An Old Tack Room, Reimagined for a Cosy Stay

I once heard that winter is meant to be a quiet reset — a season to lean into tiredness, keep warm, and stay cosy at home rather than fighting it. Never one to sit still, I was forced into this mindset yesterday evening when a snowstorm in Malmö meant I had to cancel padel.

Fun fact: in Sweden, part of your driving licence involves something called the “moose test” — basically proving you can handle a car in bad conditions, either on ice in winter or oil in summer (I think it involves slaloming around bollards without panicking). London doesn’t have anything like that, so Per understandably gets nervous when I’m out driving in snow and wind.

That said… an evening at home with a glass of red, and my newly arrived copy of Vogue Scandinavia doesn’t sound too tragic. Anyway — I digress. You’re not here for my winter ramblings. You’re here for the home tour. And luckily, I have a lovely one, just for you!

This cosy little home for two in Suffolk, England feels like the ultimate escape. Tucked away on a quiet family estate, The Old Tack Room is compact, calm, and very cosy. The interior was created in collaboration with Design & That, and features soothing tones, beautiful textures, and an easy, open-plan layout made for slow mornings and long evenings. by the fire. 

And then there’s the estate itself. A stay might include yoga classes… or private dining… or beauty treatments… or horse riding… or watersports. Or — and let’s be honest, my favourite option — tiramisu and a glass of red by the fire (and maybe a cuddle with a llama!). Which would you choose? 

Either way, it's the perfect escape for the weekend! 

Lovely!

Once again, we're witnessing the warmth of veering away from sheet white walls and opting for warm, muted tones instead - sometimes so subtle, you might not notice. 

Recently, while working on an interior design project here in Malmö, we opted to paint the white walls a soft off white and the result was instant. It felt warmer, welcoming and a little more luxurious. 

What colours do you have on your walls? 

I also really love the traditional wood panelling, it works wonders here.  Oh, and the kitchen is beautiful too! 

If you're curious about a stay - check out the Old Tack Room for more info. 

And for more cosy stays to dream about (or book!), I love: 

A magical escape on a Norwegian island outside Bergen
A limestone barn on Gotland
A rustic stay in a former railway carriage

I am not sure if you noticed but I got my days muddled up this week. I had promised to post Tuesdays and Thursdays this year - but now I realise that it might need to be a little more flexible depending on what I am up to - so Monday or Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. I do hope that works fine from your side? 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend, 

Niki

PS I am so looking forward to finding a quiet moment this weekend, pouring a coffee and reading through / replying to your comments, it's something I so enjoy! 

Credits: Sand and Stone Escapes

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A Cosy Cottage Escape in the French countryside

Hello there friends, how are you getting on? I’m not going to lie, January in Malmö is not my favourite time of the year. The world is devoid of colour (I sent a picture to my sister in Mallorca the other day and she thought I’d put a black and white filter on it!!), and it’s really cold and raw. Hence, why I have been dreaming of cute places to stay far and wide. A mental escape if you like. And that’s what led me to this cosy and charming little cottage.

Aptly named La Petite Maison, the stone cottage is tucked away in the peaceful countryside of the Percheron region in Normandy, France, part of the picturesque Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. Here, we're told, you can truly slow down, enjoy panoramic views over rolling fields and woodlands, and step into a world of simple, rustic beauty — everything from the cosy wood-burning stove to the carefully curated décor feels like it was picked with love.

Owned and lovingly restored by a couple who fell head over heels for this corner of French rural life — and who live on the same property in the larger La Grande Maison — this little guest house was created so that visitors can experience the “Perche Effect”: that calm, gentle rhythm of life that only the countryside seems to offer. Every detail of La Petite Maison reflects their passion for this slice of France, from the antique-found décor to the quiet garden just outside your door. Bienvenue! 

Charming in every way — and just the virtual escape I needed on this grey winter day. How about you?

If you’d like to see more pictures — or even enquire about a booking (hey, why not? I don’t think any of us would regret that choice!) — head on over to Perche Effect.

On a brighter note, my day is actually very exciting as I’m at a photoshoot in Copenhagen, at a studio called The Lab, capturing a new collection for a client. It’s an amazing place, absolutely brimming with Danish creativity. I’ll see if I can share a few pictures on my Instagram stories — I hope you’re also up to something fun today.

