||This post was made in collaboration with Skargards

If you follow me on Instagram stories you will have caught glimpses of a new addition at the cabin, something that I think everyone would think possibly goes hand by hand with a cabin in the fjords, a hot tub, or as Norwegians call it, a badestamp. Traditionally a badestamp is barrel wood fired hot tub, mostly made of cedar wood. Rustic looking (exactly like a big barrel with wooden seating inside) , they are typically found in mountain cabins where after skiing scandinavian people will enjoy a warm bath in the chilled weather outside with steaming water. Nowadays hot tubs can be found in various sizes and made of various materials, with many different heating configurations such as electric, gas, or propane. When we decided it was time to also add a hot tub at the cabin we all agreed it should be wood burning. It makes more sense since we dont use the cabin all year long so it is more economical to burn some wood whenever we need it, but also, I think it gives out more authentic notes. I did not want a completely traditional barrel hot tub, cleaning is not ideal plus it is not that comfortable, but I did not want to completely abandon the look, this is a hot tub for a cabin after all! The Regal Hot Tub from Skargards ended up to be the perfect solution for us.

The Regal model , it looks like a traditional hot tub but it is very contemporary, manufactured in fiberglass-reinforced hard plastic according to the same technology as boat hulls, so it is light yet very sturdy. From my experience as I have used it a couple of months now,cleaning is minimal (just rinse the walls after draining) which makes it maintenance free, very important in my book. I could go on about the specifications of the tub itself, but you can find all the details at Skargards website, however, something also important for me, the tub itself is very efficient. When firing the stamp, a natural underpressure is created in the oven that causes the bath water to circulate by itself. The oven in Skargard’s Regal is cleverly integrated into the hot tub and with the inherent circulation a uniform water temperature is obtained throughout the hot tub. Specifications aside this means more room inside and more flexibility, regardless of how many people are in.

Typically when we think hot tub we think winter time with lots of snow and steaming water. Also we think of party right? We have certainly had parties since we got the tub but as the title suggests, I find the tub to be relevant all year long, for private baths but also for friends coming over. It has been a beautiful fall and we have greatly enjoyed spending time in the tub relaxing, listening to music and reading books that have been on our list for a while, watching the sun set across the fjords. We have also found that morning baths are splendid as well, half of the photos here are taken in the early misty morning, with a coffee on our hand tossing wood into the oven. Even better when we have used the tub the previous day because the water is still warm the next day for that early bath. Coming home after a long skiing day and enjoying the steaming tub relaxing your muscles is great, but it is another sort of luxury altogether to wake up in the morning and set off for a morning bath while the sun rises.

That said I cannot wait for winter to come for those steamy baths, then spring for the stunning fjord views when the earth wakes up. As for the summer? I cannot wait to use the tub to cool down after sunbathing on the platform. All in all, it is truly a hot tub for all seasons.

Accessories : Must haves 

1. The Skargards tubs come with quite a few accessories,  I chose a bubble system for massage though we also ended up using it to naturally drop the temperature of the water when we feel is overheated for our taste. I dont know if its a must have but it is very enjoyable plus the added trick of lowering the temp without getting out of the tub is welcomed.
2. I also added an underwater light something I highly recommend as during the night the illuminated water feels like swimming in an underground hidden lagoon. Turn it off if you prefer counting the stars, leave it on for magical light. Also it is convenient if there is no other light around so you know where you are stepping into (it gets completely black here at night).
3. I originally ordered one shelf (as seen in the photos) but I put an order shortly for a second one that we installed on the opposite side of the first. If you have the tub freestanding like we do and dont integrate it halfway into your veranda for example, you need the space for convenience sake. We usually leave there glasses, bottles, our phones, books, bluetooth speaker etc
4. The stairs are also very important unless you are above 1.80m in height. At a mere 1.65m myself it is hard to get in and out and the original stairs are by far the most elegant looking solution ( unless you can find an alternative).
5. I did not get the extra smoke pipe, it reduces the heating time but with the insulated lid (see below), we decided to wait on it and judge afterwards. We are happy without it but of course if you need the most efficient heating you can add it.
6. One of the most important must haves in my opinion is the insulated lid (as seen in some of the photos).  The insulation is reinforced with steel frame, and the entire lid is dressed in boat vinyl. Very durable and easy to handle since it breaks in half, its importance is multi faceted. The lid at its primary function protects the tub from objects but dirt as well ,it is completely insulated so the water and the tub both stay clean. Equally importantly ,it can lay over the hot tub during firing, which significantly reduces the heating time while it also traps heat afterwards. If we use the tub in the afternoon until before sleeping, upon waking up the water is still warm enough to get in for a morning relaxing bath. An absolute must have for outdoors tubs.
7. I did not order a rain hat to begin with, but I do feel bad for the pipe when it rains so I ended up ordering one afterwards. Not a must have, but good to have certainly.
8. I did not get a smoke pipe protection either, but the pipe does burn a lot and we have all now been careless enough to burn ourselves one way or the other ,so I think I am getting one soon. Just for my peace of mind. Absolutely must have if you have children.
9. Last but not least, is dependent on the quality of water you fill the tub in and the temperature of where you live. The tub can be fitted with a water cleaning system , something we need since we use water either from our well or the fjord. With the cleaning system we never have to change water, and with the help of the lid we can leave the same water in for a good amount of months even. Filling in the tub can take a few hours so why not avoid this and also keep the water clean? A water heater can also additionally be hooked on the cleaning system keeping the temperature of the water up to 45 degrees. It can greatly decrease heating time but for us most importantly it means that the water will never freeze during winter. A must have. Important detail : You can have the cleaning system without the water heater but you cannot have the water heater without the cleaning system.

