An Light and Airy Guesthouse in a Former Potting Shed

Hej kompisar! I hope you had a lovely, relaxing weekend. I mentioned last week that I'd been chasing my tail, and it seems this week is set to continue - I arrived in Gothenburg late last night as I'm set to present on stage at Möbelmässan (the Gothenburg furniture fair) this afternoon. Eeeeek! During my research, I've learnt a lot about 2025 interior design trends which I'd love to share with you soon. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd start the blog week with a total reset in the form of a white shed, also known as The Potting Shed. Set in the grounds of Bunya House in Bowral, New South Wales, Australia, I found myself immediately drawn to it today as a) it's far away 2) it's on Airbnb so we can actually book it! 3) it's small - and if you've seen the tour of our tiny cabin, you know I love small and finally 4) it oozes simplicity. 

The shed is made up of one main room with a sink, small table and bed as well as a bathroom. Since it's hard to tell from the pictures - as you walk in the door seen above, the sink is immediately to your right and the table straight ahead. The bed is to the left. 

Ready to take a little tour of this simple, airy guesthouse? 

Could you imagine staying here and filling it with your holiday wardrobe and food picked up at the local market? Perhaps we could meet there: the main house is also available to rent through Airbnb. Now there's an idea for a Monday! I already see a spot for that glass of wine (Australian of course!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you about this little cottage? I'd love to hear below! 

Although I mainly show Scandinavian homes, you'll have noticed I do have a particular penchant for Australian properties (I must visit one day, never been!). You can see all the tours from the past here. 

Right friends, I need to get ready for this talk now, wish me luck and have a fab start to the week. 

Kram

Niki

Photography courtesy of @bunya_house_bowral, shared with kind permission

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This Magazine-Ready Cabin on a Swedish Island is on Airbnb!

Can you work from home? Or more importantly, need a holiday? If so, this lovely Swedish cottage on the island of Dalarö in the Stockholm archipelagos for you.  At the top of the Airbnb checklist is 'dedicated workspace - a room with wifi that's well suited for working'. But when you read the full description, it's enough to make you want to switch off your laptop and soak up the tranquility of the surroundings instead! 

Built in 1968, the cabin is surrounded by the ocean, forest and nature, and the grey and wood interior has been designed to mirror the beautiful rocky cliffs and woodland, giving it a subtle raw, masculine touch. 

On sunny days, life moves out onto the terrace where a bed swing (such a great idea!), hammock and barbecue awaits. On colder days, a wood-burning sauna offers a respite from the chill. Oh, and dogs are welcome too! 

Feeling tempted? Wait till you see the pictures!

Could you imagine swapping your desk for the one in this cabin? Or simply booking this stay for a relaxing holiday? If so, you can find more details here. 

I was in the Stockholm archipelagos recently and I can't tell you how tranquil it was - rain or shine! it's a great place to hike (there are trails everywhere) or sunbathe on the warm rocks. If you're visiting the Swedish capital, make sure you stay a few more days to explore the islands! 

Looking for more wonderful 'stays' in Sweden this summer? I love these lets: 

A limestone barn on the island of Gotland

The stonecutters farm on the island of Öland 

Get away from it all at a lakeside cottage in Sweden

Just a word of warning - always check with a Swedish airbnb if they provide bedding. In Sweden, you are often expected to bring your own sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases so it's good to ask the hosts to make sure you don't get caught out! 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

PS I am exciting to be heading to 3 days of design in Copenhagen, Denmark tomorrow, let me know if you're in town too! 

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Feel Inspired by Charming 'The Station House'

This morning, I've woken up in Bodø, North of the Arctic Circle. It's flanked by spectacular mountains, deep fjords and the North Sea, which gleam under the midnight sun - which won't set again for three months. It's an awe-inspiring part of the world (do follow along on my instagram stories if you'd like to follow my journey!). Meanwhile, in the land down under, our Aussie friends are inching towards winter - which is one of the crazy things about our magnificent planet. As they say: the only constant in nature is change.

And today, I've got a beautiful 19th century cottage in Daylesford, Australia to share with you. Captured by Marnie Hawson, The Station House it is set in 3 acres of land and was built around 1853 making it one of the oldest houses in Daylesford. A few years ago, it fell into the hands of talented Theresa Albiloi who has renovated it to perfection! Walls were torn down to create an open-plan living space and the cottage was transformed to include five bedrooms and three bathrooms, all of which are full of vintage picked up  locally at Mill Market. 

