An Architect's Delightfully Calm Copenhagen Home (And It's On Airbnb Too!)

When you go on holiday do your prefer an airbnb or a hotel? - Or perhaps something in between? When travelling with the crazies I prefer an airbnb but when it's just Per and I - I'd more likely opt for a hotel (or a romantic B&B!) - mainly because I love a good breakfast buffet! But then I discover Airbnb apartments like this one in Copenhagen. Owned by an architect, the three-bedroom apartment is situated on one of the capital's most sought after streets and features beautiful sky-blue walls, light wood features and a blend of antique and new nordic design pieces. Who's to say you can't nip to the local bakery and pick up a fantastic wienerbrød (Danish pastry) and freshly brewed coffee to go in the morning?! The next time I'm in Denmark's capital city, I'm totally checking in here - and I might just never leave! Could you imagine staying here too? 

Mayor Aj5 sofa, Formakami pendant*

"Both architects, we transformed this historic apartment into a comfortable and calm home. With a focus on natural and luxurious materials, we have allowed the history of the place to inspire the design."

Circle pendant shade, Georg Jensen pitcher*

I love the backsplash. I spotted something similar in this magical Norwegian mountain cabin. You can create a similar one by treating a sheet of copper with acid for an aged look.  

"The apartments finished with a mixture of mid-century Scandinavian furniture, contemporary furniture, auction finds, and pieces from Justine's home in South Africa."

Copper clothes hanger* (similar)

Isn't it beautiful? I love the sky blue and copper touches in particular. 

If you're visiting Copenhagen and would like to hang out here for a while, the apartment is available through Airbnb right here.

Fancy exploring some other Airbnb options in Scandi-land? Here are a few I've got my eye on:

Two idyllic Danish cabins
A beautiful apartment in Bergen (love this!)
A hygge Danish log cabin near the sea
An off-the-grid getaway on an island in the Helsinki archipelagos
A romantic lakeside schoolhouse in Sweden

Quite a varied list, I must say! Which would you choose?

I've got to hurry home from there studio now as a local Malmö paper is coming to my house for a home story - so fun! God knows how the kids left it this morning but I'm pretty sure there's a lot of tidying up to be done. Gah! 

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photographs courtesy of Airbnb found via Nordic Design with thanks

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This Beautiful Danish Summer Cabin is on Airbnb!

I am not sure if you know that I write a regular feature for Simply Scandi UK. It's a quarterly magazine focusing on Scandinavian design, and I've had the pleasure of contributing for two years, writing about everything from Scandinavian culture to travel and more. My latest feature involves researching Airbnb's (it's a tough job, but someone has to do it!) and I've been stumbling across all kinds of beautiful properties, including this one! 

Located in Tisvilde, the cabin was designed in 1934 by a female relative of Kaare Klint - and although newly renovated - many of the original details shine through (as do items by Klint such as the safari chair and pendant and table lamps!). Visitors are invited to treat the cabin as a home from home in which to unwind beside the beautiful Tisvilde Hegn woodland, an hour North of Copenhagen. Feeling active? Tisvilde is a popular summer idyll among Copenhageners and boutique stores, farmshops, cafes and restaurants as well as a sandy beach are a short cycle ride away! 

I'm definitely adding this little cabin to my airbnb list, if you're visiting Denmark this summer, you might want to as well! Here's a peek inside. 

What a lovely cabin! I'm already sinking into one of those safari chairs - or cycling to the beach with the warm wind in my hair! How about you?

It would be perfect getaway to combine with a few days in Copenhagen - that way you'd get the best of both worlds. 

Find out more on airbnb here. 

Would you like to see a few more Danish summer cottages today? Here are some lovely ones I've featured in the past: 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

A white, light and airy cabin on a Danish island

A dreamy cabin by the sea

A little Danish cabin in the woods

Before and after: a rundown Danish cabin becomes a vibrant summer home

I hope this fills you with inspiration for the weekend! Have a great couple of days, and see you Monday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks 

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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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This Fabulous Colourful Copenhagen Home is On Airbnb

Hej kompisar! Is it just me, or when planning a holiday or weekend away, the lion's share of the work is in finding the perfect place to stay? I guess it's because, if like me, your environment can add so much to your time away! 

