A little piece of paradise in the Philippines

I was at an event recently and met a girl who grew up on a tropical island off Japan. I was fascinated. She said she didn't appreciate her surroundings as a child but loves to go back and visit as an adult. Many people feel like that about their own home towns. But could you imagine if yours was as stunning as Dedon island in the Philippines? Created in collaboration with designers Jean-Marie Massaud and Daniel Pouzet with the ethos of eco-friendly tourism and barefoot living, it is a little touch of paradise and the ultimate winter escape. Pass me the sun screen.

Dedon Via Style Files

I'm adding this one to my wish list for 2015 (but will need to save up a little first!).

When I post design hotels in tropical places (see also this fabulous hotel on Mykonos) I sometimes get comments asking what this has to do with Scandinavian homes. Well not much! But I think it's inspiring to show get-aways all the same - after all, everyone needs an escape from the Scandinavian winter from time to time or what? As you know I'm currently travelling in Thailand with my family (feeling like the luckiest person in the world) and am so inspired by the beautiful places we have seen and stayed in.

Do you have a place you long to visit?

PS if you'd like to donate to the Philippines following the typhoon on 8th november and read more about aid visit this page.

A little touch of paradise on Mykonos

'Simply breathtaking' are the only words I can find to describe the San Giorgio boutique hotel on Mykonos, Greece. Congratulations to the team;  Thomas Heyne and Mario Hertel and Design Hotels. Book me in!

San Giorgio via Flodeau

How would you describe this hotel in one word?!

A pretty, rustic, minimalistic hotel on Gotland

Ever romanticised of owning a B&B on a beautiful island somewhere? Me? Always! Today I'm dreaming of owning Hotell Magazinet which is now for sale on the wonderful Swedish east coast island of Gotland. Decorated in beautiful rustic, minimal style with orginal floorboards and pillars restored from the days when it was a flour warehouse and then a grain depot in WWII, it's already for you to move in and start receiving guests!

Fantastic Frank

Incidentally, Gotland is a fantastic place to go on holiday. Lots of very trendy and arty Swedes flock there each summer. Some of the summer cottages available to rent are just beautiful. Well worth an internet search!

Hej heeej.

A cool swedish guesthouse in Amsterdam

It's LE WEEKEND!!!! HOOOORAY! If you fancy a last minute mini-break you could do better than to pack your bags and book a couple of nights at Maison Rika in Amsterdam. The brainchild of Swedish stylist-turned-desginer Ulrika Lundgren, Maison Rika is a beautiful monochrome style guest house and small gallery space / showroom for Lundgren's work. Thanks to the wonderful April and May blog for the inspiration!.....

Maison Rika Via April and May

In some of the pics, such as the stairwell you can spot a star, which is very much the 'vintage hollywood meets contemporary rock'n roll' Rika label trademark.

I am pretty sure I'd enjoy a weekend surrounded by graphical prints and a beautiful mix of funriture. I might even pop into Amsterdam for a wander while I'm at it!! What d'ya reckon?