A Rental Becomes a Charming, Budget-friendly Family Home

From a relaxed home in Malmö in earthy tones (yesterday) to an equally laidback family home in Osnabrück in Northwest Germany today - I love that Scandinavian style inspires homes far and wide! There's evidence of Lena's passion for all things Nordic at every turn in her white, black and neutral rental. From IKEA freestanding furniture (especially practical for anyone who rents since there's no drilling required!) to the HM Home and Søstrene & Green accessories, Lena's home is a practical oasis for her, her partner Torben and 6-month old baby Frida. It's also perfect budget-friendly inspiration for anyone who's renting a space and wants to make it their own! 

Sinnerlig pendant, Vadholma kitchen island, HM Home rug

"I like a natural style, fresh flowers, calm colours and attention to detail" - Lena.

Pick up a vintage school chair here* (be sure to check that they are a standard seat height and not for young kids!)

The yellow windows are everything in this space!

IKEA sofa. Try The Poster Club* for similar prints.

The IKEA wood freestanding furniture in Frida's nursery has been pimped up using Pretty peg legs. The little wired rainbow is from Lagom world. 

We all know how important it is to black-out a baby's room to optimise sleep (if only for your own sanity!) and a simple handmade curtain is a handy way to prevent light from the hallway creeping in. 

What a great tour! 

I hope it's given you a few ideas for your own home!

You can see more little corners of Lena's home over on her instagram @Lena_living.

Fancy a few more tours today? 

How about:

A pared-back family home with handmade pieces

A cosy riverside cabin where Cali warmth meets Scandi cool! 

A dreamy holiday oasis in the heart of the city

Have a lovely day! 

Niki

Photography: @Lena_living with thanks

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How About A Getaway At This Cosy Lakeside Cottage?!

If your Christmas holidays are anything like mine, we'll all need a holiday to recover from the holiday! And I've got my sights on The Leo Cottage on Lake Michigan, Union Pier, Michigan. It's hard to imagine that interior designer Kate Marker completely transformed the 1920s property in a matter of months - and on a budget too! In my mind, I'm already chilling on the antique furniture and clearing the cobwebs with lakeside walks. But the big question is - do you go for the master bedroom with the beautiful reclaimed clawfoot bathtub or fireside reading in the smaller, yet super cosy second bedroom? Tough call! Whichever, you decide, I'm sure you'd leave e feeling completely revived and ready for the year ahead. Enjoy the tour!  

Isn't it cosy?! 

Could you imagine relaxing here for a few days? And if so, did you decide which bedroom you'd prefer?! I think I'd plump for the one with the wood burning stove - it looks so toasty! 

The Leo Cottage is available to rent here (just saying!). 

Oh, and if I've got you in the mood for a winter getaway but Michigan is a bit of a stretch, here are a few other cosy cabins available to rent this winter: 

An airbnb hideaway in the woods (before and after!)

A cosy log cabin in a Dutch national park

A dreamy cottage to rent in south east England

Two idyllic Danish cabins to rent

The shack on Bruny island

Roll on the winter holidays! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Leo Cottage with thanks. 

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A Cosy, Riverside Cabin Where Cool Scandinavian Meets Warm Californian style

Oh, have I got a dreamy cabin to share with you today. Not only has 'River Cabaan' been decorated to perfection by owners Karie Higgins and Lee Gibson (both of whom are spatial designers) - artfully combining Scandinavian design, mid-century and as touch of California to create a cosy nest - the cabin is also completely secluded and overlooks the Wilson River, just one hour from Portland, Oregon. Think spinning well loved vinyls on the deck, books by the fire and a cosy riverside fire pit. How's that for getting away from it all? Oh yes. And it's on Airbnb too. I think it would be rude not to book a stay, don't you? Just got to make my way across the Atlantic first. Enjoy the tour!

Sofa from Cb2, Serge Mouille wall light*, at by Caroline Walls, cane chair from France & Son 

White sheepskin*, IKEA Stockholm 2017 bench, Hide & Seek book.

Figure 02 print*, dark blue linen bedding*

Meet you by the fire pit?! 

In case you need any more convincing, there are a load more pictures over at @rivercabaan. 

And bookings can be made here!  

Thank you so much for the tip Allan!

Shall we take a peek at a few other cosy cabins? I know it's only Tuesday - but there's nothing like dreaming of a secluded cabin to get you through the working week! Here are some of my favourites of late:

Leanne Ford's woodsy cabin in Echo Park

Before & After: a dated cabin becomes a dreamy retreat

A super cosy off-the-grid cabin on Bruny Island

I'm still dreaming about our weekend at my friend's cabin in the woods a few weeks back too. Perhaps it's time to book another visit?

Have a lovey day friends, stay cosy! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rivercabaan / #rivercabaan with thanks

*Affiliated links

PS If you're an interior designer or architect, don't miss the opportunity to enter your top projects into the Antalis Interior Design Award (read more about it here). 

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A Contemporary Yet Cosy Rural Retreat In The Catskill Mountains

A few years back I visited the Catskill Mountains to capture homes for my first book Modern Pastoral - it was a bit of a whirlwind tour and I've always vowed to return. When I do, I've earmarked the studio at Table on Ten. Table on Ten is a restaurant, cafe, inn and a gathering place for farmers and artists alike. It's located in Bloomville in the western Catskills, just a few hours from New York. Known as 'studio on the hill', the cabin stands alone on a 23 acre hillside overlooking the Catskill Mountains. It's simple and understated, yet contemporary and cosy - just the way I like it! Think vintage furniture and a roaring wood burning stove. Oh yes, and you're only a stone's throw from the best wood-fired sourdough pizza west of the Hudson! 

Did someone say wood-fired pizza?! Even if you don't stay onsite (Table on Ten also offers three other apartments through Airbnb) - it's well worth stopping by at the restaurant to take in the rural surroundings and treat your taste buds! 

Sound like your kind of holiday? Perhaps we'll meet around the table one day! 

You can find out more about Table on Ten here (for the foodies among you - there's a sample of the menu here) and book this studio on Airbnb. 

A few other homes /spaces in the Catskills I think you'll love: 

A Calm White House in the Catskill Mountains

A Black and White Retreat in The Catskills (I visited and captured this one for my book - it was even more wonderful in person!). 

Before and after: an attic in the catskills becomes a light and airy guest room

See you there?!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Table on Ten with thanks.

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