A Cosy Summer Cabin In The Swedish Countryside (available to rent!)

Tjena! How was your weekend? I'm feeling so distracted today: the schools have broken up, the warm weather has arrived and the sparkling sea beckons!  It's honestly the best time of the year to be in southern Sweden. Why don't you come and join us?! I wrote a local guide to Malmö here - and if you're a foodie, there's the unique Stedsans in the Woods about an hour away. Better still, if you're travelling as a couple and looking to get away from it all, I spotted that Swedish interior designer and photographer Daniella Witte is renting out her super cosy summer cabin.  Situated near Lomma (which has a wonderful beach), the cosy grey and white summer cabin interior is reminiscent of Daniella's own lovely home, sleeps two and has beautiful vistas over the Scanian countryside.  It's hard to imagine that the structure is made from repurposed steel shipping containers! How incredible is that?!

Daniella has painted an Ivar cabinet from IKEA in the same colour as the walls (Jotun Demidekk S 2502-Y) and added wheels.

I like how Danielle has also painted the hooks (seen above left) in the same colour as the walls - and opted for a kitchen cabinets and a table in a similar colour to keep the look clean and decluttered. 

When you go for a monotone look it's important to add loads of texture. Curtains are great for adding texture, softness and dampening the sound. 

A white bed skirt and natural bed linen* add a lovely freshness to the space. As you've no doubt noticed, linen is a massively popular material in Scandinavia. One of the main reasons is that it's really practical - it keeps you warm in winter and nice and cool in the summer, plus the natural creases add a relaxed look to the room - no ironing required!  

Perfect little spot for a morning coffee (or evening G&T! FYI the nearby island of Ven makes a great local gin, just saying!).

You might need to book quickly - before the resident cat gets in there first! 

Daniella rents it out Sunday to Sundays throughout the summer. Her contact details are available here. 

A quick note on container houses: there are thought to be over 14 million out-of-service shipping containers in the world. They have become a popular building material since they are relatively cheap to acquire, easy to transport and keep construction costs down - plus it's a great way to recycle!

Have a fabulous start to the week. 

It might just be time for that first dip in the sea for the day here in Malmö...

Niki

Photography / design: Daniella Witte

PS it's Per and my ten-year wedding anniversary next week and we've booked a little getaway to Italy (so excited, I can't remember the last time we were without children!). We're flying to Pisa and looking for somewhere beautiful to stay on the coast or Tuscan countryside - any tips?! All a bit last minute, I know! 

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A Wonderful Vintage-Inspired Family Home in Metz, France

Formerly the owner of vintage concept store Le Velo Rose ('The Pink Bike'), Pauline Mellinger closed her brick and mortar shop in 2017 to devote her time to raising her children, looking after their three cats, chickens and rabbits - and renovating the family home in the countryside near Metz, France. I don't have access to all the 'before' pictures from Pauline's home but the few I do have perfectly demonstrate the incredible transformation it's been through. From play tents, flower petal lamps and swans  - to splashes of blue and countless vintage finds: the family enjoy a beautiful, playful, relaxed and truly personal living space that caters for all ages! 

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Dated dark cabinets have been replaced with fresh white fronts, vibrant blue tiles, a wood worktop and relaxed open shelving.

The family dining room has been decorated almost entirely in white and wood for a light and airy feel. 

Look closely and you'll notice that the wire chairs all have a slightly different form which helps to add to the relaxed atmosphere of the room. This Bertoia chair* is similar. 

Playroom before

Playroom after

Despite the dark blue walls, the room is full of dappled light thanks to the dual aspect windows and disco ball light! The flower pendant light is one of my absolute favourites right now (and picking up momentum on instagram!). It's available here. 

The main sitting room is made up of IKEA pieces, DIY items, vintage finds and the odd children's toy! 

Landing before

Landing after

The heavy bookcase and cast iron banisters have been replaced with a simple white wall and a mirror for a lighter look. Trinkets and a chair collected on travels add a vibrant pop of colour to the space. 

Bedroom before

Bedroom after

Pauline and her husband's bedroom has been transformed into a cool, light and airy space thanks to the blue and white theme. I also love how she's used the darker paint to turn the fireplace and chimney breast into a focal point. 

