Rustic Scandinavian Christmas inspiration

This year I love the rustic, pared-back holiday feel. It's all about Christmas trees in glass vases, pared-back branches, pine cones and sheepskin throws. Add to that the rich aroma of piping hot buttered fig and rosemary cider, fresh pine, and cinnamon and I'm well on my way to a cosy rustic Scandinavian Christmas. Here's my inspiration, I hope it inspires you too. 

1 & 2. Hysj-Lundemork. 3 rustic table - unidentified.  4. Mini wreath - Helt Enkelt. see the DIY instructions here. 5. Hot buttered fig & rosemary cider 6. Vanilla Bean Blog. Spice cake with cardamom coffee frosting.  7. Ditte Isager.

I have a similar rustic workman's stool which I bought here.

For inspiring Christmas home tours I love this Swedish country home, a lovely sitting room here in Skåne, and a modern Dutch home.

And here's my round up of beautiful yet simple Christmas DIY ideas:

Brown paper gift wrapping inspiration.

Swedish hot chocolate with cinnamon - mmmmm!

DIY holiday decor for the walls.

Tiny Christmas garlands.

Beautiful DIY triangular Christnas wreaths.

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we've no place to go...Let it snow! let it snow! Let is snow! Have a lovely day!

PS back tomorrow with my usual home tour, see you then!

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A danish home at Christmas

The Danes are famous for their beautiful Christmas decorations. Have you ever walked through Nyhavn in Copenhagen at Christmas? The quayside is transformed into a winter wonderland and festooned with fairy lights and fir tree branches. Christmas market stalls line the quay and the aroma of roasted chestnuts, almonds and glogg (mulled wine) fills the air. This danish home is a fine example of how beautifully Danes decorate for Christmas. Every single room has a touch of the festive spirit, even the bathroom and I love the rustic festive feel.

Bo Bedre via Decorator's Notebook with thanks

Is there any Christmas inspiration you'll be taking from this home?

I love how presents are dotted around the house, although I think the temptation might be too much for my little girls! I also love the irregular shaped Christmas tree - so pretty! For more Christmas tree inspiration I love this 'pared-back style' or for a modern touch - these very fun christmas tree alternatives. 

Here are a few snaps I took of our Christmas tree last year. We always go out to a place in the forest where you are allowed to chop down your own tree, it's one of my favourite days of the year. 

One present I'll be buying this Christmas (look away now brother-in-laws) is a gift card for a tailored t-shirt from Son of A Tailor. Basic tees will continue to be big in the style stakes for 2015 and this Copenhagen based company offer the perfect opportunity to 100% tailor your own classic organic cotton t-shirt - even the gift card itself comes beautifully packaged. Such a perfect present don't you think?! 

Have a great day! 

PS does anyone know the full credits for these images, I'd love to update the post? Thank you. 

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A touch of Scandinavian Christmas decorating inspiration

I always start putting up a few Christmas decorations around Advent Sunday.  In case you'll be doing the same, here's a little modern Scandinavian Christmas inspiration for advent calendars, candles and a pretty olive branch wreath I'm hoping to make for my front door.  Happy decorating!

Images: 1. Frichic 2. Weekday Carnival DIY 3. Marsipan og Smilifjes 4. Bella Blogit 5. Petra Bindel 6. Does anyone know the credit?  

I'm planning lots more Christmas posts in the month of December. In the meantime you can take a peek through past Christmas posts here (scroll passed the first post which will be the same as this one), or take a look at my Christmas Pinterest board which I'm forever updating.

Don't forget to stop by tomorrow to enter a fab advent give-away!

Have a great night!

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Christmas touches in a Finnish home

When do you start putting up your Christmas decorations? I've already added a few touches to my home including white amaryllis and hyacinths (I love the scent) as well as a few lit candles at breakfast and as soon as it gets dark at 15.30 (yes, I know!). This lovely, warm Finnish home is a perfect example of late November / early December Christmas decorating. It's the Helsinki pad of Kaisa, her partner, and cat Mr Paw (who can be seen making himself at home on the sofa). Kaisa is a dab hand at DIY (as you can see on her blog No Home Without You) and loves Scandinavian interiors and crafts. This is reflected in the way she has decorated her space - I particularly love the fairylights display, plants and bunting. How about you?

No Home Without You with kind permission. 

