Rune's 'Koselig' Norwegian Home at Christmas

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Hej hej! I hope you had a cosy weekend! My sister was over to visit for the weekend and we went up to the cabin for some foraging for Christmassy touches (we were even followed along the coast by a couple of curious seals). Now that I'm home in Malmö again I've been looking for inspiration on new ways to display all of nature's treasures - and Rune Aas Strandvik's instagram is full of lovely ideas fresh from Norway! 

Founder of concept store Mathilde, Rune's cosy home features lovely deep hues which make for a truly atmospheric backdrop for beautifully arranged moss, pinecones, candles and of course a wonderful Christmas tree! 

A collection of vintage chopping boards* make a lovely display in the dining area. 

Four block candles arranged in a metal bowl with moss and other treasures from the forest floor make a great advent candle display. 

Could you imagine Christmas Day right here? So hyggelig! I especially love the overhead wreath. 

This striped linen tablecloth* and napkins* are similar. 

I could pull up a chair by the fire and stay here the entire holiday, how about you? Such a pretty Christmas tree too. 

A simple basket is ideal for storing candles (source a harvest basket exactly like this here*)

A pine sapling arranged in a vase makes a simple yet festive display on the coffee table (and can be replanted after Christmas!). I also love the idea of infusing drinks with fresh pine sprigs! 

Aaaaah, so koselig (cosy) as they say in Norwegian!  

Are there any ideas that stand out to you in particular? 

Take a peek at Rune's lovely instagram for more inspiration.

And if you take a look around one other home today, make it Hilde Mork's cosy Norwegian cottage decorated for Christmas for all the feels! 

Have a great start to the week friends! 

Niki

Photography: Rune Aas Strandvik

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Cosy Winter Touches and Danish Design in Our Little Cabin

Paid partnership with Carl Hansen & Søn, all words and pictures are my own

UPDATE; come here looking for Rune's cosy Noreweign home at Christmas? Click here for the tour! 

A little elf has been busy at the cabin re-arranging furniture again! This time, four incredible Vega chairs from Carl Hansen & Søn have been added around the table (I'm beginning to like this elf a lot!). Are you familiar with this iconic chair? Officially known as VLA26T Vega Chair, it was created in 1956 in Copenhagen by Vilhelm Lauritzen. 

Previously confined to the historic Vega concert hall in Copenhagen, the wonderful team at Carl Hansen & Søn have re-launched the Vega chair in partnership with Vilhelm Lauritzen Architects and made it available to a wider audience - hurrah! 

I think it fits in beautifully here, do you? 

True to Vilhelm Lauritzen's signature style, the chair is a modernist masterpiece and features a simple functionalist design yet also has some beautiful touches. I especially love the softly curved back rest, the wood and steel combination as well as the elegant wooden feet (the devil is in the detail, after all!).  

It also comes in a black version. 

Aren't they beautiful?

Sadly, this set is sadly just on loan for the shoot, but I think I'll make the most of them while up at the cabin with my sister this weekend (can't wait to see her - and enjoy the chairs!)!

Loving this chair too? Find more about it over at Carl Hansen & Søn. 

I've captured so many iconic Danish design classics in my home for My Scandinavian Home over the past few years, here are some of my favourites:

Our dining room with soft blue wishbone chair

Bringing the hygge - a new Danish armchair in our cabin

The Cuba Chair in our sitting room

A pair of classic Windsor Chairs around our table

Is there one that stands out to you in particular? 

Oh, and do you like our subtle Christmas touches? Now that I've started, I can't stop. A tree might even sneak its way in at some point! 

Wishing you a very cosy weekend! See you Monday! 

Niki

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A Christmassy Swedish Home / Rune's cosy Norwegian home

NOTE Did you come here looking for Rune's Christmassy Norwegian Home? If so - you can find it here! Sorry for the link error in my newsletter! 

Today I'm taking you on a journey to Vendelsö in the suburbs of Stockholm - and the lovely, warm home of interior stylist and set designer Elin Wallin. Long-time readers might recognise glimpses of this living space from a post I shared back in 2018. Since then, Elin, her live-in partner, and daughters Indra (13) and Edda (9) have continued to make this lovely, light and airy open-plan living space their home. 

