A Scandi-inspired Lakeside Cabin in Norfolk, UK

I quite often read about 'Scandinavian inspired' homes overseas, but never have I seen one as Scandinavian as this! The contemporary wood clad cabin designed by Koto wouldn't look out of place in any Nordic country, couple this with the woodland and lakeside location and you are immediately transported to the beautiful nature I so love about the region. 

A British start-up, Koto prides itself on designing prefabricated cabins 'that exude a sense of calm where users can relax and be inspired, whilst feeling connected to the great outdoors'. Described as a 'Scandinavian sanctuary', this cabin is set in Norfolk woodland on Fritton Lake and invites the new owner to getaway from it all and at the weekends or holidays, take wintery walks, 'njuta' from log fires and relax in the lakeside sauna before taking a dip in the lake. The only thing that's missing are the moose! 

Now all that's left to do is fill it with your most loved get-away essentials. For me - that would be board games, books, blankets, sheepskins, candles, slippers, some delicious cheeses and a bottle of red wine. Oh, and my favourite people! 

What would you add to this cabin to make it your very own sanctuary? 

Would you like dream about other escapes this Monday morning? Of course you do! Check out the cabin archive or dive-in to these rural retreats: 

On 1st February I'll be starting a #30daysofNjuta challenge on my instagram. The challenge is centred around the Swedish word 'Njuta' which means to 'savour' - the subject of my new book (*ad for my own work). In my mind, February is one of the toughest months of the year so why not join in and find small pockets of happiness in the everyday, Swedish style? Absolutely no purchase of my book necessary (it's available in most libraries now, if it's not in yours yet, please do put in a request if you fancy a read although not required for the challenge!). I hope you'll join in, the more the merrier! 

Have a happy Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Modern House, with thanks. 

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Stephanie's Charming and Relaxed Family Home

It's Friday people! Woohooo! I'm feeling lighter already - but I am also aware that Per and I have a big DIY project going on at the cottage which needs to be tended too over the weekend (I'm so looking forward to sharing the results with you once finished). No rest for the wicked, as they say!! I hope you have slightly more relaxing plans. 

Speaking of relaxed...

I stumbled across Stephanie Friedrich's wonderful family home on instagram yesterday and knew I had to share it with you! Stephanie lives with her husband and two boys by lake Constance in Germany and have created a beautiful, relaxed base in which to relax. 

Light and airy, the walls are mainly white, with a touch of floral wallpaper here and a lick of paint there. But the charm lies in the unique blend of furniture and personal items spread around the rooms. if you're working with sloped ceilings and awkward angles in your home, you'll likely love the master bedroom and bathrooms which maximise the space while working around the walls. All in all, a perfect home tour with which to end the week! 

Step this way. 

What a lovely, relaxed home! Every time I look through the pictures I spot something new - how about you? 

One of the key things I noticed about Stephanie's home is how art is displayed. None of it is 'too perfect' and it's a wonderful mix of 2D and 3D! For example, in the kitchen, unframed art has been spontaneously propped up on top of a framed art. And in the sitting room, small objects have been placed on top of frames or simply lent against the wall. 

Is there anything specific that stands out to you? 

I wouldn't blame you for wanting to see more of Stephanie's home. If that's the case, pop along to her instagram feed @fraeuleinotten for more corners and snapshots from everyday family life in Germany!

Would you like to feel inspired by other relaxed family homes this weekend? Pull up a seat and dive into:  

Chestnut tones in a delightful Swedish family home

I love my friend Helen's former home here in Malmö

12 child-friendly ideas to steal from a happy family home in Berlin

Folks, that's it from me this week! Thank you for stopping by, I hope you've enjoyed the tours! I've loved reading your comments and mails :)

See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography: @fraeuleinotten, shared with kind permission. 

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Cici and Locke's Cosy, Relaxed, and Elegant Berlin Home

Boy, do I have a treat in store for you today! There's something so easy, so relaxed, and so beautiful about Cici's apartment, with its lush green views, playful touches and wonderful mix of designer touches, plants, books and blankets. Couple this with the Berlin architecture and warm glow from lighting and you have the perfect autumn home. Lucky Locke (the resident hound!) who gets to share the space. 

Pour yourself a coffee, pull up a seat and enjoy the tour! 

