Step Inside a Cosy Swedish Allotment Cottage Dressed for Christmas

I always get excited when I feature a kolonistuga (Swedish allotment cottage), but this little one is particularly exciting! Why? Allotment cottages are very seasonal. Since the water is usually turned off to avoid pipes freezing in colder weather, it's rare to see one decorated for Christmas.

Located in the heart of Gothenburg, this little cottage belongs to Elin Lannsjö. She loves staying here year-round. You might recognise the white abode from a summer feature way back in 2015. Now, I’m thrilled to share a tour of Elin’s cottage dressed in simple yet beautiful festive touches, complete with a roaring fire.

Outside, the snow blankets the ground, while inside, the glow of candlelight makes the cottage feel warm and inviting. Touches of greenery—branches of pine, amaryllis, and hyacinths—add to the cozy yuletide vibe.

Ready to step inside and soak up the Christmas charm of Elin's cosy cottage?

So cosy! A real little winter haven in the heart of the city. 

Perfect inspiration for the first Sunday of Advent (when traditionally in Sweden everyone starts to decorate their home, although I have noticed many couldn't resist starting already purely to brighten up the winter darkness!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Elin's cosy stuga? 

Before I wrap up for the weekend, why not grab a blanket and cosy up for a few more cabin tours:

A cosy candlelit cabin deep in the Norwegian fjords

A magical mountain cabin in Norway (captured for my second book!)

A Finnish log cabin in wintertime

Looking for more Christmas inspiration? Check out the Christmas and Christmas decoration archives. 

Have a lovely weekend friends. Thank you so much for stopping by, I've loved reading all your emails and comments and so happy you have enjoyed the tours this week (and the chairs in my dining room!). 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elin Lannsjo, shared with kind permission. 

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Winter charm: Inside a Swedish Country Home Dressed for Advent

Sweden was blanketed in snow this weekend, brightening up the darkness. Even so, the cold has drawn life indoors, sparking a hive of activity as we prepare our homes for winter—layering rugs, blankets, and other soft textiles to create a cozy retreat.

The first Sunday of Advent is just around the corner, marking the start of Christmas decorating in Scandinavia. It's a gradual and thoughtful process, beginning with adventsljusstakar (advent candles) in the windows, perhaps paired with a star lamp and some wintry foliage.

Rebecka Palmqvist's charming country home, built in 1848, is a perfect example of this seasonal transformation. She and her partner have been lovingly renovating it, using old furniture and beautiful wallpaper while preserving its original architecture. The result is a warm, inviting space for their family, including their two small children, Gullvie and Frans.

In winter, the home feels especially magical. Star lanterns and electric candles glow in the windows, and orange garlands are draped across the ceiling. while a Christmas tree adds to the festive atmosphere indoors. Welcome to Rebecka's home! 

So charming! I’m so excited to see the first signs of advent candles appearing in windows here in Sweden. It’s such a beautiful tradition—something you’ll spot in almost every window across towns and villages, from homes to businesses. Do you have something similar in your country?

I also love how Rebecka has decorated her home, staying true to the original charm of the farmhouse while creating a magical space for her family. You can see more pictures here.

Here are a few more Scandinavian homes in the snow: 

A lakeside Swedish log house in the snow
Hannah's cosy Finnish house in the snow at Christmas
A rural cosy country home at Christmas
A Swedish home in snowy North Sweden
Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian home beside a snow-covered fjord

I have loved all your comments this weekend - always so interesting and fun to read. I am looking forward to pouring myself a coffee and responding to all of them later today. 

There have been quite a few country homes featured here lately, so I’ll do my best to share an urban apartment with you on Wednesday for all of those of you looking for a little city inspiration. But before that, I’m excited to create an extra post for you tomorrow—I have some news to share from Carl Hansen & Søn! Please stop by if you have the time.

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rebecka.palmqvist, shared with kind permission. 

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A Fairytale Swedish Family Home Ready for Winter (and Christmas!)

Here in Sweden, it’s 2 pm, and the light is slowly fading on a world blanketed in snow. It will likely thaw again here in the South, but it’s still a sign that winter has arrived. It's time to hunker down and decorate the home with cosy candlelight and even festive touches. In fact, decorating early has become such a popular phenomenon that there’s even a new term for the Christmas tree: the 'November fir!' I like it!

While we won’t be putting our tree up anytime soon, I love starting to get into the spirit and feel inspired by others. This lovely home in snowy Gävle—a city north of Stockholm—has been beautifully renovated by its owners, Anna and Erik Lång. In doing so, they created their dream family home, full of vintage finds, pretty patterns, and charming details. It's a magical place to raise their three children.

So, wrap up warm, get cozy, sit back, and enjoy the Jul-inspired tour.

What a dreamy family home! I love how there's a little one around every corner. It’s been beautifully renovated too, with so many thoughtful details. I really enjoyed admiring the paint colours, the wallpaper, and all the patterned textiles.

Did anything in Erik and Anna's home stand out to you?

You can see more pictures from their renovation and latest projects over at @hemmahosaugust.

When do you usually start decorating your home for Christmas (or the winter season)? I usually wait until after my birthday on December 6th, though I suspect a few small details might sneak in before then!

But it's never too early to start feeling inspired, right? To get us all in the festive mood, why not pour yourself another cup of coffee and delve into these archives:

Cosy cabins
ski chalets
Scandinavian homes decorated for Christmas
DIY Christmas decorating ideas

We're currently on our way up to Stockholm (although a snowstorm isn’t exactly ideal road trip weather) because my daughter Alice, who’s fourteen, has a gymnastics competition. It’s a great excuse to visit the Swedish capital—and I love watching her and her team in action, even if it’s a bit nerve-racking!

I hope you have a lovely weekend too. Stay warm!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hemmahosaugust, shared with kind permission.

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Inside Daniela's Vintage Scandinavian Home: With a Blend of German and Finnish Influences

I’ve always been fascinated by the homes of people living abroad. It’s so inspiring to see hints of the culture they’ve brought with them mixed with influences from their new country—and everything in between. Over the years, I’ve shared so many beautiful examples: a Swedish photographer in France, two German creatives in Österlen, Sweden, and a Scandinavian living in Mallorca… and today, I’m excited to introduce Daniela’s home!

Originally from Munich, Daniela now lives in Gothenburg with her husband and their two children. Their 145-square-meter apartment is a newly renovated rental in an old building, and they’ve been here for six years. With a Finnish husband, German roots, and a love of design, Daniela’s home is a wonderful mix of Scandinavian mid-century modern, vintage treasures (including pieces from her husband’s Finnish family), and unique finds she’s thrifted or picked up on Facebook Marketplace. It’s stylish yet full of warmth, romance, and personality -a beautiful reflection of their life and creative spirit. 

I can’t wait to show you more!

Charming, and so cosy! 

Did you see all the plants? The recent storms have meant that there are no leaves on the trees now and they are lying dormant for winter - so seeing greenery indoors really lifts the spirits. I particularly like how climbers have been trained up and around the double doors between rooms. 

Is there anything that stood out to you in Daniela's home?

You can see more pictures and films over on Daniela's inspiring instagram account @hejhejheimat. 

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hejhejheimat, shared with kind permission. 

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