A Soulful Cottage in the Wilds of Bruny Island

Those of you who are regular followers of MSH will know that not every home I show is actually located in Scandinavia. In fact, I have a particular penchant for homes Down Under, Tasmania to be specific. And today I'm taking things one step further.

This home is on a small island off Tasmania, which is pretty much as far from Sweden as it's possible to get without starting to come back again! But hey, geography has never stopped me dreaming. I've promised myself I'll make it there one day. And for those of you who get there before me, here's a stay that would be very hard to resist.

On the southern tip of Bruny Island, interior stylist Tess Newman Morris and her husband Jack have transformed a century-old timber cottage into a wonderfully soulful retreat. Built around 1906 and perched above Little Taylors Bay, Fairweather stole Tess's heart the moment she saw it. She and her family bought it in 2018 and spent the next seven years slowly restoring it, largely themselves, using reclaimed timber, salvaged windows and doors, antique furniture and natural materials.

Rather than making the cottage feel new, Tess wanted to return it to something simpler, calmer and more handcrafted. The result is beautifully understated, with waxed timber floors, vintage pieces, natural fibres and plenty of breathing space, all surrounded by the wild landscape of Bruny Island. Days here are shaped by the sea, changing skies, sea eagles and dolphins, and for Tess there's an added emotional connection too, since her late mother once lived in a nearby bay.

Today, Fairweather is less about polished perfection and more about switching off, slowing down and feeling completely immersed in nature. Or, as Tess puts it, "Time feels different there, like the rest of the world is on pause."

Ready to take the tour? Photographer Lisa Cohen captured these beautiful images, so let's take a look inside...

Incredible! I can’t think of a better place to spend a weekend... can you? Actually, scrap that. The rugged wilderness, the beautiful, relaxed interior and the views have me wanting to settle in and stay a while.

Definitely one to save for my future ‘gap year’ on the other side of the world. It might be a long time coming, but oh, it’s coming!

Is there anything that struck you about Fairweather?

And if you fancy experiencing it for yourself, you can find Fairweather Bruny Island on Airbnb and book a stay.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Interior styling: Tess Newman Morris
Photography: Lisa Cohen

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A Relaxed Berlin Altbau with Warmth and Charm

Ready for an adventure? Today, we're off to Berlin (sadly not in person, wouldn't that have been great?), but in spirit! This lovely Altbau apartment belongs to Resi and her little dog Frida, and they have made a wonderful home for themselves.

I've been lucky enough to visit Berlin a few times and always come away marvelling at the city's wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. There's a certain ease to life there. Looking at these pictures, I can almost imagine the sounds of the city drifting in through the tall windows, the distant hum of bicycles and snippets of conversation from the street below.

What I love most about Resi's home is how perfectly it captures that laid-back Berlin spirit. The beautiful bones of the apartment, soaring ceilings, decorative cornicing and those glorious windows, are softened with natural textures, warm earthy tones and an abundance of plants and flowers. Every corner seems designed for simple everyday pleasures: lingering over a morning coffee in a sun-drenched window nook, curling up with a book as the afternoon light shifts across the wooden floors, or enjoying a cosy evening as lamps cast a warm glow around the room. 

Let's take a peek inside!

Coral sunset peonies - my all time favourite flower. I absolutely love the way they start off a deep and vibrant fuchsia pink before turning coral and fading into a light pink. Beautiful. 

Do you have a favourite flower?

Such a lovely feeling oozing from the pictures. A perfect city oasis! 

Are there any details that stood out to you? 

You can see more of Resi's home over at @residenz.bln.

Here on the blog, we have visited Berlin homes many times before, here are a few you might like to revisit: 

A lovely and relaxed artist's home full of plants

A light-filled family home with a Nordic touch
Get the look from a serene home in Berlin

Ha det så fint!

Niki 

Photography by @residenz.bln, shared with kind permission.

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A Light-Filled Venice Canal Home with a Hint of Spring

Friday calls for something a little special, don’t you think? This home stopped me mid-scroll. At first glance, it leans into that familiar Scandinavian language, all that white, the soaring ceilings, the light pouring in from every angle, but look a little closer and it begins to feel like something else entirely. Located on the Venice Canal in LA, there is a warmth and looseness to it that softens all that brightness.

It is the home of jewellery designer Irene Neuwirth, who worked with her friend, interior designer Sarah Shetter, to create a space that feels relaxed and personal. 

What I love most is the way they have softened the architecture. The bones are crisp and bright, but instead of keeping everything restrained, they have layered in pattern, texture and colour in a way that feels instinctive, laidback and summery rather than styled. The green floral sofa (upholstered in Lotus Garden) sets the tone, it's a little unexpected, a little nostalgic and very lovely! The rest of the decor follows in this vain with wallpapers, vintage wood pieces, woven textures and plenty of art. Books are piled high, shelves are filled with objects that feel like they have been gathered over time, and even the kitchen, with its ladder and long communal table, feels like a place to linger.

It is this balance that draws me in. Ready to see more? 

Beautiful!

I am still drooling over those first two images. It is amazing how the sofa seems to pull the greenery in from outside, almost blurring the line between indoors and out, and it brings such an easy, summery feel to the whole space. I also love the subtle touches of blush dotted throughout, just enough to soften everything and add a quiet warmth.

All in all, a beautiful home that makes me feel like summer is on the way!

Did you enjoy this tour too? Are you a fan of floral textiles and wallpaper? Could you imagine having a sofa like this? So many questions! 

Right friends, it's Friday, the sun is shining and my family are slowly drifting home from their various corners of town. Time to enjoy the weekend.

I hope you have a trevlig helg!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Jenna Cooper LA, where this house is for sale - found via Nordroom, with thanks.

 

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From Stable to Sanctuary in Tasmania

Hallo Freunde, I’m scribbling this from Frankfurt Airport, where I’ve spent the past couple of days exploring Ambiente (more on that over on my IG).

As always, when travelling, the world opens up a little — and suddenly you feel like you could just keep going. Don’t worry, family. I am actually coming home. Still, I do have a long-held dream of visiting Tasmania one day, and I’ve just found another stay to add to my ever-growing list: The Stable Lofts.

Housed within a historic converted stable, The 'Pony' is a charming mudbrick loft set right in the heart of rustic Tasmanian country life. The listing describes it as being surrounded by lush gardens, serenaded by birdsong and visited by wallabies at dusk and dawn — a place where time slows down. The perfect setting for a romantic weekend escape. And, I’m completely there for it (virtually, for now).

I love the simplicity of it all: the whites and warm wood tones, the carefully chosen vintage finds, the sense of calm throughout. It looks like the perfect place to truly unwind. Come and enjoy the tour with me.

I'd happily escape to this lovely place, how about you? 

If you're curious to rediscover all the other Tasmanian properties I've shown, take a look here - for a years worth of stays! 

Uh oh, I need to run, my flight is boarding shortly for Copenhagen. I have to say, I'm looking forward to my own bed. There's a saying in Sweden 'borta är bra, hemma är bäst' - away is nice, but being at home is best. Would you agree with this? 

Have a happy mid week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of AirBnb / The Stable Lofts, with thanks.

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