Beautiful Stays: A Hundred-Year-Old Workman's Cottage

What's the temperature like where you are? In Malmö it's lovely and sunny and I did actually witness someone take a dip in the sea earlier. BUT they did need to withstand -2 C (and that's without the windchill!). Meanwhile, Down Under I'm guessing the waters are exactly the right temperature. Which is why I found my mind wondering to Dubbo, NSW, Australia today. Admittedly, this is because I've found a perfect place to stay. The Repose is owned and managed by Bede and Jemima Aldridge, co-founders of boutique Saddler & Co and Ric and Moir Jones. The four spent two years renovating the hundred-year-old property by hand, with Jemima taking the lead on the design, before opening the doors to guests. And what a great job they've done! Think whitewashed cladding, vintage touches as well as a dreamy bathroom and European-inspired courtyard. Did I mention that there's always a local bottle of wine waiting for you too? We're all aware that travelling to Oz is not an option right now, but if we close our eyes, we might just feel the warm sun on our skin while we sip wine in the courtyard. Or you could just keep your eyes open and feel inspired by the design that oozes from every image. Either way, you're in for a treat! 

"We all have European heritage and I purposefully ensured the cottage has interwoven elements that reference our love for 'gezellig' interiors and also the Australian quintessential cottage charm."

- Jemima Aldridge 

"Many of the items featured throughout are by Australian artisan designers, but the house also features a rather lovely custom brass lamp by Wo and Wé Collection as well as table linen and blankets by Timeless Linen."

The luxury bathroom features an original clawfoot tub restored with care, brass tap ware, original artwork, as well as complimentary Aesop hair and skin formations (now you're talking!). 

How lovely! I'd be happy to check in and stay for a while, how about you?

The decor makes me want to head off and for a 'loppisrunda' (flea market tour) - second-hand pieces add so much to a space don't you think? And of course, there's all that wonderful linen! 

Is there anything that stood out to you?

Find out more about The Repose here. 

Other beautiful homesteads Down Under can be found here (keep an eye out for the 'before and after' and other dreamy guest houses). 

Har det så fint! 

Niki

Photographs: 1. The Repose 2. Lean Timms 3 - 8. Abbie Mellé 9 - 10. Lean Timms 11- 12. Alana Landsberry 13. The Repose

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A Simple, Yet Cosy Norwegian Cabin By The Fjord

God morgen - as they say in Norwegian! How was your weekend? Here, it was a cold, snowy one but the sun was shining, and I actually found myself squinting in the brightness (you wouldn't believe how much we long for that sensation here in Scandinavia in the winter!). But there can also be a certain beauty in the grey, and our friend Hilde Mork, is the master at catching it. I featured her lovely little Norwegian cottage twice last year, once over the summer solstice, and once at Christmas. And now that cabin has become her studio - and she and her husband and their children have moved into a wonderful cabin overlooking the fjord. The pair have carefully renovated the space over time - transforming the old, uninsulated structure into a modern living space. Here are some snapshots of life by the water in the Norwegian winter. 

Beautiful!

I love the simplicity - of the interior, it shows the power of vintage finds (old chairs, lamps etc) as well as wood and textured linen. 

Could you also while away a winter here looking out over the water?

I think it'd be rude not to put our feet up, and celebrate the beginning of a new month with a few more Norwegian home tours today, do you? 

Here are a few of my favourites: 

A cosy candlelit cottage deep in the Norwegian fjords

A Norwegian house by a fjord

The cosy and relaxed home of a Norwegian blogger

Wishing you all a great start to the week - and better still, a wonderful start to Feb. Can you see the light slowly returning where you are too?  

Niki

Photography: Hilde Mork - shared with kind permission

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Have You Got The Right Amount of Lighting in Your Home?

When it comes to home decor, what comes easy to you? I am a firm believer that everyone has their thing. And while I struggle with rugs (seriously, I can never get a handle on those things!), I've found lighting to be my superpower!  I think it's because I love lamps as decor and appreciate the way they can completely transform a room! Since moving to Sweden (coming up to 17 years ago now - gaaaah, where did the time go?) I've also realised how important it is to light up your home properly in the long, dark winter, just for your own sanity! To sum up: 

Here are 7 reasons why I love lighting:

1. It helps you to carry out daily tasks such as cooking and reading, as well as to find what you're looking for (saving you from walking out of the door wearing your child's bobble hat / your jumper inside out / terrifying make-up). 

2. Dimly lit, and soothing warm lighting helps you to relax

3. It makes your home feel more inviting / welcoming and comfortable (one off the reasons Scandinavians love to place lamps in the window)

4. It helps to highlight features in your home you love - and hide those you don't!

6. It helps to divide a room into different zones

7. The light itself can be a work of art

So, how does one create the perfect lighting in your home? I'm a firm believer in the 5-7 rule outlined in Frida Ramstedt's Interior Design Handbook. It stipulates that every room should have at least between five to seven lighting points - with some people even recommending up to nine! 

To really use lighting to its full advantage, it's great to cover: General lighting: a ceiling lamp that spreads ambient light across the room, Task lighting: a reading lamp, desk lamp or strong light over kitchen work surfaces. Spot lighting: lighting that directs itself to highlight a picture, bookcase or help create shadow on the wall. Atmospheric / decorative lighting: mood lighting, dimmable small lamps, candles etc.  

It's also important to use the right bulb - check out this guide for more. So much to think about! 

Time to take stock of my own lighting: 

I've had my Z1 overhead pendant lamp hanging in my sitting room for years. It's such a perfect light - when dialled up, it spreads light throughout the room without glare, and when dimmed, it sets the tone for a relaxed evening (while looking a little like a Thai sky lantern!). 