Think warm brown tones, beautiful dark wood and pretty Christmas decorations as well as some clever room makeovers, vintage up cycling and amazing IKEA hacks - all of which have helped to transform the house into a home. 

The cabinet is a clever IKEA Hack. Elin picked up the Pax cupboard on Facebook marketplace and added the wood corner pieces before painting all the wood in the same tone. A simple twist which makes all the difference! Plus, it was no doubt a bargain to buy! 

I love the pink paper Christmas flower too! 

There's nothing like a roaring fire in wintertime, right?

Beside the fire is yet another IKEA second hand bargain - which Elin bought two for the price of one. They were already 'hacked' when she bought them (someone has stuck vertical strips of wood to the front and then painted the entire unit) for a designer look! Clever. 

Recently Elin replaced the coffee table for a marble one that she picked up second hand. But not without a DIY makeover of course! 

Before

After

It's quite incredible what you can do with someone else's cast offs,  a little vision and some great craftsmanship, don't you think? 

Walk-in-wardrobe before 

I recognise this scene from my own home not long ago (feel so much better now that I have a proper grown-up wardrobe!). Elin took matters into her own hands in her house too - and scoured online second hand sites for Nordli storage from IKEA - before piecing together the different units, lightly sanding them down and painting the same colour (Strand by Alcro). 

The result:

Is it even the same room? What a transformation - and all bought for a song too! 

In the master bedroom, Elin has placed a Fan Shaped rattan headboard against wallpaper from Sandberg and a pretty Table Tropez light. 

Simply lovely - and so inspiring too. Is anyone else dying to get their hands on a second hand IKEA piece now? I might just go on marketplace and see what I can find! 

See more of Elin's home and follow her instagram for all her latest projects. 

Would you like to see a few other ikea hacks today? 

5 Clever IKEA hacks to steal from a Danish home

A Swedish home with a clever ikea hack and small pink bedroom!

Our little cabin kitchen with an ikea hack

Come here for some Scandi Christmas inspiration? There are lots of lovely ideas in the Christmas archive (if this post pops up first just scroll past!). 

Wishing you all a great day! I'll be back on Friday with aa glimpse into the kitchen and dining area of our cabin with 'Jul' touches, hopefully see you then!

Niki

Photography: Elin Wallin, shared with kind permission

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Eleni's Cosy Swedish Apartment with Subtle Christmas Touches

With the First Sunday of Advent yesterday, Christmas in Sweden is in full swing and it's not even December yet! I love it, as the pretty lights and candles really help to brighten up the darkness. Here in the south, the sunset is at 3.45pm today (not that I'm watching it like a hawk!) but further North, in the city of Sundsvall, which is where Eleni Apostolakis and her family live - the sun will go down at 2.30pm! 

Little wonder Eleni has dotted her apartment with candles and adorned walls with cosy festive touches. Think stars, wreaths and angel carousels against an earthy backdrop and layers of textiles - all helping to add warmth and a hygglig touch during these cold winter days! 

At this time of year, comfort food is a necessity! The girls and I made pepperkaka last night. Maybe a cake like this one should be next on the menu, what do you think?

I love how the children have already hung their stockings beneath a pretty orange garland too. 

Why just hang one paper star, when you can have a galaxy! 

A single pretty wreath adds a cosy touch to the sitting room. 

I'm such a big fan of angel carousels, they are so pretty, don't you think? 

Plant pots with moss make a great impromptu candleholder at Christmas time. 

It's so cosy to have Christmas touches in the bedroom! A simple wreath and candles look so pretty after dark. 

Very cosy! 

It makes me realise I have lots of decorating to do at home in the coming weeks. Small, simple touches that add a festive touch and make everything feel cosy. 

See more of Eleni's home here. 

I've just arrived up at our little cabin for a photoshoot. I had to get up at the crack of dawn, but now that I'm here sipping coffee and listening to the church bells outside, I'm so happy to be here. Let's hope I can actually get some work done too (it's so relaxing!). 

Have a great start to the week! 

Niki

Photography: Eleni Apostolakis - shared with kind permission

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