my scandinavian home: holiday rental

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.

This Light-Filled Danish Summer Cottage is Available to Rent This Summer!

Looking for a Scandinavian adventure? This summer house on the Danish coast of North Zealand is waiting for its next guests, and looking at the pictures, I'd like that to be you or I! Described as a 'undisturbed sanctuary close to the waters edge' it's everything a Scandinavian summer house should be. Simply, yet practically furnished, it's full of light, natural materials and has a wonderful seamlessness between the indoors and outdoors. Ready to dream of summer days on the Danish coast?

Could you imagine spending your summer here? I'm picturing a glass of wine on the terrace on a lovely, sunny day!

See more pictures - and find out more about booking this cabin as a holiday rental over at Landfolk.

The way the doors open up to the outside remind me so much of our little cabin. I'm so hoping to stay there this weekend and finish the kitchen - I hope I can share some pictures with you soon.

In the meantime, I can't resist sharing a few more danish summer home inspiration (you know me!). Check these out:

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

Before and after: a rundown cabin becomes a vibrant Danish summer house

A beautifully simple white Danish summer cabin

Charming details in a Danish allotment cottage

A dreamy Danish summer cottage with an outdoor bathroom

Ha en dejlig dag!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landfolk, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: Cabins danish home holiday rental Summer cottage

A Cosy Beach Retreat In Inverloch, Australia

I actually wrote this feature a few months ago in the same week as a dreamy holiday let in Kefalonia (that pool!), a Mallorcan Finca and a Danish farmhouse. And today, with a touch of a chill in the air (is it the same where you are?) I thought we could all use a little 'beach retreat' dreaming! Inlet House is situated metres from magnificent Inlet beach in Inverloch, Victoria, Australia. Guests are invited to snuggle up on the sofa in front of a wood fire, or come summer, stroll on the beach before returning for a shower under the open sky. Sounds like heaven to me! Take a look through the pics, and decide for yourself whether you'll be adding this one to your travel list (perhaps I'll see you there!).

How lovely - rain or shine!

I guess the only question is, which book would you pack?

I'm currently reading Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell - I can highly recommend it!

Let's stay Down Under today with a look back at these wonderful residences (all available to book!):

A cosy vintage-inspired holiday cottage on the Sapphire coast

A dreamy Swedish weatherboard cottage in Southern Australia

A rustic hideaway surrounded by rolling hills

And it's summer there right now too!

Niki

PS I'll be back tomorrow with a rare Friday post - as I'd really like to share a few pics from my recent trip to a Danish castle!

Photography by Marnie Hawson courtesy of Inlet House.

FILED UNDER: Holiday homes holiday rental International homes outdoor shower

Dream weekend getaway: Le Viti Barn

The title of this post might be slightly misleading. This is only really a weekend getaway for those living in the vicinity of Byron's hinterland in Australia. For the rest of us, we'd need to book it for a month at least to make the long trip worthwhile. Count me in! Le Viti Barn is nestled among lush surroundings on a two-acre hilltop estate (the views, people, the views!), and combines rustic elements with a luxurious touch. Step through the large timber front door and you'll discover herringbone tiled floors, whitewashed walls, soaring ceilings and a bathroom worthy of a soak with a very high stack of books. And then there's the lovely outdoor setting from where you can watch the sunset over the rolling hills. What a perfect escape for two - or a small family. Scroll on to see more!

What a dream! I could certainly escape the cold (we woke up to a dusting of snow today) for the Australian summer right now, how about you?

More info over at Byron Beach Abodes. Definitely one to add to the future travel list!

See more dreamy holiday rentals I love here.

Well guys, that's it from me this week! Thanks so much for stopping by, I've loved reading all your comments and mails!

Have a great weekend!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Byron Beach Abodes.

FILED UNDER: Holiday homes holiday rental International homes

Settle: A Rustic Hideaway In A Former Railway Carriage & Boutique Cabin

I have a total weakness for rustic spaces, do you? I spotted this cosy gem of a retreat over at Desire to Inspire yesterday and fell in love! 'Settle' is a retreat in Norfolk, England created by John - who owns and runs a reclamation yard, and his partner Jo - a well-known floral designer. The incredible resort offers guests a choice to unwind in rustic railway carriages, bell tents or a boutique cabin overlooking woodland and lakes. I'm particularly in enamoured by the railway carriages and cabin which combine earthy textures and heritage materials with contemporary comfort - so, it's just to turn up, light a fire, maybe run a bath (wait till you see the outdoor one!)... and relax.

The carriages:

My eye is on one of the three beautifully restored retired railway carriages. Each offer two berths, a lounge area with a wood burning stove as well as a bathroom and small kitchen - although you might prefer to cook supper over the lakeside fire pit!

The Cabin

If you'd prefer something a little more spacious, there's also the boutique cabin which looks like something out of a magazine (actually scrap that - it has been in a magazine!). Hand built by Jo and John, the fully equipped cabin has everything you might need for a relaxing retreat - a real home from home!

The questions is, would you go for the freestanding indoor bath, or the lakeside wood-burning tub?