If you fancy lingering for a while, you might like to delve into these tours:

A pretty, Swedish run b&b in the south of france
A Swede's lovely vintage-inspired home in the south of france
A stunning French country home filled with antiques
A swedish photographer and French hat-makers charming home

Have a lovely day, folks!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Perche Effect, with thanks. 

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Two Dreamy Airbnb Cottages on the Swedish island of Gotland

It’s no secret that I absolutely love the Swedish island of Gotland. Granted, I’ve only been there once—when we sailed there on an East Coast tour and Per pretty much had to drag me away after five days (well past our original plan!). I was completely bowled over by the island’s beauty, creativity, and laid-back vibe, and I’ve been dreaming about returning ever since.

It’s only January, but after one sunny day my mind was immediately transported back there (even if the temperature is hovering around zero degrees!). In case you’re feeling tempted to visit this beautiful place, here are a couple of Airbnb cottages I stumbled upon today.

1. Jordkällaren beach cottage on Fårö

Just north of Gotland lies the tiny island of Fårö, connected to the main island by ferry. Rugged and wild, it has inspired creatives for generations. Film maker Ingmar Bergman called it home, and today his house is available as an artist residency. Imagine?

The island is rich in contrasts: deep, atmospheric forests, a long stretch of deserted beach, and dramatic stone stacks jutting straight out of the sea. True to Gotland style, it’s also peppered with ultra-cool yet wonderfully laid-back bakeries, cafes and restaurants.

Tucked away in Mölnorviken, you’ll find this little stone cottage. Its name translates as “The Earth Cellar,” a nod to its past as a jordkällare—a traditional underground storage space once used to keep food cool year-round. Today, the small stone cottage, with its sedum roof and location just 90 metres from the beach, offers a cosy place to stay, complete with a small kitchen (not pictured) and a barbecue spot looking out to sea. Perfect!

2. The Limestone Cottage

The main town on Gotland is Visby—where the ferries arrive (and where we also moored up during our first few nights). Dating back to medieval times, the town feels like a living village, buzzing with restaurants and cafés all summer long.

Just ten minutes from Visby and only 2 km from the sea, this limestone oasis is surrounded by meadows and quiet gravel roads. The interior is pared-back yet inviting, while the garden is beautifully wild – perfect for a barbecue dinner or a drink in the evening sun.

Lovely! I’d be perfectly happy whiling away long Swedish summer days, soaking up the pin-sharp Baltic light and fresh air at either of these beautiful stays — how about you?

It was sadly quite a while ago that I last visited Gotland, but if you’d like to take a look at my guide (alongside a few other Baltic islands), you can find it here.

I’ve also shared many other beautiful stays on the island, including:

A rustic Gotland cottage with a pool
A beautiful limestone barn stay
A summer island retreat with a pool for family and friends

And you can even take a peek inside a few private summer homes too — including:

Elsa's inspiring summer cottage
A converted school on the island of Gotland
A 19th century house ready for summer

Here’s to a little summer dreaming, friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks.

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Finding Calm in a Swedish Forest Cabin

It appears another week has just swished by — blink and it’s Friday again. I’m very ready to hit pause a little this weekend and chill. While we’ll probably be in Malmö, my heart’s already halfway to the forest… ideally parked in a cosy Landet cabin with zero plans except maybe snacks, fresh air, and wearing the comfiest knit I own.

In Swedish, landet basically means “the countryside,” but it’s more than that — it’s about sneaking off somewhere calm and relaxed. That’s exactly what Landet is all about: a true escape without any of the faff. Think nature, fresh air, good design, and zero stress. 

The cabins themselves are dotted around some of Sweden’s most beautiful rural spots — close enough to get to easily, but far enough to feel like you’ve actually escaped. It’s the brainchild of Ted and Umberto, who were looking to help others to enjoy the Swedish countryside without needing to own a cottage (or chop wood, unless you want to). You can sauna, do yoga, take long walks, drink coffee on the deck, or just do absolutely nothing at all — which honestly sounds perfect to me! 

Ready to take a peek at what would be instore?

And relax. 

Could you also imagine spending your weekend here? 

Inhale, exhale and read more about a stay at landet cabins here.

Meet you at the sauna? 

Have a wonderful weekend friends, thank you so much for stopping by this little corner of the web and for all your lovely comments - I'll get back to you soon! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landet, with thanks. 

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