my scandinavian home: Christmas

A Bright & Beautiful Christmas in Natalie's Malmö Apartment

It’s starting to look a lot like jul here in Malmö, and just across town, in the French-Swedish home of interior designer Natalie Coquand the decorations are up in all kinds of pretty, festive ways.

Think boxwood wreaths tied with red ribbon and the tinklng of bells, advent candles nestled in moss, vibrant amaryllis, pine-cone garlands, and a fabulous Christmas tree adorned with lights and ornaments. 'Tis the season to feel jolly (and warm and cosy!) and her home has all the vibes I love. Plus, I am sure it smells divine too! Welcome to Christmas chez Natalie!

So festive! All the candlelight and greenery really help to brighten up the darkness and the monochrome of the bare branches outside. Our house is brimming with it too (I’m looking forward to sharing more on Friday).

Does any of Natalie’s holiday décor stand out to you? If you decorate for Christmas, how far along are you?

Usually, I like to put up our tree after my birthday (which is the 6th of December), since that’s the way we’ve always done it in my family. But this year we’ve been a little overzealous, and the tree is already up and glowing—and I have to say, I really love it! I remember once asking here on the blog what the latest anyone has ever left their tree up was, and someone confessed they left it up all year until the next Christmas. It did make me laugh!

If you'd like to see more photos of Natalie’s home, take a look at the full (non-Christmassy) tour here. She also shares beautiful inspiration on her Instagram.

Wishing you a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photography by Johanna Flyckt Gashi, styling by Natalie Coquand, shared with kind permission.

A Little Cosy Scandinavian Christmas Inspiration

Tjena! I hope you had a cosy weekend and a happy first Sunday of Advent. In Scandinavia, that’s officially when the home gets its first layer of Christmas decorations – stars and adventsljusstake (candelabras) appear in the windows, lighting up the dark streets and bathing them in a welcoming glow. It’s a magical time of year to be here.

Today I wanted to share a little of the Scandinavian festive spirit with you through some beautiful, cosy, Christmas-ready images I’ve been squirrelling away on Instagram. This year I’ve noticed red creeping back in, alongside plenty of nostalgia — think vintage finds and ornaments collected over time or passed down through generations. I hope you enjoy the inspiration and the journey to Scandinavia in wintertime.

I love how the tree is bursting with an array of ornaments, flags, garlands — anything goes! It reminds me of the tree we had growing up in my parents’ house. My sisters and I were always in charge of the decorations; boxes and boxes of ornaments would be brought down from the loft and, just as we thought we’d finished (after a good few hours!), the weight of the reindeer, chocolates, drums and tiny children sledging would be weighing down the branches, with not a space left for one more. And my mother would come in and say, “That’s not finished — there’s hardly anything on it!”

I felt all the other images also perfectly capture this time of year. I love the Norwegian sauna in the fjords at the end. On the 23rd of December, a sauna is booked for the entire extended family so we can dust off the cobwebs, shake off work, and prepare for the holidays feeling relaxed, revived and rosey cheeked (and that's before the 'glögg'!

Did any of the images catch your eye?

And if you have a tree, how do you like to decorate it?

For a couple of Christmassy home tours today, take a peek inside:

Anna Truelsen's festive Swedish home
DIY touches in a Swedish maker's home at Christmas
Maria's rustic Christmas home with rustic DIY touches

Happy 1st December!

Niki

PS did you spot the little kitty?

Photography credits: 1. Cato Ravatsbakk 2. @vartlillagrona 3. @myhappydays 3. @elinmeadowss 4. @hjarterumdeisgnointerior 5. @hannesmauritzson 6. @fjordfiskerenhjem 7. @vartlillagrona 8. @breakfastlondon.

Step Inside a Warm & Welcoming Swedish Christmas Home

I’m often asked how Scandinavians cope with the long, dark winters — and honestly, even when you try your best, the cold and endless twilight can wear you down. But if there’s one thing they’ve mastered, it’s hygge: that soft, glowing sense of comfort that makes winter feel that bit more manageable. And it shines brightest at Christmas. Paper stars are already glowing in windows, early trees are popping up, and the whole vibe is warm and welcoming — exactly what you want after biking home through the icy dark.

