Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Dearest friends,

Thank you for a wonderful year on My Scandinavian Home — for spending time in this little corner of the web and for sharing in my passion for Scandinavian homes. I have so enjoyed reading all your comments, emails, and messages. And if you’re a silent reader, I see you too — I see you in the numbers and know that you’re here to enjoy the inspiration and share in the positivity and creativity.

I will be taking a break over Christmas and the New Year to spend time with family and friends, relax, and recharge a little. I hope you find the time to do the same.

If you’re looking for inspiration in the meantime, do check out the archives, which include thousands of homes spanning 14 years of posting. Some of my favourites include:

Christmas inspiration
Party inspiration
Cabins
Scandinavian holiday rentals
Danish homes
Swedish cottage
Norwegian home
Scandinavian travel

Wishing you all a God Jul (Merry Christmas) and a wonderful New Year. See you on the 12th of January!

God Jul! 

Niki

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The Home Tours That Stole Your Hearts in 2025

The final blog week before I take a little break over Christmas and New Year comes with its very own tradition: looking back through the year and revisiting the tours that caught your attention most (judging by view count). And honestly? It never fails to make me smile.

This year, the top five posts came with a very distinct twist — which was both exciting to see and quite revealing of what we’re all collectively dreaming about right now. I have a feeling you’ll notice it too…

So, ready to see which homes stole your hearts this year? Drum roll, please…

5. Slow living: my peaceful little cabin
It means so much that you enjoyed this peek into our own little cabin on the Swedish west coast. Thank you! We love spending time there, it's so peaceful. 

5. An enchanting 1930s Swedish Cottage Filled with Colour, Charm, and DIY Creations
We all fell in love with Sandra's pretty fairytale cottage just outside Gothenburg. 

4. Cosy off-grid cabin in Lapland

We dreamt of escaping to the Swedish wilderness where a log cabin with a roaring fire awaits. 

3. Weekend dreaming: a cosy riverside cottage in Denmark

There seems to be a bit of a theme here.... we also loved the idea of this cosy riverside getaway in the Danish countryside (and it's on airbnb too!). 

2. A cosy Swedish cottage with sea views

So — was this what you imagined the top five would be? Or is there another home tour from this year that’s still lingering in your mind and completely stole your heart? I’d love to hear which one stood out to you most.

What a pleasure it’s been to write all 136 blog posts in 2025. After fourteen years of writing this blog, I still never fail to appreciate just how positive, thoughtful, and generous this community is. Thank you so much for all your engagement — the comments, messages, and emails. They truly add so much to My Scandinavian Home.

See you on Friday for the final post of the year! 

Niki 

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Understated Christmas Charm in a Swedish Home

Men tjeeena! How's it going for you this last week before Christmas? Is all calm and bright or gloriously chaotic? Either way, this is exactly the moment when Scandinavian Christmas inspiration feels extra comforting. And, they really do their decorating so well, don't you think?

What I love about the festive touches in Amanda Broomé’s Swedish home is how understated they are. Nothing feels over-styled or overwhelming – instead, Christmas is woven gently into everyday corners of the house. A simple tree placed on a side table, a wreath hung with a soft ribbon, and a few sprigs of greenery are all it takes to create that unmistakable Scandinavian holiday feeling.

Candlelight plays a big role too, with slender tapers glowing on kitchen counters, dressers and shelves and golden angels dancing in the heat of the flames on a gold carousel. It adds instant warmth and makes the spaces feel calm and inviting, especially when paired with natural materials like wood, linen and ceramics. For Amanda, there’s no need for elaborate decorations – the beauty lies in the simplicity.

Perhaps the nicest thing of all is how achievable it feels. These are festive ideas anyone can recreate: foraged greenery, a handful of candles, and a few well-loved pieces styled with care. It’s a lovely reminder that Christmas doesn’t have to be busy or extravagant to feel truly special – sometimes, less is more!

Ready to take a peek?

Oh, so lovely! 

It makes me think about layering a few more decorations over what we have - some mini trees, some wreaths, and maybe an orange garland. 

