Sleek and rustic in a Sydney bachelor pad

G'day! When I went to bed last night there was a howling gale outside, the wind was whipping the Baltic sea into a frenzy and rattling at our windows.  And then when I woke up it was eerily still  - as if to say "who me?!" This is what I love most about living by the water! And some 16,000 km away  - our Australian friends are also being buffeted by the elements, albeit by the deep blue of the pacific ocean. The owners of this wonderful bachelor pad in the Sydney coastal suburb of Queenscliff sought the assistance of talented interior designer Jillian Dinkel. Jillian takes cues from  'the relaxed bohemian ocean-side lifestyle of Sydney to create a strong connection and flow between the indoors and out' and works to strike a balance between creating an inviting space, which is also aesthetically beautiful. I certainly think she's achieved just that in this wonderful home, don't you?

Design and styling: Jillian Dinkel Designs. Photography - Hannah Blackmore Photography. found via Desire to Inspire with thanks.  

What a beautiful space? I love the combination of sleek modern and raw, rough wood, antique rugs and shaggy sheepskins.

Also, how fab is that bench in the hallway? I've got a very similar one at the end of my bed which I picked up here.

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: sitting room - I like this blue kilim pillow / cushion, source a vintage beni ourain rug here, Kara Rosenlund sells lovely photo art of the ocean. Dining room - Aesop hand soap, this taupe sheepskin is similar. Bedroom - I love this olive green linen bedding and midnight blue bedding (I have the same blue linen in my bedroom - so cosy!). Hallway - source a vintage kilim rug here, large round mirror (seeing a lot of these right now!).


I've featured so many beautiful Australian homes - a few of the most swoon-worthy include my dream holiday home (and garden room), a super relaxed boho cottage, and a charming family home.

Loving the relaxed style - I really, really must visit Oz soon, my visit is long overdue! Have you been? Or perhaps you live there, in which case you're extremely lucky! 

Have a lovely day!

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A pared-back Australian home in neutrals

These lovely images of lifestyle blogger Stella Gaffney's home popped into my mail box yesterday. Stella lives with husband Michael and their two (very cute) children on Australia's Central Coast (looks like a very nice part of the world, I must say!). The home has a lovely view over the water and an abundance of natural northern light.  As a result the home has been kept pared-back with lime washed floors, white walls and natural materials to allow the view to steal the show.
Let's take a peek...

Home-owner: Stella Gaffney. Photographer: Maree Homer.  Published first in homesplusmag.

I'd love to be sitting on that terrace right now - how about you?! Is there anything in particular about this home that stands out to you?

Quick note on two items which caught my eye - the cross cushion is from Aura by Tracy Ellis and the colourful wooden pegs can be found here.

More inspiration from Stella's home on Instagram here. 

Other wonderful Australian homes include a retro beach house, a space decorated in dark greys and a relaxed boho home in the country.

Having posted about Autumn / Winter 2015 and a little festive inspiration this morning I'm so curious to know what it must be like to celebrate Christmas in the summer? I've only ever spent it in England and Sweden where it's cold and in the latter place, white! - I'd love to hear how your Christmas day (or 'Eve' - which is the day they celebrate it in Scandinavia) looks?!

Have a lovely day!

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Beautiful Stays: A Hundred-Year-Old Workman's Cottage

What's the temperature like where you are? In Malmö it's lovely and sunny and I did actually witness someone take a dip in the sea earlier. BUT they did need to withstand -2 C (and that's without the windchill!). Meanwhile, Down Under I'm guessing the waters are exactly the right temperature. Which is why I found my mind wondering to Dubbo, NSW, Australia today. Admittedly, this is because I've found a perfect place to stay. The Repose is owned and managed by Bede and Jemima Aldridge, co-founders of boutique Saddler & Co and Ric and Moir Jones. The four spent two years renovating the hundred-year-old property by hand, with Jemima taking the lead on the design, before opening the doors to guests. And what a great job they've done! Think whitewashed cladding, vintage touches as well as a dreamy bathroom and European-inspired courtyard. Did I mention that there's always a local bottle of wine waiting for you too? We're all aware that travelling to Oz is not an option right now, but if we close our eyes, we might just feel the warm sun on our skin while we sip wine in the courtyard. Or you could just keep your eyes open and feel inspired by the design that oozes from every image. Either way, you're in for a treat! 

"We all have European heritage and I purposefully ensured the cottage has interwoven elements that reference our love for 'gezellig' interiors and also the Australian quintessential cottage charm."

- Jemima Aldridge 

"Many of the items featured throughout are by Australian artisan designers, but the house also features a rather lovely custom brass lamp by Wo and Wé Collection as well as table linen and blankets by Timeless Linen."

The luxury bathroom features an original clawfoot tub restored with care, brass tap ware, original artwork, as well as complimentary Aesop hair and skin formations (now you're talking!). 

