my scandinavian home: swedish home

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.

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.

Touring a Dreamy Townhouse with Classic Swedish 'Funkis' Architecture

Monday calls for something with a light touch, don't you think? That way, we can float into the week in a bit of a dreamworld! This lovely Stockholm townhouse fits the brief perfectly with its bright rooms, splashes of colour, and playful touches.

The spotted lamp, colourful floral wallpaper, and hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green give it just the whimsy I was looking for today, lending the entire space a youthful, cozy look. Despite the sharp, functionalist lines typical of 1960s Swedish architecture, there’s a softness to it that makes it feel both lived-in and inviting.

For those of you unfamiliar with Swedish functionalism (or 'Funkis'), it's an architectural and design movement that was especially prominent from the 1930s to the 1960s. It focused on simplicity, practicality, and functionality, with the main principle being 'form follows function.' In contrast to ornate styles, Swedish functionalism emphasises clean lines, minimal decoration, and efficient use of space and materials. Importantly, it aimed to make good design accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on affordable housing and communal spaces that supported modern, healthy lifestyles.

You can really spot the practical 'Funkis' nature of this house—from its functional layout across two floors to its simplicity. It’s the perfect space for a family to hang out, read peacefully (they’re hardly spoilt for choice with that wonderful library!), create, and gather. And when summer comes, Lake Mälaren is just a quick trip away for a swim!

Ready to take the tour?

How lovely, I feel a little lighter just looking at these pictures, how about you?

To me, this is a very Swedish home - from the choice of porcelain, glassware, trays and textiles to all the furniture.

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I think this is the first home in a while that doesn't have a pet lolling about - or maybe they are just out of sight?

Would you like to see a few other homes with pops of colour today? Here are a few from the archives:

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

Swantje's beautiful colourful and quirky home

A rare peek behind the facade of Copenhagen's Nyhavn

Have a fantastic start to the week!

Niki

Photography Ozollapa, Styling Lindholm, courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks

FILED UNDER: colour funkis swedish home

Step Inside Höda’s Creative Swedish Farmhouse

Earlier this week, I had a delightful surprise: a note from Höda Vestregård arrived in my inbox, complete with a link to her beautiful home just outside Jönköping, Sweden.

Höda, along with her husband, two daughters, and their cat Tiger, represent the seventh generation to live on her family’s farm, having purchased the farmhouse from her grandparents. The property offers plenty of room for the family to spread out and for Höda to pursue her art—some of the larger paintings you see on the walls are her own. But the creativity doesn't stop there.

"I am an artist with a very creative mind, and I’d rather build something myself than buy it," Höda shared. True to her words, much of the renovation has been done by hand. Höda and her husband built the kitchen themselves, with help from Höda’s father. Just last weekend, she took on the bedroom, adding paneling and using fabric in place of wallpaper.

Throughout the home, there are inviting spots for writing, playing music, and collaborating, reflecting the family’s creative spirit. These spaces are brought to life with unique vintage finds, clever use of wallpaper, and personal, beautiful details that make each corner feel inspiring.

Välkommen to Höda’s charming family home and atelier!