A Vintage-Inspired Home in a Converted Church

Kicking off the week in style - rustic style, with Cheryl's perfectly imperfect home in a converted church the scenic rim of Queensland Australia. Cheryl is a stylist and prop sourcer as well as the owner of Albert and Grace store selling 'a curated collection of worn, weathered and imperfect wares'.  

Evidence of Cheryl's work can be seen throughout her home, which is filled with vintage and antique pieces from dressers and tables to lighting and nick nacks. The architect, is of course, also incredible. Think sky high ceilings, arched windows and exposed beams. Be still, beating heart. 

Is it the weekend yet, I need to go flea market hunting pronto! 

Such a beautiful home, in every way: the blend of furniture and accessories with all their time-honoured imperfections, the architecture of the former church, the surroundings. Everything! 

Has Cheryl's home inspired you too? 

See more snapshots from Cheryls' converted church here, and visit the Albert and Grace online store. 

Here are few more pictures from lovely Australian homes with a vintage touch: 

A Wabi Sabi getaway in the Bay of Fires

A dreamy little cottage by the sea

The white room studio

My dream holiday home and garden

A rustic barn conversion

Love converted buildings? Take a look in this archive for homes in everything from former warehouses, shops, barns, schools, vicarages and even a fire station! If this one pops up first, just scroll on past. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Cheryl / Albert and Grace. 

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Airbnb / Holiday Let: Your Own Bohemian-Style Hideaway In The Desert!

Do you ever feel like you need to get away from it all? Somewhere peaceful where you have space to think and 'just be'? If so, I might have found just the secluded hideaway for you and it's available on Airbnb! Little Jo (great name!) is tucked away in the northern corner of Joshua Tree, Southeast California with panoramic views over the desert. Inside, the 1950s bungalow is a sea of brown,  cream and white with a distinct boho vibe. Bringing friends? There's a separate casita with a queen size bed and a covered terrace for that first coffee of the day (you know, when you're not quite ready to face the world!). What a dreamy home from home! 

I'm already picturing myself on the porch nursing an ice cold G+T while the sun goes down, how about you?!

I have to confess, it would need to be a trip with friends - being an avid sailor, Per might feel it's a little far from the sea for his liking! Mind you, he might change his mind when he sees the guitar and record collection! 

Could you imagine recharging your batteries here?

You can read more about Little Jo here. 

Other holiday lets / escapes I love the look of:

A beautiful Airbnb holiday rental in Bergen, Norway

Two idyllic cottages to rent in Denmark this summer

Rent a romantic lakeside cottage in Sweden 

Dream Holiday rental: a cosy waterside eco cabin in Australia

20 instagrammable places to stay in Sweden

Also see a load of fabulous Design Hotels - for all budgets! 

Speaking of which, it's Per and my 10 year wedding anniversary at the end of June and we're looking for a a wonderful, relaxing weekend getaway in Europe. Do you have any tips on great places to go / a beautiful place to stay? I feel a bit paralysed for choice right now and need a helping hand! 

Happy lillördag (little Saturday!) all! 

Niki

PS If you're looking to make some changes to your own home this spring / summer - or even thinking of putting it on airbnb but need to update it a little first, we're here to help! Find out more about the My Scandinavian Home Studio room by room online interior design service here - we're offering 20% off right now with code MYNEWROOM too!  

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My dream holiday home (and garden room)!

If I ever visit Australia (which I hope to!) I'm going to be in home-from-home heaven. Seriously, I already have my accommodation mapped out! I'd simply rotate through all the homes designed by uber talented interior designer Lynda Gardener! You'll recognise The White Room, The Apartment St Kilda and The Estate Trentham from previous posts (all stunning in their own way), and today I discovered a fourth home (yes there's a fourth!). Located in Melbourne, The White House Daylesford not only offers guests a cosy main house, decorated in classic rich hues and furnished in a beautiful blend of vintage finds, it also has the most incredible 'garden bedroom'! Get ready to feel truly inspired!

Photography- Marnie Hawson (shared with kind permission). Interior design - Lynda Gardener. The White House Daylesford is available to rent privately and as a location for photo shoots, film etc.

That bathroom?! *siiiiiigh*. That garden bedroom?! Just everything! EVERYTHING!

The problem is, if I stayed here, I'd never want to leave, how about you?!

Get the look: pick up a vintage electric fan here, I usually source my vintage industrial lamps here. The best tip I received lately is to buy vintage army blankets - they're always incredibly warm and come in beautiful army green colours - perfect!


I'm going to be dreaming about this space all day, I hope it's inspired you too!

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A fab swedish home in neutrals and a cute doggy!

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend?! I'm on an early morning train with Southern Sweden flashing passed the window as I type (and matchsticks holding open my eyes - I'm not a morning person, are you?!). But I can just about see enough to discover this lovely home in all it's soft grey, brown and blues. A couple of things struck me the most - firstly the use of natural materials throughout - rattan, leather, shells etc, and secondly the pages from a book used as a wall decoration. I've seen this before in the bedroom of an Australian home in 'Holiday at Home'. And spot the hungry doggy, waiting for her breakfast....

Alvhem

I wonder what book it is? Which would you choose? Something romantic perhaps?

I also love the industrial touches - the side table in the sitting room and bedside table are fab, dont you think?

Is there anything that struck you about this home? Apart from that very cute doggy of course!

This weekend I had a glance through my archive of Australian homes - they are just so fantastic! I really feel Australia is having a design moment right now. I'm a huge fan of the blog Design Files too - do you follow that blog too?

Have a great start to the week! 

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the Blackthumb / Sne Design give-away this weekend, the winners have now been announced here. Don't forget you can get 10% off all beautiful products at Blackthumb and Sne Design until 8th May!

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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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