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Nina's Elegant Norwegian Home with Timeless Festive Touches

Are you up for a little game today? How about I show you eight traditional things you’re likely to find in a Scandinavian home at Christmas—and then you can share in the comments (if you’d like) how many of these you also display in your country?

And what better way to do this than through a tour of the living spaces in the Norwegian home of Nina Holst? Her name might ring a bell, as she’s the founder of Stylizimo, and I featured her previous home at Christmas way back in 2015! Nina lives with her husband and little baby in a beautiful, early 20th century art nouveau villa, and she has a talent for incorporating soothing earthy tones and design classics into her decor. Her Christmas decorations are always elegant and timeless.

Let’s take a look and see what we can discover!


1. Nature makes for the best decorations - whether in drinks, on presents or around the house. I quite fancy one of these gin and tonics tonight, it is lillördag (little saturday) after all. 


2. There's nothing like the sweet scent of hyacinths at Christmas. Scandinavians love to remove the soil, place them in a glass vase and dip the roots into water instead. 

3. With the sun barely lifting over the horizon, a group of candles in mix and match glass and brass candleholders helps to brighten up the darker days. 

4. It wouldn't be 'Jul' without tall amaryllis in either white, red or rose - they're often placed in a vase or the bulb is wrapped in moss. 

5. The Julgran (Christmas tree) is a given. After all 33% of Norway and 68% of Sweden is covered in forest so there are plenty to choose from! This popular variety is a Kungsgran (Nordmann fir). 

6. Beautifully wrapped presents are a go-go - whether carefully done at home or by the in-store gift wrapping service that's widely available. 











7. The adventsljusstake (advent candlestick) placed in the windows of homes, schools and businesses helps to bathe the dark streets with a warm glow and creates a welcoming feel in the cold. 

8. A simple yet pretty homemade wreath is hung on the door, but also indoors on walls, or the chimney of a traditional tiled fireplace. 

Such lovely decorations - ideal for anyone who loves a more simple, natural approach to decorating in wintertime. 

I am guessing you have quite a lot of these decorations in your country too - are there any that stood out as different? Do you bring in the same winter flowers?

If you'd like to see more of Nina's Norwegian home throughout the seasons, head on over to her instagram here

After some more winter decorating ideas today? Here are a few features for all tastes and styles: 


And because I'm in the mood for cosiness, check out these wintery cabins: 


Have a lovely Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Nina Holst, shared with kind permission. 

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A Fabulous Walk-in Closet Idea in a Norwegian Home

It might not feel like spring in Southern Sweden yet (it snowed in some parts of Skåne yesterday!) but it's on its way, I can feel it! Can you? One of the biggest joys is preparing the home for a new season - which also means storing away heavy winter clothes and making room for pretty spring and summer clothes!  

In my experience, one of the biggest dilemmas is lack of storage space. In 2023 I made it my mission to create organised storage in our home - building a wardrobe and adding shelves to our attic. And our house definitely feels less cluttered as a result (although not always tidier - but that's a whole other issue!). Even so, I am always on the lookout for more clever ideas. And I instantly fell in love with the smart walk-in closet solution in Caroline's Norwegian apartment! 

Caroline is a journalist and editor for Elle magazine and lives in the beautiful neighbourhood of Grünerløkke in Oslo. Read on to feel inspired by her 57 m2 (613 ft.sq) home and clever storage idea, it might just solve a conundrum for you too!  

Carolina has gone for a wonderful palette of blue, dusty pink and brass in her Norwegian home which adds a feeling decadence. I love that it is also filled with one-off pieces, pattern and quirky touches! A Togo sofa is always a comfy addition! 

In the bedroom, a 'sky' headboard adds a wonderfully fun and unique touch to the space - and the blend of new nordic pieces such as the Flos light beside antique finds adds to the relaxed feel. 



And THIS was what I was talking about in my intro: a fabulous walk-in-wardrobe built into the corner of the bedroom! 

The 'wardrobe' is made up of two glass doors which Caroline designed and had made according to the exact measurements of the space. 

Inside Caroline has used the Décor design from Elfa (which I also used for my storage - the entire system is great as it's really flexible and you can personalise the design to work for your needs and the space you have) to create shelving for her shoes and hanging space for clothes and other items. 

What a clever way to transform the corner of a bedroom into storage - do you agree? The frosted glass doors provide a glimpse of the interior of the wardrobe, without allowing the clothes and shoes from taking over the room and making it feel cluttered. 

I have to say, I'm drooling over her clothes and shoe collection too - so many fabulous items! 

