Getaway from it all: A Light and Airy Airbnb Garden Hideway

 It's one of those days where I've got a big photoshoot, the house is a mess, one of my girls has forgotten her cross country trainers.... and I've got a zoom call in half an hour. What I really feel like doing is emigrating to Australia. In fact, this studio will do!

You might recall the a very beautiful workspace belonging to Kawa Heart Studio. Dee also runs a light and airy Airbnb - accessed by a secret path. 'A space less ordinary', the studio is located in a former glass studio in their lush garden on the fringes of old Fremantle town, Western Australia. 

Built from recycled materials and powered by solar energy, Dee Kawai Tang has worked her magic with the interior, kitting it out with classic mid-century and vintage pieces which are bathed in sunlight from the Cathedral-style windows. All in all, a perfect garden hideaway in which to retreat, create and simply relax. 

I'd fly over right away if I could!

Could you imagine staying here too? 

There's a lot more colour entering the interior world right now, but I think this studio is a perfect example of how white is always right (see what I did there?). It looks so fresh, light and airy in this studio and everything within it really pops as a result. 

More info and pics of this lovely studio on airbnb.

Check out all my other favourite homes in Australia right here. 

Right folks, dreaming over for the day... I need to hurry across town with these trainers! 

Happy Wednesday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb, with thanks. 

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Airbnb Tip: The Stonecutters Farm on the Swedish Island of Öland

Hot off the press: The Stonecutters Farm on the Swedish island of Öland has just been released on Airbnb for bookings! But first, a little background! 

Christin (an interior designer) and Ronny stumbled across this charming little farmhouse in the Baltic one late Autumn nine years ago. It had been derelict for many years and was in desperate need of repair. "We started a long journey of renovations and at the same time looked into the history of the farm and its surroundings," Christin told me. 

It transpired The Stonecutter's farm was a historical gem with roots dating back to the 19th century, an important era for limestone quarrying on Öland. The pair set about restoring the property, while being careful to maintain as much of the original features as possible. The garden has also been excavated and a wonderful pool added with views over the fields. In my mind, I'm already sipping a Pripps blå beer in one of those loungers!), not for too long though, as there's an island to explore.

"The surroundings are incredibly special, with the beautiful Stone Coast nature reserve a short bike ride away," Christin adds. With the renovation finally complete, the Stockholm-based family of five love to visit the island as much as possible year round. And now they've opened up the opportunity for others too! 

Let's take a peek inside. 

The sunroom / front porch and upstairs have been clad in wood panelling, while rattan furniture also adds to the relaxed vibe. 

Stacks of pebbles connect the interior with the nearby coast. 

The grey kitchen cabinets are designed to match the limestone surroundings. 

The master bedroom is just off the kitchen and is complete with a tiled masonry oven for cosy winter nights! 

The upstairs is made up of a sitting room area and second bedroom. 

The farmhouse is full of charming vintage finds. 

I love the upstairs bedroom; it looks so peaceful. The dark beams, bedspread, vase and vintage frame add contrast to the space. A simple clothes rail (glimpsed left) is all that's needed in a simple summer house! 

The pool I was talking about! 

What an idyllic cottage and such a perfect base from which to explore the island (I included it in my Baltic island hopping guide). 

Could you imagine spending your holiday here? You can find more information about The Stonecutters Farm and book your week on airbnb. It's also well worth following @thestonecuttersfarm on instagram for inspiration too! 

See also: 

A charming croft on the Swedish island of Öland

A Swedish cottage on its own island

Did I mention that the Swedish royal family also holidays on the island? You can visit Solliden Palace during your stay (one summer Prince Carl Philip of Sweden ran past me while out on a jog - I couldn't believe it - I did a double take!). Did you know he's a designer and was involved in the design of the Helix collection by Georg Jensen? 

Have a great start to the week, 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @thestonecuttersfarm with kind permission. 

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This Beautiful Danish Summer Cabin is on Airbnb!

I am not sure if you know that I write a regular feature for Simply Scandi UK. It's a quarterly magazine focusing on Scandinavian design, and I've had the pleasure of contributing for two years, writing about everything from Scandinavian culture to travel and more. My latest feature involves researching Airbnb's (it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) and I've been stumbling across all kinds of beautiful properties, including this one! 

Located in Tisvilde, the cabin was designed in 1934 by a female relative of Kaare Klint - and although newly renovated - many of the original details shine through (as do items by Klint such as the safari chair and pendant and table lamps!). Visitors are invited to treat the cabin as a home from home in which to unwind beside the beautiful Tisvilde Hegn woodland, an hour North of Copenhagen. Feeling active? Tisvilde is a popular summer idyll among Copenhageners and boutique stores, farmshops, cafes and restaurants as well as a sandy beach are a short cycle ride away! 

I'm definitely adding this little cabin to my airbnb list, if you're visiting Denmark this summer, you might want to as well! Here's a peek inside. 

