my scandinavian home: airbnb

Your Very Own Dreamy Beach Front Hideaway

I've only been home in Malmö for five minutes and I'm already thinking about travelling to faraway places. Don't get me wrong, I love this city, I've even penned several travel guides about it. But when you see the views from this 1960s beachfront property, you'll understand why! This quirky cottage, known as Arku House, is nestled on the shores of Sisters Beach, Tasmania and completely engulfed by nature. Airbnb guests are invited to relax with a book surrounded by a simple, soothing mediterranean inspired interior. In the winter, a wood burning stove helps to warm the cockles after a blustery walk along the beach. Ready to dream about falling asleep to the sound of the waves and waking up to magical sunrises over the ocean? Enjoy the tour!

See what I mean?

I think one of my favourite touches is the little makeshift bar by the beach - it epitomises the simplicity and reflects the raw nature of the beautiful surroundings. You don't need much more than that!

Although the space is very simple, it still feels cosy, in a beachy kinda way, thanks to all the texture which includes woven materials, rough stone, rustic wood and linen.

It actually looks like a perfect writer's cabin.... and a great excuse for a fourth book. I could definitely imagine hiding away here over the Swedish winter! Could you imagine hanging out here too? That bar seat has your name on it!

Here's the link to Arku House on Airbnb. Just saying!

There are many more beautiful properties in 'Tas' in my archives. Take a look and dream away here.

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

Interior designer / owner: Emma / @arkuhouse. Photography: Lean Timms

The Storekeeper's House - A Beautiful Airbnb, Full of Character

I've figured out the best way to appreciate summer in Northern Europe - go against all gardening advice and sow grass at the beginning of July. That way every time it rains, you'll be super happy (our newly sewn grass is coming along nicely!). Even so, I am dreaming of escaping the chill and travelling to a faraway place (as exciting as it is to watch grass grow). Now, I know it's winter right now Down Under, but that doesn't stop me from gathering inspiration for a future trip (one day friends, one day!). And this beauty of a house is the latest one to be added to my little black book of beautiful stays! Read on to discover more about it.

The Storekeeper's House in Tatura in Victoria, Australia was built in 1905 and started life as Flanagan's Store - a general store specialising in drapery and haberdashery and later, ironmongery, boot making and repairs.

Carrie and Luis Casanova took on the major renovation two years ago - transforming it into a beautiful, warm and inviting home for guests.

The house is full of character thanks to its original period features, cast iron stove, exposed bricks and lovely wood floor. Carrie and Luis have also scoured flea markets and second-hand sites to fill it with lovely old pieces, helping the house to reconnect to its past and celebrate the early storekeepers of Victoria.

The house has three bedrooms (my eyes are on the one with the four-poster bed!), all fitted with linen sheets - of course!

I love the bathroom with its claw foot tub and walk-in shower. Take a look at that antique chest-of-drawers which has been converted into a vanity too - such a great idea!

Outside seating area provides a cosy spot for a cool glass of wine - and I also read there are plenty of cafes, bakeries and restaurants nearby. It's sounding more and more like my kind of place - do you feel the same?

The question is, when can I visit?

All the details can be found over at Storekeeper's House and airbnb.

I love a great airbnb find, how about you?

Here are a few others I've got in my little black book of holiday rentals:

A charming miner's cottage among an acre of roses

Your own bohemian-style hideaway in the desert

A Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia

Two idyllic Danish cottages to rent this summer

In other news, I said that I was going to feature my cabin bathroom on Friday but let's just say... I've had a few teething problems so there's a slight delay with that one. I have something else inspiring lined up though, so please do pop back before the weekend!

Vi ses på fredag!

Niki

Photography: Abbie Melle, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: airbnb holiday rental International homes vintage

A Cosy Vintage-inspired Holiday Cottage On The Sapphire Coast

Have you got any holiday plans coming up? In the Brantmark household we're feeling crazily excited about a trip to Mallorca to visit my sister and the girls' cousins in the first week of November. It will be officially the first week of the winter season there, but we're confident it will be an improvement on the Swedish weather, what do you reckon?

Even so, a trip to Australia and New Zealand remains high up on my list for the future. One day friends, one day! In the meantime, I shall keep adding charming holiday rentals to my archive. And this one is a beauty! Located half way between Sydney and Melbourne in Pambula, New South Wales, Lotte's Hjem is a beloved 150 year old weatherboard cottage beautifully restored by partners Harrison Balodis and Miranda O'Rourke, which they then generously opened up as a holiday rental.

Anyone who visits can expect to sit back and celebrate the simple pleasures in life such as collecting fresh flowers and seasonal herbs from the garden, reading by firelight and enjoying a morning coffee on the veranda - surrounded by beautiful vintage pieces and family heirlooms. While travel to Australia might be off the cards right now, there's nothing to stop us in the future - and for now, it's just to sit back and dream!

Who's in?

It looks like such a perfect place to unwind, doesn't it? Plus, it makes me want to spend the weekend strolling around Swedish 'loppis' (flea markets) - I think I'll do just that!

Read more about the philosophy behind a stay at Lotte's Hjem here.

Fancy dreaming about other Australian and Tasmanian haunts this today? Here are a few others I've earmarked:

Dream stay: a Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia

An idyllic holiday home and garden by Lynda Gardner

Captains Cottage, a Bolthole in Tasmania

A cosy hideaway by the sea (wait till you see the bathroom!)

How wonderful, I do love a little holiday home dreaming, how about you?

Niki

Photography courtesy of Lotte's Hjem with thanks.

FILED UNDER: airbnb Holiday homes holiday rental VIntage inspired homes

Great Stays: A Rustic Hideaway Surrounded by Rolling Hills

Feel like getting away from it all? This wonderful rustic hideaway is available through Airbnb! Set high up on rolling hills, The Wensley is architecturally designed with an Oregon and Ironbark timber exterior and offers everything you might need to switch off - including cosy sofas with panoramic views, a fully equipped kitchen, and a wonderful indoor and outdoor bathroom (my eyes are on that zinc tub!) - all with a timber and stone touch to emulate the surroundings. Such beautiful work by Lisa Buxton Interiors! OK, there might be a slight catch (at least for the time being) - it's in Wensleydale, around one and half hours from Melbourne, Australia! Yikes! But that shouldn't stop us from dreaming about a future stay, right?