my scandinavian home: International homes

St Oak - a Dreamy Apartment and Holiday Home Near Berlin

Do you recognise the signature style in the picture above? Maybe this beautiful kitchen in a former schoolhouse, this Berlin apartment and country house or this charming cottage in Österlen, Sweden might provide a clue.

Yep, Laura and Nora of Our Food Stories fame have been weaving their magic again. And this time it's in the form of St Oak Apartments in the charming town of Kyritz, North of Berlin. The pair started the renovation last February and now the loft is open for bookings!

When it comes to beautiful design, they've certainly left no stone unturned. Not only does the 160 sq.m. (1722 ft.sq) apartment have a dreamy DeVol kitchen (the girls are chefs so they certainly know a thing or two about kitchens!), the apartment is full of Scandi design favourites including pieces from Frama, New Works and &Tradition.

Laura and Nora tell me that the town is lovely and calm and there's a lake nearby for swimming and boating. So, I might just have to pay a visit soon.

Take the tour to see if you might be tempted too!

It looks like a trip to Germany might be in order, do you agree?

Discover more about this beautiful apartment and book your stay here.

To find out more about the furniture, head on over to @st.oak_apartments on instagram. You can also see other renovations over at @_designtales_.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of St Oak Apartments, shared with kind permission.

A Dreamy Cottage by the Ocean Filled with Vintage Finds

It was the vintage zinc bath tub looking out over the ocean which caught my eye.

Instantly knowing that there was more about this home to be discovered, I delved deeper into the @thevintagerose_ instagram feed - and an entire coastal cottage filled with vintage treasures unravelled before me!

The heritage cottage belongs to Amanda Skipper - who has lovingly restored the hideaway on the shore of Moulting Bay on Tasmania's east coast over time. Today Amanda and her partner can relax and enjoy in the views - whether from the veranda, sitting room or of course, the bath tub!

Ready to dream?

Beautiful!

Having grown up sailing and now living a few metres from the Öresund in Malmö, Sweden, I find there is nothing more relaxing than looking out over the water. It's as if everything gets put into perspective and all worries fall away. Do you feel the same? It's my lifelong dream to live in a cottage like this.

It's not just the view though. It's also the way it tells a tale of a past life through old brick walls, wood flooring, arches, a fireplace and all the other architectural details. And of course all the vintage finds!

Could you imagine relaxing here too?

See more of Amanda's charming cottage over at @thevintagerose_. And just because we could all use a little dreaming this weekend, here are some more homes by the sea to enjoy:

The beautiful home of a Danish ceramicist

A magical rural escape beside a Norwegian fjord

A dream Danish house by the sea

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea

An artists cottage in a fishing village in Cornwall

Right folks, that's it from me. The weather is so beautiful today, I might just switch off my laptop and head out doors. It's POETS day after all - (Push Off Early, Tomorrow's Saturday).

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Niki

PS (contains ad for my own work) - While on the subject of relaxing by the sea - I've been meaning to say thank you so much to everyone who has picked up a copy of Njuta book - it really means so much!

Photography: @thevintagerose_, shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: coastal International homes VIntage inspired homes

Charming Seabird Cottage, on Lamb Island, Australia

For anyone who needs to hear this today: Anna Swain is selling beautiful 'Seabird' on Lamb Island just off Brisbane, Queensland Australia.

Not familiar with Anna Swain? A glance at her instagram and you'll quickly establish that everything she touches turns to gold, in a beautiful, rustic and relaxed kind of way. And Seabird is no different.

With panoramic views of Moreton Bay, Anna and her husband Andrew moved the property to the island by barge, before turning their hand to the decor.

The house is filled with an eclectic mix of treasures including 120 year-old Egyptian bathroom tiles, solid timber fans and claw-foot tubs as well one-off vintage and antique pieces - all of which come with the house! Everything has been carefully handpicked to ensure life is all about kicking back and soaking up the golden light while watching boats drift by.

While it may sound like an ideal holiday home, good transport links (it's 25 minutes by ferry to Brisbain and an inter-island ferry can whisk you to neighbouring Russell island with its shops and primary school) mean you could also turn it into your year-round dwelling! What a dream for anyone looking for a change of pace!

Ready to take the tour?

Be still, beating heart! So beautiful!

Could you imagine kicking back here? If so, any potential buyers can reach out directly to Anna via her instagram (where you can also see plenty more pictures!) - just saying!

Would you like to view more dreamy island homes today? After all, what are Monday's for, if they're not for dreaming? Take a look at:

Riika's idyllic cabin in the Eastern Gulf of Finland

Stonecutter's farm on the Swedish island of Öland (available as a holiday let!)

Elsa's charming cottage on the island of Gotland

Here's to a relaxing start to the week!

Kram!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @annaswain, with thanks

FILED UNDER: coastal International homes Rustic VIntage inspired homes

A Stunning French Country Home Filled with Antiques

One day, when my children are fully grown, Per and I dream of spending part of our winter somewhere sunnier and warmer than Sweden. Not the entire winter - I love pulling out my knits and lighting candles in autumn, and the first flurry of snow in December - but just enough to take the edge off the raw, dark days! We're still thinking about where this might be (tips welcome!) - but the South of France is a strong contender.

In fact, I could very much imagine myself in a beautiful country home like Maison Aumône - then again who couldn't? The property belongs to Rachel Baker, founder of 3 sources - and is located in the Petit Luberon National Park surrounded by rolling hills, ancient woodland, vineyards and orchards.

Formerly available to rent on airbnb, these days, the country house is the site for retreats run by Rachel (keep an eye out for the next one here) - which offer a perfect opportunity to witness the impeccable restoration and admire French antiques at every turn!

Oooooh, to wake up here, cycle to the market through the vineyards, before enjoying a local wine on the terrace. Who's with me?