A Vintage-Inspired Home in a Converted Church

Kicking off the week in style - rustic style, with Cheryl's perfectly imperfect home in a converted church the scenic rim of Queensland Australia. Cheryl is a stylist and prop sourcer as well as the owner of Albert and Grace store selling 'a curated collection of worn, weathered and imperfect wares'.  

Evidence of Cheryl's work can be seen throughout her home, which is filled with vintage and antique pieces from dressers and tables to lighting and nick nacks. The architect, is of course, also incredible. Think sky high ceilings, arched windows and exposed beams. Be still, beating heart. 

Is it the weekend yet, I need to go flea market hunting pronto! 

Such a beautiful home, in every way: the blend of furniture and accessories with all their time-honoured imperfections, the architecture of the former church, the surroundings. Everything! 

Has Cheryl's home inspired you too? 

See more snapshots from Cheryls' converted church here, and visit the Albert and Grace online store. 

Here are few more pictures from lovely Australian homes with a vintage touch: 

A Wabi Sabi getaway in the Bay of Fires

A dreamy little cottage by the sea

The white room studio

My dream holiday home and garden

A rustic barn conversion

Love converted buildings? Take a look in this archive for homes in everything from former warehouses, shops, barns, schools, vicarages and even a fire station! If this one pops up first, just scroll on past. 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Cheryl / Albert and Grace. 

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Getaway From it all at a Lakeside Cottage in Sweden

A few weeks ago I featured Anna Starrén's wonderfully unique, floating cottage, built on a lake in the Swedish countryside by her husband Martin. Since then, Anna and I realised we have a good mutual friend in common (Sweden is so small sometimes!). But, more interestingly to you, I also discovered Anna runs an airbnb!

Yep, you can actually stay at her lakeside paradise in the village of Sjötofta, Västra Götaland county. The red, white and yellow guesthouse is setback from the main cottage and has it's own terrace overlooking the woods. The charming, simple interior has everything you might need for a weekend away and in the morning you can look forward to freshly laid eggs  - and a dip in the lake. Oh, and there's also a hot tub and sauna to enjoy. 

Time to clear the calendar? Here's what's in store: 

Just my kind of getaway! Could you imagine chilling here too? 

More info / booking details on Airbnb. And you can see more of Anna's lovely life over at @annastarren and find out more about her workshops, events and floristry here. 

Keen to discover other cottages available to rent in Sweden? Here are a couple I've featured in the past: 

Enjoy a stay at a former schoolhouse by a lake

A rustic cottage on the island of Gotland

Or why not book yourself into Stedsans? Another list you might find handy if you're planning a visit is my feature on 20 instagrammable places to stay in Sweden. 

While I'm at it, I could as well share my Swedish travel guides: 

20 things to do in Malmö in wintertime

4 day tour to Helsingborg, Helsingør and Kullaberg

10 islands to visit on Sweden's west coast

A guide to Swedish island hopping in the Baltic

Right, that's it from me this week. 

Trevlig helg! See you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Anna Starrén, sheered with kind permission. 

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Elsa's Inspiring Summer Cottage on the Swedish Island of Gotland

Following the Danish cabin I featured the other day, I took your feedback on continuing with the Scandinavian summer cottages this autumn as a green light! 

There are some people whose style just resonates with you immediately - and for me, one of those people is Elsa Billgren. The Swedish TV presenter, fashion and interior stylist and author of the book The Key to the Home: decor, friends, and the food we share, co-produced with Sofia Wood, Elsa and her family 

divides her time between Stockholm (take a tour of her lovely apartment) and the incredible Baltic island of Gotland. 

And I'm excited to share a peek inside the living room, bedroom and bathroom of the latter today. Rustic, calm and pared down, the family cottage in Ljugarn is a wash with subtle off-white tones, surfaces rich in patina and one-off pieces, making it a perfect place to unwind and recharge surrounded by the rugged nature of Gotland. Step this way! 

Pendant 'Liv' light by Klong, sofa from meli meli, rug: Cappelin Dimyr

Elsa found the wall mounted sculpture at a Salvation Army store. The fruit sculpture is from Ala Gård, Gotland. 

Source a similar kinetic mobile here*, mantis wall lamp, white linen curtains*

The island of Gotland and Fårö is absolutely amazing! It's one of my favourite Swedish islands, and we've sailed to quite a few. See my Baltic island hopping guide here! 

And just how lovely are these rooms in Elsa's cottage? See more from snapshots from her city and island life here. 

I've shared many more homes from the island in the past - mostly with a rustic touch, all beautiful. Here's a small selection to get you started: 

A converted schoolhouse on the Swedish island of Gotland

A 19th century house, ready for summer

A rustic summer cottage on the island of Gotland'

Have you been to Gotland? If not, it's definitely one to add to your travel bucket list! 

See you Friday friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elsa Billgren, shared with kind permission. 

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A Traditional SwedishVilla Overlooking the Stockholm Archipelago

I've been to Stockholm many times, but it was only when I visited the surrounding archipelago that I truly grasped the allure of living there. We passed thousands of cottages on the water's edge nestled among forest, while commuters, kayakers and sailors ambled along the waterway. I was straight on 'Hemnet' (Sweden's database for the property market), searching for a new family home! Alas, we're still based in the south and very settled, but a girl can dream! I mean, who wouldn't want to return to this beautiful villa in Oxön each day, one-hour drive from the city? 

The villa combines traditional Swedish style with a coastal vibe and capitalises on the light that reflects off the water - as well as the magnificent views of the Baltic Sea. 

This winter, the tiled masonry oven seen in the corner here, will no doubt roar into life. I don't know about your neck of the woods, but here in Sweden many house owners are panicking about electricity prices and looking for alternatives - wood is in high demand! 

One of my favourite types of bathroom cabinets - up cycled antique dressers! 

Can you see yourself waking up at the weekend and heading out here in your robe with a morning coffee? 

The family bathroom also makes use of an antique dresser, while twin basins help to ease the morning congestion (we could so do with this in our family bathroom, how about you?). 

How wonderful! I can just imagine returning here each day, could you? That view! 

In midwinter some of the waterways freeze over, paving the way for long distance ice-skaters - who snake their way through the islands. It's a sight to behold! 

Dream away over other Scandinavian waterside properties here:

A magical rural escape by a Norwegian fjord

An idyllic fjordside summer retreat

A Norwegian cabin by a fjord

 

Have a relaxing start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Eklund via Nordroom with thanks. 

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