How About Lolling About At The Chalet, Byron Bay?

I had a discussion with someone the other day about baths in the bedroom. What's your take? For those of you who are less than keen, perhaps a simple curtain could be the perfect compromise. I for one, would be quite happy to return to this beautiful bedroom / bathroom at the The Chalet each day. It helps that it's in beautiful Byron Bay, of course, too! Oh, and there's a lovely living space and pool to enjoy too. I know. I know. 

I love the pool area - the white cladding, cactus, fabulous parasol - everything!

Could you imagine lolling about here for a few days?!

More holiday homes here - and more about The Chalet here.

Have a fabulous day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Byron Beach Abodes

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Dreamy Escape: The Cottage, Byron Bay

As far as holiday rentals go, The Cottage in Byron Bay, Australia is pretty much everything you could ask for! Not only is the location amazing (this coastal town is way up on my list of places to visit, is it on yours too?!), it's been decorated in true Byron Bay style - relaxed, open and friendly with a hint of tropical surfer chic. The cottage was re-designed to retain it's original timbers and features - but given a fresh, modern update with white washed walls and a load of natural materials and vintage furniture (we like!). Oh and did I mention the plunge pool and spa - as well as an outdoor bathtub and shower? I'm seeing a soak under the stars followed by an Aperol spritz on the terrace! Fancy joining me?!

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The linen sofa is so pretty! Try the linen Bemz Urban Loose Fit covers (which are designed to fit many IKEA sofas).

This bedroom set-up is so simple yet so pretty. I love the formula: white wood cladding, botanical oil painting, white linen bedding*, light grey pillows* and a hanging plant (this macrame hanger with glass pot* is similar). Perfect!

Rattan hanging chair*

I love an outdoor bathtub (who wouldn't love a soak under the stars?!). In fact, my dream summer cottage has an entire outdoor bathroom and a hot tub like this! What do you think?

Oh. My. Word. I need to book flights. This place is so worth the long haul from Copenhagen. That sun longer has my name on it!

Could you imagine hanging out here for a week or two too?!

For bookings visit The Cottage at  Byron Beach Abodes. It sleeps 6 but just in case all your mates want to come (and who can blame them?) it can be rented together with The Chapel (how nice is that?!). I also love Magnolia House!

Meet you for sundowners Feb 2019?!

More beautiful holiday rentals here!

Have a *dreamy* weekend friends!

Niki

Photography: Jessie Prince

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A Tour of Magnificent 'Magnolia House!'

I definitely shouldn't complain today - I'm working from home in my cosiest pair of socks, the sun's streaming through the windows and I'm about to wander down to the sea for a coffee. Even so, am I allowed to dream of a winter escape?! Yesterday we took a peek inside the barn and cottage at The Bower boutique hotel, and today I have another dream stay to share with you - Magnolia House.  Situated (once again) in Byron Bay, Australia, Magnolia House is a pure relaxed and sophisticated style haven with lofty ceilings and large, spacious living spaces. Whitewashed walls provide a perfect backdrop for old and new items and a subtle tropical vibe. Could you imagine staying here with family and friends? If so, can you count me (I make a mean aperitif)?!

Photography: Jessie Prince

What a perfect home-from-home? The problem is, I'd never want to leave - how about you?!

Get the look: kitchen - these simple wood stools are similar,  source a vintage scale here ( I spy a couple of beautiful one-off ones but you'll need to hurry!), primitive dough bowl. dining area - this mudcloth cushion is similar. Sitting room - butterfly chair. Outdoors - I love this hanging rattan chair.

If you'd like to hang around for a while and dream, you could always check out my 'holiday homes' archive - from a romantic bed & breakfast in France and a log cabin in Holland to your very own island hide-away off the coast of Tasmania! This is where I'll be all morning...

Have a lovely day

PS So happy to see a write up of my new book in online magazine Deco, titled 'Lagom: Home Swede Home' (love that!).

