A Swedish Island Getaway by the Baltic Sea

Many years ago, Per, the girls and I sailed to the long, slim Baltic island of Öland. It's a fascinating place. to the mainland via a bridge, it's where the Swedish royal family spend much of their summer at nearby Solliden Palace. Funnily enough, while we were walking through the forest, Prince Carl Philip went past on his daily jog!

Anyway, this is a very long-winded way of saying, sorry, but I have another rustic coastal home to share with you this week, which I couldn't resist, not least because it's located right on the shore with spectacular views over the cool blue waters of the Baltic Sea.

Inside, the house is simply furnished with antiques and family heirlooms, evidence of it having remained in the same family for over a century. Whitewashed timber walls, worn wooden furniture and a handsome masonry fireplace create a wonderfully relaxed, unfussy feel, while touches of greenery and wildflowers bring the outdoors in. I also love how the owners have kept the interiors pared back, allowing the sea views to do the talking. Every window seems to frame the Baltic like a work of art.

Ready to take a look around? Let's step inside and enjoy the complete tour.

Imagine waking up here each day, spending your days at the water's edge before falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Helt magiskt (completely magical!), as they say in Sweden. I'll certainly be dreaming about this place all weekend.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this idyllic rustic cabin too!

I'm looking forward to sharing an extra post with you on Monday - with a guide to my adopted home town of Malmö and all the wonderful things you can do here by the sea - from cafes and restaurants to sauna and sailing! 

A little note to say thank you for all your comments and emails lately. We have a little rain on the forecast this weekend, so I thought I'd take some time out with a coffee and sit down to reply to each and every one of you. I so enjoy reading your observations, and you often pick out details I've completely missed. Tack så mycket!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Wrede, with thanks.

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A Timeless Beach House on Denmark’s North Coast

It’s a beautiful day here in 'Sverige', and with midsummer now just a whisper away, we're all longing for slow days by the water. 

And if there was ever a place made for that kind of summer daydream, surely it’s this charming beach cottage in Liseleje on Denmark’s north coast.

Built in 1914, and even winning an architectural award at the time, the house sits perched on a cliff above the Kattegat Sea with its own private steps winding down through wild rosehip and soft sand dunes to the beach below. Can you imagine wandering down there first thing in the morning, coffee in hand, for a brisk dip before everyone else is awake? Would you brave the cold water? I havwe already had my 'badpremier' here and it was 16 degrees C - 'fresh' but invigorating!

The cottage has belonged to the same family for 80 years, and there’s something wonderfully unspoilt about it all. Many of the original details remain, while the interior has been kept simple and relaxed with family heirlooms, antiques and just enough furniture to let the surroundings do the talking. Because really, with that location and view from every window, how could the sea not steal the limelight?

Welcome in for a peek inside this very special Danish summer house.

I especially love how quietly understated everything feels. Nothing competes with the landscape. 

Is this your kind of summer house? Would you keep the interiors this simple, or would you be tempted to add more colour and pattern? The good news is, if you buy it, you can do whatever you like with it and make it entirely your own! 

Treat yourself to more Scandinavian summer cottages here: 

Simple, nostalgic and charming wrapped into one

A rundown croft becomes an idyllic summer cottage 
A charming open-plan summer cottage

Have a lovely, sunny afternoon! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Adam Schnack, with thanks

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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

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Before and After: A Dreamy Beach House On Australia's Gold Coast

The vision some people have is simply incredible. When Sarah and Aaron Waters came across this (rather blurry!) 1960s red brick house on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia, they immediately saw its potential. The family have been renovating it since 2008, transforming the property from a dated living space into a breath-taking, white clad, light and airy beach house for the entire family. It's easy to see why Bilinga Beach Abode has appeared in glossy mags such as Adore magazine and often hired as a backdrop for photoshoots. Ready to feel inspired?! 

Facade before (see above too!)

Facade after

The facade has been completely updated with fresh white wood cladding for a true beach vibe. Bi-folding doors also ensure a seamlessness between inside and out.  

Gaaaah! Will you look at this oasis?! 

I love the clear glass fence around the pool. Surprisingly I still come across pools in private homes today without a safety fence. Here's proof that you can have a pool that's safe for children and yet still looks lovely! 

Sitting room before

Sitting room after

Not kidding. Is it even the same house? The amount of work that has gone into the transformation is quite incredible. It's not for everyone. But this snapshot shows that if you do have the budget, time and patience it's quite incredible what you can achieve! 

Couldn't resists including this lovely pic of one of the children on the skateboard ramp - such a cute idea! 

Cleo rattan chair from Hello Trader, Pineapple Traders print, Boheme cotton cushion.

Before Bathroom

I guess this picture was taken when the old bathroom had been ripped out - but it's still fun to see the bare bones before Sarah and Aaron transformed the space into this....

After bathroom

Loving the pink tiles! 

Their other bathroom has had a multi-page spread in Adore magazine, and when you see the pictures, it's easy to see why - it's beautiful! 

Tiles from Tile Trends Tweed, cabinets from Hello Trader

Sadly, I don't have any before pics of the bedroom, but here are the results. Think golden tones and layers of cosy textiles....

Desert Sun Landscape print, Dune Bed Head  

I'm seriously blown away by this transformation. It will definitely make me see houses that come on the market here in Malmö from a new perspective! 

Would you consider a renovation project? Or perhaps you've already done one (or are knee deep - or neck high in one right now!) - if so, I'd love to hear about it! 

One question, living by the sea in Malmö, do you think I could go all out Australia Gold Coast with my decor? I'm tempted but then again, I'm not sure we have quite the same winters! Bah! Perhaps subtle 'coastal' nods would work better here! 

You can see more of Sarah and Aaron's beautiful home over at @bilinga_beach_abode,  

Other Scandi-inspired Australian homes to love: a cosy home for seven in Byron Bay, a relaxed beach house in natural, earthy tones and a Dream stay: The Bower. 

Oh and, whatever you do today - take a quick browse through the 'before and after' archive - it's one of my favourites! 

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photos courtesy of Bilinga Beach Abode. 

Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 19, 11, 12, 17, 18  Bilinga Beach Abode 5, 15, 16 Villa Styling / Adore magazine 8. Elouise van Riet-Gray for Lana Caves

Thanks so much to my fab friend Sarah Brooks-Wilson for the tip! 

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