It’s one of my favourite moments of the year, which is why I’m excited to start sharing some “Jul” inspiration here on the blog ahead of the first Sunday of Advent. Yay! Ready to get cosy?

I thought today’s home tour is the perfect way to ease in. This charming red-and-white country house outside Kristinehamn belongs to Emma and Rickard and their children, and it captures everything I love about Swedish Christmas. They’ve gently updated their 1930s home, blending old character with a light, modern touch that feels especially magical in Advent.

Outside, the landscape is tucked under a fresh layer of snow, and the windows glow with soft Advent lights. Indoors, it’s simple, cosy and wonderfully unhurried — exactly the kind of festive feeling I can’t wait to share more of.

Ready to take a look? Photographer Jonas Lundberg and stylist Anna Truelsen paid a visit and took these lovely pictures.

I love how every room has a little touch of holiday spirit — a few sprigs of pine in the pantry, a star by the bed, even a hyacinth infusing the bathroom with scent.

Do you like to sprinkle festive touches throughout your home too?

Are there any details here that stand out to you — or feel different from your own traditions?

I’m hoping to share a glimpse of my own home next week, and of course, there'll be lots more festive posts to come. In the meantime there’s plenty of yuletide inspiration waiting for you in the Christmas archive.

And before I forget — a big Happy Thanksgiving to all American friends!

Niki

Photography Jonas Lundberg, styling Anna Truelsen, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations

Traditional Swedish Christmas Decorations in Victoria's Cosy Home

There are just eight days left until Christmas—are you ready (if you celebrate)? I have to admit, things are feeling a little chaotic here. I’m way behind, but hey, at least the tree is up and twinkling away! That counts as a solid start, right? I’m holding out hope that in the coming week, a little Christmas magic will swoop in and get everything sorted.

In the meantime, I’m taking a deep breath—and a good dose of yuletide calm—from the beautiful Swedish kitchen and dining space of Victoria Oderland in Åsa, a small coastal village in the countryside near Gothenburg.

This cosy living area is brimming with all the charm of a traditional Swedish Christmas: an adventsljusstake glowing softly in the window, candle wreaths suspended overhead, and a warm glow from plenty of candlelight. But there’s one decoration in particular that really stands out—something quintessentially Scandinavian: the Julbock (Christmas goat!). Stay tuned for more on this festive icon!

Have you seen one of these guys before? The Julbock (yule goat) is a Scandinavian Christmas tradition with roots in Norse mythology and pagan harvest rituals. Initially linked to Thor’s goats and fertility symbols, it later became part of Christian Christmas celebrations. Traditionally made from straw and tied with red ribbons, the Julbock symbolized good fortune and holiday spirit. Today, it is a cherished holiday decoration, and can be seen on tables, windowsills and doorsteps. Do you have something like this in your country?

So pretty! I love the atmosphere, I so hope my house can feel like this by the end of the week.

Oh, and did you spot the guy on the kick sled? This form of transport is particularly popular in the countryside further North where they get plenty of snow, it's a great way to get around!

Is there anything from Victoria's home that you loved in particular? If you'd like to see more, head over to her inspiring instagram feed @simple.slow.living.

Would you like to see a few more homes with a festive touch today? Check out the Christmas archive.

Have a happy start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @simple.slow.living, shared with kind permission.

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations swedish home

Nina's Warm and Cosy 19th Century Home in Wintertime

On the 21st of December, we’ll celebrate the winter solstice—a turning point, as from then on, the days will gradually become a little lighter. Hooray! Today, in Sweden, it’s Lucia—a celebration of light, marked by a girl wearing a crown of candles, leading a Lucia train of others dressed as little Father Christmases, gingerbread men, and other whimsical characters. It’s a beautiful tradition filled with songs and Lucia bullar—delicious saffron buns.

The darkness at this time of year also means the lights are often on all day—a detail we rarely see in interior photos. That’s why I was so excited to discover Nina’s home in Hamburg, Germany and the way she captures the essence of winter indoors. Picture sheepskins draped over chairs, golden slivers of sunlight, a roaring fire, soft, atmospheric lighting, and, of course, the subtle hints of Christmas. Her house, built in 1888, provides the perfect setting, with its wooden beams, chequered tiles, and charming architectural details that exude timeless character.

I hope this gets you into a cosy mood for the weekend!