Alexandra's Vintage-Inspired Home in The French Countryside

I often think homes are like books: they all have a story to tell. In a library you'll find many genres, and it's the same with living spaces. While some might be akin to romantic novels, others are more playful and colourful - like a comic! Alexandra's home in Chanterelle, central France, is like poetry.

Alexandra has furnished her living space entirely with one-off pieces sourced at vintage and antique markets (how I'd love to visit France purely for the purpose of visiting antique markets.... and maybe the cuisine. OK, the wine too... actually, I could as well soak up some culture while I'm there too!), ensuring every single room is filled with treasures. Subtle, earthy tones, a wonderful stone floor and exposed wood ceiling as well as clever use of paint create a perfect backdrop and add to the overall charm. 

Bienvenue chez Alexandra! 

How beautiful! I almost feel like I'm there, it's a strange sensation. 

Is anyone else now planning to scour flea markets this weekend? Preferably in France, of course!

Incidentally, Alexandra sells a selection of vintage accessories online here (and you can see more of her home over at @milkandhomefamily).

Note the paintwork throughout the house. Using darker shades on architrave, doors, skirting boards and even ceilings is the trend du jour! I think it looks beautiful and in older homes, really helps to enhance period features. 

Would you like to look around a few more French homes this weekend? Here are a few others I love: 

A relaxed, vintage inspired house in the French countryside

The fab home of a French stylist and photographer

Inside the Parisian home of a chef and photographer 

What book genre would you associate your home with? Tricky one actually, I'm looking around mine and currently drawing a blank! 

Have a wonderful weekend friends. À bientôt!

Niki

Photographer courtesy of Alexandra / @milkandhomefamily

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Your Very Own Dreamy Beach Front Hideaway

I've only been home in Malmö for five minutes and I'm already thinking about travelling to faraway places. Don't get me wrong, I love this city, I've even penned several travel guides about it. But when you see the views from this 1960s beachfront property, you'll understand why! This quirky cottage, known as Arku House, is nestled on the shores of Sisters Beach, Tasmania and completely engulfed by nature. Airbnb guests are invited to relax with a book surrounded by a simple, soothing mediterranean inspired interior. In the winter, a wood burning stove helps to warm the cockles after a blustery walk along the beach. Ready to dream about falling asleep to the sound of the waves and waking up to magical sunrises over the ocean? Enjoy the tour! 

 

See what I mean?

I think one of my favourite touches is the little makeshift bar by the beach - it epitomises the simplicity and reflects the raw nature of the beautiful surroundings. You don't need much more than that! 

Although the space is very simple, it still feels cosy, in a beachy kinda way, thanks to all the texture which includes woven materials, rough stone, rustic wood and linen. 

It actually looks like a perfect writer's cabin.... and a great excuse for a fourth book. I could definitely imagine hiding away here over the Swedish winter! Could you imagine hanging out here too? That bar seat has your name on it! 

Here's the link to Arku House on Airbnb. Just saying!

There are many more beautiful properties in 'Tas' in my archives. Take a look and dream away here. 

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Interior designer / owner: Emma / @arkuhouse. Photography: Lean Timms

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Perfectly Imperfect, This Paris Loft is a Breath of Fresh Air!

I was Scrolling through instagram yesterday over a cup of tea and this lovely Parisian apartment popped up in my feed. Owner Anne Montecer is founder of sustainable fashion brand Les Sublimes and author of Le Dressing Ideal (The Ideal Dressing?) and lives in this charming loft in Montmartre in Paris's 18th arrondissement. In the summer, Anne and her family head out of town while giving others the opportunity to use their home as a base to explore the French capital via HomeExchange. The whitewashed floors and walls, vintage furniture, books and pretty tiles have come together beautifully to offer a perfect oasis from which to gather your thoughts and rest, before heading out into the 'city of love'! 

I'd be so happy to have this as my base for a weekend in Paris, how about you? It has a perfectly imperfect relaxed vibe. 

See more pictures and get some fab Paris dress code inspiration over on Anne's instagram and also visit her fab sustainable store Les Sublimes to pick up a few staples! Mais oui! 

Have you ever participated in a house swap? Whenever I watch 'The Holiday' (basically, every Christmas!!) I think about signing our house up! I haven't got round to it yet, but maybe one day we will. I'd love to hear about your experiences! 

Also, thank you for all your messages letting me know you are no longer receiving my newsletter / daily post alert - sorry about that! Good news: I've solved it (not easy for a total technophobe like me, I can tell you!). You should now receive a notification each time I post! Hurrah! If you're not currently subscribed and would like to get my posts straight to your inbox, please sign up at the bottom of this page! Thank you SO much for following My Scandinavian Home. 

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Anne Montecer, shared with kind permission. 

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The Storekeeper's House - A Beautiful Airbnb, Full of Character

I've figured out the best way to appreciate summer in Northern Europe - go against all gardening advice and sow grass at the beginning of July. That way every time it rains, you'll be super happy (our newly sewn grass is coming along nicely!). Even so, I am dreaming of escaping the chill and travelling to a faraway place (as exciting as it is to watch grass grow). Now, I know it's winter right now Down Under, but that doesn't stop me from gathering inspiration for a future trip (one day friends, one day!). And this beauty of a house is the latest one to be added to my little black book of beautiful stays! Read on to discover more about it. 

The Storekeeper's House in Tatura in Victoria, Australia was built in 1905 and started life as Flanagan's Store - a general store specialising in drapery and haberdashery and later, ironmongery, boot making and repairs. 

Carrie and Luis Casanova took on the major renovation two years ago - transforming it into a beautiful, warm and inviting home for guests. 

The house is full of character thanks to its original period features, cast iron stove, exposed bricks and lovely wood floor. Carrie and Luis have also scoured flea markets and second-hand sites to fill it with lovely old pieces, helping the house to reconnect to its past and celebrate the early storekeepers of Victoria. 

The house has three bedrooms (my eyes are on the one with the four-poster bed!), all fitted with linen sheets - of course! 

I love the bathroom with its claw foot tub and walk-in shower. Take a look at that antique chest-of-drawers which has been converted into a vanity too - such a great idea! 

Outside seating area provides a cosy spot for a cool glass of wine - and I also read there are plenty of cafes, bakeries and restaurants nearby. It's sounding more and more like my kind of place - do you feel the same?

The question is, when can I visit? 

All the details can be found over at Storekeeper's House and airbnb.

I love a great airbnb find, how about you? 

Here are a few others I've got in my little black book of holiday rentals: 

A charming miner's cottage among an acre of roses

Your own bohemian-style hideaway in the desert

A Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia

Two idyllic Danish cottages to rent this summer

In other news, I said that I was going to feature my cabin bathroom on Friday but let's just say... I've had a few teething problems so there's a slight delay with that one. I have something else inspiring lined up though, so please do pop back before the weekend! 

Vi ses på fredag! 

Niki

Photography: Abbie Melle, shared with kind permission. 

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