Is this your style of decorating too? 

See more beautiful inspiration from Amanda's home over at @vastrabodarnehuset. 

And keep a look in the Christmas archive for plenty more festive ideas! 

Wishing you a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography: @vastrabodarnehuset, shared with kind permission. 

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Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree: The Edit!

Oh, how I love a Christmas tree — the true star of festive décor! When it comes to your fir, I’m a firm believer that there’s no right or wrong way to decorate it. It’s simply about decorating it your way.

This year, I’ve loved seeing a little bit of everything online — from rustic, pared-back trees adorned with candles to floor-to-ceiling showstoppers festooned with vintage ornaments, garlands, bows, and flags. If you’re decorating your tree this weekend, here are a few ideas to get you feeling inspired!

The little ones
Short on space? Mini trees are ideal for windowsills, tabletops, the corner of a room or anywhere else you feel like adding a festive touch - and they're so pretty too! 

The rustic tree

Grown in your own back garden, the last one left at the tree farm, or simply love at first sight - rustic trees are an asymmetric wonder and full of character. Plus they look equally beautiful left natural, decorated with ornaments or simply lit with a few lights. 

The jolly tree

Candy-cane stripes, little mice. bows, garlands and flags - anything goes on these joyful looking trees, packed with personality. 

The outdoor tree

Last but not least, is there anything more beautiful than a fir tree sprinkled with snow and lit with a few white fairylights - or just left bare? 

So beautiful! Is there one in particular that resonates with you? 

I have to say, I love each and everyone of them! 

If you are decorating your tree this weekend, I hope you have lots of fun in the process. 

Thank you so much for stopping by this week, see you Monday!

Niki

Credits: 1. @beatanison 2. @joanna_k_k 3. @krewssons 4. @greatshotsbynumber10 5. @bynilsgarden 6. @snickargladjen 7. @malinbrostad 8. @erinterior 9. @lullabies.by.lisa 10. @3res 11. @sodra.byvag 12. @kjerstisronning @underbaraclaras

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A Cosy Norwegian Home at Christmastime

This is the time of year when I always start to panic — is Christmas really only 14 days away? I have so much to do… how about you? Even so, let’s pause for a moment and enjoy some festive calm inside the charming home of interior designer Guro Jovall, just south of Oslo, Norway. Guro lives with her son, dog and boyfriend in a beautiful house built in 1838 — and at Christmas it becomes truly magical.

Guro’s style blends Scandinavian simplicity with warm, historic character. The tones throughout her home are soft and natural — creamy whites, warm woods and gentle greys — creating a calm backdrop for Christmas greenery and candlelight. I love how the textures do so much of the talking here: the rough, hand-brushed brick by the fireplace, the smooth painted floors, the cosy sheepskins and woollen throws, and the layers of linen on the table. It all feels so inviting.

Look closely at the dining table, and you'll see it's been set with understated linens, sparkling glassware and blue-and-white plates (so pretty!) — a perfect mix of pattern and calm neutrals. It’s the kind of space where I can imagine gathering with friends and family, lingering as the light fades with a roaring fire in the background. Simple wreaths, pine cones and fresh greenery add just enough festive detail, and the soft glow of candles brings everything to life. 

I love how Guro's home is the perfect reminder that Christmas decorating can be both subtle and incredibly cosy!

 Isn't Guro's home truly magical? Is there anything that stood out to you? 

You can see more inspiration and find out more about Guro's interior design services over at @designguro.

If you haven't already explored the Christmas archives, please do pour yourself a coffee, grab a blanket and have a scroll - there are so many beautiful Scandinavian homes and decorations to discover!

I'm heading off to Copenhagen shortly for a 'Julefrukost' (Danish Christmas lunch) with the team at Skandinavisk (don't forget the exlusive 20% off with code 'jul20', it's a perfect place to pick up a wonderful-smelling gift!). See more from my home here. 

Wishing you all a relaxing mid-week!

Niki

Photography by @designguro, shared with kind permission.

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