Before and After: Old Stables Become a Beautiful Country Home

Come on, own up! Who frequently fantasises about buying a run-down property / wreck and doing it up? I totally confess to dreaming about this on a monthly basis. Especially when I see some of the incredible transformations out there. And today, I think you're going to feel hugely inspired by the home of Anna-Lena in Lower Saxony, Germany. I think we can all agree that there is such an incredible amount of work that goes on behind-the-scenes of any property renovation. Which is why 'before', 'during' and 'after' pictures are a great reality check, but also inspire. It's quite incredible what vision, hard work and of course, a solid budget can do! Ready to feel inspired? Here are some pictures of Anna-Lena's home - which has slowly been transformed from dilapidated stables into a beautiful, rustic, modern country home! 

Exterior before 

A lot of the exterior was covered in plaster when they first purchased the property. This was carefully removed to reveal the original brickwork.  The entrance has also been modernised and new windows have been installed. 

Main living room - before

Wow! In the above picture you can really get a sense of how the stables looked before the renovation. It was a completely open shell and the stalls are clearly visible. 

The main living space was transformed into a well-insulated living space with a reinforced ceiling to allow for a second floor. 

Main living space - after

The wonderful Clou-Xtra wood-burning stove creates a focal point, while the concrete floor and beautiful wood ceiling add character to the space. 

The darker, clean and contemporary kitchen creates contrast and a sense of drama to the room, while the wood farmhouse table adds warmth and a rustic touch - pertaining to the past. 

Stairs were installed in the back corner of the stables for access to the second floor. 

Master Bedroom with En suite - During! 

Insulation work was carried out on the roof and two VELUX skylights were added to slip in light over the bath. The entire floor was re-constructed and a new wood floor laid. 

Master Bedroom and En suite - After

The beams were preserved to add character to the space and a new wood floor adds a light, modern touch to the space. Natural textures seen in the plant pot and bedding (you can find similar off-white bedlinen here*) help to add depth and warmth to the overall look. The storage is a mix of modern (IVAR from IKEA) and a large vintage wardrobe. 

Bathroom - Before

The room that the second bathroom occupies was non-existent and needed to be created from scratch, which shows the extent of the work put into transforming the building into a liveable space! 

Bathroom - after

The bathroom design is relatively simple yet texture from the wood, the subtle plaster finish behind the washbasin and the beautiful vintage unit help to add interest and warmth to the space.

Hallway / Entrance  - After

A barn door offers a wonderful nod to the history of the building, while the simple, rustic aesthetic is keeping with the rest of the property.

From what I understand from Anna-Lena's instagram, there's a lot more renovation work to be done. And I for one, will be following their journey! 

If you're keen to see what they do next, keep an eye out for updates here: @house.no1. 

Looking for more 'before and after' / renovation inspiration today? Check out these incredible transformations: 

A century old Danish thatched cottage is given a revamp

Two dated apartments are transformed into one beautiful home

A run-down Swedish property becomes a beautiful farmhouse

Could you imagine taking on a project like this? Even if you're not quite ready to take the plunge (or perhaps it's simply to your thing, which is entirely understandable!), I hope seeing these before and after pictures have left you feeling inspired all the same! 

Vi ses imorgon! 

Niki

Photography: Anna-Lena / @houseno.1 shared with kind permission

*This post contains affiliate links

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A Light and Airy Danish Cabin by The Sea

A few weeks back I told myself it was time to wrap up the Scandinavian summer cottage posts and return to the city or year-round country homes. But you know me, I'm never one to stick to the rules - especially my own! I couldn't resist sharing this charming, simple Danish cabin with you today. The wooden structure is situated in a cosy, untouched area on the southern tip of Falster, an island in south-east Denmark. 

Zine bought the cabin in 2020 and has been busy transforming it into a simple, relaxing, light and airy place to spend weekends and holidays. As with most Scandi getaways, mix and match 'loppis' (flea market) finds, open storage and a cosy spot in the sun are the order of the day. Enjoy the tour! 

Despite being potentially a little higher maintenance with the dusting, open shelving gives kitchens a relaxed grab and go feel and also means that your porcelain and vases can be a part of the decor! 

Coffee beans and percolators - the most important items in any Scandinavian home! Remember to make it extra strength! 

Stripes and art with nautical motives are a subtle nod to the coastal location. 

Le Klint Sax - A popular Danish lamp, for good reason! 

When designing our own cabin, I was very much inspired by Danish cabins with high, wood panelled walls and ceilings and a stark black wood burning stove (ours is from Contura and looks similar to this). I love the contrast, the statement chimney but also the promise of warmth! 