// Photography and Styling by Katerina Dima

If you are looking for a stylish small table lamp, my tip for today is the Mobil table lamp from Pholc. You have seen the pendant version in my Oslo bedroom and the wall version in my home office in Oslo , so you already know it is a line that I like using. The small table version might be the most versatile of them all, its petite size can fit in any small space, and the adjustable milky light that it emits can elegantly light even the darkest corners. Use it next to your bed if you only have a small stool like I do as sideboard (last photo as seen from this blogpost about the bedroom at the cabin), in between the stairs and a tall cupboard  (as seen below ) , it can even be used as a substitute for a floor lamp if you put it on a shelf (as seen on the photo above).  Its petite size allows for various uses , one that I can easily think is narrow window sills where is is usually very hard to find an appropriate size for a lamp, even on the floor on top of a stack of books, just a few ideas!

// Photography and Styling by Katerina Dima

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The post : Pholc Mobil for small spaces  , appeared first on Only Deco Love

You might have noticed but the blog has a new face! What you didn’t notice was that I also moved it from Blogger platform to WordPress, though this is not something that should be visible. It took me a few days however to sort everything out so this space has been more silent than usual. At the same time I moved from Oslo to the country ( Sogndal for those that know) for the summer , and let me tell you I have never been more exhausted in my life. Dont worry I am not leaving Oslo for good, but since I had to move out of the beautiful apartment since it was sold I thought it would be a good time for a break plus a good opportunity to search for a new apartment during the summer! Hopefully I will find a dream apartment in a dream price before September , or at least thats the plan! For now though, I hope you dont mind summer cabin photos, after all this is where I will be for the next few weeks!

At the same time, this cabin just passed in our hands, before now I couldn’t really put my signature on it, so whenever I was here I didn’t show too much of it. Now that we own it though, I can finally change it at will, budget allowing of course. I am planning on painting and redecorating and I have already started so stay tuned for more posts! 

Today I thought I should share our bedroom on the loft, plus some tips! I dont have a before photo for this, my father in law actually had to take this room apart completely 2 summers ago and rebuilt it floor upwards. He kept the old door and the old window and installed new floors and tapestry. I painted over the tapestry a few months ago but I still dont really like how it looks. This is the same colour I had in my Oslo bedroom but due to the environment there it looked beige, here it is just grey and I m honestly tired of grey. I decided to paint the walls white but use the same type I will use on the doors, and here is the first tip! 

TIP : Use the same type of paint for the walls as the one you use for the doors and panels, if the surface is small, this way the walls will look slightly thicker and will fit perfectly with the doors and windows giving a sense of cohesion! 

Plus for my bedroom this will mean the room will look bigger as well. The slanted room is amazing, it makes for a cozy space, but it also tends to drive the eye lower making the room seem even smaller. Painting it all the same colour will solve more than one problems! Next on the painting list are the floors. The boards look beautiful but they have a yellowish tint that doesn’t show in these photos, but it will after white washing it! I only need to wash the floor carefully, then paint over once, fingers crossed it will look exactly how I have it in my head! I will make another blogpost after the changes and I will list exactly what I used to achieve colours and hues.

The other tip comes in the form of storage. More than a year ago I bought these door hooks from Lagerhaus ( they also come in stainless steel  ), they are very versatile and sturdy, and budget friendly! Since they are single  they can be placed on any door and as many as the door can fit in a row, and they can hold quite a lot of weight as well. I have been using them for almost any door in the house, for hanging robes, to hand mirrors and purses or make up bags, anything that I use everyday and can be hanged for space, it will go on these hooks. And on the plus side? It really looks as if its styled for a photo when in reality it is just handy! What can be better than that? Beauty and usability! 

// Photography and Styling by Katerina Dima

 Find me on Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook | Bloglovin | Feedly | Snapchat | Etsy

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The post : Norwegian country house bedroom  , appeared first on Only Deco Love