Your very own dream island hide-away

Located off Bruny Island in southern Tasmania, this small island formerly belonged to a writer, painter and poet. And now a family has transformed it into Satellite Island, an off the grid hide-away in untamed Tasmanian wilderness. Your own private island to share with family and friends where you can wake to the sound of sea birds, fish from the boathouse jetty, explore the waters by kayak or simply enjoy the scenery from a deckchair (guh!). Oh and did I mention the beautiful rustic vibe of the summer house and boathouse? The only real way to finish the day would be to watch the sunset with a glass of chilled Tasmanian wine - don't you think?! Can someone please whisk me away here?

Source: these beautiful pictures were taken by Kara Rosenlund and shared with kind permission. 

I mean, could you imagine?!

I wish I could say - and I'm holding a give-away to stay here for a week.... hahaha! I don't think I'd be able to give the prize away if this was the case?! But maybe we could share it?! Satellite Island are you listening?

Now this might sound crazy, but there are a few ideas to steal from this beautiful haven (hey, Tasmania's far away, it's nearly the weekend, we can do tropical too, right?):

Bedroom: source Kilim rugs to overlap here. Kitchen: industrial white pendant light, white Tolix chairs. Sitting room: source beautiful denim blue stonewashed linen by the metre here (how's that for a quick update for an old sofa?!). Bedroom 2: find stonewashed linen bedding in these shades here.

In need of more 'paradise' inspiration? - I'm also loving an ethereal beach house on St Barths,  a villa in tropical gardens in Brazil, and a long term favourite of mine - a little touch of paradise on Mykonos. And yes, you can stay at all of them! Which one first?!

I'll leave you to dream! 

READ MORE...

10

Cosy Hide-away: The Butcher's House

Just taking a little time out from my virtual holiday in Tasmania to share this beauty of a house with you. For those of you who are not a regular reader, I have a slight obsession with 'Tassie' right now and sharing my third holiday house in as many weeks (see also a cosy hideaway by the sea and the whale song shack). But as I said last time, a girl can dream. And when we can travel to far-flung places, The Butchers House in Bothwell will be on my itinerary (it's looking like we'll need to spend several months in 'Tas' at this rate!). I've wisened up to the fact that it's winter there right now (thank you newly acquired Tasmanian friends!) - but I'd be quite happy to read a book by the fire in this humble heritage cottage dating back to the mid 1800s, before taking a nice long soak in this lion claw tub with a glass of Tasmanian Pinot! There's even a fireplace in the bedroom for the cosiest night sleep ever! Ready to dream? Step this way! 

Have I got you dreaming today too? I sure hope so. A little escapism is a fine thing! 

Find out more about booking your stay at The Butcher's House here. 

And here are three other incredible hideaways in and around Tasmania: 

Captain's Cottage

A relaxed artist's cabin by the sea

Your very own dream island hideaway

I'm so excited to share my guide of the Gothenburg Archipelagos with you tomorrow. Sweden's West Coast is my favourite place on earth, and having sailed there for over sixteen years, I felt it was finally time to share some snapshots - and ten of the best islands to visit! I hope you're going to feel inspired!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Butcher's House with thanks.

READ MORE...

2

A Relaxed Artist's Cabin by the Sea

It's Friday - woohooo! Any fun plans?! I'm actually going to have the biggest clear out (boring I know), followed by a well deserved Aperol Spritz and then I'm going to hunt for an off the grid cabin.  I kid you not! This cabin by the sea in South Hobart, Tasmania has totally won me over! It's owned by artist Brigitte May and her partner - who had a baby earlier this week (congratulations guys!)! Solar panels and a tank help to make the cabin completely self-sustained, and it's not unusual to wake up to a troupe of passing wallabies! The relaxed, bohemian-style of the interior taps into the off the beaten-track vibe and provides an inspiring spot for Brigitte to sit and create. Enjoy the tour!

Isn't it fantastic?! Such a romantic setting for arts and crafts (I love Brigitte's paintings and ceramics, and she's currently working on an ethical baby range too (how cute are these bloomers?!). Did you spot the little furry friend too?!  I have a feeling their little one's going to be very happy here, don't you?!

