A dreamy holiday home in a former miner's cottage

Tell me Aussie friends - what is it about Daylesford, Victoria with it's beautiful array of houses?  The latest property to catch my eye is Vintage House Daylesford, captured by Sharyn Cairns.  Set in an acre of land with views over Wombat State Forest and Doctors Gully, the 1860's miner's cottage has been beautifully restored to it's former glory by owner, interior designer Kali Cavanagh.  Available for rent for 6 to 8 people the main house and garden room have been decorated in shades of white, black and everything in between and furnished with a blend of antique, vintage and industrial pieces. Personally, I'm longing for a soak in one of those salvaged lion claw bathtubs! How would you wile away your day?

Credits: photography Sharyn Cairns interior design / styling Kali Cavanagh (shared with kind permission). Vintage House Daylesford is available as luxury accommodation and photo shoots. 

How heavenly?!

I'm feeling particularly inspired by the garden room - this is just what we need at my man's family Swedish summer cottage.  Must pin immediately!

It's also taken me way longer than usual to write this post because I keep day dreaming about how to re-arrange my bedroom to create space for a bath tub! I've worked out the only way I could do it would be to do away with my home office! Hmmmm. Seems a bit radical....but then again....?!

Is there anything that's got you day dreaming?! 

Get the look from Vintage House Daylesford: white and grey stonewashed linen bedding, buy beautiful made to measure linen curtains here, source vintage industrial pendant lamps here. Try Ebay for a salvaged claw foot bathtub.

I've just noticed there are now over 60 spaces to drool over in my 'holiday home' archive - how will I get anything done today at all (mind you, with no home office.....that would be OK, right)?!

Have a *dreamy* day!

PS I got a note from the post office this morning - I think it could be my mobile - yay!

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A fab work space with an industrial touch

A week into work after the new year my thoughts are turning to office space and how to make it as lovely and inspiring as possible. I dream of working in a collaborative work space, preferably in a converted warehouse or factory. The graphic designer, knitter and blogger Emma Dime's creative space hits the mark. Emma works in this corner of Jack London Square in San Francisco which was recently photographed for Rue magazine.

Emma Dime, photographer Eva Kolenko in collaboration with Euro Style Lighting for Rue magazine

I absolutely love the huge windows, original wood flooring, moodboard, Eames DAW chairs (15% off with MYSCAN), Sony headset and green plants. I could definitely imagine myself working here everyday what about you?

Read the full interview and see more pictures here.

I could also work in this Norwegian home office, this fab work space in a converted workspace and this collaborative work space in Brooklyn. Although I'm fairly happy with my home office too. Would you change anything about yours?

Have a lovely day!

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The fab industrial style atelier of a creative

Good morning! I do love the middle of the week, although I've got so much to left to do before the weekend. How about you?! Speaking of graft, I'm often thinking about how important my work environment is.  I'd absolutely love to sit in an uber cool creative studio.  This industrial style studio bathed in light, belongs to Sara Bergman, children's book illustrator and creative force behind online shop and interior styling company Love Warriors in Stockholm. Exposed brick work,  vintage industrial finds, concrete flooring and rustic wood  combine to make up a space a space in which Sara can create.  

Sara N Bergman of Love Warriors. Residence magazine. Photographer: Kristofer Johnsson. Post inspired by Coco Lapine with thanks. 

Could you work here? I most definitely could! What a space?

Interestingly while the space is teeming with vintage finds, the desk space is made up of a few pieces from IKEA including the ALEX draw unit and FORSÅ desk light (which I also have in my home office). Etsy is one of my favourite sources for vintage industrial lighting (it's where I found my treasured scissor light). For pendant lights I like the black E27 suspension light from Muuto.

For more studio / office space inspiration I'm loving this, this and this one. Or if you have a small home office I love this work space of a Finnish blogger.

Before I shoot off I also wanted to introduce you to ReStyle Shop on Etsy. If you love Scandinavian mid-century or geometric prints you'll love this online shop selling art created by Czech Republic graphic designer Jan Skácelik. I especially love this one and this one.

I think it's definitely time for some Christmas inspiration tomorrow don't you? Pop back for some very cool Scandinavian inspired festive decorating ideas! See you then!

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A Photographer's Vintage-Inspired Home In A Former Post Office

Over the years the years, the same interior photographers pop up time and time again. Always generous with their images (I write for permission before sharing), these talented shutterbugs are the backbone of my blog. And yet, we're rarely get a glimpse into their world! So today I'd like to introduce you to Australian freelance photographer Marnie Hawson. Based in the Macedon Ranges, just outside Melbourne, Marnie specialises in interior, travel and lifestyle photography, "with a commitment to working with people doing good in the world."

As a former environmental scientist, Marnie is hardwired to tread lightly, and today that means "only working with businesses which have an ethical and sustainable mindset and focus on conscious consumerism and fair trade".  

When Marnie isn't on location, she's working from her little weatherboard studio at home, with her miniature pinscher Dexter by her side. 

I've featured many of the rustic abodes Marnie has captured over the years - including a Swedish weatherboard cottage,  Captain's Cottage and a dreamy holiday home, but never her own beautiful home, and let me tell you, you're in for a treat! 

