Feel Inspired by a French Antique Dealer’s Charming Home

Tjena vänner! It's great to be back here on the blog again (thank you for your patience), especially as I have a lovely home to share with you!

One of my friends, Bettina—a Swedish interior designer living in a lovely chalet in Chamonix—writes a fantastic new weekly newsletter (definitely worth signing up here). In her latest edition, she recommended taking a look at the wonderful world of Fabienne Nomibis on Instagram, and I was so excited by what I found.

An antique dealer, Fabienne uses her charming French home as a photographic backdrop for the antiques she sells through her brick-and-mortar store, Archives, in Reims as well as online. Needless to say, every corner of her home features an ever-changing treasure trove of furniture and fascinating trinkets, with every single possession telling a wonderful story of a past life.

Also, keep an eye out for beautiful tiled floors, internal windows that help the flow of light, and bookshelves laden with tomes and other curiosities. There's so much to look at and feel inspired by! Ready to take a look? Bienvenue!  

Does this make anyone else feel like planning an urgent flea market road trip? Now that spring is in the air, I’m sure many will be throwing open their doors here in Sweden too—and I’ll be ready and waiting.

If you’re passing through Reims in France, Archives is open for business as well–and there's also Fabienne's online store Nomibis!

Did anything catch your eye? Perhaps a particular room or a specific item? Do you have a lot of antiques in your home? I grew up in a house full of antiques but sadly feel like I don’t have enough in my own home. Hopefully, that will change soon!

I’ve featured some beautiful French homes here in the past, including those of Swedes who have made the move south—like photographer Anna Malmberg with her lovely abode—and the holiday home of Kristin Lagerkvist. I am also a big fan of these charming French homes:

A stunning French country home filled with antiques
Old meets new in a former basketry workshop
An idyllic home on the south of France

As a child, we’d visit France all the time since it was easy to make day trips over the Channel. We also went with school a lot to practice our French (not that it got us very far!). It’s a little further away from us here in Sweden, so sadly I don’t get to go as often—which is why I really enjoyed today’s virtual trip. I hope you did too!

Niki

P.S. I’m looking forward to sitting in the sunshine with a coffee this afternoon and reading/responding to all your comments from last week. Thank you so much for taking the time to write; it’s always a pleasure to read your thoughts.

Photography courtesy of @nomibis, shared with kind permission. 

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A Home with Heart and History Awaits Its Next Chapter

When one of my darlings—a home I've featured—comes on the market, I feel an irresistible duty to let you know. Especially when it’s not just the house that’s up for grabs, but all the furniture too.

Yes, you heard that right: Lynda Gardener is selling her beloved The White House in Daylesford. The dreamy property is a masterclass in understated elegance, with natural tones brought to life by the patina and stories of the individual vintage pieces Lynda has so lovingly sourced over time. Every room tells a tale, making it a one-of-a-kind home.

And let’s not forget that beautiful garden room, the one I’ve been dreaming over since first laying eyes on it back in 2017. Now, imagine not just owning the home, but also having the chance to take it on with all its thoughtfully curated treasures. How wonderful?

Whether you’re contemplating a move to Australia or simply looking for a dose of gorgeous interior inspiration to brighten your Friday, this home is sure to have something for each everyone of us. Some of these images might be familiar, others perhaps new, I hope you enjoy the tour all the same! 

Lovely! I'll never tire of this home, and Lynda's unique style. 

Tempted? You can find more info about The White House and also reach out to Lynda over at @lyndagardener. 

I do love a garden room - what a perfect guesthouse. Is there anything that stood out to you? 

Shall we take a few more tours to round off the week? How about taking a peek inside: 

A delightful home where Swedish and Danish design come together

A fairytale Swedish cottage in a forest

Smart ideas for small spaces in a Stockholm flat

A rundown schoolhouse becomes a family home

It's been great to be back blogging this week, I hope you've enjoyed all the tours.

Before I sign off, I want to send all my love to everyone in LA. It’s truly devastating to witness the destruction from afar, and my thoughts are with all those affected—to those who have lost their homes and businesses and also the precious wildlife losing their habitats. Our thoughts are with you. 

