A Cosy, Stilted Cottage on Fire Island

The best way to get through a Monday? Dream about a beautiful island escape. And this holiday cottage has got my heart all a flutter! Fire island is a thin Atlantic Ocean barrier island off the southern shore of Long Island. Cars are left at the dock and the sandy beaches, dunes and stilted houses are reached by foot via raised boardwalks and sandy pathways. This charming early 20th century stilted cottage belongs to Alex Bates, founder of creative agency Flint & Kent and co-founder of Bloomist.com - sustainable, nature inspired products for the home and her husband Andrew Hoffman. Decorated with a blend of vintage finds and white washed walls and floors, the relaxed cottage serves as a perfect antidote from life in New York City. You may have seen this space on Maryn, SF Girl by Bay or the Style Files - but it's definitely not one to be missed - and in my mind, can be enjoyed time and time again - especially on a Monday! Are you ready to look inside?!

How easy would it be to get through the working week knowing that windswept walks along the beach and drinks by the fire await come Friday?! Sooooo lovely!

Looking at the white-washed inside of the cottage you'd be forgiven for thinking you're in Scandinavia (although the US flag on the outside is a bit of a give-away!)  I especially love the dining space with the classic Cherner side chairs, vintage table and wood panel walls. Is there anything that stood out to you?

Read the full interview and see more pictures here - and pay a visit to Alex's wonderful store!

Other charming beach homes include the Caribbean beach house,  a summer retreat on the Greek island of Milos and the cottage, Byron Bay.

Have a wonderful start to the week friends - we're going to nail this one, and it'll Friday before we know it!

Niki

// Credits: photography: Marta Xochilt Perez, Art Director Michelle Adams, Design: Alex Bates

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Leanne Ford's Dreamy Woodsy Cabin in Echo Park

I know sometimes it's inevitable, but I always feel a little sad when I hear about houses getting torn down, especially if they have a long history - do you feel the same? There's someone else that feels exactly the same way: interior designer Leanne Ford. Two years ago, Leanne stumbled across this little wooden cabin, rumoured to be the first known house in Echo Park, Los Angeles and built by silent movie star Clara Kimball Young. It was then inhabited by a blind lady for over 70 years who donated it to the Braille Institute when she passed away. When Leanne found it, the woodsy cottage was being sold as a tear down (the 8000 sq foot / 743 sq metre lot was worth more!) and there was an investor interested in the land. Leanne made it her mission to save it.

 The cabin oozed charm and character but was in need of renovation. Leanne has beautifully restored the space and created an indoor / outdoor living space which connects rustic textures such as stone floors and exposed wood. The focal point of the living room is a stone hearth and Midcentury Malm fireplace (imagine spending chilly Autumn days in this spot?!).

A Flos Taraxacum pendant light* and chunky knit blanket* are in keeping with the white theme and yet add plenty of texture. The beautiful vintage side table also adds to the charm.

Leanne blames one of the reasons for falling in love with the cabin on the big windows, which flood every single room with light - and who can blame her?!

 White wood panelling, a vintage sink, down to earth open shelving and a pulley system all add to the relaxed charm of the cabin. Leanne picked up the Viking Range oven on Craig's List and the work top is made from 'imperfect' onyx.

During the renovation, they ripped all of the bead board drop ceiling out of the cabin and then put it on the walls. In fact, absolutely everything that was torn out of the cabin, was reused somewhere else - quite incredible, don't you think?!

Leanne's husband had one request: there should be a place to store all their books. 

The narrow master bedroom gets so much light, Leanne went for a cooler white (using white on white from PPG paints) to give it an airy feel. 

Distressed reclaimed windows have been transformed into barn style doors to pull across the cupboards, while soft linen curtains* help to mask the contents!

The claw foot tub came with the house (guh! if only this had happened in my home!). The plumbing and hardware were new, but treated (or 'pickled' as Leanne puts it!) to give them an aged look. The incredible sink was Big Daddy's Antiques find - result!!!

Oh, and I've saved the best news till last. Leanne has just put this cabin on the market (check out the details here)- what an incredible opportunity!!

You know last week I said I was moving to this country house in Nacka? How do I tell my husband that we might also be moving to Echo Park?

Could you imagine living in this charming woodsy cabin too?

