My New Reading Corner!

My Scandinavian Home partnership: 

Do you have a 'lost corner', in your home? A place that doesn't really add any value?! The corner of our sitting room is not strictly 'lost' - it does serve as a nice spot for binge-watching Netflix - but that's really about it - it's too dark for anything else! With the imminent arrival of Autumn (there's already a crispness in the air in Sweden - eeek!) and the days getting shorter (nooo) I finally decided to create a cosy spot that can also work as a reading corner.

Say hello to the Zuiver Shady Double wall Lamp from Houseology. I didn't choose it just for the fabulous brass and grey powder coated steel finish (honest!) - I also love that the lamp heads tilt so it can be used for reading and putting pretty things in the spotlight such as the dried flowers or one of my prints.

I also added this little Zuiver side table (after all - it's imperative to have somewhere to place your coffee / tea / glass of wine while you read, right?!). It was a tricky selection process since our sitting room is fairly monotone and that corner in particular is very tight. In the end, I was taken with the Carrara marble top and cast iron legs on this little table - both of which add texture in a pretty, yet subtle way.

How beautiful is that grey marble?! FYI for those of you who prefer a lighter look, it's also available in white.

Now that it's all in place, I'm wondering why on earth I didn't do this ages ago! Isn't that always the case? I owe a big thanks to the online interior design store Houseology - who recently added the Scandinavian-style Dutch brand to their fabulous list of brands.  Tack!

I hope this inspires you to transform that lost corner of your home too!

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for me this weekend, I'll be right here with a book!

Have a wonderful couple of days friends, see you Monday!

Niki

PS if you're wondering where anything else is from, check out this post or give me a shout in the comment section below! 



This post is brought to you in collaboration with Houseology,  however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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How About Lolling About At The Chalet, Byron Bay?

I had a discussion with someone the other day about baths in the bedroom. What's your take? For those of you who are less than keen, perhaps a simple curtain could be the perfect compromise. I for one, would be quite happy to return to this beautiful bedroom / bathroom at the The Chalet each day. It helps that it's in beautiful Byron Bay, of course, too! Oh, and there's a lovely living space and pool to enjoy too. I know. I know. 

I love the pool area - the white cladding, cactus, fabulous parasol - everything!

Could you imagine lolling about here for a few days?!

More holiday homes here - and more about The Chalet here.

Have a fabulous day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Byron Beach Abodes

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A Scandinavian Lakeside Cabin in Warm Ochre and Neutral Hues

I'm sure you know (I do talk about it ad nauseam after all - bah!), my dream is to have a home overlooking the water one day. Do you share the same vision? If so, perhaps something like this incredible Scandinavian cabin in Alingsås would do? I stumbled upon it thanks to Jotex - a Swedish brand who used the retreat as a backdrop for their 'minimal desert' AW18 collection. The pared-back space has been sparsely furnished with beautiful pieces and decorated in rich ochre, chestnut and cream tones against a backdrop of wood and stone. Oh and did I mention it has magnificent views over a lake and slips in the most wonderful dappled light?!

Oh I could be happy rocking about on my weekends here. So happy. How about you?!

It's so interesting to see a Scandinavian take on the desert theme, I think it works beautifully, how about you?

If you'd like to see a few more Cabins / weekend retreats today, put the kettle on and scroll through the log cabin archive - there are some real goodies in there! If this one pops up first just go on passed it (unless of course you want to admire it all over again!).

What does your dream cabin look like?

Have a lovely day!

Niki

PS many of the items featured are available at Jotex (of course!).

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An Idyllic Swedish Summer Cottage (and Caravan) on Gotland

Every summer, Swedish journalist, blogger and writer Emma Sundh and her family swap their busy Stockholm lives for a slower pace on the beautiful island of Gotland. Long summer days are spent relaxing at their cottage, ambling along to the nearby beach or entertaining on their big pink bus (yes, really!). Welcome to Emma's delightful vintage world! 

// affiliated links marked with *//

 The Swedish summer cottage is known for being pared-back and understated. A clutch of simple wild flowers, a vintage jug and oil lamp is all this pretty table setting needs!

Pick up a vintage oil lamp here* - or for a more modern take, I'm a big fan of the Klong*!

The lavender garland is so pretty - yet so simple to make, plus you could create one to match any season!

Emma added the larder using the same materials and paint for a seamless fit with the traditional style kitchen. A Smeg fridge freezer also makes a great retro addition!  

I love this little vintage mirror, it's a perfect way to brighten up a hallway (it helps to bounce light around) and the shelf creates just enough space for a vase of wild flowers!

Who needs a coffee table when you can use two vintage suitcases* (with built-in storage too!).

 The bedroom has been simply decorated in a white, green (the shade looks similar to 'Restful Le Havre') and dark wood scheme - flowers add a lovely pop of colour!

One of the children's bedrooms has been decorated in the same colour.

Pick up a similar vintage school poster here*.

Emma has covered one wall in the top bedroom with the super pretty Carnation Garden wallpaper from BoråsTapater.

There's additional space for guests in a fab retro caravan. And supper is sometimes served on Emma's pink bus!

What a beautiful way to spend the summer!

Pink bus anyone?!

Check out more truly lovely Gotland cottages here:

A charming 19th century house
A Pared-back Swedish summer home
The bohemian holiday home of a Swedish photographer

And keep an eye on Emma's blog Emma's Vintage and instagram feed for snapshots from her life on Gotland and Sweden's capital city.

Have a dreamy day friends!

Niki

Photography: 1 & 6 Therese / Studio Plåthus the rest by Emma Sundh, shared with kind permission.

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