Beautiful Inspiration From An Earthy, Bali Pool Villa

Sometimes I think (or at least hope) that My Scandinavian Home is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna to get! Yesterday, we were charmed by a relaxed Copenhagen family home, littered with Lego - and today, we're in dreamy Bali. because, why not? I came across Villa Arjuni by accident over the weekend and it had me longing for a holiday, flitting between the pool, dining table, bed and back again! But more than that, I felt so inspired by the earthy tones, tactile fabrics and touches of warm wood and tropical rattan added by owners Lena & Carlo Catterick, founders of Byron Bay shop Yöli & Otis. There are plenty of ideas to steal from this villa - even if that holiday of ours is on hold for now! Pour yourself something cool friends, we're off to Bali! 

This rattan lamp*, linen tablecloth* and rustic bench* are similar.

Love the display of straw hats, fans*, necklaces and decorative baskets* on the wall - they add a lovely warm touch too the room. 

Mark Tuckey makes these beautiful 'egg cup' wood stools. 

Pick up a striped linen bed* set like this on Etsy.

A bedside-table like this would look cute in any bedroom, don't you think? I couldn't find the exact one, but a pair of these wicker nightstands would create a similar look and feel. 

Hands ups who'd happily lie here for a day. Danish brand Tine K Home are the mothership of outdoor rattan furniture - and I love their bamboo loungers. Sadly, with all the rain / sleet / snow we get up here in the North, they'd need to be carried inside on bad weather days, but perhaps it's worth it to get that holiday vibe anyway, what do you think?

Ooooooh, to be in Bali right now. *Sigh*! But I have picked up quite a few ideas for my own home all the same. I hope you've felt equally inspired. 

If you'd like to add this beautiful villa to your future holiday files, you can find all the details over on Airbnb. Perhaps I'll see you there - my lounger is the one reserved with the straw hat!

Fancy taking inspiration from a couple of other Bali villas today? I also love a romantic hideaway in Bali and exotic meets boho in a Bali pool villa. 

Time to up our rattan / bamboo game? 

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Villa Arjuni with thanks.

*affiliate links - which means if you click on the link and buy an item I would make a tiny commission. 

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A Rustic House that Embraces Nature - Inside and Out!

It's been at least 10 days since I featured a home from somewhere Down Under (actually, the most recent from that part of the world was in Tasmania which is Down Under the land Down Under!) but still... it's been too long! So today, while keeping with the cosy theme as yesterday, I'm stopping by to share this cosy cabin with you. Designed by Taliah and Sein Lowry, founders of Byron Beach Abodes and the talent behind this dreamy cottage as well as a bevy of other beautiful holiday homes, The Perch is a rustic cabin high above Possum Creek Valley (great name!) in Byron's Hinterland. The interior is designed to embrace the lush green surroundings and made up of nature-inspired textures and colours, from the terracotta wash on the mud brick exterior to the mottled white on the interior walls and the timber slated cathedral ceilings and raw timber columns. I could quite happily wake up here and snuggle up by the fire each day, how about you?! But for those of us that live on the other side of the world, there's plenty of inspiration to be taken from this hyggeligt home too! 

I particularly love all the raw materials - including the original brick floor in the bathroom. I can imagine it gets really hot here in the summertime and the floor would be so lovely and cool! 

I also really liked the warm, rust and amber tones on the beds. This 'clay' linen bed set is similar (love it!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you'd like to archive this for future travel - or lucky enough to live nearby, bookings can be made here. 

How about enjoying a few other cosy spaces today? Some of my favourites include: 

A cosy Scandinavian boho family home

A cosy rural home in rural North Sweden

A get-away at a cosy lake-side cottage

How's life with you guys? Tough times don't you think? I love this to be a positive bubble for everyone to come to each day and feel inspired but felt I wanted to write a little note to acknowledge that life is far from easy right now - hang on in there friends! This too shall pass. 

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Perch / Byron Bay Abodes, found via Planete Deco with thanks.

*affiliate links

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Dreaming of a Second Home on a Tight Budget? How About This!

I felt like sharing something completely different today. I hope you up for that! I've been reading a lot about how the current situation has us all dreaming about second homes. A simple home from home a few hours from where we live - no matter how tiny the space. That might come in the form of a 'hytte' in the Fjordlands of Norway, a 'bothy' in the Scottish Highlands or simply a cabin at the end of your garden in London. 

But since researching a new 'attefall' for our summer cottage garden I've realised that costs can quickly escalate. So much so, that a second home is simply out of reach for many. And then I remembered Emma's home in Gotland with the guest caravan! Could this be the perfect solution? You might already be a caravan owner, in which case you're already sold but if you're not, hear me out! Firstly, there are many vintage / second-hand caravans on the market for a song, secondly, they're easy to transport (and can be parked at the end of your garden / in your driveway AND finally - with a little imagination, they can make the perfect little second home! 

Not convinced? Take a look at 'Plenty' Caravan in Victoria, Australia. The Franklin van has been transformed inside and out to create a cosy peach and white home from home, complete with a bedroom, kitchenette and even a woodturning stove - with romantic views over Apollo Bay. 

Pretty cool, don't you think? 

Perhaps this could be something for our summer cottage garden instead? I quite fancy doing up a caravan! 

Has this given you food for thought too? 

If you could imagine spending your weekend here - soaking with a glass of fine wine from nearby Otway Estate Vineyard, you'll be happy to hear Plenty caravan is available to rent via Airbnb (one to add to the travel files for when we're ready to roam once again!).

Looking for more 'second home' inspiration on a budget? Take a peek at your very own garden retreat on a shoestring budget , a lovely Swedish Outhouse in 25 m2, the world's smallest luxury home, a dingy garage become a bright guesthouse and a tiny Danish cabin that's big on style.

I'd love to hear about other unusual / creative second homes you've seen! 

Perhaps that home from home is in reach after all?!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Plenty caravan / Airbnb.

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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 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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