In case you feel exactly like I do but our off-the-grid cabins are a little far off just now - here's a guide on how to bring a little piece of South Hobart cabin style to our own homes:

GET THE LOOK:

1. Macrame wall hanging / 2. Speckled Mug by Brigitte May / 3. Eggcup stool / 4. Monstera plant
5. Macrame plant hanger / 6. Tabor Pot / 7. Losoya Round Stool / 8. Scrabble Game Linen Vintage / 9. Duo Pot / 10. Anjat Rattan Basket Backpack / 11. Fawn Print by Brigitte May / 12. Wooden Plant Pot.

Love the look? You can also see more of Brigitte's home on instagram here. 

And in case you're thinking of visiting Tasmania (it's certainly top of my list right now!) - a stay at this island hide-away is a must. Doesn't it look incredible?!

Have a dreamy weekend all and see you Monday!


Photography: Brigitte May

READ MORE...

4

Step Inside The 'Whale Song Shack' With A Dreamy Ocean View

The routine has started - which feels a little like work - home - work - home - work - home, interspersed with crazy early mornings where the kids can't find their gym kit / homework / bike keys - aaaagh! This could explain the copious amounts of getaways I've been sharing from the Southern Hemisphere lately. I mean, who wouldn't rather be reading a book in a cabin overlooking the sea right now?! And this one in Tasmania had me at the name: Whale Song Shack. Originally built by a local fisherman, the cabin has been transformed into a breath-taking holiday home where you can watch whales migrate, gannets dive and fish and fishing boats haul their catch from the window.  Inside, the whitewashed interior is deliberately pared back - with wood details and vintage finds adding plenty of warmth - or when the temperatures really dip, there's a wonderful stone fireplace! Ready to dream? 

 

Meet you there?

I've been contemplating writing another book lately - could you imagine what an incredible writer's retreat this would make? Gaaah! Amazing! For now, of course, it's all about staying put, but a girl can dream, right?! I hope this cabin has you dreaming today too - and given you a spark of mid-week inspiration for your own home!

See more photos and find more information about the wonderful Whale Song Shack (love their instagram too!). 

 Here are a few other cabins I dream about daily: 

The Soot House - log cabin inspired by the rugged landscape

Cosy weekend escape: Warner's Camp

Charming lakeside cabin

The Shack on Bruny Island

And nearer home, my friends' cabin: 

Our weekend in a cabin in the calm of the forest

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Whale Song Shack including photographs by Marnie Hawson and Kate T.

READ MORE...

14

A Cosy Vintage-inspired Holiday Cottage On The Sapphire Coast

Have you got any holiday plans coming up? In the Brantmark household we're feeling crazily excited about a trip to Mallorca to visit my sister and the girls' cousins in the first week of November. It will be officially the first week of the winter season there, but we're confident it will be an improvement on the Swedish weather, what do you reckon? 

Even so, a trip to Australia and New Zealand remains high up on my list for the future. One day friends, one day! In the meantime, I shall keep adding charming holiday rentals to my archive. And this one is a beauty! Located half way between Sydney and Melbourne in Pambula, New South Wales, Lotte's Hjem is a beloved 150 year old weatherboard cottage beautifully restored by partners Harrison Balodis and Miranda O'Rourke, which they then generously opened up as a holiday rental. 

Anyone who visits can expect to sit back and celebrate the simple pleasures in life such as collecting fresh flowers and seasonal herbs from the garden, reading by firelight and enjoying a morning coffee on the veranda - surrounded by beautiful vintage pieces and family heirlooms. While travel to Australia might be off the cards right now, there's nothing to stop us in the future - and for now, it's just to sit back and dream! 

Who's in? 

It looks like such a perfect place to unwind, doesn't it? Plus, it makes me want to spend the weekend strolling around Swedish 'loppis' (flea markets) - I think I'll do just that! 

Read more about the philosophy behind a stay at Lotte's Hjem here. 

Fancy dreaming about other Australian and Tasmanian haunts this today? Here are a few others I've earmarked: 

Dream stay: a Swedish weatherboard cottage in South Australia 

An idyllic holiday home and garden by Lynda Gardner 

Captains Cottage, a Bolthole in Tasmania

A cosy hideaway by the sea (wait till you see the bathroom!)

How wonderful, I do love a little holiday home dreaming, how about you? 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Lotte's Hjem with thanks.  

READ MORE...

10