Ready to feel inspired? 

It's the bathroom that does it for me. The vintage bath and stain-glass window - wow! I'd also be perfectly happy to sit and look out over the fields and relax too. 

Is there anything that caught your eye about The Station House? 

If you're visiting the area and would like to stay here, you can find more details here. 

Marnie Hawson has a knack for finding the most incredible properties - here are a few other houses she has photographed in recent years: 

Marnie's very own home in a former post office

A beautifully restored country retreat in Burrawang

The Whale Song Shack

A Swedish-inspired weatherboard cottage in South Australia

Right kompisar, I'd better get ready for my day out in Bodø - I've got lots of research to do for the magazine article and hoping to fit in a hike in the mountains tomorrow. Go, go, goooo! Luckily, the light is on my side for once! 

Happy midweek friends. 

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

Interior / bookings: The Station House

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Imagining a Weekend At Lovely Millington's house, Tasmania

Happy Friday! As you know, I try to stick to my Scandi theme here on the blog. But every now and again I go rogue and show a far away place - albeit with a touch of Nordic style. Today is one of those days. 

Photographer Abbie Melle had the pleasure of capturing Millingtons House for it's owners - and found it so peaceful. She particularly favoured the spot in the window which is 'perfect for some reading with a hot tea'. Perhaps this is why this lovely getaway appealed to me so much today - it's been one very hectic week and if I lived nearer, I'd book it for the weekend in a heartbeat! 

Located near the beach in Tasmania, the house dates back to 1925 and has recently gone through a big renovation. Today, the tones are inspired by the surrounding nature, and the decor is very much about finding a place to plonk yourself down and get comfy!

Keep a look out for the checked ceiling and lovely window seat and imagine crawling under the covers for a cosy read! The countdown to the weekend starts.... NOW! 

Sign me up.

Could you use a weekend here too? 

One of these days, I'm going to make it to Tasmania, and when I do, I'm going to spend months hopping between all the lovely holiday lets I've featured from the island. Maybe I'll even change the name of the blog to 'My Scandinavian and Tasmanian Home'. What do you think? 

Have you ever visited? 

Discover more about Millingtons House. 

Tonight I'll be raising a toast to all the strong, fabulous women I know - and don't know. Happy International Women's Day. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Niki

Photography by Abbie Melle. 

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3 Swedish Airbnbs That Bring You Close To Nature

Many people flock to Sweden in summertime. Some are looking for a city break, while many others come for the beautiful nature. It makes sense. Sweden has a population of 10 million and a land mass stretching 1572 km from North to South, which makes it easy to find a secluded spot. It's one of the things I love most about living here. 

If you're thinking of visiting, here are three very different Airbnbs which will immerse you in nature so you can switch off, relax, take a dip and generally recharge your batteries, Swedish style! 

The indoor-outdoor cabin

Live an indoor-outdoor lifestyle at this cabin in Southwest Sweden, and wake up to the sound of bird song while looking out over the fields of Halmstad. 

The forest cabin

You'll feel like you're living in a treehouse in this cabin in Gnesta. And it's just a short hop to a bathing spot too so you get the best of both worlds. Sign me up! 

The floating boathouse

This unique stay in Bengtsförs invites you to cut loose - literally, and tow your floating home wherever the mood takes you. I love the idea of  waking up to different scenery every morning! The house has a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom and sleeps four. 

All wonderful in their own way. Which would you choose? 

I have a hard time deciding, I must say, but since we have a sailing boat already - I might just be inclined to go for the forest cabin! 

Incidentally, I saw a question about screens and insects on the My Scandinavian Home facebook this week, and some of you might very well be wondering about this when you see these places! In my experience, it's quite rare to get mosquitoes and other pesky creepy crawlies south of Stockholm - although they can be a bit of a nuisance around sunset in the height of summer. That's why you'll rarely see screen doors and windows in these properties. However there can be quite a few mozzies in the North, where they are attracted by the many lakes. So, if you're visiting that part of Sweden you might need plenty of good repellent - depending on the year. 

Do you have a lot of bugs where you are? 

If you're planning a trip and would like to see more Scandinavian airbnbs, check out my holiday rental / airbnb archive - there are so many good ones in there! I have also written quite a few Scandinavian travel and city guides! 

Happy Wednesday!

Niki

PS I had promised to share a small Copenhagen home belonging to a single mother and her son, but unfortunately I've had to move the post to April. I apologise for this, but I promise it'll be worth the wait! 

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

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