This Year's Cosy Christmas Touch: A 'Glögg' Bar!

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The First Sunday of Advent is a big day in Scandinavia. It can get very dark in winter time and the eagerly awaited day provides a perfect opportunity to brighten up the darkness with candles, star lanterns and other julpynta (Christmas decorations). I have to confess though; I started a little earlier this year with the glögg (spiced mulled wine). My excuse? The chilly weather combined with a photoshoot for Danish brand Skovby and their beautiful handcrafted #135 Serving Trolley. 

Allow me to introduce my 'glögg bar'! 

For those of you not familiar with the word, Glögg is a Scandinavian spiced mulled wine, usually served with a spoonful of almonds and raisins as well as pepparkaka (gingerbread biscuits). Its best kept piping hot on the stove, in a thermos or in a pan over a candle. I love to serve it with blue cheese as the combination with pepparkaka is simply divine! 

My parents-in-law always have a glögg bar ready and waiting when we arrive at their cottage on Christmas Eve. It's a perfect way to thaw the hands after bracing the freezing temperatures outside! 

I decided to have my own this year, and this fine specimen of a trolley could not have made a finer glögg bar! The Skovby #135 Serving Trolley comes in a variety of finishes (check them out here) and I chose the black oak with a top in black nano laminate (specifically designed to cater for spillages - love that!). 

The trolley also has other awesome features such as hidden wheels, a wine rack and a compartment containing a small tray and chopping board (made from excess wood from the Skovby factories). Talk about a well-equipped bar! 

I also threw in some books and a cosy blanket for a little extra hygge! It is Danish, after all! 

Having sat at a Skovby desk in our home office for the best part of six months, the quality, design and functionality of the trolley is exactly what I've come to expect from the Danish furniture brand - which prides itself on sustainable and functional furniture. 

All there's left to do is get cosy and tuck in!

Once Jul is over the trolley would make a pretty cool display piece too, don't you think? Danish design at its finest! 

Curious to find out more? See #135 Serving Trolley for more details and find your nearest stockist here. 

I'm not sure if you've seen my previous posts about Skovby? If not, you might also like to see Per's home office (he's back at school now so I swiftly took over!) and the glass display cabinet in the corner of my open-plan dining room / sitting room area.  

Have you started decorating for the holidays yet? Despite the cheeky start, I'm waiting until this weekend and the First Sunday of Advent for the rest of my decorations (except for the tree, which we'll chop down sometime in mid December). 

A little cosiness and Christmas cheer is just what we all need this year, don't you agree?

Skål!

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian home

Styling Helen Sturesson

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Cosy Danish Outdoor Lights - Handmade Using Recycled Glass!

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Determined to make this autumn and winter as cosy as possible, I've added some new lights to our little backyard. After all, once the sun sets, it becomes very dark, very early, very quickly, and there's nothing like the warm glow of lights to lift your spirits! These beautiful ReUse light chains are from Pernille Bülow - a small atelier on the Danish island of Bornholm.  Regular readers will know that Pernille Bülow is a big favourite of mine and I have SO many beautiful handmade pieces from this atelier around my home (including SKY lamps and Odin tableware).  But there's something EXTRA special about these outdoor ReUse light chains, and the clue is in the name. Read on to discover more! 

True to Pernille Bulow style, each of the 9 pendants are mouth blown and handmade in the workshop in Svaneke, Bornholm (if you're ever on the island, you must pay a visit - I love the shop!). This means that each glass light is ever so slightly unique - one of the wonderful hallmarks of handmade pieces. 

I used two sets in our little back yard to create a little extra glow (the chains are three metres long and attachable, so you can easily string together as many sets of lights as you wish which is really handy).

Best of all? The ReUse collection is made of waste from Novo Nordisk, a Danish pharmaceutical company that has large amounts of excess borosilicate glass from their diabetes drug production. Rather than going to waste, Pernille Bülow remelts and moulds the glass into beautiful objects, including these ReUse light chains and a pendant lamp! 

The light chain also come with 9 2 W energy optimised LED bulbs which are CE marked. 

In order to really put them to the test, I invited a few friends over from the neighbourhood for an autumn evening alfresco - (any excuse!).  

It was a bit of a 'knytkalas' - where everyone (including my dear friend Ullis - above - and interior designer Jessica Ward - below) brought whatever they had in their fridge and wine cabinet! 

We had such a mysig (cosy) evening under the warm glow of the lights - even if coats were a must! Brrrr!

Roll on more autumn evenings al fresco! And even when it's time to move indoors, we'll still enjoy the twinkle through the window! 

If you'd love these lights for your outdoor space, the ReUse light chain is available to pre-order here  - and will be available from mid-November. There's a list of countries Pernille Bülow ships to here. 

I'm curious - can you still sit outside in the evenings in your country? 