I also love the parquet floor; it makes me feel really nostalgic as we had a similar one in my childhood home. Some of the pieces had become loose and I used to pick it a part and then build things with it. I don't think that gamer was particularly popular with my parents. 

Baskets are really handy at a cottage like this - and make pretty wall decor when not in use! There are so many beautiful vintage baskets available on Etsy*. 

I am guessing you can enjoy this cabin year-round thanks to the wood burning stove and insulation (thinking blustery walks along the beach followed by a coffee by the fire!). 

And the good news is, it's 1 hr 45 mins drive from Copenhagen and available for short term holiday lets! Danish island life, anyone? 

See more snapshots from Zine's cabin here. 

Would you like to explore other Danish cabins and country homes this weekend? Take a look at: 

The idyllic thatched cottage of a Danish artist

Before and after: a century old Danish cottage is given a revamp

A Danish cabin by the sea became a lockdown haven 

Right guys, that's it from me. I hope you've enjoyed the tours this week of three very different properties (did you see the artist's home in Kent and Copenhagen apartment).

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landfolk. 

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Cabin Update: Our Cosy Wood Burning Stove

Partnership with Contura, all words and pictures are my own

Back in January I shared an update on our little cabin while it was under construction. I remember the day well. The sun was streaming in through the windows, even so, clouds formed in the air as we spoke. We decided then and there we needed a log burner!  

  

The idea was to place it in the corner of the sitting room, so we'd be able to see it from all the corners of the cabin (after all, it's about the hygge, right?). 

Our go-to was Contura, who are well respected for producing high quality and efficient Swedish-made log burners .

Since our cabin is only 30 metres square (323 f2), we were looking for a relatively small model and settled on the woodburning stove Contura 810 Style. 

Above, you can see how it looked when I tested it out using the virtual tool back on that cold January day! 

Would you like to see how it looks today? 

Tadaaaa! This is the view from our bed! I can't tell you how much we love to wake up beside a roaring fire. So cosy! 

The 810 model is available in several different finishes and we chose black steel, with a black steel plate underneath.

We also opted for wood storage underneath to save space (it's only a tiny cabin after all) - it's great to not have to go out to the woodshed every five minutes and I love to be able to see the logs, they add a cosiness to the room even when there's not a fire on the go!

I have to say, the log burner is so efficient that we haven't had to use our electric heating once - we're mercifully grateful for that right now! 

Roll on the Swedish winter, we're ready for you! If anyone's looking for us this weekend, we'll be right here by the fire! 

Do you have a fireplace too? I'd love to hear about your experience!

Have a cosy weekend friends! 

Niki

PS If you're looking for a wood burning stove for your home, Contura offers a really broad selection and has dealers throughout Europe - you can view the entire collection here. 

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The beautiful, nature inspired home of a ceramicist

Hejsan, hejsan! Sorry for the silence, I've just returned from 10 truly wonderful days in Kerala, India. My grandparents (and Mother) lived in India for many years and I've always dreamed of following in their footsteps. My expectations, already high), were far exceeded - the sights, the sounds, the smells, the vibrant colours, the lovely people, just everything! Have you ever been? If not you must! We only managed to cover the very tip of the iceberg so another visit is definitely in order! Tips welcome as always! I thought I'd kick off the week with this beautiful country house in upstate New York designed and owned by ceramicist Kelli Cain and partner Brian Crabtree. The open-plan space includes 4.5 metre (15 feet) high ceilings, a cosy wood-burning stove and has been decorated using earthy tones and an abundance of natural textures and objects - many of which have been made from reclaimed materials - for a truly warm and inviting home. 

Photography: Pia Ulin - shared with kind permission.

What a cosy space?

I don't think I've ever seen a fireplace right in front of the stairs before, have you?  I love how the disused space under the stairs doubles up as log storage too - very clever. If I had a wood burning stove I'd have it going right now beside me while I sip coffee and tap away at my laptop, how about you?

I also love how the magnificent barn door made from recycled wood which can be pulled across to slip in light or closed to separate the home office from the living space.

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Get the look: many of the beautiful ceramics (including the incredible geometric backsplash!) are by Kelli Cain.  Herman Miller saucer pendant light, Carl Hansen CH25 easy chair, natural weave basket (love this!).

You can see a full write up and more pictures over at Martha Stewart.

The space reminds me very much of another home in Upstate New York which I featured in my book Modern Pastoral - both of which truly embrace the idea of bringing the tranquility of nature indoors. So inspiring!

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm announcing not one, but TWO give-away winners to today - so keep an eye out on Instagram and this blog post to see if either are you. 'Holding thumbs' as they say in Sweden!

PPS It was a pleasure to contribute to Houseology's round-up of 51 Scandinavian design ideas! 

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