What a lovely cabin! I'm already sinking into one of those safari chairs - or cycling to the beach with the warm wind in my hair! How about you?

It would be perfect getaway to combine with a few days in Copenhagen - that way you'd get the best of both worlds. 

Find out more on airbnb here. 

Would you like to see a few more Danish summer cottages today? Here are some lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

A white, light and airy cabin on a Danish island

A dreamy cabin by the sea

A little Danish cabin in the woods

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

I hope this fills you with inspiration for the weekend! Have a great couple of days, and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks 

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Charming and Relaxed Boobialla Bungalow, Tasmania

This weekend I felt like spring was in the air in Malmö - even going as far as mentioning this in my instagram stories. What a mistake. We woke up this morning to a world blanketed in snow, yes friends, 'second winter' has arrived! I hope you'll forgive me for transporting us far south to a warmer climate on the blog today. 

There are several places on this earth that I have never been to, bit can imagine have a similar vibe to Sweden (although I could of course be wrong!). One day I'd love to visit Maine in the US, for example. But I am also drawn to Tasmania - there is something about the rugged, wild coastline and relaxed cabins I so often discover online. 

I've featured many holiday homes from the island in the past, and today stumbled across Boobialla Bungalow on the South Arm peninsula. A once forgotten 1930s shack, this charming and relaxed coastal hideout is a couple of minutes walk from the beach, and looks like a chilled base from which to explore the bay and beyond.

The majority of the furniture is vintage, adding to the chilled, un-polished vibe of the place. 

The mid blue helps to create a cosy atmosphere in the sitting room, and echoes the coastal location. 

A wood burning stove helps to heat the space in winter. 

The blue theme is continued in the bedroom. 

There's something about retro pink baths - my grandmother used to have one and this picture transported me straight back to my childhood! I love the combination with the dark green. 

Rather than grand outdoor seating around a fire, sometimes all you need is a few tree stumps! Speaking of which, are you ready for some outdoor inspiration soon? Even if there's snow on the ground right now here, I'm feeling confident spring is just around the corner (again!). 

Visiting Tasmania and fancy a stay here? Enquire more over at @airbnb and see more pictures at @boobiallabungalow. 

Take a peek at all the Tasmanian properties I've featured in this archive. 

Wishing you all a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography: Renee Thurston, shared with kind permission from Shawn / Boobialla Bungalow

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Beautiful Limestone Barn on the island of Gotland (It's on Airbnb!)

Are you an early or late  holiday planner? I have to confess I'm a little of a last-minute traveller, but there's something to be said for having a wonderful trip to look forward to! If you're thinking of visiting Sweden this summer, I would suggest booking Kalkstenslada (Limestone Barn) early. I stumbled across the property on Airbnb this morning, and I've been dreaming about it ever since! 

According to the description, the barn is newly refurbished and nestled on a headland in beautiful Faludden, southeast Gotland, surrounded by meadows and paddocks. Tracks lead down to a sandy beach and a pretty harbour. 

If you go, I'd recommend hiring bikes and explore the island, it's one of the world's best kept secrets, with galleries, farm shops, vintage stores and cafes and restaurants waiting to be discovered! And once you're back at the barn, it's simply to kick back and relax in true Gotland style! Tell me I haven't got your summer sorted?

The concrete floors and chalk walls beautiful reflect the rugged nature of the island. 

Source similar vintage wood chairs here*.  The lovely table looks like it's been made by a local carpenter but do correct me if I'm wrong! 

You can achieve the mottled effect on the walls using lime paint (I use Kalklitir - and would recommend adding a topcoat). 

The main living room is completely open plan with a kitchen (the units looks like Lerhyttan by ikea), dining area and sitting room. The stairs lead off it to bedrooms upstairs. 

Rattan furniture with blue cushions adds a relaxed, coastal vibe while a map and bird motif art give a nod to the surrounding area. Two Gotland sheepskin throws* have been draped over the sofa. 

I'd be perfectly happy curling up here this weekend and leafing through those coffee table books, how about you? 

Blue and beige bedlinen matches the colour of the nearby beach, giving the bedroom a fresh, summer vibe! From some of the rooms, you can see the glistening sea in the distance! 

Gotland is breath-taking! Per, the girls and I sailed there one summer. We were only meant to stay for a couple of days, and Per had to drag me off after four! I'd have stayed all summer if I could have. See some pictures and my guide to island hopping in The Baltic. 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? 

You can find more information about Limestone Barn and book your stay here. 

It would be rude not to share a few more houses on Gotland with you today. Here are a few of my favourites: 

A rustic summer cottage on Gotland with a pool (available to rent) 

Elsa's lovely summer cottage

A converted schoolhouse 

A 19th century house ready for summer

Right folks. That's it from me this week. I just need to wrap up a few things at my desk and then it's time for the WEEKEND! And we have a birthday in the house too - 'Grattis' Per! 

Wishing you all a relaxing couple of days, see you Monday! 

Niki

Images courtesy of Airbnb / Kalkstenslada

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