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Dream stay: The Bower, Byron Bay

I seem to be suffering from a real case of wanderlust right now - and the more I travel, the more I realise there's just so much out there I haven't seen. Do you feel this way too?!  One country high up on my list is Australia. Over the past few years, this country has been taunting me from afar with beautiful design, awe-inspiring nature and fabulous places to stay. I mean, take this new hotel for instance! The Bower in Byron Bay, New South Wales was recently converted from a motel into a luxury boutique hotel by eight creatives - all of whom shared a desire to combine urban style with a laid-back beach-side vibe. Made up of 14 suites, a barn, cottage and family house, the calm and laid-back hotel opened it's doors last month - and it's waiting for us to come along and hang-out for a few days. Race you there?!

The cottage

The barn

Photography: Jessie Prince

Soooo. Tempted?! 

Just in case it'll be a while before any one of us make it out there - here's a little guide on where things are from (hey, who's to say we can't re-create that minimalist, Byron Bay beach-side vibe in our own homes?). 

The cottage: dining area - white bentwood chairs, rattan pendant. Sitting room - Moroccan pouf, the Bemz Loose Fit Urban sofa covers are similar to this (see mine here!), this mudcloth cushion is lovely! Bedroom - I like this light grey pillow cover (the ruffles!) and this plain one. Outdoor dining - pick up a similar stool from Lovely & Co (used as bedside tables in my home!).

The barn: buy similar made-to-measure white linen curtains here, try Bemz for chair covers like these. Source vintage school posters here. I like this linen duvet cover (select 'charcoal' for similar).

Oh, and you can make a reservation at The Bower here - on the condition that you make us all jealous by sharing lots of snaps on Instagram - we want to see more! 

Have a lovely day!

PS if you're planning a wedding you might like to read my piece in Ultimate Wedding (sometimes I wish I had another wedding to plan - same guy of course!).

PPS Nest.co.uk are offering the chance to win a copy of my new book Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life together with a fab handmade Giannina Capitani Tic-Tac cushion (just add coffee and you're all set for a very cosy Autumn day!). Find out how to enter here!

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The beautiful 'Cloverdel' cottage and gardens

I think I should start a series on beautiful Australian holiday rentals - of course I'd need to personally test them all out, and I'd need someone to join me of course! My latest find is Cloverdel. Owned and designed by Annabel Buxton, the cottage is located in the heart of the Macedon Ranges, a mere 55 minutes drive from Melbourne. Available for short-term stays, private and public events, guests are invited to enjoy the tranquil 1.5 acre garden which includes manicured lawns, seasonal wetlands, flower gardens and a beautiful variety of trees looking out over Hanging Rock and Mount Macedon. Inside, the decor is wonderfully cool and pared-back with white wood clad walls, a monochrome scheme and touches of warm wood - offering the perfect respite from the midday heat and a blissful night's sleep.  Who's in?!

Credit: photography Sharyn Cairns. Cloverdel is available for short-term stays and private and public events such as weddings (imagine?!), corporate events, birthdays and kids days. 

It's the type of oasis you'd walk into and instantly feel relaxed, don't you think? The sights, sounds and smells..... the tranquility of the gardens. So lovely!

We can't all transport ourselves to Cloverdel unforutnately but we can incorporate a few of the ideas int our own homes - here's a few items I love: wishbone chairs, this grey marble chopping board is similar, AJ table lamp, this and this bird bu Danish architect Kristian Vedel, white butterfly chair.

Dreaming of going down under? Here's a little more inspiration for you to enjoy.

Other Friday link love for the weekend:

5 'winter warmer' modern saunas. 

Have a *relaxing* day!

PS Speaking of far-away places I've just arrived in India for ten days. I've never been here before and it's somewhere I've dreamed about visiting for a  long time - so excited! I'm going to do my best to stop by every other day with a post but bear with me if I run into difficulty with wifi etc. In the meantime, don't forget to enter the give-away to win a beautiful rug from Nordal and the Instagram give-away to win a fab photography print! 

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