A Warm Rural Swedish Home That Combines Old And New

It's a new dawn, a new day, a new week even. But not a new house tour, especially if you've been reading My Scandinavian home for over four years! Oozing charm and character, the country home of Swedish interior stylist Anna Truelsen has gradually migrated from a more fresh white aesthetic to deeper earthy tones. Which is why I thought it was time to pay another virtual visit! Today, Anna's home is a perfect blend of muted earthy tones, antique furniture, shelves crammed with porcelain collected over the years and several handmade pieces. It's the type of home that looks equally beautiful in all seasons - but there's something about the candlelight, roaring wood burning stove and deep hues in the bedroom that makes it feel especially cosy in the Autumn. Välkommen in! 

Thonet and other vintage chairs* have been arranged around a table that was built by Anna's Grandfather. The plate racks on the wall were also made by 'Morfar'. The wall have been painted Metropolitan AF-690 from Benjamin Moore. 

Anna has been collecting cake stands, terrines, glasses and bowls since she was 17. The collection has been carefully culled over the years, and today, she possesses only the pieces that hold real meaning.

To me, Anna's home is instantly recognisable in magazines and online thanks to the wonderful, original wood burning stove in the kitchen. Isn't it beautiful?

A simple linen tablecloth* adds a soft touch to the grey and white kitchen - while sunflowers provide a burst of sunshine. Sadly, they're fading in Sweden now, are they still in bloom where you are? 

Anna bought a second-hand 4-seat Klippan sofa from Swedish site Blocket and then coveted with a loose fit white linen cover from Bemz*. 

The 'Mediterranean Teal 2123-10' paint colour in the bedroom reminds Anna of the forest! I reckon come December, you'd want to hang out there all day and snuggle up with a good book, don't you think?

This home tour has put me in such a good mood - a perfect way to kick off the week, don't you think?

Did you get any ideas for your own home? 

In case you missed it in the intro, you can take a peek at how Anna's home looked four years ago. Quite an interesting transformation. It's easy to see how this has been a gradual process. Oh, and you might also like to follow Anna on instagram where she shares snapshots of her home as well as her styling work for magazines. It's such an inspiring feed! 

Other country homes to love today: 

A Finnish family home in a former schoolhouse

Old meets new in a charming Swedish country home

An idyllic rural home that's full of charm

Wishing you a wonderful start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Anna Truelsen, shared with kind permission

*This post contains affiliate links

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Cosy Hide-away: The Butcher's House

Just taking a little time out from my virtual holiday in Tasmania to share this beauty of a house with you. For those of you who are not a regular reader, I have a slight obsession with 'Tassie' right now and sharing my third holiday house in as many weeks (see also a cosy hideaway by the sea and the whale song shack). But as I said last time, a girl can dream. And when we can travel to far-flung places, The Butchers House in Bothwell will be on my itinerary (it's looking like we'll need to spend several months in 'Tas' at this rate!). I've wisened up to the fact that it's winter there right now (thank you newly acquired Tasmanian friends!) - but I'd be quite happy to read a book by the fire in this humble heritage cottage dating back to the mid 1800s, before taking a nice long soak in this lion claw tub with a glass of Tasmanian Pinot! There's even a fireplace in the bedroom for the cosiest night sleep ever! Ready to dream? Step this way! 

Have I got you dreaming today too? I sure hope so. A little escapism is a fine thing! 

Find out more about booking your stay at The Butcher's House here. 

And here are three other incredible hideaways in and around Tasmania: 

Captain's Cottage

A relaxed artist's cabin by the sea

Your very own dream island hideaway

I'm so excited to share my guide of the Gothenburg Archipelagos with you tomorrow. Sweden's West Coast is my favourite place on earth, and having sailed there for over sixteen years, I felt it was finally time to share some snapshots - and ten of the best islands to visit! I hope you're going to feel inspired!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Butcher's House with thanks.

