my scandinavian home

A Hudson Valley Farmhouse Full of Soul

A quick note before we begin: I mention a few of my own books in this post, so just to be completely transparent, those references count as advertising for my own work.

I’ve had the great fortune of visiting Upstate New York twice. The first time was to photograph and write about a home for my first book, Modern Pastoral, which was later republished as Relaxed Rustic and is now about to reappear as Naturally Nordic (same book, third title, in case you’re as confused as I am! The title changes are down to the publisher). The second was for a greenhouse makeover with Emily Henderson. Both times, I was completely mesmerised by the nature and picturesque towns. A little shout-out here to my American readers, who are lucky enough to have all this on their doorstep!

It’s also no secret that I love looking at real estate, fuelled by a constant search for my elusive ‘forever home’, and every now and again I like to cast the net, shall we say, a little wider!

So when I stumbled across Fallkill, a late 18th-century farmhouse in the Hudson Valley, surrounded by a large garden with old stone walls, an artist’s studio and an antique barn, all overlooking rolling meadows, a meandering creek and forest, something about it felt familiar, yet completely enchanting.

It helped, too, that the interior has been so thoughtfully renovated in just the way I love: a touch of creativity, carefully sourced and meaningful pieces that hint at past lives, and plenty of the house’s historic charm left intact.

There’s also so much inspiration here for my own home this weekend (rubs hands together... Per starts to panic across town without quite knowing why). I hope you find a few ideas to take away with you too!

Really lovely! I especially love the daybed, with its relaxed layers of cushions and a blanket. It looks like the perfect spot to curl up with a book this weekend, don’t you think?

Is there anything that particularly stood out to you about Fallkill?

You can see more homes from Upstate New York here:

A light-filled barn conversion with fabulous rugs
The beautiful nature-inspired home of a ceramist

Incidentally, I sometimes toy with the idea of writing another book, which would be my fifth after Naturally Nordic, The Scandinavian Home, Lagom and Njuta! If I did, are there any Scandinavian lifestyle topics, interior styles, practical tips or other themes you’d particularly love to read about?

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. And, as always, thank you so much for stopping by!

Niki

Photos shared with kind permission from The Lillie K. Team at Sotheby's International Realty / Fallkill.

A Windswept Danish Summer Cottage by the Sea

Even though it no longer feels like high summer here (there's a distinct crispness in the air come evening), we're doing our best to keep the summer vibe alive. That means daily dips in the sea (Per!), evening trips out on the boat and refusing to wear anything but shorts, even if they do now occasionally require a big woolly jumper on top.

As part of my bid to stretch summer out for as long as possible, I'm also sharing another beautiful home by Danish interior designer @vestkysthjem. This time, we're heading to a pretty wooden summer cottage tucked among the sand dunes near Husby on Denmark's wild west coast. The little village lies in West Jutland, close to the North Sea and surrounded by some wonderfully windswept scenery.

The cottage feels perfectly at home in its coastal setting. Inside, pale blue and softly weathered timber walls are paired with warm wooden floors, Danish design furniture and an appealing mix of old and new. Open shelves are filled with pottery and everyday treasures, while linen curtains, woven chairs, vintage lighting and the odd sheepskin add softness and warmth. And with the dunes peeking through almost every window, you're never in any doubt that the North Sea is just beyond the door. Dip anyone?

Enjoy the tour!

Lovely! I can just imagine coming home after a brisk walk along the windswept shore, lighting a candle, pouring a cup of tea and settling in for the evening. How about you?

Did you miss the previous home I featured? If so, or if you’d simply like another peek, you can take a tour of this dreamy Danish thatched summer house by the sea.

Here’s hoping the warmish weather sticks around for as long as possible, if only so Per can keep enjoying his beloved after-work kvällsdopp (evening dip!).

Thank you so much for stopping by today, I hope you have felt inspired!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @vestkysthjem, shared with kind permission.

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

FILED UNDER: Cabins coastal International homes rural retreats vintage

The Coolest Canal-Side Home Stay in Copenhagen

One of the most amazing things about Copenhagen in summertime is that the water around the city is clean enough to swim in. So, if you're planning a visit, make sure you pack your bathers!

Better still, book an Airbnb like this one. Belonging to Astrid Storm and Phil Thornhill, founder of artist agency Next of Kin, this canal-side property is in what Time Out magazine describes as “one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world” and has its own floating deck, where you can sit and watch the boats bob oby over a morning cup of coffee, take a dip, or even borrow a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. The interior is beautifully decorated too, with red elm panelling and many details made by the owners; what’s not to love?

What a perfect pad to return to each day after exploring the city, don't you agree? A holiday within a holiday!

You can find more details about it on Airbnb or @copenhagencanalhouse.

Have you been to Copenhagen recently? If so, please do feel free to share your favourite things to see and do below for others to feel inspired by!

Oh, and if you do decide to stay here, make sure you pop over the bridge to Malmö during your visit and come and meet me for a coffee too. It’s only a short hop away!

Kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Astrid Storm, with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: airbnb danish home holiday rental

Sara’s Relaxed Country Home in Österlen, South Sweden

The summer is over in Sweden. Not weather-wise, necessarily, but the majority have returned to work and the children are back at school. On the islands along the east and west coasts, little signs have started to appear in shop, café and restaurant windows: stängt för säsongen - closed for the season. Some will shut their summer cottages up completely, while others will continue to visit at weekends, enjoying the quiet, the changing seasons and the return of deer, seals and other wildlife that dare to venture a little closer once the summer crowds have dispersed.

This is how Sara will enjoy her beautiful, relaxed summer cottage near the village of Simrishamn in southern Sweden. It lies in Österlen, a part of Skåne famous for its rolling farmland, beautiful light and long association with artists and creatives. And Sara's home feels perfectly at ease here.

Inside, there's a wonderfully relaxed, country-style feel, with whitewashed timber walls and floors, old exposed beams and simple, honest materials setting the tone. The kitchen is a lovely example, with its open shelving, mismatched ceramics, rustic wooden worktops and mix of painted and natural wood cabinetry. Elsewhere, vintage finds, botanical prints, books, plants and quirky little treasures have been gathered over time, giving the space warmth and personality.

I especially love the way flashes of colour - a yellow cabinet here, a pale blue pendant there, a sunny paper lantern overhead - lift the otherwise quiet, earthy palette. Sheepskins, worn wood, old rugs and an eclectic mix of furniture add to the sense that this is a home designed for kicking off your shoes and staying awhile rather than worrying about everything being perfect. I can just imagine an autumn weekend here: putting an LP on, lighting a few candles and settling down to a board game while something bubbles away on the stove (we have learnt that Monopoly isn't the best choice though - as things can quickly go south!).

And beyond the windows lie views over the verdant farmland of Österlen - a reminder that although the summer season may be drawing to a close, there are still plenty of beautiful days to be enjoyed here. In fact, could this be the loveliest time of year to have a place like this?

Let's take a closer look!