environment where you and your cohabitants have true autonomy.

That’s what struck me about this London townhouse. While we might not know exactly who lives here, the space offers plenty of clues about their interests, passions, and perhaps even their story. The eclectic mix of art, ceramics, textiles, and treasures from around the world suggests a deep love of travel—or perhaps a personal connection to different cultures, maybe even roots in places like Africa or Asia. What’s clear is that these aren’t just decorative objects, but items that feel meaningful. You could easily imagine one of the inhabitants running a small business sourcing and sharing beautiful, handcrafted pieces discovered on their journeys.

I love how these carefully chosen details pop against a crisp white backdrop, giving the home an almost gallery-like appeal. It keeps the space feeling bright, warm, and inviting.

Let’s take a peek through the keyhole and see what other clues we can uncover.

Wow, there are just so many details in this London house. It’s a real treasure trove—every item feels like it tells a story. I especially love the blend of pieces from all over the world, yet it still feels undeniably English, with its wall-to-wall carpets upstairs, Windsor chairs, and classic upholstery.

Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Do you think someone could walk into your home and tell who you are? If someone walked into ours today, I think they’d probably say, “Woah, this is one messy family!” Eeeek!

Fancy peeking into a few more English homes today? You might just fall in love with these:

Step into a cosy collector's house
Stay in this beautiful Victorian house in Nottinghamshire
A cosy cliff hideaway on the North Devon coast

On another note, I recently wrote a piece for IKEA about how sofa beds are no longer confined to the guest room, but have become a central element to the urban home - you can find my article here if you fancy a read! 

Happy Wednesday, friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Inigo, with thanks. 

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A Dreamy Design-Conscious Cottage Stay in the Scottish Countryside

According to Living Etc, it’s one of the “Top 10 design-conscious, multi-sensory rural escapes.” Sounds like my kind of stay, and the perfect home tour to set the mood for the weekend. What do you think?

Welcome to Drinkbetween West cottage, one of five rental properties on Banchory Farm, a third-generation working farm just outside Edinburgh in Scotland. The weather in the picture above looks much like it does in Sweden, moody skies and all, but this charming retreat offers a beautiful interior and a wood-burning bath to help you forget the looming clouds. Because really, isn’t there very little that a gorgeous space, a good book and a cosy fire can’t fix?

Once a derelict cottage, the family employed the help of interior designer Ali Heath (whose lovely interior books I have on my shelf) to transform the interior into a calming mix of earthy tones and warm tan shades, making it both restful and inviting. I especially love the wainscoting in the bedroom and bathroom, which adds such timeless character – and of course, the views over the fields. 

Shall we take the tour and dream of a weekend in the Scottish countryside?

I went to the University of Edinburgh many moons ago, and can vouch for the stunning countryside just outside the city (even if my trips as a student were rather fleeting—we were a bit too busy enjoying ourselves in town!). How I’d love to return and stay on Banchory Farm.

Can you picture yourself this weekend, soaking in that outdoor wood-burning bath, drink in one hand, book in the other?

Is there anything you spotted in particular about this cottage? I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations. 

You can read more about Banchory Farm here.

That's all from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed the tours. I'm locking up my studio shortly and heading home to stay warm under a blanket (it suddenly feels like winter here—BRRRRR!).

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend too. See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: Brent Darby
Interior design: Ali Heath

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VIPP Salaca River Cabin Where Scandinavian Style Meets Latvian Nature

Sometimes I feel like this blog is basically a peek into my inner daydreams, especially when it comes to the home tours I share. 

It’s Monday, the sun is shining, and I’m at my desk… but honestly, I’d rather be surrounded by trees, listening to birdsong and the gentle ripple of water. Can you relate?

Maybe that’s why I’ve been posting so many getaway homes lately (sorry!). Here’s one more for the mood — and then I promise I’ll share some fab city places later this week!

This cabin is a little bit special: a former listed fisherman’s house from 1876, once used as a roadhouse between Riga and Wolmar, it has now been gently relocated to one of Latvia’s most spectacular nature parks. Tucked away by the Saka River, it’s been reimagined by Danish brand VIPP into a modern hideaway that’s an absolute dream.

The dark wood exterior is beautifully balanced by its peaceful surroundings. Step inside, and it gets even better — the interior combines rustic wood with soft, pale furnishings, creating a space that feels both grounded and calm. Large windows frame generous glimpses of nature, letting in soft light and views of the river and forest beyond. It’s the kind of place where your shoulders drop the moment you walk in.

And after a day of kayaking (or, let’s be honest, doing nothing at all!), you can pour a glass of wine and sink into the sofa — or step outside for a soak in the hot tub overlooking the river. Heaven!

Incredible — I just love how the interior interacts so seamlessly with the outdoors. You feel completely immersed in nature the whole time.

Oh, how I’d love to stay here for a week or two! I even spotted a little desk where I could sit and dabble in a bit of work — the dream work-from-home setup, don’t you think?

Could you imagine staying here? Have you ever been to Latvia? If so, I’d love to hear more about your visit in the comments below. Did anything else in this home catch your eye?

You can read more about the VIPP Salaca River cabin and book a stay. And if you're in the mood for another Latvian home tour, check out Jurada Cabin - when a dream cabin became a reality. 

Have a great start to your week!

Niki x

Photography courtesy of VIPP, with thanks.

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