This pretty brass and marble lady is the Chloe lamp from Hudson Valley Lighting - used purely for mood lighting and brightening up a dark-is corner (although I could dial her up for semi-OK task lighting too).

I can't tell you how many questions I get about this Zuiver Shady two arm lamp. It's the perfect reading lamp and a family favourite. 

One of my treasured vintage pieces, I found the Jielde lamp* on Etsy a while back. Vintage lighting can be really tricky and often needs re-wiring - but your efforts will be rewarded. It's used to shed light on the table in this picture, but I also love to use it to highlight the bookcase or pictures (depending on how this corner has been arranged!). 

In the bedroom, my beloved Ferial lamp from Paris Au Mois D'aout. I am not sure if they are still making it, but they do produce similar ones. I love how it spreads light throughout the room and casts shadows on the wall. 

This elegant lady was handmade in the UK by a local craftsman over 20 years ago. She's followed me to Sweden and has stayed faithfully by myself ever since. I have to be honest, she's a fair-ish reading light but I'm not sure a serious lighting expert would approve! 

The Tip Table Lamp on my desk is a little saviour when the sun dips beneath the horizon - or I'm burning the midnight oil while Per sleeps! 

Look closely, and you'll spot the Vuelta table lamp* from Ferm Living on the shelves behind my desk - it has a built-in dimmer switch and looks lovely lit up in the evening.   

One that I haven't had the chance to photograph yet, but really love, is my glass table lamp from Hübsch. If you're looking for a lamp with a perfect, warm glow - this is your lady! 

It was so fun to take stock of what I have. Even so, I realise there's definitely room for more (perfect excuse for a little light shopping this weekend!). 

What's the lighting situation in your home? Do you need more? Any lighting fails? Or great tips and tricks you'd love to share? 

If you're also planning on taking stock of what you have this weekend, you might also like to consider the following: 

- Dimmer switches are your best friend

- Angle or adjust the height of your lamps to ensure you don't get any glare

- Vary the height of the lights in each room to add feeling and depth: e.g. place on the floor, on surfaces such as low tables, shelves, windowsills, wall mounted or hung from the ceiling. 

Right folks. I do believe it's the weekend - wooohoooo! I can't say I'm doing anything too exciting! But it'll be nice to have a lie-in, pick out some paint colours with Liv for her bedroom and perhaps go for a walk along the beach. And enjoy a couple glasses of wine no doubt. 

Skål to the weekend! 

Niki

*some of the links contain affiliate partnerships which means I might make a teeny tiny amount if you click and buy something - at no extra cost to you. Also, a few of the lamps featured are press gifts. 

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Danica's Delightful Danish Home In Cotton Candy Shades

New York Fashion week 2020 was a sea of dreamy pastels - a trend quickly adopted by the Danes. Actually, who am I kidding, the Danes have been rocking pastels for years! If there's one thing I've learned living so near the danish border, it's that the Danes are the ones to watch! One of my latest Instagram follows is the lovely Danica Chloe. Danica lives in a 98 m2 (1054 f2) apartment in the Amager district of Copenhagen with her husband, a paramedic, and their two young children Sylvester and Nola. Danica loves to experiment with cotton candy shades including pistachio green, orange sorbet, baby blue and lavender - both in her home and her choice of clothes - giving a sense that spring is just around the corner. Keep an eye out for quirky, on-trend details too! 

Spot the TV? The Samsung Frame never fails to disappoint -  I love the art Danica has found for hers - found on Etsy*! I had no idea Etsy was such a great source for Samsung The Frame art*, did you? Also seen on the wall are pieces from Paper Collective, Sorte Negle, Little Detroit* and Arthus Studio. 

The Muuto stacked shelves system* have become a real classic - I've had a set in my own home for years, although I wish I'd also gone for the ix of white and wood! 

An array of colourful glasses from Karen's Bord and a Hay candle add a pop of pastel in the kitchen.

The handcrafted dining table is from DAYLY and the twirly candles are from HAY (you can easily make these yourself too - check out the simple twisted candle hack I shared last week!). 

A fan from Sakura Copenhagen has been displayed under Swedish string shelves, lined with pretty pastel ornaments. The bed is made with linen from Juna Design. 

Danica also shares a load of style and beauty inspiration on her instagram and blog - and even the occasional trip (not right now though, of course) as well as recipes. I love her style - it involves her signature pastels, over-sized pieces, quirky accessories and lots of layering! 

Sylvester and Nola sleep in a funky bunkbed by danish brand FLEXA. 

My friend Sarah's going to cry when she sees this picture - which includes not one but TWO rattan wardrobes from IKEA - now out of stock with a rapidly increasing secondhand value on eBay! Gaaah! 

Just as I was writing, the sun came out for the first time in days - and I suddenly feel like spring really is just around the corner. Hurray! 

Time to add a few pastels to the home? 

See more pics of Danica's wonderful home and her fab daily outfits over at @danicachloedk and on her blog. 

Shall we take a peek at a few other pastel-inspired homes today? Why not! 

Trend alert: how to rock the pastels

A delightful Swedish family home in a former schoolhouse

A pastel-infused Danish home

By the way - thank you so much for all your tips yesterday about buying / installing / tuning a piano - so helpful! Happy you loved the home tour as much as I did too! 

Wishing you all a lovely day!

Niki

Photography @danicachloedk - shared with kind permission

*affiliated links, which means I might make a tiny amount of money (at no cost to you) if you click on the link and buy something. 

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