Sweden's Big Christmas Decoration Trend (And You Can Make It Yourself!)

There's only one week to go before the first Sunday of advent and Christmas decorations are starting to pop across Sweden. Don't get me wrong, they haven't gone the whole hog - Christmas trees and dried orange garlands can wait. But nothing cuts through the darkness and lights your way home like the soft, white glow from 'adventstake' (7 candles arranged in a triangle), fairy lights and lanterns. Paper star lanterns have been one of the favourites for many years in Sweden, but this year there's a newcomer on the block: the 'snöblomma'. Made from tracing paper, card or even brown paper bags, these beautiful 'snow flowers' look equally beautiful hung in the window as they do strung up around the house. Last year they sold like wildfire so I wanted to give you a heads up - and spread a little snow flower love! 

Arte Interior Inspo

Rosies Bubble

By Nordic Collective

Viktoria Holmgren

Hjerter Dame

Matilda Stillvaro

Josefin Netz

Möbelmästarna Trollhättan

Nic

Viktoria Holmgren

Aren't they beautiful?! There's a whole array available online - here are a few of my favourites:

GET THE LOOK

1. Paper star
2. Paper lamp shade lantern
3. Watt & Veke Julia Pappstjärna Blush
4. Snöblomma adventsstjärna
5. Watt & Veke Julius Pappstjärna Vit
6. Kathmandu paper star
7. Watt & Veke Oslo Pappstjärna
8. Paper flake
9. Watt & Veke Juliette Pappstjärna Rosa
10. Hanging paper stars

Not available in your country, or prefer to make your own? The good news is that some of these varieties are so easy to make. My girls and I followed Viktoria Holmgren's step by step DIY tutorial below and within an hour we'd created an entire garland!

Simple snow flowers

Frida Ramstedt of Trendenser recently shared this lovely DIY tutorial on how to make brown paper stars / flowers. It's relatively simple, and if you re-use brown paper bags /recycled paper - it's eco-friendly too!

Brown Paper Snow Flowers

Alternatively, if you're a bit of a dab hand at origami (I'm not!), you might like to create your own multi-tiered snow flower. Linnéa has shared a great tutorial (it's in Swedish but accompanied by plenty of pictures to guide you through the process) below:

Masterclass for the origami gifted!

What do you think? Could you imagine hanging these in your home this Christmas?

I think they're so beautiful!

Hop over to this archive to see more Scandi Christmas decorating inspiration this weekend (if this pops up first just scroll over!).

Have a fabulous couple of days friends and see you Monday!

Niki

PS I promise I'm not going to flood the blog with daily Christmas inspiration between now and the 24th December (although there'll certainly be a few!), I just thought I'd better get this out there in case you wanted to hop on the snow flower train! I've got a great home tour to share with you on Monday - not a decoration in sight!

Credits: top picture Fanny Blinden

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5 Mini Christmas Tree Ideas For Small Spaces

Who says you need to have a 12 foot Christmas tree to create a festive feel? These pretty mini tree are ideas are living (some are potted!) proof that you can still have a christmas tree in the smallest of spaces, and it can look as festive as can be. Oh and they make perfect Christmas pressies / holiday gifts too!

1. Mini Spruce in a vase (above): Not only is this tree in the home of Anna Kvarnström small enough to use as a table top decoration, you can enjoy your turkey / julbord around it and avoid all the faff of a tree foot too!! God rest ye merry gentlemen! Use real candles for an extra mysig feel (but never leave unattended!). See more subtle festive touches in Anna's lovely home here.

2. The tabletop Christmas tree:  little trees are perfect perched on side tables, stools and benches in places like the hallway. The clever guys over at The Merry Thought made the wooden decorations on this tree too - and have shared all the know-how in this film.

3. The Windowsill Forest: Create a forest right there on the windowsill with fake trees in simple bark containers from Danish brand House Doctor - or create your own with simple cuts from outside (you can also try your local florist / nursery) - there's a great DIY guide here.

4. Mini Christmas tree presents: Heading to a dinner party? Why not give the host one of these little fellas instead of the standard amaryllis (although a salmon-apricot amaryllis is always a good idea!)? Simply wrap them in wax paper with a bow and you're all set. Plus the host can plant it and use it again next year -bonus! You might even like to add a few care instructions (read about how to care for a potted tree here). I wish I knew the credit for this lovely setting - please give me a shout in the comment section below if you are able to help!

