3 beautifully simple DIY Christmas decorations

I love the simplicity of these DIY Christmas decorations - an idea for your home this season?

1. Mini Wreath Garland tutorial by The Merry Thought.
2. A branch with a simple white candle by Weekday Carnival.
3. A copper and twig wreath tutorial by Erika Rax (if you don't have a copper tube you could use a simple ribbon). 

Other festive links I love today:

How to get a party beard....(for when 'Movember' turns into a 'Beardcember'!).

Love this free download Scandinavian Christmas wallpaper for your Mac.

If you haven't organised an advent calendar yet, how about this copper DIY one?

Annette has the loveliest round-up of Advent candleholders. 

And perhaps my favourite new Christmas / winter decoration of 2015 - the Klong Gloria Candle Holder - I'd love the large and small as seen here. Beautiful!

Have a lovely evening and see you tomorrow! 

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A lovely Norwegian home decorated for Christmas

When do you start bringing a touch of Christmas into your home? When I grew up in England we'd wait until a few days before Christmas. Here in Sweden however, the first of advent is a big day and it's not unusual to catch a glimmer of stars and advent candles in the windows and fairy lights in trees by 1st December. The decorations are usually beautifully simple and fuss-free and draw heavily on nature. This home in Bergen, Norway from the 1800's belonging to Per Olav Sølvberg, an interior stylist and blogger for Residence, wife Ragnhild, four children and two dogs is a fine example of this. Mini fir trees and fir tree branches, hyacinths and naked branches from the trees outside adorn the space for a lovely Christmas feel.

 Home owner: Per Olav Sølvberg. Photography: Kristofer Johnsson. Residence. Found via Elvs with thanks.

So pretty! I can almost smell the lovely scent from the fresh pine needles and hyacinths, how about you?

Items I know and love: Dining area / sitting room Z1 pendant light, IKEA PS 2012 chair, Muuto wood table lamp, Flos 265 wall light, R print. Kitchen Le Creuset pot, stools, vintage chopping boards. Workspace: Light box, this lovely rustic milking stool is similar.

I also love this inspiration for a 'simple and delicate' Scandinavian Christmas. And a welcoming understated bouquet of eucalyptus on a guest bed.

How cute are these DIY Cranberry wreath placecards? So pretty!

More Scandinavian Christmas inspiration found here (scroll down passed the first home as it will be this one) and here.

Have a lovely day!

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A day at a snowy log cabin / DIY Christmas ideas

Hello! How are you today? I have to say I'm feeling a little worse for wear after an evening out with the girls last night (totally self-inflicted I admit!). It's slow mornings like this when I dream of spending the day hiding out at a log cabin. In fact, If I could choose,  my day would look a lot like this. Fancy joining me?!

Credit: Benj Haisch

Credit: Warm Vanilla Sugar

Stylists: ila malù + Trendinozze. Photography: giuli & giordi,

Finch & Fawn

Credit: Paulina Kolondra

Credit: http://www.kardelen.se/

Sooooo cosy!  

In case you're wondering...here's the recipe for the hot chocolate with chocolate dipped cinamon marshmallows.  All the bedding in the last picture is available here. See a full tour of that stunning Italian Osteria wedding (how pretty?). There's a great DIY guide to the wreath.

Lots more pretty Christmas / winter inspiration here. 

Oh, and how cute are these mini Nordic Christmas tree mobiles? They come in a cool little 3D DIY kit...

Stylist Camilla Tange Peylecke, Photographer Gyrithe Lemche

So pretty and simple - the perfect DIY to create together with your little ones (alongside these 'pepparkaka' or ginger biscuit ideas - I can smell the cinnamon from here!), don't you think?

How would your ideal day look?

Have a lovely day, I'll be back tomorrow with a full house tour again!

PS Happy Thanksgiving to all of you heading off for a long weekend...

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A beautiful Danish farmhouse ready for Christmas

Happy Friday! I have to say, I'm so incredibly excited about today's post. I know it's early, but I couldn't help getting just a teeny bit festive when I spotted this oh so beautiful farmhouse in North Zealand, Denmark all decked out for Christmas. The property dates back to the 1900's and is home to Christina Kattrup Schrøder, a journalist, stylist, and co-owner of online shop Have A look (selling fab Danish design reading glasses), her husband Per Vilhelm Schrøder, a flight operations manager and their sons. The cosy space features wood beams, a fireplace, one huge sofa to snuggle up in and a mix of antique and Scandinavian design items - what a lovely setting for Christmas, don't you think?

Femina magazine, Indret, nr.4, November 2015, ALLER Media. Photography / Styling: Wotkjær & Kattrup (Have A Look) 

 
The Danes really do know how to decorate in style, don't you think? The festive touches in this home are simple and subtle yet so pretty!

Is there anything that stands out to you? 

Judging by the style of Christina's home it's no surprise the reading glasses at Have A look are also fab. The good news is they have both a Danish and Swedish online shop and also ship worldwide! I'm so getting the man a pair for Christmas!

Before I head off for the weekend, here's my round-up of links I love from the web this week:

I can't wait to get my hands on 'Inward - a Scandinavian Winter Guide'.

Beautiful DIY festive wreath inspiration as well as a lovely, simple christmas table and festive table display.

How have I managed without this dodge and burn photo technique?

I'd really like a rug like the one in this fab bedroom.

This colourful sitting room makes me want to add a touch to my own.

That's it from me! But feel free to leave your own tips in the comment section below, I'd love to hear from you.

