A Stunning White Farmhouse in The Snow

It snowed here this morning. Nothing major, just a light sprinkling, but it was enough to make me feel all warm inside! Do you love the first flurry of snow too? I felt nothing captures the cosy mood today like this beautifully simple farmhouse in the Indiana countryside. Photographer and stylist Angie Wendricks has struck the perfect balance between minimalism and warmth thanks to the white washed floors and walls and rustic furniture. Look out for soft, natural textiles, simple bouquets of flowers and the odd candle too!

The beauty of having furniture on wheels like this table, is that you can easily move it around depending on where you need it - you can even roll it outside (not that you'd want to in the snow of course!).  

I have a similar stool beside my bed which I sourced here* (I see they currently have a beautiful side table too - but there's only one left*, so you'd need to be quick!). The kitchen cabinets are from IKEA.

Kitchen Aid range

These images of Angie's homes are from a selection taken over the past year - which is why the Smeg is in a different position! I still wanted to include the image all the same, as I think it helps to understand the shape of the room - and get a better look at that stunning table! 

Angie's Ikea sofa has been covered with a Bemz linen cover (a girl after my own heart - I'm loving my linen sofa cover!). My bench / coffee table is almost identical too - pick up a similar one here.

This is such a pretty idea: white candles in vintage baking moulds! 

 The black wood burning stove looks really striking in the all white space and helps to show off the immense ceiling height - imagine how it looks all aglow with the snow outside?!

Woooow, this home is just beautiful, don't you think?

If this hasn't got us all in the mood for winter (and a white Christmas!), I don't know what will!

Could you imagine rocking around here this December?!

See more gorgeous pictures of Angie's home at @countyroadliving and www.angiewendricks.com.

Other countryside cabins I love (I'm on a roll now - there's no stopping me!) - include this little Danish cabin in the woods, an idyllic lakeside cabin in Canada and Leanne Ford's dreamy white cabin.

Speaking of cold weather, I'm currently packing for my trip to Moscow tomorrow (I'm talking at an event about Pure Scandinavian Design there on Friday) - I've never been to Russia before so I'm super excited. Just got to work out what to pack to keep the minus temperatures at bay! Tips welcome!

Have a cosy day - keep warm!

Niki

Photography: Angie Wendricks, shared with kind permission. 

Affiliate links marked with *

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A Swedish Home With Candles At Every Turn

Hejsan allihopa! The lack of daylight at this time of the year in Scandinavia can be a bit of a challenge. To put it into perspective, in Kiruna (home of the famous ice hotel) - the sun rises at 10 am and sets at 1pm today and this will diminish by 1 hour a week until the winter solstice! No wonder our Scandi friends love their candles! Candles take up the baton when the sun goes down - lighting up every corner of the home with a warm glow - just like in the cosy Gothenburg apartment of Sara Margareta Hellman, boyfriend Jesper and their furry friend Agaton. Look around and you'll spot candles on the dining table, side tables, kitchen worktops, hanging from hooks and even on the bedroom floor! I also love the deep, earthy tones Sara and Jesper have used on the walls in the kitchen and sitting room, and the wallpaper in the bedroom - it adds so much interest to the space! Enjoy the tour!

Normann Copenhagen Ding table, Hay Slit table

Design of Sideboard

The kitchen has been painted in a blue-grey colour similar to Farrow & Ball "Pigeon"

Flourencecourt wallpaper by Cole & Son

 Natural linen bedding*, Ikea Vindum rug, Kartell 2-drawer Componibili storage unit*

That face (*heart eyes*)

Asplund Snow chest-of-drawers, Húfa Lamp

A few weeks back, someone from the Philippines was telling me that they only ever light candles when there's a power cut!

Do you like to light a lot of candles in your home?

In case you're not used to candles in your home either, here are 4 ways to add candles to your home like a Scandinavian:

1. Dot a lot of candles all around your home (on every surface you can find)
2. Light a candle at breakfast time to bring a little natural light to the dark morning (they even do this in Swedish nurseries!)
3. Light candles as soon as you get home - and complement with dimmed electrical lighting
4. And a few safety factors: keep flames well away from anything flammable, ensure your rooms are well ventilated.

Thank you so much to Sara for sharing these lovely pics of her home, follow her instagram and blog for daily updates. And thank you to Johanna Bradford for the tip!

Niki

Photography: Sara Margareta Hellman

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Could You Imagine Relaxing At This Hill Top Guest House?!

God morgon, god morgon! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! We've been in London celebrating my nieces' 1st and 3rd birthday - you forget just how much they love birthdays at this age - it's so sweet! We're heading home today, but I might just ask the pilot to divert to Hunt, Texas. Situated two and a half hours west of Austin, Hunt Sunday House has been newly renovated by photographer and artist Kate Zimmerman Turpin and her husband Luke. The cabin rests on a brow of a hill surrounded by golden grass, oaks and cedars, which is popular feeding ground for deer and hummingbirds. The couple were keen for the property to blend with the surroundings, opting for a simple design in soft, natural tones.  The A-frame ceilings, open plan living space and minimalist kitchen have helped contribute to a handful of design awards (including Remodelista's 'best amateur kitchen') but best of all, the guest house has been artfully transformed into somewhere friends and family can relax, and recharge in the grounds of Kate's family's holiday house. Ready to dream a little?!

The renovation budget was fairly tight so the pair opted for open shelving (a clever idea in a guest house, since it helps guests easily find things) and white concrete countertops. A lot of the furniture was taken from Kate's parent's house in Houston, or found at flea markets. 

Kate and Luke wanted the house to blend with the surroundings. The earthy, natural tones and minimal yet warm furniture was one of the ways in which they drew nature indoors. 

