An Idyllic Farmhouse In Victoria, For a family of Five

Are you wishing you had just a teeny-weeny more space at home right now? I love my home in Malmö in many ways, but I guess, when pressed, there are some things I miss more than ever. Like a big garden where I could grow vegetables, take a stroll and sip rosé in the evening sun! The Shower family have found this and a whole more in rural Stanley, North East Victoria, Australia. Living simply, following the seasons and beating to the drum of their small town, the family are in the process of turning their home - Black Barn Farm, into a biodiverse orchard, nursery and learning space. The fruit from the orchard is seasonally available through farmer's markets and a 'pick your own' service will commence from 2021. In the meantime, you can tuck into apple cider doughnuts, pick up a perennial and enjoy one of their many events and workshops. Welcome to life, down on Black Barn Farm! 

I've got my eye on one of those doughnuts! 

I can imagine owning a farm requires a massive amount of work, and the Shower family sound really dedicated and passionate about what they do, which is really inspiring!

It also looks like a truly idyllic place to spend a childhood, don't you think? 

Could you imagine living on a farm? I'm undecided, but seeing these pictures certainly has me considering a life-change! 

Read more about Black Barn Farm. 

When I finally make that trip to Australia one day, this is going to be on my list of places to visit! 

Feeling the farm vibes today (imagine all that space?!)? Here are a few others I love: 

An inspiring life-change story / wild run farm

A Frisian stop farm becomes a beautiful home

A dated home becomes a fresh modern farmhouse  

Sending sunny vibes from Malmö!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Black Barn Farm - shared with kind permission. 

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The Beautiful Home and Studio of An Argentinian Textile Weaver

The loom will always remind me of my first ever visit to Sweden at the tender age of 8. We stayed at my friend's summer cottage by a lake in the countryside and they had a huge loom in the corner of the room (actually, looking back, it probably wasn't that big - I was just small!) which her Mother used to make Swedish rag rugs. I've been curious about weaving ever since. It's one of the oldest human crafts and practised all over the world. This home and studio in Argentina belongs to textile entrepreneur Carolina Sanchis. Carolina specialises in modern weaves for the home in the form of very cool cushions, slippers, wall hanging, bags, belts and even items for the office - sold through her brand Carolita Home. Look closely and you'll spot many of her creations in her beautiful home which she shares with her architect partner, Santiago. Enjoy the tour! 

How beautiful is this place? I'd move in tomorrow! 

The textiles totally make the space - adding a warm, cosy and decorative touch. 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

Check out Carolina's online shop here (even if it's in Spanish you can still get a glimpse of some of the items she makes) and her inspiring instagram feed here. 

Curious about other Maker Spaces? I love:

The beautiful home of a Danish designer

The charming creative home of a Polish artist

An artist's home and studio in Stockholm

I took a quick look through the archives to see if I've featured any Argentinian homes in the past, and this was actually the first (of many, I hope!)! However, I have shown some inspiration from South America - including a Brazilian beach home and a remote beach escape in Uruguay. It makes me realise that I have a lot of traveling to do once all of this blows over! How about you? 

Have a lovely day friends!

Niki

Photography: Magalí Saberian Styling Sil Bidabehehere  / Archicect: Estudio MASS - shared with kind permission. Found via Planete Deco with thanks.

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16 Beautiful Outdoor Bath and Shower Ideas

Nothing says summer like bathing or showering alfresco, don't you think? Right now, we might not be free to visit somewhere balmy and tropical with luxury showers amongst the crickets - and even cycling to the nearby beach / lake / river is off limits in many countries. But we sure can make the most of what little outdoor space we have. This week I'm dreaming about adding an outdoor shower or bath to our tiny back yard. I haven't run the idea passed Per yet... I need to gather some beautiful inspiration to tantalise him into saying yes first. Here are 16 of my favourite outdoor bath and shower ideas... I hope they might inspire you to move your bathroom outside this summer too! 

1. (top picture) The Scandi 'just- back-from-the-beach' vibe

2. (above) The romantic rinse! (love the antique mirror!)

3. Keeping it simple

 4. The walled-garden soak

5. The bathing oasis

6. The scorched Med vibe

7. Rustic simplicity

8. The relaxed old school ritual

9. Tropical rain forest

10. Contemporary minimalism (with a twist) - that vintage chair! 

11. The cute romantic bathroom 

12. Clean and contemporary

13. Modern Scandi!

 14. Back yard beauty!

15. By the pool plunge (somewhere tropical!)

16. Rustic soak with a view (does it come with the guy I wonder?)

Who needs tropical holidays when you can have one of these beauties in your own backyard? Admittedly some might look a teeny bit out of place here in Malmö (ahem), but there are definitely some ideas worth thinking about! 

Do you love the idea of bathing alfresco too? If so, did any of these ideas inspire you? 

Here are a few more ideas (just in case you need a little more convincing!): 

An idyllic Swedish cottage with an outdoor shower and kitchen

Exotic meets boho in a Bali pool villa

7 boho ideas for outdoor spaces big and small

And if you're ready to go:

How to set-up an outdoor shower

Roll on balmy days and soaks alfresco! 

Niki

Photo credits: 1. Sköna Hem 2. Sibella Court 3. Lune photography 4. Lonny mag 5. Gaia retreat 6. The Beach People 7. The Wensley 8. The Design Files 9. Homes to Love 10. Soul of Gerringong 11. Seth Smoot 12. Alicia Taylor for Emma lane Architects 13. Anon 14. Mikkel Vang 15. Hotel Azucar 16. Umbria Yoga Retreat / Ali Kaukas

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Small spaces: A light-filled One Room Swedish Attic

Goddag, goddag! How was your weekend? This lovely home in Gothenburg, Sweden is dedicated to anyone who's feeling a little cooped up (err, I guess that's most of us then!), those of you who have been dreaming about knocking through the ceiling into the attic (do it!), if you're planning a loft conversion, or simply living in a small, one room studio and in need of some dreamy inspiration. Designed by Emma Fischer, the space measures a teeny 36.1 metre square (376 f2) and could feel pokey and dark had it not been for the vast ceiling height, skylights, light wood floor and whitewashed walls. I especially love the dark wood beams; they add so much character! To divide the space up a little, you could also add a curtain around the bed area and include under-the-bed storage for clothes. Another idea would be to add some shelves (or wardrobe) as a room divider between the sitting room and kitchen. In other words, the bones are there, the only limit is your imagination! I'd be quite happy to pootle around here all week, how about you?! 

I hope this has given you a little food for thought for your own home. I always think that there's something that can be taken away from every home tour (whether that's colour inspiration, furniture arrangements, or a lamp) even if the space bears little resemblance to your own living space.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

A little more small space inspiration for you today:

7 small space tricks to learn from a Stockholm home

Small spaces: a dreamy Stockholm pad

16 ways to transform a tiny room into a dreamy, practical bedroom

Do you remember 'the world's smallest luxury home' too? My nine-year-old would love to live somewhere like this, she loves it when we're altogether in a small space - and imagine the adventures you could have (someday soon)? 

Have a great start to the week friends, we're getting through this, one step at a time! 

Niki

Styling: Emma Fischer 

Photography: Annie Hyrefeldt

Alvhem

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