Pendants from IKEA, wishbone chairs, print from Wall of Art.

Two happy residents: Cici and Locke. 

Togo Fireside armchair from Ligne Roset, mood lighting from Artemide.

Panton wired shelving from Montana.

Striped bedding from H&M Home, Rice paper shade from Hay. 

So cosy and elegant. I love this home! 

Did you enjoy the tour of Cici and Locke's home too? 

I think one of my favourite things was all the mood lighting in the form of table lamps. There are so many portable lamps available these days which means you can move them around without having to worry about cables and wall sockets which opens up a world of opportunities! This portable Flowerpot lamp from Danish band &Tradition is one of my favourites. 

See more of Cici's lovely home (including films) here. 

Would you like to tour a few other Berlin apartments today? Take a look at: 

A light-filled Berlin home with a Nordic touch

A lovely, relaxed artists' home

An edgy Berlin home full of contrast

All stunning in their own way! 

Happy mid-week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Cici / @lockeundcici, shared with kind permission. 

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Getaway from it all: A Light and Airy Airbnb Garden Hideway

 It's one of those days where I've got a big photoshoot, the house is a mess, one of my girls has forgotten her cross country trainers.... and I've got a zoom call in half an hour. What I really feel like doing is emigrating to Australia. In fact, this studio will do!

You might recall the a very beautiful workspace belonging to Kawa Heart Studio. Dee also runs a light and airy Airbnb - accessed by a secret path. 'A space less ordinary', the studio is located in a former glass studio in their lush garden on the fringes of old Fremantle town, Western Australia. 

Built from recycled materials and powered by solar energy, Dee Kawai Tang has worked her magic with the interior, kitting it out with classic mid-century and vintage pieces which are bathed in sunlight from the Cathedral-style windows. All in all, a perfect garden hideaway in which to retreat, create and simply relax. 

I'd fly over right away if I could!

Could you imagine staying here too? 

There's a lot more colour entering the interior world right now, but I think this studio is a perfect example of how white is always right (see what I did there?). It looks so fresh, light and airy in this studio and everything within it really pops as a result. 

More info and pics of this lovely studio on airbnb.

Check out all my other favourite homes in Australia right here. 

Right folks, dreaming over for the day... I need to hurry across town with these trainers! 

Happy Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

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Sara Silm's Fairy-tale Chateau in Southwest France

Is there such a thing as the perfect place to live? If there is, I think this could be it! At least, I'm sure Sara Silm - author of the book How To Country French Country would say so. 

Sara describes herself as an Aussie girl, with a pinch of the Middle East, a spoonful of Africa and marinaded in Russia - now simmering in Southwest France! As you might have guessed, Sara is passionate about cooking, and her journal contains droolworthy recipes from every corner of the world.

Naturally, a lady into cooking, needs a beautiful kitchen - and Chateau Montford - her home in France which she shares with her husband and children certainly has this in spades!

But there's more to this wonderful home too. Hundreds of years ago, a French general scoured the Bearnaise countryside in search of the perfect place to build a chateau. He settled on Montfort, a charming village nestled amid the foothills of the Pyrenees. 

Sara and her husband bought the chateau in April 2015 and have gradually been reawakening the property, after years of dormancy. Today, room after room reveals a story of vintage and antique finds, lovely Farrow & Ball hues and nature themed wallpaper (much of which is from the Swedish brand Sandberg).  

Ready to fall in love? Here are a few snapshots of Sara's French dream! 

Wow! It's like something out of a fairy-tale. 

I will be dreaming about owning a chateau in the south of France all week how about you? 

Is there anything that stood out to you in particular? 

You can read all about Chateau Montford, Sara's book and her recipes here. If you're curious about particular wallpaper, colours and items - Sara is great at listing them on her instagram feed. You are also welcome to ask away in the comment section below and I'll do my best to help! 

Would you like to take a look around a few other French homes today? Mes oui! 

A relaxed, vintage inspired home in the French countryside

Kristin's current rustic French home and her former home in the south of france. 

Old meets new in a Paris apartment

An 18th century former basketry workshop

A Swedish photographer and hat-maker's home in France

Alexandra's vintage inspired home in the French countryside

I hope this has filled you with inspiration for the start of the week! 

Bisous! 

Niki

Photography by Sara Silm, shared with kind permission

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