Someone's loving that sofa! 

The artwork is by Kate (see her online shop for more). The chairs are vintage IKEA (try Ebay for similar). 

Campaign sofa, Jute rug*

Side table from Room and Board, this striped bed linen* is similar

The shower head (from Signature Hardware) adds contrast to the simple, yet richly textured shower. 

Kate loves a clutter-free living space in which she can breath. Hunt Sunday House is bathed in  natural light and peppered with items she finds on her walks and small treasures picked up on travels. 

What a breath-taking guest house! I'd certainly feel at home here, how about you? How do I tell my husband I've swapped Malmö for Hunt today?

Is there anything that you love in particular?

For more pictures check out Kate's instagram and website.

Looking for a little more escape this Monday? You can always head on over to the rural retreats archive (you'll find me there with my feet up). For something similar, I'm loving this Topanga Canyon home or for something a little different, I could quite happily sip tea all day looking out over the Baltic at this Gotland hideaway - how about you?!

Have a wonderful start to the week! This is gonna be a good un', I can feel it!

Niki

Photography: Kate Zimmerman Turpin with kind permission

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Subtle Christmas Touches in A Swedish Country Home

Twinkling lights are starting to appear up and down the country in preparation for the first of advent. Ever since moving to Sweden, I have had a weakness for subtle white and green displays - a simple wreath here, a mini Christmas tree there. Located just outside Gothenburg, the country home of Caroline Bodehed (founder of shop Lily and Honey) and her husband, three children, three cats and a dog is a fine example of this. Every room in the 1970's house features a subtle nod to the festive season. "I like to bring natural and organic elements into my decoration," Caroline tells me. And this, she does with style! Välkommen in!

Walk past Swedish homes at Christmas time and you'll see one of two things in the window: paper star lanterns* or advent candlebras (available here) - or perhaps both! 

Paper star

Pimpernel wallpaper, Small paper star

Anyone else a big fan of simple wreaths? I think this is the first time I've spotted one nailed to a book shelf, not a bad idea if you're short of wall space (like I am!). 

"I prefer to use a more neutral and subtle colour palette. Although my Christmas tree has a lot of colourful decoration that my children have created," Caroline tells me.

Well, I think their family Christmas tree (taken last year) is so pretty, don't you? I bet it smells divine too!

3D star lantern*

This image almost requires a caption competion - what is that curious cat thinking?! My guess is: 'will anyone notice if I cosy up on that sheepskin and bat those wreaths all afternoon?!'

The half wreaths look so pretty in the window and thankfully, are well out of reach of mischievous cats! I love the small paper star resting on the windowsill too.

Potted mini Christmas trees are always a good idea! I've been a fan ever since this Norwegian home tour (they make a great pressie too). You could also go for mini trees up the stairs, like in this home. 

I bet doing the dishes wouldn't feel half as bad looking out over the snowy landscape, that's if you can get the crafty cat out of the way! She's looking pretty comfy, don't you think?!

Candle wreath ring, L:A bruket hand soap*

This home has definitely got me in the mood for decorating, how about you? I have promised myself not to put anything up until 2nd December (except for the advent calendar), but I'll be already to rock when the time comes!

Do you have a date when you start to decorate your home?

There is something extra special about the snow too - we had a white Christmas in the south of Sweden a few years back and it was magical! Have you ever enjoyed a white Christmas?

If you live in Sweden and looking for some pretty Christmas decorations, you'll love Caroline's shop - if not, there's always her lovely instagram feed for more inspiration.

And while we're on a roll, don't miss this Swedish country home all decked out for Christmas too!

Happy thanksgiving to all my American friends out there!

And have a great weekend all!

Niki

Photography: Caroline Bodehed with kind permission

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The Ultimate Scandi Christmas Gift Guide For Children

No one gets more excited about Christmas than children (which makes me one very big kid as I LOVE this time of the year!). But sometimes it can be tricky to find something they'll love and that's built to last. Here's my round-up of Scandic-Inspired Christmas gifts that will hopefully bring squeals of delight under the tree and can be enjoyed for many generations to come!

1. Fjallraven rucksack Kanken No. 2
2. Miniature Funkis House
3. Lillagunga Reindeer
4. Maileg Circus Mice Play Set
5. Lillagunga Rings Oak
6. Ferm Living Small Fruiticana Tufted Strawberry Rug
7. Anthropologie Banwood First Go! Balance Bike
8. Kid's Concept Rocking Horse Neo Mammoth
9. Panda Striped Baby Alpaca Knit Sweater


1. Night and Day Baby Quilt
2. Kid's Concept Neo Natural Baby Walker
3. Maileg Prince Mega Mouse Stuffed Animal
4. Kid's Concept Grey Hedgehog Seat Puff
5. Done By Deer Black Wooden Swing
6. Liewood Beige Wooden Activity Arch Pale blue
7. Oeuf Apple Soft Toy
8. Kid's Concept White Rocking Scooter


1. Ferm Living Fruiticana Bamboo Dinner Set
2. Shibui Nursery Mobile
3. Kid's Concept Multicoloured Abacus
4. Anthropologie The Five Minute Journal for Kids
5. Little Miss Workbench Wooden Camera Toy
6. Kid's Concept NEO Hammer Bench
7. Maileg Christmas Medium Girl Mouse Stuffed Animal
8. Olli Ella Wicker Picnic Basket
9. H&M Plate with Motif
10. Mandi Smethells Sunny Days Purse

I hope you have found lots of ideas for all those little munchkins you know and love out there!

You are so welcome to add other ideas in the comment section below!

Niki

PS I'm excited to share a wonderful Swedish home tour with subtle festive touches later today, sop make sure you pop back to take a peek!

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