Your Swedish island retreat?!

Hello there! Every now and again a little pearl comes up on the Swedish estate agency market (even though in this instance you could say it's a slightly larger pearl).  Situated in Southern Gotland, an island off the east coast of Sweden, the 18th century house has been renovated in keeping with the beauty and natural wilderness of the island using materials such as wood, stone and natural linen. Oh and did I mention the sea view? Are you ready to be 'herrskapet' of a Gotland manor (at the weekends at least....)...?

Fantastic Frank

My favourite room has to be the master bedroom - so simple yet so beautiful.

How about you?

There aren't so many items to pick out from this home (it's waiting for you to put your signature stamp on it!). But to get started - you can source beautiful bed linen and throws in beige, charcoal and white here, I love this vintage bamboo screen and why not throw in a cosy Gotland sheepskin?

You know what's coming don't you? Yup - all my favourite homes on Gotland (and there are so many!) - definitely check out this idyllic swedish island holiday home, a charming, pared-back holiday home, a small island hide-away, and the boho summer home of a fashion photographer.

Have a lovely day! 

Exotic meets boho in a Bali pool villa

Dreaming of a touch of paradise after a long week?  I love the relaxed vibe of this pool villa near the surfers paradise of Batu Bolong beach, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia. Set among palms and lush tropical surroundings, it's been designed so the indoors and out merge into one - with a covered terrace encompassing a sitting room, dining area and an amazing outdoor bathroom. The decor is inspired by 'Mexico and the exotic east' giving the villa a distinct bohemian touch. Aaaaannnd? It's available for rent through Australian swimwear brand Fella - race you to it?

 

Fella Villa

Guh! I'd swap my indoor shower for this beautiful outdoor shower any day of the week.  I once dedicated a post to showering al freso - so wonderful! I also love this outdoor bath and for something more modern, this shower!

Not quite warm enough or not got the outdoor space for bathing al fresco? This, this and this bathroom will make you feel you're bathing outdoors even in the heart of the city - heaven!

A few items I love from this Bali villa: wooden bar stools, pick up a selection of vintage handmade kilim cushions/ pillows here (for brighter colours try this shop), rugs (this one is especially lovely!) and poufs (this one!). I love this mid-century credenza. Rustic ladder. 

A few other lovely holiday home rentals to be browsed- with some of my favourites including a Brazilian escape, an ethereal beach house in St Barths and a vintage inspired home in Australia.  Who needs work anyway?!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Incidentally I'm working on an intensive photo shoot early next week (exciting!). I'm going to do my best to blog but the posts might be a little erratic so bear with me!

An utterly idyllic Finnish summer cabin with a sea view

I can't tell you how many times I've started to write this post only to delete it again. The truth is, there are no words to describe this idyllic Finnish cottage in the Inkoo archipelago belonging to Jonna Kivilahti, the blogger behind Mrs Jones- it's just to dream that you're there. The doors of the black and white cabin thrown open to reveal panoramic views of the glistening sea beyond.  Soaking up the warm sun on the terrace, watching the sail boats glide by. You might go inside to make lunch or even light a roaring fire on cooler evenings. Either way, I can't think of a more idyllic way to wile away a weekend, a week...a few months....

Photography: Krista Keltanen with kind permission

What an utterly idyllic retreat. Could you imagine spending your weekend here?!

Get the look - Terrace - this black sun lounger is similar, black lantern. Kitchen - white string shelves, striped rug, grey marble chopping board, Marimekko mugs. Dining area - bentwood chair, Series 7 chairs. Bedroom - try notPERFECTLINEN for the most beautiful washed bed linen, this striped cotton jersey top is similar (and fab for summer days by the sea!). Hallway - hunter boots and white converse.

In case you're wondering how to achieve that perfectly glossy grey floor in your own home - Farrow & Ball recommends Strong white paint in Full Gloss with a coat of Interior wood primer & Undercoat underneath to ensure the best finish or for areas of high traffic - the Floor Paint finish which is slightly less glossy but more durable. So there you go!

You can see more pics of this lovely cabin on Jonna's blog and instagram. 

These beautiful images have been captured by Krista Keltanen - you might recognise the name from this Finnish cabin built from containers or this beautiful rustic Finnish summer cottage also featured on here. Imagine!

Oh and there's over 53 summer cottages to explore in my archives. I would recommend pouring yourself a coffee first, but hey, it's Friday so perhaps one of these would be more appropriate. Just saying.

In the words of the Finns - Kippis!

Holiday at this Brazilian escape in lush tropical gardens?

Someone stop me, I can't stop sharing tropical hide-aways. This is the third in two weeks (see the others here and here).  Soon I'm going to have to change the blog name to 'Scandinavians on holiday'. In this case the escape (or your next little piece of paradise?) is in the form of 'The Fogo Residence' a few minutes walk from Quadrado in the heart of Trancoso, Southern Bahia, Brazil. The home is split between a main villa and a pool house and decorated with a beautiful mix of local materials, wood, whitewashed walls and furniture, with one-off items designed by local craftsmen and artists to give the home a quirky bohemian vibe. It also 'has a bright blue infinity pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens' says Kid & Coe, the rental agent. And I'm sure I see a caipirinha with my name on it too.....how about you?

The Fogo Residence - Kid & Coe

So beautiful - and relaxing!

Could you imagine a fortnight here?!

Get the look (yes, really!)....rattan lampshades, round (I also like this reversible one) and oblong jute mat. White linen by the yard, vintage driftwood coffee table.  This sunlounger is similar. .....pool optional!

I also love this Brazilian pool villa escape and beach house - beautiful!

Have you been to Brazil? I'm thinking it's time....

Have a dreamy day!

PS Today I have a live radio interview about with On the House at 7.30 am PST (if you feel like checking-in!).

Dream escape: an ethereal beach house on St Barths

How much would you love to jet off to an island with white powder beaches, turquoise sea and swaying palm trees right now? Your home for the fortnight (because a week just wouldn't be enough!) in the form of an ethereal white pool villa with touches of driftwood, sea-grass and rattan and the most beautiful terrace. Meet Villa Palmier, a little touch of paradise on the island of St Barths in the French West Indies created by Matt and Kate Holstein. This beach house ranks high up in the list of places I would love to stay one day (yes, it's available to rent - I know!), how about you?! For now though, let's dream....

Villa Palmier. Photos: Kate Holstein, found via Dust Jacket / Design Sponge with thanks.

Guh!!!

Do I even need to ask if you can imagine holidaying here?!

And just how cute is that doggy?! 

Get the look (yes, really!):  Sea photographic print by Kara Rosenlund, source benches and tables made from driftwood here, banana fibre pouf, panama hat, basket beach bag, sea grass belly basket. rustic stool, white Marshall speakers. Off white linen rug. And of course, a hammock!

Other exotic escapes sitting there waiting for you include a little touch of paradise on Mykonos and a Brazilian pool villa. Where do I even start?! And although not available to rent, the ethereal home of Kara Rosenlund is all the evidence we need that it's possible to get an exotic vibe in our own home!

While we're in the moment, it's worth taking a peek at Annika Von Holdt's instagram snaps of the Bahama's (I know it's another island but....) - when she's not in the Bahama's she at her Copenhagen home - either way....  And (just cos I hear you) here's some pool and beautiful ocean inspiration too. If you close your eyes you can almost feel the warm sun and cool salt water on your skin. 

Roll on summer!

Have a dreamy day!