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A Warm, Earthy, Vintage-inspired Swedish Home

Forgive me for my slight obsession with Swede Elin Jensdotter right now. Not only do I love her former home (which I featured a few weeks back) and vintage shop (Bodil vintage) - I've also fallen for her new home on the island of Ekerö, West Stockholm. Elin and her husband recently swapped their apartment in the city for this beautiful 17th century house, a rental in a detached wing of a castle. I especially love that it's steeped in history. The ground floor used to serve as a library which housed the love letters between Marie Antoinette and Axel Von Fersen before they were moved to the national archive. And the upstairs served as an art studio. Today, the lovely, warm, earthy house is filled with vintage finds, arranged around a vast fireplace. When the sun comes out, life moves outside to enjoy the rays surrounded by parkland. Welcome to Elin's vintage-inspired world! 

The former art studio still serves as a creative space for Elin and her husband. 

The shelves were built by Elin's husband and were inspired by the beautiful ones in the Topanga Canyon home of Serena Mitnik-Miller. There's a matching set on the other side of the room. I love how shelves like these provide plenty of storage and yet still allow the light to flow through. They also work perfectly in an awkward space. 

The cosy feel in the home is all thanks to the layers of natural textures - such as wood, leather, jute and rattan. Vintage pieces often have a lovely patina too - which adds to the warm vibe. 

 

I feel so charmed by this. I thought the home was beautiful just by looking at the pictures, and then I read that it was in the detached wing of a castle and I was utterly sold! I'm even wondering if my family and I should exchange our home for a rental somewhere special! Are you tempted too? 

Looking for vintage pieces for your home after seeing this? Check out Elin's store Bodil Vintage. If you can't find what you're looking for, I also find Etsy* a great worldwide source!

Oh, and you can also follow Elin's home updates and see her latest vintage finds over at @longingforlennon.

Other earthy, vintage inspired homes: 

A relaxed bohemian family home in South Korea

Books, art and earthy tones in a Copenhagen home

A relaxed Tucson home with sun-kissed, earthy tones

Wishing you a wonderful mid-week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Elin Jensdotter / @longingforlennon

*affiliated links

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A Cosy Hideaway By The Sea

OK I admit it, I'm currently obsessed with Tasmania. Could it be my itchy feet? Or perhaps it's because I keep on stumbling across incredible holiday homes on the island! One thing is for certain though, I need to visit one day! Locals tell me that it's quite chilly there right now (a quick look at the forecast and I see it's hovering around 9 degrees Celsius - brrrr!) but I'm perfectly willing to weather the cold by the fire in this wonderful hide-away -and once you see these pictures, I'm pretty sure you'll feel the same! The Burrows overlooks Great Oyster Bay and is filled with eclectic treasures, bespoke finds and original artworks. Owners Bek and Paul welcome airbnb guests and other visitors to come and enjoy the slower pace of life and rugged coastline, and who are we to decline?!  Ready to dream? You're in the right place!

Isn't it beautiful?

Could you imagine chilling here for a week or two? 

Obviously, we can't travel right now - and a trip to this wonderful place might be a long time coming, BUT there's still a load of inspiration to take away from this lovely cabin. For starters, it makes me want to spend my entire weekend scouring the local loppis (flea market) for vintage finds, and then paint one of the bedrooms a darker shade. I'm also considering more of a built-in daybed in the window nook. Hmmmm. Suddenly there's lots to do! 

Do you feel inspired too? 

See more pictures and find out more about booking a stay over at The Burrows.

Speaking of trips... I'm currently in Copenhagen for the 3 days of Design (although I'll only be here for the day). It feels so amazing to be back in one of my favourite cities - Danish design heaven! Take a peek at my instagram stories for updates if you're curious!

Niki

Photography Adam Gibson, courtesy of The Burrows. 