Round jute rug*, rustic bench

It's amazing how one bright coloured Boucherouite rug* can make all the difference to a white bathroom, don't you think?!

The blue and white theme (with rattan accents) is continued into the children's bedroom - with a half-half blue and white wall. The cane flower pendant lamp also mirrors the lighting used in other rooms. 

Aaaaaah, what a perfect home. It's charming in every way, don't you think? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you'd like to see more of pauline's lovely home, hop on over to her instagram @leevelorose.

Also, don't miss: A relaxed vintage-inspired family home in the French country-side, The colourful home of a French photographer and stylist and a charming white and natural family home in Normandy.

Right, that's it from me for the week, The sun's shining and the sea beckons. I hope you have a fabulous weekend that sparkles in every way!

See you Monday1

Niki

Photography: Pauline Mellinger

* Affiliate links

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Relaxed Southern Style Meets Scandinavian Minimalism in a Florida Home

I had such a hectic journey home from Transylvania last night. The flight was cancelled due to bad weather. I finally landed in Copenhagen at midnight along with Fredrik, Crown Prince of Denmark - I kid you not!! He got whisked away in a limo straight off the plane, I on the other hand, had a slightly longer journey out of the airport! Anyhow, it was so nice to wake up in my own bed this morning - I felt a great sense of calm wash over me as I wondered down for my morning coffee. In fact, the vibe in the white and wood home of Carla Natalia Thompson perfectly captures my mood. Originally from Puerto Rico, the home stylist lives in a beautiful, 1920s craftsman home in Florida with her husband Justin and son Atticus Rhys. Their understated family home is a sea of white and wood, while plants and vintage finds help to add a calm and relaxed, bohemian vibe.  Enjoy the tour!

Pinnoockio chairs, Seno table

Crosley Cruiser record player*, 

Carla Natalie covered her IKEA sofa with a leather slip from Comfort Works. Brass lamp from Target.

Bed from West Elm, source white linen bedding here*

This small round straw bag* is similar.

How serene! I particularly love the lack of clutter, how about you?  

BTW, I picked up the same white string basket seen in the bathroom at IKEA last week. I use mine for vegetables in our kitchen - but I'm liking the idea of using it for loo rolls too! Artilleriet do one with a nice brown leather strap and I also saw a fabulous crochet and leather Chanel one in Vogue UK  - but that was a WHOLE other budget (and I'm guessing waaaay to good for veggies and loo rolls - even if it was called a 'shopper').  

You can see more of Carla Natalia's delightful home on her eponymous blog and instagram and there's always the bohemian style archive for a ton more relaxed homes. 

Have a wonderful day friends!

Niki

Photography: Carla Natalia Thompson

Affiliate links marked with *

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A Home In The South of France With a Lovely Black Kitchen

Black kitchens are on my mind after chatting to Desirée of Vosgesparis over the past few days (she's currently renovating a kitchen too so we had a lot to talk about!). We're in Transylvania for a few days on a blogger trip and today we're off to Dracula's castle! Mwah ha ha haaaa. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, black kitchens. They are not for everyone but if you have the courage to go dark, you'll be rewarded with a dramatic space that makes a wonderful statement. This warm kitchen belongs to Camille - a deco coach, online shop owner and the blogger behind Cosy Home - her husband and two little boys, Jules and Noah. The family live in a pretty little village near Aix en Provence in the South of France and their home is full of vintage and artisanal pieces from the region, art, warm wood as well as lots of plants and dried flowers. I couldn't resist sneaking in a few pictures of their open-plan dining room and sitting room too (you'll totally see why!).

Such a lovely family space, don't you think? I'd be happy to hang out here over a fika or two, how about you?! 

You can see more of Camille's home on instagram and her blog. 

Tempted by a black kitchen? Try IKEA (made from recycled plastic bottles), Reform (one of my latest favourites) and VIPP.

Right, I'd better head off, I've got an important 'Count' to visit. I'm so glad I had all that garlic at the Italian restaurant last night! 

If you'd like to see a few pics from Transylvania they're all on my instagram stories right now - it's mesmerisingly beautiful here. Have you been to this part of the world?

Niki

PS I apologise for any spelling / grammar errors - I'm writing from the back of a very bumpy mini bus!

Photography: Camille / Cosy Home

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