The good news is, if you're visiting the Danish capital, I might have saved you hours (weeks... months...?) of scouring the net! Look no further than this incredible three bedroom apartment in the hip neighbourhood of Vesterbro which features sky high ceilings, beautiful period features, original wood floors and incredible light-filled rooms. 

Owned and run by host Nikolaj Paaby Normand, the abode is filled with incredible one-off pieces, art, make-you-smile colours and a riot of pattern. Needless to say, these pictures taken by Anitta Behrendt, have graced the covers and pages of some of Denmark's finest interior magazines and the airbnb is considered a firm 'guest favourite'. 

Ready to take a nosey around? Step this way! 

Have you ever seen such a colourful dining set arrangement? It works thanks to a very calm backdrop, making it a focal point of the room. 

The apartment is full of one-off pieces which adds intrigue around every corner. 

Colour, texture, and pattern come together in the sitting room, giving the space a relaxed feel. While the furniture and Svenskt Tenn pattern have mid-century appeal. Again, a calm backdrop helps to draw the eye to the centre of the room and ensures the look doesn't become too chaotic. 

A calming blue accent wall appears in the bedroom, while the vibrant quilt and cushion ties the look in with the rest of the living space. 

Oj oj oj - as they say in Sweden. It's one thing seeing an incredible space like this in a magazine, it's another knowing that you can actually stay in it as an airbnb. 

Meet you there?

More information about this Copenhagen apartment on Airbnb. 

Would you like to dream over a few other Airbnbs in Scandinavia? Hey, why not plan an entire tour of the region? Here are a few of my favourites:

A charming Danish summer cabin on North Zealand

A limestone barn on the Swedish island of Gotland

The Stonecutters Farm on the island of Öland

A cosy ski chalet in Hafjell, Norway

A quintessentially Swedish lakeside cottage

Aaaand that's it from me this week. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and the sun shines for you! 

Niki

Photography: Anitta Behrendt

Design / owner: Nikolaj Paaby Normand

Shared with kind permission

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Dream Airbnb Stay: A Swedish Weatherboard Cottage In South Australia

"She who comes here, finds what's lost." This is the opening line on the 'about' page of My Sister & the Sea'. And looking at the pictures of this beautiful white weatherboard cottage and its surroundings, I can well imagine it's true! The little cottage is owned by sisters Sarah and Emma who have enjoyed endless family holidays here with 'sandy feet, long meals, naps on daybeds, swimming.... dreaming, laughing and loving." Nestled in the small town of Marion Bay on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, the cottage was actually moved from Sweden by the Australian government many years ago. The sisters visited Sweden together to draw as much inspiration as possible for the interior. Today, Airbnb guests are invited to come enjoy the white interior, indoor and outdoor bathing under the stars and a fireplace." Sound like heaven? Step this way!   

True to its Swedish heritage, the sisters have dotted the living space with remnants collected from their coastal walks. A plant has been trained to climb the window - just like you see in many Scandinavian homes (see this and this home as an example!). 

Rattan fans* make beautiful wall art.

A simple wall lamp from IKEA serves as a reading lamp over the day bed which has been covered in striped linen* and a mix of grey and olive green cushions. 

In the dining area, a basket hangs from a hook on the side of a vintage cabinet for extra storage and a classic Scandinavian brass candlestick holder* awaits dusk on the table. 

A glass cabinet is ideal for keeping books and other treasures dust free, while s simple tree trunk serves as a side table beside a canvas safari chair. 

A simple wall-hanging made from shells and striped bed linen* add a beachy vibe to the bedroom. 

In the back yard, various vintage chairs have been arranged around a farmhouse table, while a simple striped deck chair allows for a little alone time with a book! 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? In my mind, I'm already there! 

I'm sure it would be equally magical in the winter, watching the waves crash against the rugged coast and reading by the fire. 

One to add to the travel list for the days when we can move freely again! 

Check it out on Airbnb, visit their website My Sister And The Sea and feel inspired by their instagram @readandhall. 

Curious to see other Airbnb stays I've added to my (dream) itinerary when I travel down under? 

Australia:

Dreamy holiday let: a cosy waterside eco cabin

A charming miner's cottage amongst an acre of roses

A beautiful boho cottage in Byron Bay

The White House Daylesford

Tasmania:

The Shack: A super cosy cabin on Bruny Island

Captains cottage: A cosy bolthole in Hobart

A Dreamy little cottage by the sea

Have I got you dreaming too?

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

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