Trevlig helg, 

Niki

Photography: Lean Timms / Marnie Hawsen.

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Nina's Warm and Cosy 19th Century Home in Wintertime

On the 21st of December, we’ll celebrate the winter solstice—a turning point, as from then on, the days will gradually become a little lighter. Hooray! Today, in Sweden, it’s Lucia—a celebration of light, marked by a girl wearing a crown of candles, leading a Lucia train of others dressed as little Father Christmases, gingerbread men, and other whimsical characters. It’s a beautiful tradition filled with songs and Lucia bullar—delicious saffron buns. 

The darkness at this time of year also means the lights are often on all day—a detail we rarely see in interior photos. That’s why I was so excited to discover Nina’s home in Hamburg, Germany and the way she captures the essence of winter indoors. Picture sheepskins draped over chairs, golden slivers of sunlight, a roaring fire, soft, atmospheric lighting, and, of course, the subtle hints of Christmas. Her house, built in 1888, provides the perfect setting, with its wooden beams, chequered tiles, and charming architectural details that exude timeless character.

I hope this gets you into a cosy mood for the weekend!

I love this, you can really feel the warmth and cosiness throughout, do you agree?

And I love how the wood beams add so much character to the space. Did you notice the beautiful wall behind the staircase too?

Is there anything else you spotted in particular? 

You can see more of Nina's Hamburg home over at @hyggedaheim. 

Perhaps you'd like to see a few more cosy home tours this weekend? Here are some hygge-worthy living spaces to explore: 

Eleni's cosy Swedish apartment with festive touches

A cosy Norwegian country cottage at Christmas

A cosy and historic shipbuilder's cottage in Tasmania

Glad Lucia friends, have a lovely, cosy, warm and relaxing weekend.

Niki

PS photography courtesy of @hyggedaheim, shared with kind permission. 

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Jennifer's Elegant Home Sparkles with Christmas Touches and Easy Ideas to Steal

 Hej! Happy December friends—one of my favourite times of the year!

Today, we’re off to a delightful destination I stumbled upon last night: the white clapboard house of Jennifer Zimmerman in Bavaria, Germany. With its charming wreath and fir trees adorning the entrance, her home makes a welcoming first impression. Step inside, and you’ll find spacious, light-filled rooms exuding elegance with just the right touch of festive charm.

Imagine STOFF nagel candle holders with delicate tapered candles, soft velvet bows adorning pendant lamps, and inspiring Advent displays—so many ideas to borrow! Beyond its holiday magic, this house is a year-round sanctuary and combines some of my favourite designer pieces (love the Gubi Pacha armchair) with antique and vintage finds, creating a tranquil yet character-filled space.

Most importantly, it’s a relaxed, lived-in home, featuring a harmonious blend of furniture styles and eras, thoughtfully curated bedrooms and bathrooms, and an inviting atmosphere which is perfect for a little calm, no matter the season.

Welcome to Jennifer's world!

So beautiful! This is just a small selection from the gazillion inspiring pictures of Jennifer's home on her Instagram, @home_of_blossom. If you love what you see here and crave more, be sure to follow along for even more inspiration!

I couldn’t resist ending with a picture of her adorable doggy—how sweet is that?

I hope Jennifer’s home has filled you with ideas and creativity. We all live in homes of different shapes and sizes, but there’s always something to take away from each and every space. From Jennifer’s home, I’m inspired to pick up some velvet ribbon to dot my house with bows this Christmas. I especially love the idea of tying them around the base of candlestick holders (though I’ll make sure to do so safely—no fire hazards!).

What about you? Did anything from Jennifer’s beautiful home catch your eye or spark a creative idea?

For more international home inspiration today, take a stroll through this archive. And if you're feeling festive, check out the magical Christmas archive (just skip over this home if it pops up first–but I wouldn't blame you for taking one more look through the pictures!).

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @home_of_blossom, shared with kind permission. 

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