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The Earthy Stockholm Home of a Vintage Shopkeeper

I'm getting all the Friday feels from the wonderful pop-up shop (above) and Stockholm home of Elin Jensdotter - and couldn't resist stopping by to share a few snaps with you! Elin runs Bodil Vintage, a fabulous vintage shop in Stockholm. Many of the secondhand pieces have also found their way into her delightful, earthy home. Despite the eclectic mix, the pieces blend perfectly with her the dark brown, chestnut and cream touches that make up her interior. I think vintage shops and flea markets will be on the itinerary this weekend, how about you? Enjoy the tour! 

Is it just me, or are we seeing a lot of wall-mounted vintage cabinets right now? Etsy* is a great source! That table is beautiful too! 

A simple pom pom throw* helps to protect the sofa while adding a relaxed feel to the space, while a low shelf on the back wall provides plenty of space for decorative items. 

The family have access to a small balcony - which despite its size, is big on style. Think string lights*, rattan, a small mounted table, a little parasol and candles! Perfect! 

I love this! 

.... and kicking myself for giving away a wall mounted cabinet lately. Think I'm going to have to go on a hunt for another one! Vintage shops here I come! 

For more inspiration take a look at Elin's drool worthy instagram feed @longingforlennon - and discover what she currently has in her shop! 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend friends! See you Monday! 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Elin Jensdotter found via SF Girl By Bay.

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A Photographer's Vintage-Inspired Home In A Former Post Office

Over the years the years, the same interior photographers pop up time and time again. Always generous with their images (I write for permission before sharing), these talented shutterbugs are the backbone of my blog. And yet, we're rarely get a glimpse into their world! So today I'd like to introduce you to Australian freelance photographer Marnie Hawson. Based in the Macedon Ranges, just outside Melbourne, Marnie specialises in interior, travel and lifestyle photography, "with a commitment to working with people doing good in the world."

As a former environmental scientist, Marnie is hardwired to tread lightly, and today that means "only working with businesses which have an ethical and sustainable mindset and focus on conscious consumerism and fair trade".  

When Marnie isn't on location, she's working from her little weatherboard studio at home, with her miniature pinscher Dexter by her side. 

I've featured many of the rustic abodes Marnie has captured over the years - including a Swedish weatherboard cottage,  Captain's Cottage and a dreamy holiday home, but never her own beautiful home, and let me tell you, you're in for a treat! 

Home for Marnie, is a rustic country cottage which she shares with her husband Ryan Hawson - a whisky specialist (I think Per and Ryan would get along just fine!). Dating back to 1890, the pair have lived in the cottage - which used to be the village post office - for over nine years. During this time, the duo have added their own unique stamp on the property, having made many changes, while working hard to maintain the history of the site. 

Fancy taking a peek inside?

The wood panelled interior is a sea of white (much to my delight as someone who is passionate about all things Scandi!) - interspersed with vintage and antique finds. 

The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets centred around a refurbished 50-year-old AGA (seen to the right). The brass taps and handles are all second hand. 

In the sitting room, a sofa has been placed opposite the fire for cosy evenings. The drying rack was in place when they bought the house and they still use it all the time (it reminds me a lot of the one in this charming Swedish summer cottage)! The rug is from Armadillo & Co. 

Soon after buying the house, Marnie and Ryan were fortunate enough to be able to buy back the original post office boxes, which they use as day to day storage. 

Pairs of vintage shoes bought from a shoemaker in New South Wales can be seen on the wall in the bedroom. The linen bedding is from Elkie Ark and the curtains are from Linenshed. 

Oh, and one more exciting thing the pair have added in recent years - a bar (I guess, if you're a whisky specialist you do have the perfect excuse!). Here's a glimpse into the dark, atmospheric space... 

What a magical home (and bar!) - which, to be honest, can only be expected from Marnie Hawson! 

I feel this home tour has put a real spring in my step for the start of the week - just what I needed! Are you also feeling inspired? 

I am so looking forward to continuing to follow Marnie's journey as a freelance photographer. You can see many of the homes she's captured over the years (as well as other projects) on her website. I also love her instagram feed!

Also, check out my archives for more of her work here. 

Have a brilliant start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

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