A Soulful Cottage in the Wilds of Bruny Island

Those of you who are regular followers of MSH will know that not every home I show is actually located in Scandinavia. In fact, I have a particular penchant for homes Down Under, Tasmania to be specific. And today I'm taking things one step further.

This home is on a small island off Tasmania, which is pretty much as far from Sweden as it's possible to get without starting to come back again! But hey, geography has never stopped me dreaming. I've promised myself I'll make it there one day. And for those of you who get there before me, here's a stay that would be very hard to resist.

On the southern tip of Bruny Island, interior stylist Tess Newman Morris and her husband Jack have transformed a century-old timber cottage into a wonderfully soulful retreat. Built around 1906 and perched above Little Taylors Bay, Fairweather stole Tess's heart the moment she saw it. She and her family bought it in 2018 and spent the next seven years slowly restoring it, largely themselves, using reclaimed timber, salvaged windows and doors, antique furniture and natural materials.

Rather than making the cottage feel new, Tess wanted to return it to something simpler, calmer and more handcrafted. The result is beautifully understated, with waxed timber floors, vintage pieces, natural fibres and plenty of breathing space, all surrounded by the wild landscape of Bruny Island. Days here are shaped by the sea, changing skies, sea eagles and dolphins, and for Tess there's an added emotional connection too, since her late mother once lived in a nearby bay.

Today, Fairweather is less about polished perfection and more about switching off, slowing down and feeling completely immersed in nature. Or, as Tess puts it, "Time feels different there, like the rest of the world is on pause."

Ready to take the tour? Photographer Lisa Cohen captured these beautiful images, so let's take a look inside...

Incredible! I can’t think of a better place to spend a weekend... can you? Actually, scrap that. The rugged wilderness, the beautiful, relaxed interior and the views have me wanting to settle in and stay a while.

Definitely one to save for my future ‘gap year’ on the other side of the world. It might be a long time coming, but oh, it’s coming!

Is there anything that struck you about Fairweather?

And if you fancy experiencing it for yourself, you can find Fairweather Bruny Island on Airbnb and book a stay.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

Interior styling: Tess Newman Morris
Photography: Lisa Cohen

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A Home Filled with Sunshine: Inside Ebba’s Vintage-Inspired Haven

It’s Friday… and I’m in love. In love with the tiny shoots sprouting on the rose bushes outside. In love with the fact that March arrives tomorrow, bringing us one step closer to spring and summer. And in love with the idea of a weekend stretched out before us—not because anything special is planned, but simply for the slow mornings, the little household projects, the chats with my family, and the joy of popping out for errands. Are you feeling the weekend vibes too?

I’m also in love with Ebba Barkenbom’s house. Ebba—a certified doula and photographer who specialises in capturing the first moments of a baby's life—shares her home with her photographer husband Oscar and their three children, Ingrid, Maj-Britt, and Bertil. Every room in their beautiful family home is sprinkled with yellow, filling it with sunshine even on the cloudiest of days. It’s brimming with charming vintage touches, and there's the sweetest DIY idea in the children's bedroom—how I would have adored a nook like that as a child!

Ready to take a peek inside and soak up the sunshine-filled charm? Let’s dive in!

Ebba has painted the wood panelling in Claro from Jotun and the cabinets in NCS 1015-Y20R. 

The table is a DIY project - combining a worktop with the base from another table. 

The sofa is from IKEA and has been transformed with a linen cover and cushions from Bemz. 

The very cool hand-built bed nook has been made using wood panelling painted in linseed poil paint in tone burnt terra 15% and Green earth 7% from Gysinge Byggnadsvård. 

I love the sky blue on the floor and yellow touches around the window in the little bathroom, it may be a small space, but it sure is pretty! 

A charming family home, full of unique finds. Just lovely! 

Did you appreciate the touches of yellow too? 

It's time to wrap up here on the blog for the week, so I'll leave you with some Danish homes to dream about in case you find a quiet moment to browse with a coffee this weekend: 

A small-ish Danish apartment with a vibrant sunny feel

Spring has sprung in a Copenhagen home full of pastels

Warm, earthy tones in an international family home in Denmark

Happy weekend friends, thank you so much for stopping by! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @ebbabarkenbom, shared with kind permission. 

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Amanda's Charming Vintage-Inspired Swedish Country Home

Tjena! Today we're heading to the Swedish countryside to dream of a simple life. One which involves a beautiful country home, a separate ceramics workshop and even an antique and homeware shop with a cafe selling delicious cinnamon buns and fresh coffee. 

Välkommen to the home of Amanda Forster who lives in the countryside near Jönköping with her family and their delightful dog. Amanda shares her passion for decorating, flea market finds and ceramics while surrounded by sheep, hens and a beautiful garden on her instagram feed @ladanskuriosa. What vintage finds Amanda doesn't choose to keep for her own home, she sells in her beautiful boutique Ladans Kuriosa (the curiosity barn) - somewhere I am now very keen to visit the next time I pass by. 

I hope you enjoy the tour of this charming home which is filled with beautiful items, cosy layers of textiles and pretty wallpaper. maybe it will have you dreaming of a new life in the Swedish countryside! 

So beautiful! And so cosy in Autumn too with the fireplaces, blankets and sheepskins. 

Could you imagine cosying up here this weekend? 

It was hard to find pictures of Amanda's pottery studio - but there's a lovely film clip here. And you can find plenty more pictures of her home and store here. 

Check out more country homes this weekend in the archive (if this crops up first, just scroll past). I was so happy to read how much you all fell in love with Frida's home on Monday. Take a peek here if you missed it. 

Have a wonderful weekend all, thank you so much for stopping by. 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @ladanskuriosa, shared with kind permission. 

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Beata's Lovely Swedish Country Home is Full of Secondhand Finds

It's Friday and the sun is shining! Love it! Before we all head off, I just wanted to share one final snippet of Scandi inspiration with you in the form of Beata Nison's lovely country home. 

Beata is the founder of second hand boutique ReBloom selling handpicked vintage treasures from around Sweden - evidence of which can also be spotted in her lovely country home (wicker 'frog' bin anyone?). But what also stands out to me from these corners are the pretty shades of blue, pink and ochre she's used and many of which she's mixed herself. Evidence that weaving in some hues can add so much depth and interest to a room. 

Keep an eye out for the old fireplaces too - there's a 'kakelugn' to be found around almost every corner - even in the hall! 

Velkommen!

Really charming! All the flowers are making me want spring to hurry up and arrive too! 

Do you see what I mean about the shades of blue and pink seen on doors, cabinets and even the stairs? 

See more corners of Beata's lovely home over at @beatanison. 

If you'd like to take a look at more Scandinavian country homes today you're in the right place! Pour that cup of coffee and delve into this archive! 

More of a townie? I'm looking forward to sharing some beautiful apartments next week. In the mean time you'll likely feel inspired by this archive and also the small space archive. 

Thank you so much for dropping by. 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Niki

Photography: @beatanison, shared with kind permission. 

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