Home for Marnie, is a rustic country cottage which she shares with her husband Ryan Hawson - a whisky specialist (I think Per and Ryan would get along just fine!). Dating back to 1890, the pair have lived in the cottage - which used to be the village post office - for over nine years. During this time, the duo have added their own unique stamp on the property, having made many changes, while working hard to maintain the history of the site. 

Fancy taking a peek inside?

The wood panelled interior is a sea of white (much to my delight as someone who is passionate about all things Scandi!) - interspersed with vintage and antique finds. 

The kitchen is made up of IKEA cabinets centred around a refurbished 50-year-old AGA (seen to the right). The brass taps and handles are all second hand. 

In the sitting room, a sofa has been placed opposite the fire for cosy evenings. The drying rack was in place when they bought the house and they still use it all the time (it reminds me a lot of the one in this charming Swedish summer cottage)! The rug is from Armadillo & Co. 

Soon after buying the house, Marnie and Ryan were fortunate enough to be able to buy back the original post office boxes, which they use as day to day storage. 

Pairs of vintage shoes bought from a shoemaker in New South Wales can be seen on the wall in the bedroom. The linen bedding is from Elkie Ark and the curtains are from Linenshed. 

Oh, and one more exciting thing the pair have added in recent years - a bar (I guess, if you're a whisky specialist you do have the perfect excuse!). Here's a glimpse into the dark, atmospheric space... 

What a magical home (and bar!) - which, to be honest, can only be expected from Marnie Hawson! 

I feel this home tour has put a real spring in my step for the start of the week - just what I needed! Are you also feeling inspired? 

I am so looking forward to continuing to follow Marnie's journey as a freelance photographer. You can see many of the homes she's captured over the years (as well as other projects) on her website. I also love her instagram feed!

Also, check out my archives for more of her work here. 

Have a brilliant start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Marnie Hawson

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Per's New Home Office (With Beautiful Pieces From Skovby)

Brand story*:
I love discovering new Scandinavian brands, don't you? One of my latest favourites is Skovby. The Danish family business was founded in 1933 by cabinet maker Thorvald Rasmussen. His son Villy Rasmussen and grandsons Preben and Jørgen Rasmussen have continued his legacy - expanding the collection to include highly functional dining tables, chairs, storage, cabinets and other pieces.  with a strong focus on craftsmanship, natural materials and sustainability.

One of the biggest draws, is Skovby's strong focus on craftsmanship, natural materials and sustainability and how the furniture combines a strong design aesthetic with innovative functionality - Scandinavian design heritage it's finest!

I've been really keen to experience the furniture firsthand ever since. And this week, I found just the project!

Due to the circumstances we are all facing, right now Per and I are both working from home. As you can imagine this comes with its fair share of, shall we say, challenges! Perhaps, most alarming of all is that I'm having to endure entire maths and physics lessons (Per's a sixth form teacher) - subjects I thought I'd safely left long behind me in my school days!

From Per's side, the main issue has been trying to hold classes via video link from the kitchen table - not easy when you have kids rocking about making themselves sandwiches in the background. So, I thought it was high time to design a temporary home office that he can call his own!

A window nook in the corner of our bedroom presented a perfect spot since the (DIY) shelves were already in place and it's an area that's flooded with light - perfect for online conferences! 

I added a new Skovby #131 Home Desk in solid oak white oil with a top in white laminate (it's also available in oak lacquer, oak solid oil, oak solid white oil, oak white oil with top in black nano laminate, walnut oil and walnut oil with top in white laminate finishes). 

To match, I chose a classic and contemporary SKOVBY #52 dining chair in oak white oil with a hard wearing Brahms 21 seat fabric (check out all the other options here!). 

The devil is in the details - and I love that the desk has a built-in drawer (with soft-closing) for storing paper, calculators, and other bits and bobs. Check out the brown lining too! 

I also love the USB plug-in for charging your phone. In my mind, any form of cable-management is always a welcomed touch - I'm not good with cables! 

In the pics above and below picture you can also catch a glimpse of some of the other pieces I added including a Tip table lamp, two felt baskets for paperwork, Edge vases - and the all important Edge mug (is it just me, or does anyone else remember just how much coffee teachers drink?!). 

This close up also demonstrates the beautiful oak. When carefully maintained (Skovby offer a an entire care collection which helps you ensure your furniture stays in tip top condition) - the furniture can last a lifetime and be passed onto the next generation, a true investment piece, and part of Scandinavia's ingrained sustainability ethos. 

I think Per's one very lucky guy, don't you?! I'm not sure he's ever worked in a spot like this before (trust me, I've seen his staff room!).

Maybe I'll even pick-up on some new math skills along the way (I can actually see Per spitting out his coffee at this!!) - let's just say, we're both grateful my maths lessons are a distant memory!). How were you at physics and maths?! Kudos to anyone who could have worked out the equation below! 

In all seriousness, it feels great to have been able to create an extra home office so we could each have somewhere comfortable to sit during the day. These creature comforts are so important right now, don't you think?

And, I hope this post goes to show that all you need is a good desk and chair (and a few smaller bits and bobs)! I can highly recommend these fine 100% Danish pieces! 

Check out the full Skovby range here and find your nearest stockist. 

Have a great weekend, stay well! 

Niki

A big thank you to Helen Sturesson for working with me on the interior design and styling for the shoot. 

*This post is a paid partnership with Skovby, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and can highly recommend. Thank you for supporting the brands who help me to create fresh content! 

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