Explore the tiny red house nestled in Tasmania’s tranquil bushland – a Swedish-inspired escape designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and savour the simple life.
An acre of sun-dappled trees and flowering shrubs surrounds, and the calls of kookaburras and black currawongs can be heard as you settle in to this cottage on the outskirts of the small township of Pioneer. Crafted by Maša and Michael Ofei, the creators behind plant-based recipe platform Heartful Table, this Swedish-inspired tiny home is designed for you to connect with nature, and yourself. Its name? Little Falu.
A Tasmanian hideaway inspired by Swedish tradition
At the other end of the world, across the Scandinavian Peninsula, you will find small wooden cottages poking up from the countryside in a cheery shade of red. A paint palette officially named falu red, these white-trimmed dwellings are called sommarstugas (summer cottages) in Swedish. Usually crouched snugly amidst nature, these cottages are quintessentially rustic, sparse, and place an emphasis on natural materials. Encouraging a ‘back-to-basics’ lifestyle, the summerhouse tradition burgeoned in Sweden with industrialisation in the 19th and 20th centuries. Eager to escape crowding and pollution, and to capitalise on new concepts around vacation and leisure time, families would sojourn to small cottages (usually consisting of one large room and an alcove for sleeping) to immerse themselves in simplicity. “Things should be primitive but practical,” wrote author Gustaf Odel of the emerging trend. “One should relax and live as naturally as possible. That is the charm.”
Where simplicity meets thoughtful design
Little Falu beckons with the same invitation. “It’s the back-to-basics lifestyle that so many of us crave,” says Maša. “We wanted to create a space that embodies a simple life with a touch of luxury.” Little Falu is bright, airy, and thoughtfully designed, with all the modern amenities you need to enjoy a comfortable and memorable stay; a well-equipped kitchen (stocked spice rack and organic teas included!), a dreamy bathroom, sumptuous bedding, books, board games, and a Bluetooth speaker, too. “You can chop your own wood but also soak yourself in a beautiful bath and sip on a glass of wine,” explains Maša.
Slow living in the heart of nature
Of course, it’s enough to recline on the warm-wood chairs of the open deck, and soak all your senses in the abundant wilderness of northeast Tasmania. “We chose our land for its beauty, and how untouched it was but still very approachable,” Maša says, hoping visitors will use their time here to “slow down and take it easy by enjoying a picnic, maybe stargazing at night.” Situated not far from the famous Derby bike trails and the mesmerising Little Blue Lake, this tiny home is an idyllic base for short trips throughout the region.
Scandinavian rituals to restore & rebalance
Perhaps the biggest inspiration for Little Falu comes from the feelings that a small-home stay can evoke. “The two Swedish concepts which we have really leaned into with our tiny are fika and lagom,” Maša explains. Fika (pronounced fee-kuh) is the Swedish practice of taking a break to enjoy a hot beverage and a sweet treat (normally coffee with a cinnamon bun, princess cake, or an assortment of biscuits) with friends, family, or colleagues. Much more than just ‘morning tea’, fika is a state of being – a mode of slowing down and reconnecting with yourself, your environment, and those around you. Lagom (lah-gomm) is a philosophy of balance – it translates as ‘not too much, not too little, just the right amount’. “A great way to grasp the concept is to use the Goldilocks and the Three Bears story as an example,” says Maša,
“[Lagom] is a great stress-management mindset and promotes balance in all that we do.” At Little Falu, every detail is attended to and thought out to create harmony – there is no clutter to overwhelm, but neither is there a sense that anything’s missing. “It’s a haven where everything is as it should be.”
Little Falu may be a tiny home, but an experience here is one that will leave a large and lasting impact.
Things to do near Little Falu
EAT: Located an easy 10-minute drive from Little Falu, Winnaleah Hotel is a 100-year-old establishment that has been revamped into a gorgeous eatery with a paddock-to-plate philosophy.
SIP: A recent addition to the region of Derby, and 20 minutes from Little Falu, Lot 40 is a beautifully hybrid venue – a bar, café, brewery, and distillery. Whether you fancy the pep of an espresso, the refreshing citrus of an in-house gin, or a smooth sample of small batch ale, you’re sure to find a tipple to suit.
EXPLORE: Gemstone fossicking on the banks of the Weld River, strolling among the blooms at Bridestowe Lavender Estate, or biking on Blue Derby Mountain – this pretty patch of the world has a wealth of experiences on offer for every kind of visitor. Return to your summerhouse with memories to savour as you settle in to the arms of Tasmania’s unrivalled bushland.
For more information visit littlefalu.com and @littlefalu on Instagram.
This article was originally published under the title A Summer House Escape in Issue 38 – The Humble Art of Hope. You can purchase previous issues and enjoy more enchanting content here.