5. Mini Christmas tree gift wrapping: Now, I pride myself on my present wrapping (I might even go as far as saying it's my favourite part of the pre-Christmas prep!) - but I've never seen this idea before. You just need brown wrapping paper, a christmas tree shaped cutting from a conifer tree like cypress or juniper and some glue! Get all the know-how over at A Piece of Rainbow.

Such simple, pretty ideas, don't you think?

Are there any that caught your eye?

For more inspiration you might like to take a little peek in the Christmas and Christmas decoration archives (if this pops up first, just scroll passed!).

I'll be back tomorrow with a beautiful home tour.

Look forward to seeing you then!

Niki

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A Minimalist Yet Pretty Holiday Vibe In a San Francisco Home

I remember my eldest daughter's first Christmas. The day felt extra special and I couldn't wait to share all our family traditions with her, and create new ones too. The memories came flooding back when I read Si's blog French By Design last week. Si has been busy preparing her home for an extra special Christmas: her first born daughter, Inès will shortly return home from college for the first time to spend the holidays with them. Here are some snapshots from her beautiful home where Si plans to enjoy a "slower pace, PJ days, Netflix binging, laughing and holding random cake baking sessions" with her tribe. Sounds perfect to me!

Si's home is lovely at the best of times (see more pics here) - but I really love the additional festive touches, how about you?

Does it make anyone else feel like staining your floors black? I love the contrast with the white walls and how the floor makes everything 'pop' - very tempting indeed!

Take a peek at Si's blog French By Design and her book How The French Live for lots more inspiration!

You might also like: California dreaming in a monochrome home.

Do you recall an extra special holiday / Christmas too?

Vi ses imorgen! 

Niki

Photography: Siham Mazouz / French By Design, shared with kind permission.

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Our Home - All Set For Christmas!

I might not have bought any Christmas presents yet (aaaaagh!), but I have decked the halls with boughs of holly (fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!). Actually, that's not strictly true, there's none of the prickly bush in sight. Instead a king spruce (which we chopped down at a local sustainable tree farm last weekend) stands proudly in the corner (I think she's a beauty - but that might be because of all the effort we went to sawing away in the rain!!) and I threaded my new hanging brass candle wreath with fresh eucalyptus. I only noticed afterwards that I've gone all out gold (mainly thanks to wonderful Danish brand Nordal!)! But it's not all bling, I like to think the pure linen tablecloth and sheepskins  give our open plan room a touch of cosiness too. Here are a few snapshots, I hope you like our Christmassy home (and holiday table) as much as we do!

It all feels especially cosy at night when all the candles are lit and the Christmas tree is twinkling (I love the dark evenings in the run up to the holidays, how about you?!). If only it could all quickly change back to summer time on Boxing Day, and then everything would be perfect!

I have to say, I'm especially happy with my new hanging candle ring! It was so easy to wire the eucalyptus to it (I used two branches which I placed opposite each other and bounded them to the ring using a thin wire). I then hung the ring a safe distance from the wall (around 30 cm) which seems to have done the trick. It's the first thing I light each day!

Could you imagine having one of these in your home too?

In case you're curious about some of the other items, here's the low down:

Get the look

1. Xmas deco tree
2. Hurricane glass
3. Circle candle hold (hanging)
4. Christmas hanger tree
5. Silver glass hanger
6. Brass trolley
7. Circle candle holder (on trolley)
8. Stoneware cake plate
9. Stoneware dinner plate
10. Clear cocktail glass with gold pattern
11. Clear glass with gold pattern
12. Cement candle holder
13. Tulip candleholder
14. Pure linen table cloth

I've mainly linked to the Nordal online Danish store, however they do have retailers throughout Europe - you can find your nearest one here.

Give me a shout in the comment section below if you're wondering about anything else. I'd be happy to point you in the right direction!

Right. I think its time to go and pour myself a nice glass of glögg and put some Christmas music on, what do you think? Oh no. Hang on. I've got a mountain of holiday shopping to do. Eeeeek! 