How lovely! I'd be happy to check in and stay for a while, how about you?

The decor makes me want to head off and for a 'loppisrunda' (flea market tour) - second-hand pieces add so much to a space don't you think? And of course, there's all that wonderful linen! 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Find out more about The Repose here. 

Other beautiful homesteads Down Under can be found here (keep an eye out for the 'before and after' and other dreamy guest houses). 

Har det så fint! 

Niki

Photographs: 1. The Repose 2. Lean Timms 3 - 8. Abbie Mellé 9 - 10. Lean Timms 11- 12. Alana Landsberry 13. The Repose

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The home of an Australian stylist

Set on top of a hill in Brisbane, Australia, this beautiful home belongs to stylist Kara Rosenlund, her husband and flock of Pekin Bantam hens. Kara is a master at vintage finds which she then blends with contemporary pieces.  The space has such a summer time feel to it with it's soft hues, white pannelled walls and sunny veranda. Love this space!

Photography and styling Kara Rosenlund with kind permission. Via 79 ideas. 

I could live here, could you?!

I spotted a lot of beautiful round rugs like the one in the top picture on Etsy last night here.

This morning I'm preparing my home for  shoot. First stop IKEA! I do love a morning at IKEA, my Mum thinks I'm mad as the one in London is not really somwwhere you'd go to chill out.....but here in Southern Sweden it's totally different. I might just stop for a coffee and cinnamon bun in the cafe too!

Have a lovely day!

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The Fabulous Sydney Home of A Photographic Interior Stylist

G'day! It's been a while! We were actually meant to be back in Sweden today, but Allie picked up a tummy bug in London a couple of days ago (poor little thing!) - so only half the family made it back! Guh! Has that ever happened to you? Hopefully we can head home this afternoon. ANYHOW, I thought I'd kick off November with a very special tour of the home of Australian interior stylist Kerrie-Ann Jones. Kerrie-Ann began her home decor career working for glossy interior magazines including Real Living. Today she works as a photographic interior stylist and creative director, counting some of Australia's leading furniture, art and homeware brands as her clients. Based on this intro, you can kind of guess that her own home - a Sydney terrace house in Darlinghurst - is pretty fabulous, and you wouldn't be wrong! The earthy, light-filled living space has been artfully curated using a blend of mid-century, contemporary vintage, art and handmade pieces against a cool back drop of polished concrete and white walls. Come and take a peek inside!

A series of skylights flood the open plan kitchen with great shafts of light - one of the reasons Kerrie-Ann fell in love with the house in the first place!

Peel back the layers and you'll find a cool polished concrete floor and whitewashed walls.

I do love a polished concrete floor - but they certainly need a lot of cosying up (especially in Sweden). This large, striped rug in the second living room does the trick, plus it's very pretty too!

I spotted a rattan chair like this one in the corner of Kerrie-Ann's daughter's room in the Swedish shop Granit the other day - isn't it fabulous? I also love the wooden bookshelves in the corner of the room - laying children's books flat against the room makes it so much easier for them to pick out their favourite books (usually the longest ones....!). 

Kerrie-Ann has decorated her own room with layers of texture in earthy hues and a simple rust accent. The guest bedroom is a little more vibrant with salmon pink linen bedding (what a difference a little coloured linen can make - source similar here*!). 

If you're thinking of renovating your bathroom - take heed! It can be pretty expensive to make-over a space like this so, in MHO it's way better to go for something timeless like a grey and white theme and then bring in the latest trends with accessories - just like Kerrie-Ann has done. The same goes for cushions in the sitting room, dishcloths in the kitchen etc. 

Love the bust! 

What did you think? Planning a complete overhaul of your own home? Or maybe just scouring second-hand rug* sites (like I am!)? 

I LOVED the gallery wall in the first picture (in case you missed them, scroll on up and take a look at the items on the rattan side-table too - each piece is like a work of art)! 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

You can see more of Kerrie-Ann's home and latest work on her instagram feed (warning, you could be stuck there for hours). You can also read a full interview with Karrie-Ann on Bed Threads and Domino. 

Shall we stick to Australia this bright and sunny Monday? I think it feels kind of apt - plus many of the homes I've featured from the land Down Under have been among my favourites! I'm loving this sleek bachelor pad with a rustic touch, a dreamy waterside home (that view!) and a vibrant, mid-century inspired family home (I remember the artwork caused some controversy when I posted this one!). 

Have a fabulous start to the week friends!

Niki

PS I'm so excited about tomorrow's post, there are just so many ideas to steal! See you then!  

Photography: Maree Homer

*Affiliate links (I earn a very tiny amount of money if you click and buy the item - probably enough for a biscuit to go with my coffee - it's the little things in life!). 

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