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

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Lookbook inspiration: Scandic design in winter

Here in Sweden it's getting darker in the mornings (read - impossible to get up), candles are lit and my woolly hat and chunky knits are officially out. It's at this point I start to get excited about the winter months ahead. I've started to see a hint of the festive season in the shops too and done right, it's kind of exciting, don't you think? One of the first out is designer furniture and homeware store Houseology who have several new ranges and a brand new Christmas collection. The items are presented in a series of three lookbooks (chic, luxe and urban) which capture the spirit of the season. Here's a sneak peek from the Urban lookbook which focuses on the 'simplicity of Scandic design in winter' (we like!). Think cool and contemporary, pared back, industrial materials, iconic designs and striking mid-century furnishings in a palette of monochrome, blush and brass. Perfect inspiration for the winter months to come, wouldn't you say?!

Houseology

I love how the candlelight, blankets and cushions warm up the look for a cosy feel.  And how pretty are the Fabeo Cable Cushion, Murmur stem stripe cushions and Elvan zigzag throw against the concrete backdrop?

A few items I know and love: Normann Copenhagen knot chair, Ercols original butterfly chair, white porcelain star, Etch tealight holder, antique brass knife (really liking the brass cutlery trend for AW15). Everything you see in the pics can be found at Houseology (you can also check out the links directly from the Urban lookbook and get inspiration from the 'Luxe' lookbook for a winter scheme with a touch of Parisian glamour!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Have a lovely day - and stay cosy!


This post was sponsored by Houseology. All opinions are my own and I only ever work with companies I know and love with inspiring content which has a natural fit. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make My Scandinavian Home possible.

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A cosy Danish cabin ready for Christmas

Hello! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! I thought I'd kick off the week with another extremely cosy log cabin, this time in Klampingborg, Denmark (did you miss the previous one?).  This oh so lovely retreat belongs to Jeanette Hyleborg of webshop Best of Nordic and blog Voksenlivsstil and her director husband Sten.  I love the irregular tree which has been decorated with mirrored hearts, stars and snowflakes and I'll be taking inspiration from their Christmas table - the fir cones and roses in moss make for a beautiful mix, don't you think? I could spend my Christmas holidays relaxing here, how about you?!

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Who would guess I'm pining for a winter escape this Christmas?! But seriously, this cabin is just so cosy. What a perfect escape?

See more images here.

A quick guide to where items are from. EKTORP armchair and sofa from IKEA. Cognac coloured butterfly chair.  Two Foscarini Caboche Suspension Lights over the dining table. Royal Copenhagen blue fluted dinner plates. Hunter wellies. Many items can also be found in Jeanette's shop. Have I missed anything?

If you're after some last minute table decorating inspiration, I like this laid back dining style for a boxing day lunch. And there's plenty more Christmas inspiration to be found here and also on my Pinterest Christmas board. If you have any inspiration tips do leave them in the comment section below!

Tomorrow will be my last blog post before the holidays before I return with some fun new year inspiration including an introduction of the hot new interior colours for 2015. If you're planning an even bigger New Year's Eve than usual this year....Bario Neal has launched three absolutely stunning engagement rings just in time for midnight....how romantic?!

Have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

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A Norwegian home at Christmas

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while (thank you, you're lovely!) know I'm a big fan of the work of Norwegian based photographer and stylist Elisabeth Heier and her beautiful home which I've previously shown snippets of  here and here. It comes as no surprise that her Christmas decorating is equally as lovely and follows her simple, pared-back and elegant take on Scandinavian interior decorating. Here are a few festive snaps of her home this year.

Photography / styling: Elisabeth Heier

True modern Scandinavian Christmas decorating inspiration. A pared-back tree, white Helabores, paper stars strung up in the window which will light up at night, a simple wreath hung on the wall and fir tree branches in clear glass jars.

In case you're wondering where some of the items are from, I also spy the By Lassen Kubus 4 candleholder, RAR rocking chair (currently 10% off here), Knoll diamond chair and the classic Swedish Skultuna tea light holders in brass. Children's room: half-moon bedding, rabbit light.

For a slightly different look, here are some more inspiration images shot and styled by Elisabeth in her home for Norwegian magazine RUM 123 with a black, gold and Pantone's colour for 2015 - Marsala colour theme.

Photography / styling Elisabeth Heier

The gold flag garland, mirror stars and Christmas cone in black are from Tine K Home.

I absolutely love the idea of filling a glass jar or vase with old burnt out white candle stubs, so simple yet so lovely and a great use of waste.

Is there anything that stands out to you in these images? Which look do you prefer?

Have a lovely day!

PS I also love Norwegian blogger Nina of Stylizimo's Christmas decorating. So pretty! 

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A cosy Swedish cottage ready for Christmas

Hello! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! Anyone in need of a cosy winter retreat?! If so, I have just the place! This lovely Swedish cottage in the snow is owned by Katarina Drevenlid, her two cats and pet dog. It's been decorated for Christmas using simple creative ideas which draw on the surrounding nature. Look closely and you'll see a star made of moss, pinecones in jars or strung together to create a pretty festive garland, sprigs of pine in a glass vase and a mini Christmas tree emerging from a demijohn. In Sweden it's also common to use fir tree branches as a makeshift doormat to wipe away excess snow from winter boots. Add a roaring fire, and a modern Christmas tree made from washi-tape or string and you're all set to go!

Hus o Hem. Photography: Karin Foberg (with kind permission). 

I could spend my Christmas holidays here, how about you?!

I actually thought the black and white rug in the hall was made from mosaic tiles at first glance. You can achieve a similar look with this monochrome rug or a Dhurrie.

Etsy is a great source for Demijohns.

If you're up for more Christmas inspiration today why not pour yourself a coffee and scroll through my Scandinavian Christmas archive (this home will come up first so simply move down the page to find all the others!). Or perhaps you have some links of your own to share in the comment section below?

Have a lovely day! 

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