More cottage / cabin lovin' to be found in this archive (how cute is this pared-back cabin in Finland?!).

If your loving the style of this little cabin, you might also feel inspired by this Farmhouse and this house - both designed by Leanne.

I hope all these lovely cabins have brightened up the start of your week!

Niki

Interior design: Leanne Ford. Photography: Tessa Neustadt

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An Idyllic Swedish Summer Cottage (and Caravan) on Gotland

Every summer, Swedish journalist, blogger and writer Emma Sundh and her family swap their busy Stockholm lives for a slower pace on the beautiful island of Gotland. Long summer days are spent relaxing at their cottage, ambling along to the nearby beach or entertaining on their big pink bus (yes, really!). Welcome to Emma's delightful vintage world! 

// affiliated links marked with *//

 The Swedish summer cottage is known for being pared-back and understated. A clutch of simple wild flowers, a vintage jug and oil lamp is all this pretty table setting needs!

Pick up a vintage oil lamp here* - or for a more modern take, I'm a big fan of the Klong*!

The lavender garland is so pretty - yet so simple to make, plus you could create one to match any season!

Emma added the larder using the same materials and paint for a seamless fit with the traditional style kitchen. A Smeg fridge freezer also makes a great retro addition!  

I love this little vintage mirror, it's a perfect way to brighten up a hallway (it helps to bounce light around) and the shelf creates just enough space for a vase of wild flowers!

Who needs a coffee table when you can use two vintage suitcases* (with built-in storage too!).

 The bedroom has been simply decorated in a white, green (the shade looks similar to 'Restful Le Havre') and dark wood scheme - flowers add a lovely pop of colour!

One of the children's bedrooms has been decorated in the same colour.

Pick up a similar vintage school poster here*.

Emma has covered one wall in the top bedroom with the super pretty Carnation Garden wallpaper from BoråsTapater.

There's additional space for guests in a fab retro caravan. And supper is sometimes served on Emma's pink bus!

What a beautiful way to spend the summer!

Pink bus anyone?!

Check out more truly lovely Gotland cottages here:

A charming 19th century house
A Pared-back Swedish summer home
The bohemian holiday home of a Swedish photographer

And keep an eye on Emma's blog Emma's Vintage and instagram feed for snapshots from her life on Gotland and Sweden's capital city.

Have a dreamy day friends!

Niki

Photography: 1 & 6 Therese / Studio Plåthus the rest by Emma Sundh, shared with kind permission.

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Dreamy Escape: The Cottage, Byron Bay

As far as holiday rentals go, The Cottage in Byron Bay, Australia is pretty much everything you could ask for! Not only is the location amazing (this coastal town is way up on my list of places to visit, is it on yours too?!), it's been decorated in true Byron Bay style - relaxed, open and friendly with a hint of tropical surfer chic. The cottage was re-designed to retain it's original timbers and features - but given a fresh, modern update with white washed walls and a load of natural materials and vintage furniture (we like!). Oh and did I mention the plunge pool and spa - as well as an outdoor bathtub and shower? I'm seeing a soak under the stars followed by an Aperol spritz on the terrace! Fancy joining me?!

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The linen sofa is so pretty! Try the linen Bemz Urban Loose Fit covers (which are designed to fit many IKEA sofas).

This bedroom set-up is so simple yet so pretty. I love the formula: white wood cladding, botanical oil painting, white linen bedding*, light grey pillows* and a hanging plant (this macrame hanger with glass pot* is similar). Perfect!

Rattan hanging chair*

I love an outdoor bathtub (who wouldn't love a soak under the stars?!). In fact, my dream summer cottage has an entire outdoor bathroom and a hot tub like this! What do you think?

Oh. My. Word. I need to book flights. This place is so worth the long haul from Copenhagen. That sun longer has my name on it!

Could you imagine hanging out here for a week or two too?!

For bookings visit The Cottage at  Byron Beach Abodes. It sleeps 6 but just in case all your mates want to come (and who can blame them?) it can be rented together with The Chapel (how nice is that?!). I also love Magnolia House!

Meet you for sundowners Feb 2019?!

More beautiful holiday rentals here!

Have a *dreamy* weekend friends!

Niki

Photography: Jessie Prince

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