I love how Kaisa has used a nordic base (white walls and light wood floors), and then added mid-century finds and touches of rustic wood for an extra cosy vibe. The bunting over the table reminds me of this wonderful Christmas space. DIY decorating idea for Thanksgiving or First advent perhaps?

Is there anything you love in particular about Kaisa's home?

Have a lovely day!

PS you can see examples of how I add amaryllis and hyacinths to my home work work place here. 

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Merry Christmas!

Petra Bindel for Elle Decoration

I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

See you on 27th!

N xxx

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A black and white Christmas with Tine K.

It's the weekend, yay! There's going to be a flurry of last minute decorating and wrapping here in my home in preparation of celebrating our 'Swedish Christmas' with my husband's family next weekend. If like me, you're looking for new ideas - here's a touch of inspiration. When it comes to Christmas, Danish brand Tine K Home always come up trumps. The Tine K Home  theme for the holiday season 2013 is black and white, save for the tree which is also decorated with a touch of earthy mauve (or, what would you call this colour?).

Tine K Home inspired by a post from Purple Area

Do you like a black and white theme at Christmas?

I've gone for a white and brown theme and hung ginger snaps in our tree. The scent as you walk in the door is wonderful, I can definitely recommend it. How do you create the smell of Christmas in your home?

If you love this style you'll also love the home tour of Tine K Home's owner.

For more black and white Christmas inspiration check out this Swedish home, this Norwegian home  and here for beautiful Danish Christmas decoration inspiration.

This afternoon I'm heading up to the nursery to watch my girls in their Luciatåg (Lucia procession). My eldest will be a 'tomten' and my youngest 'Lucia' with a crown of candles in her hair (not real thankfully), I can't wait, it'll be so sweet! What are you up to this evening / over the next couple of days?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

PS I have a little Christmas treat for you next week designed by my friend here in Malmö!.....

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A danish home decked out for Christmas

I am not sure this stunning home of 38 year of Danish photographer, stylist, and director  Mette Wotkjær  and her family needs much of an introduction, save to say it's teeming with inspiring Christmas decorating ideas using washi tape, pom poms, paper stars and an alternative tree. Just add snow and a roaring fire!

Mette Wotkjær with kind permission. Femina.

I love this home. I could totally move in and celebrate Christmas here, how about you?!

Get the look? Paper stars, wood stars, pretty gift wrapping, washi tape, pom poms, sheepskin rugs, HAY tray side table, Eames DAW chairs (15% discount with code MYSCAN), black AJ floor lamp (10% discount with code SCANDI-HOME) .

For more Christmas inspiration check out this Swedish home, this Danish home and this very pretty vintage inspired home.

Have a lovely day!

PS Mette has teamed up with writer and stylist Christina Kattrup to form Have a Look which sells smart, great value reading colours in very cool colours. Take a look at the collection here!

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A beautiful Dutch stylists home ready for Christmas

I love to end the week with an amazing, awe inspiring home tour and this one is absolutely no exception! A former library in Nijkerk, Netherlands, this is the home of  101 woonideeen editor and stylist extroadinaire Kim van Rossenberg. The beautifully light Scandinavian style home is decorated in white with touches of black and is all decked out for Christmas using subtle wood stars, garlands, 'Gran' fabric and wallpaper and an unconventional tree. Even the logs for the fire have a Christmas touch! How fab?!

Home / stylist Kim van Rossenberg (Pinterest / Instagram). Photographer: Ernie Enkelaar. 101 Woonideeen. 

I'm not sure what I love most about this home, the entire space is simply fabulous don't you think?!

Get the look: I love this star garland. Source the 'Gran' fir tree cushions and wallpaper. And for added cosiness, throw a sheep skin rug over a Bertoia Knoll Diamond Armchair. The rest is down to paper scissors, pens and a little creativity!

I've a feeling there'll be a little Christmas shopping this weekend? If you're buying anything from one of my fabulous sponsors don't forget to use discount codes: 10% off with code SCANDI-HOME at Made in Design and 10% discount on Urban Trait watches with code MYSCANDIHOME + free international delivery (a guy friend of mine has this one, I love it!), and 15% discount with code MYSCAN at Design Collectors. Get beautiful gift wrapping here! And check out the other shops here for wonderful things!

Thank you so much to Kim for allowing me to share the images of her beautiful home today.

Have a lovely weekend!

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