I hope this has filled you with inspiration for the weekend! Or maybe just inspired you to pull out those sparkly shoes and hit the town! Follow Caroline's instagram for more interior and lifestyle inspiration. 

Speaking of which, I don't own many pairs of shoes, but last year I bought a pair of gold sparkly ankle boots, and they really seem to bring out the best in people and put a smile on everyone's face. I always make a point of wearing them on friends' birthdays to add some sparkle! Do you have a favourite pair of shoes too? 

Check out these other ways to get organised at home: 


That's it from me this week folks. Thank you for stopping by - see you Monday! 

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography: Birgit Fauske

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A Beautiful Ski Chalet / Cabin in Hafjell, Norway

Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 has got off to a cracking start! I'm so happy to be back, here's to a great year of drool-worthy Scandi inspiration! 

It's no secret I think Norway is the most spectacular place on earth - and after Christmas, my family and I headed to the fells of Hafjell to blow away the cobwebs, ski, and generally relax by the fire. Temperatures reached minus 26 degrees celsius (-14.8 F), which shall we say, is fresh. But fortune favours the bold, as they say - and we wrapped up warm and headed out into the frozen landscape to njuta (savour) the vistas over the snowcapped forests and valley below. 

It's a place I hope everyone can venture to at least once in their lifetime whether you're into downhill skiing, cross country or simply relaxing by the fire! And if you do, I've found you just the cabin! Listed on Airbnb, I was immediately drawn to the the pared-down wood clad interior which has been kitted out in almost all natural materials to mirror the surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, a vast stone fireplace and a hot bath await to help thaw out your toes after a day on the trails. Ready to dream? 

What a beautiful cabin! Could you imagine staying here? You can find all the details on Airbnb here

Let me know if you think it would be interesting to feature a personal guide to Hafjell, Norway here on the blog - I'd be happy to share my experience as well as some tips for magical things to do in the area (ice bathing being one of them!). In the meantime, you can catch a glimpse of our trip in this instagram reel and my in instagram highlights if you'd like! 

How about taking a look inside a few other snowy mountain cabins today? Pull up a seat, pour a coffee and enjoy: 


I am so happy to be back blogging again after the break. As always I'll be posting three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). If you'd like to ensure you don't miss a post, you might like to sign up to my newsletter

*And in other news - my new book Njuta, The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment has now launched! Thank you SO much to everyone who has already ordered a copy, it really means SO MUCH. I hope the tricks and tips I mention in the book will help elevate each and every one of your days in 2024. Njuta is currently available through all retailers and libraries in the USA and Canada (if your local bookstore or library doesn't yet have a copy in stock, please do put in a request!). The book is also available on Amazon pretty much worldwide and Waterstones in the UK. Although, I promise, there will be more languages and retailers to follow. 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

*advert for my own work

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks

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The Serene Scandi-style Home of a Norwegian Living in Lisbon!

You can take a girl out of Norway, but you can't take Norway out of the girl.... I don't think this is the original saying, but it certainly fits in this instance!). Marriken moved from Norway to Portugal 11 years ago to live with her boyfriend. The pair instantly fell in love with the period details of this apartment in the centre of Lisbon and moved in three years ago. 

"The apartment had been well maintained, but we have still done some work to it after we moved in," Marriken tells me. "We renovated the bathrooms, painted, opened up a wall and replaced the kitchen. We try to make well-considered decisions that will stand the test of time and prefer to take the time to think things through rather than rushing into decisions, hence it's still a work in progress." 

Ready to take a peek? You're in for a treat! 


'Check' print* - The Poster Club, Wishbone Chair - Carl Hansen & Søn

Striped linen duvet cover* and pillow case* - Magic Linen,  Rug - H&M Home. 

Oak wall rack - by We Do Wood

So serene. Simplicity at its finest. 

I especially love the French balcony in the sitting room - the doors are like art, and all thew windows flood the space with light. Is there anything that stands out to you? 

You can see more daily snapshots from Marriken's Lisbon apartment over on her inspiring instagram feed @third_floor_left

Would you like to tiptoe around a few other homes of Scandinavians living abroad today? If so, you'll love these: 

Exciting life change: a Swedish family home in the French alps (I was so happy to catch up with Bettina here in a Sweden a few days ago, whenever we meet, I'm always ready to pack my bags and head to the mountains afterwards. One day friends, one day!). 

Oooooh, what a wonderful selection of places, styles and inspiring people! 

Do you live in the country you grew up in, or have you also moved abroad? 

Happy Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @third_floor_left

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