Wishing you a great day! 

Niki

*This post is a paid partnership with Pernille Bülow. All words and images are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the small Nordic businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible.  

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At Home With The Terra Collection From Georg Jensen

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In preparation for the long winter ahead, I've decided to go all out with the greenery and up my plant game at home. This has coincided nicely with the latest launch from Danish brand Georg Jensen. Created by the internationally renowned Norwegian design agency Snøhetta, The Terra Collection is Georg Jensen's first foray into indoor and outdoor home gardening. Inspired by the undulating waves and reflective flow of water and the contemplative organic forms found in nature, the nine-piece collection includes plant pots and watering utensils that combine earthy terracotta and cool stainless-steel. Needless to say, the accessories look equally beautiful on a terrace, balcony or in this case - my bedroom! Just what we need to bring out the gardener inside us this Autumn! 

 

The collection includes four stainless steel planters: the Terra Reversible Planter in small, Reversible Planter in medium (seen on my windowsill), and a Reversible Planter in large as well as a TERRA Pot & Saucer.

 

I love how the green leaves of the plants reflect in the metal, doubling their impact (you can never have too much greenery at home, right?!). The planters are also reversible, so you can combine them in different ways to create an interesting sculptural display.

 

I'm also a big fan of the TERRA Pot & Saucer (this is the large one and there's also a medium sized one or the option of the TERRA Tray & Set Of Three Pots). Suitable for outdoor and indoor use, the pot is made from terracotta with a touch of stainless steel and is gently tapered, giving the roots more space to grow. Clever! 

 

The collection also includes a sleek and elegant TERRA Watering Can made from mirror polished stainless steel which was inspired by the flow of water itself. True to its Scandinavian heritage, the watering can is a dream to use and would be sacrilege to hide away. A perfect reminder to water the plants! Look out for the TERRA Watering Globe too (sadly not pictured here... although it is my birthday coming up...). 

 

Norwegian design for a Danish brand in a Swedish bedroom. You can't get more Scandinavian than this, right?!

I think this collection might just be what we all need to help us let a little nature into our home and hearts this Autumn, what do you think?

Do any of the pieces stand out to you in particular?

Read more about The Terra Collection here.

Niki

Photography: My Scandinavian Home Styling: Helen Sturesson

*This is a paid partnership with Georg Jensen. All words and pictures are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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My home: Say hello To My New Skovby Glass Cabinet!

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Are you a fan of the glass cabinet? I've always loved them; they're the one storage piece that will allow you to store and display your favourite things while keeping them dust free (anything that saves a little cleaning and I'm in, how about you?). I've had my eye on the Skovby  #452 display cabinet for a while. It's part of their #400 sideboard line which also includes 3 sideboards: #402, #404, and #405. As you know, I've been a fan of the Danish furniture brand ever since I acquired a desk and chair for Per's home office (he's back at school now so I've crept in and taken over the space!). And now, I'm excited to have picked up a #452 glass cabinet for our open-plan living space!  

In 1933, cabinet maker Thorvald Rasmussen founded Skovby with a vision to create sustainable and functional furniture that would stand the test of time. And I have to say, this fine specimen truly encompasses this vision! Here it is filled with some of my most treasured pieces (as well as some practical bits and bobs for our dining room / creative corner!)...

The cabinet is available in several wood sorts and finishes. I chose the Black wengé lacquer version, as I felt it would make a nice contrast with my delicate glassware, ceramics, books, linen and other pieces I intended to store within it. 

We all know that when it comes to furniture, it's not all about appearance - although, naturally this is top of my list! Per in particular, was so happy with how practical the cabinet is. It's made according to the 'Golden Proportion' and has two soft closing glass doors, four glass shelves and two LED lights! The latter is going to come in handy when the light starts to fade and dare I say it - the clocks go forward (baaah!). Soooo not ready for that, are you?

Another nice detail: you can choose to stand it on a plinth or legs depending on the look you're after. I love the airy feel of the legs! 

I hope you like the latest addition to our home as much as we do! 

You can find out more information (including measurements, available finishes etc.) on the Skovby #452 display cabinet home page. The 100% Danish made cabinet is available in 19 countries worldwide (search for your nearest stockist here). 

Danish design at its finest! 

See you tomorrow for a very exciting home tour which might just include some armchair travel!

In the meantime, if anyone's looking for me, I'll be dipping into one of my books right here and preparing for my visit to Copenhagen tomorrow for 3 Days of Design. I haven't been to the Danish capital since February - so excited!

Niki

Photography Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian home

Styling Helen Sturesson

*This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Skovby. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the wonderful businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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Beautiful Danish Glassware and My Favourite Summer Drink!