Niki


This post is brought to you in collaboration with Nordal. All words and creations are my own. Thank you for supporting the hand-picked brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Snapshots From Ida's Charming, Vintage-Inspired Dalarna Home

Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to get up in the mornings? It doesn't help that it's pitch black and minus temperatures outside (and of course nothing to do with the glögg - honest!). But this gives us even more reason to make our homes as cosy as possible, right?! In my mind nothing adds cosiness like loppis (flea market) finds (candles aside obvs!) and Swedish photographer Ida Gustafsson has them in spades! Ida lives in her 1920's house in Ludvika, South Dalarna with her sambo (a great swedish word meaning 'live-in partner') Tom, and children Maja and Henry. The house has been decorated with patterned wallpapers, a wonderful eclectic mix of colour and the odd Swedish design classic (I see you Lilla Åland chairs!). Ready to take a peek inside?

The wall has been painted in Heart Wood by Nordsjö, Source a vintage architects chair here*. 

Pretty paper stars can be seen twinkling in the windows of homes across Scandinavia at this time of the year. Three alternatives I love include this flower*, a classic paper star* and this lovely snowflower lantern (seen in yesterday's home). 

I have a bit of a weakness for 'blossom' wallpaper by Mr Perswall - isn't it pretty?

In the guest room, Ida has applied traditional Tessin wallpaper. 

Baby, it's cold outside!

Oh so lovely! Such a personal, warm and inviting home, don't you think?

Check-out more pics from Ida's home here. 

And for more vintage inspired scandinavian homes: an idyllic summer cottage (and pink caravan!), a Danish home full of vintage treasures and an inviting Danish home with cosy touches. 

Have a cosy day! Stay warm!

Niki

Photography: Ida Gustafsson / Sullkullan

Affiliate links marked with *

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Candles and Stars in A Cosy Swedish Home at Christmas

There are some homes which I find I come back to time and time again, simply because they are unique and utterly inspiring! This lovely one in Bagarmossen, Sweden is one of them! I have featured Janniche Kristoffersen's beautiful green and home before, but I couldn't resist sharing a few more with all the cosiness that December brings.  Janniche's 'barely-there' festive touches perfectly blend with the green, caramel, rust and off-white backdrop and there are plenty of non-christmassy ideas to steal too!

IVAR cupboards from IKEA. RAR rocker. Cushion in Water Lilies fabric by Fine Little Day.

"I actually don't decorate every room, but there are some things I always use. The paper stars are important, adding some light to the dark Nordic days, other than that I use a string of fairy lights to add some more light to shelves and around windows. I also love to decorate with flowers, mainly amaryllis but also branches with red berries etc. I also dry orange slices in the oven and make garlands. Nice and a very easy thing to do!" 
 - Janniche Kristoffersen. 

Woodburning stove from Morso, Snöblomma light from Watt & Veke.

Bedroom wall painted in Caramel by Alcro  Crinkle Throw* by Hay. Natural linen curtains*. Bistro chair*, paper star and lights from Granit. 

5 Festive Traditions In Janniche's Home

Baking - We bake a lot of things: Lussebullar (Saint Lucia saffron buns), ginger bread, saffron biscotti and different types of fudge. The kids love it!

Adventsfika - Our weekends are fully booked up until Christmas eating our home-baked goodies with friends at home.

Decorating the Christmas tree - With the children

Visiting the Christmas market at Skansen - It's such a lovely place to get in the Christmas spirit. I just wish for some more snow to add a little more magic!

Celebrating Christmas Eve - We visit our family in Norway or Piteå, Sweden to celebrate Christmas Eve, so this is our main chance to enjoy a white Christmas :).

I love the sound of all of these traditions, it almost makes me want too go home and start baking!

If you'd like to see more of Janniche's home, check out her fantastic blog bloggaibagis and instagram @bloggaibagis.

What traditions do you enjoy?

Other Swedish homes to brighten up the start of the week: peach and rust tones in an elegant Norwegian home, a free-spirited Swedish family home on an island and a charming German home with three mischievous cats!

Great if you can help me out a little - is there anything you'd like to see more or less of in the run up to Christmas? Looking for any particular round-ups? If so, give me a shout below and I'll see what I can do!

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography: all pictures by Janniche Kristoffersen except number 8 by David Jerner and Emma Wallmén for Granit. 

Affiliate links marked with *

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