After a tour of the Swedish West coast (travel guide to follow soon!), it's been wonderful to be back at our summer cottage for a few days. I spent a lovely afternoon with my friend Tove, catching up over a glass of herb infused lemonade. It was one of those afternoons which turned into evening... which turned into night (and may have eventually involved some Prosecco!). I'd invited Tove to come over and help me shoot a set of beautiful mouth blown glassware for Pernille Bülow (the glass workshop on the Danish island of Bornholm where the stunning SKY lamps are also made). And we decided to put the pretty setting and smokey ODIN glassware to good use in the process! Here are a few snapshots - and more details about the glassware, the lemonade and a few other pieces! 

I picked up the chairs at a nearby 'loppis' (flea market) - such a find! The questions is, do I re-paint them or leave them in their naturally dilapidated state? I'd love to hear your thoughts! 

On the table you can catch a glimpse of the handmade ODIN jug and drinking glass in grey, which have been designed in the Pernille Bülow atelier and handmade abroad. As with all their designs, I love how the ODIN glassware has a simple yet strong expression, and perfect for everyday use as well as special events (like catching up with friends!).  

My daughter Allie and I made the mint, dill and basil infused lemonade in the morning. The syrup is super simple to make, tastes really refreshing, and if you make a big batch can last all summer long! Oh and it's perfect for pepping up 'stronger' drinks - just sayin'! Here's the recipe: 

Mint, Dill and Basil Infused Lemonade Squash

Ingredients:

2.5 dl water

300 g sugar

2 tbsp fresh dill  

5 g fresh basil

5 g fresh mint

3.75 dl lemon juice

Method

Combine the sugar and water in a pan, place on medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Rip up the mint and basil leaves and add to the pan. Add the dill stems. Bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place mixture in a container in the fridge for 60 minutes. Sieve the mixture to remove herbs. 

To serve: combine the syrup and lemon juice with 18 dl of water and serve on ice with a sprig of mint. 

Tove and I found the jug works perfectly as a vase too! The thistles and ferns are from our cottage garden.

As the sun sank lower in the sky we brought out an ODIN pillar candleholder and tea light holder in grey. There are also two lovely bowls in the range - the small bowl in grey which we used for crabapples and a large bowl. 

Such a memorable afternoon. I love it when a plan comes together!

You can find out more information about Pernille Bülow ODIN glassware here - and also take a peek at the SKY lamps which I've featured in my home here, here and here.

Thank you to Tove for a great afternoon, and also to my wonderful neighbors for the pretty setting!

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Pernille Bülow. However, all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too! 

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Welcome Inside The Home of a Danish Interior Consultant

Why hello there, or 'hej' (pronounced 'hi' in Danish - which makes it pretty easy for us English speaking guys!). Today, I'm whisking you away to Odder, a small town in central Jutland, Denmark, which Cecilie Kovsted and her fiancé Magnus have made their home. Cecilie works an interior consultant at Tapetforum and as a sales employee at ARoS Aarhus Art Museum. Little wonder her home - which she frequently shows on her instagram feed @interiorunivers - is a real feast for the eyes. The duo have filled their 79 m2 (850 f2) apartment with ceramics, colourful prints and 'loppemarked' (flea market) finds -inspired by Cecilie's childhood home. Pour yourself a Danish-style extra strong 'kaffe', pull up a chair, and enjoy the tour! 

"I am in the process of changing our decor and I am trying to focus more on warm colours, Japanese ceramics and prints that match my 'theme'." - Cecilie. 

"Art means a lot to me, and as you can probably see, we have a lot of it in our home! Most of the prints are flea market finds or bought from interior design shops. I look for unique prints. I particularly love prints from Galerie Maeght and even visited their little shop in Paris - which I can highly recommend!" - Cecilie. 

Such an inspiring home - especially the art! 

You often see the same prints time and time again in homes, but I loved how Cecilie had sought more original art, particularly in her home office. 

Feeling curious, I scoured her instagram feed to glean some of the sources she's used for glassware, ceramics, prints and other decor:

Cecilie's Danish Interior Shopping Black Book

Kræss Store (glassware, ceramics, art etc!)

Atelier Mathilde Vesterskov

Le Klint (lighting)

Louisiana Museum Shop

ARoS Art Museum Shop

Since my family and I are actually heading to Denmark today (WHOOPEE! I'm SO excited as we haven't been since the whole - whisper it, pandemic began - follow along on my instagram stories if you'd like to see a little of Hornbæk!), I thought it would be apt to go all out Danish today. Here are a few other homes I love:

Malene and Jeppe's Home With Lots of Dots

A Vibrant Aarhus Home

An elegant Danish home in the heart of Copenhagen

And while we're on the topic of 'great Dane' style and design, I'll be stopping by tomorrow with an extra post to share some pictures I took near our summer cottage of some beautiful Danish glassware and one of my favorite Swedish summer drinks! See you then! 

Niki

Photography: Cecilie Kovsted

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