Cosy winter solstice / Christmas inspiration

Today is one of my favourite days of the year - the winter solstice. Not only do I love the short days, in the warm glow candle light, it also means that from now on everyday will gets a teeny bit lighter! And Christmas is only a few days away. This year we're celebrating 'Jul' - at my parents-in-law on 23rd (usually it's celebrated on Christmas eve). It's always such a lovely day with a 'julbord', schnapps, singing and then a knock at the door from 'tomten' (father christmas) with lantern in hand and a sack over his shoulder with presents for all the children (cue lots of excitement!).  Afterwards we're heading to London to celebrate a traditional English Christmas with my parents. So exciting! What are your plans? How do you celebrate Christmas in your home (if you do)? Just in case you're after a few last minute decorating ideas, I've compiled a little inspiration - think cakes decorated with pine, blue candles, foraged wreaths an oh so cosy bedroom and of course, a snowy log cabin. Enjoy!

1. Son de flor 2. Photos : Jeroen van der Spek, Styling Cleo Scheulderman for VT Wonen. 3. Foraged wreath photographed by Sian Richards styling Sarah Nixon.  4. Hanna's Änglar 5. Malin Persson
6. This lovely cabin has been separated from the photographer, can anyone help?

Aaaaaaa, I really do love this time of year, how about you?

If you'd like to discover some of the DIY tutorials / stories behind these images it's well worth checking out the 'Christmas in Blues' feature in VT Wonen - seen here (who would have thought blue could be such a beautiful Christmas colour?) and as always Malin Persson has worked her Christmas magic with a wonderful candle wreath. So inspiring!

And finally, a question for you. Inspired by this snowy cabin, my family and I are looking for a little cottage or cabin to rent in Southern Sweden, Denmark or around Oslo in the first week of January - something cosy, with board games and a log fire. If you have any tips we'd be such happy campers!

Have a lovely day!

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Your New Year cabin hide-away?

As the Christmas holidays draw near I'm dreaming about getting away from it all for a few days at a little remote hide-away. Nothing fancy, just my family and I and a little wood burning stove - doesn't that sound wonderful?! This tiny Swedish cottage in Marie Emilsson's garden at Håkesgård, just outside Varberg on Sweden's west coast fits the bill perfectly. The traditional falun red cottage, which includes a kitchenette, bedroom and basic facilities has been newly renovated in classic green tones to match the surroundings. Oh and it has a hot tub too. Guh! How I'd love to spend my holidays here, how about you?!

Credits: Photography - Kristin Lagerqvist (blog here) - shared with kind permission. 

So pretty! And the surroundings? Beautiful!

Could you imagine spending a few days here?

Get the look from Marie's little cottage: Morris Willow Bough wallpaper, Farrow & Ball sells a selection of green paint like this, straw fedora (source vintage ones here), buy beautiful grey linen fabric by the yard here, L:A bruket soap, these traditional linen cushions /pillows are pretty.

You can see more pics of Marie's lovely cabin here. 

The second to last image of the wood burning stove is taken from the main house - and features a beautiful garland made with fir and other foliage gathered from the garden - more pictures and a great tutorial of how to make this garland here.

Although not currently for hire, word on the (blog) street is that Marie might start to make it available - watch this space! In the meantime, if you're in Varberg, Trip2garden is definitely worth a visit with it's garden, café, shop and gallery.

More beautiful homes captured by Kristin Lagerqvist include a vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul, the lovely home of Johanna Bradford and an idyllic allotment house. I have to say, this Scandi-boho style is one of my favourites.

And if I've got you dreaming about getting away from it all, you might also want to check out three of my favourite archives: swedish cottages, rural reteats and log cabins (just scroll passed if Marie's cottage comes up first). And relax!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the give-away to win two vases from Nordal - the winner has now been announced here.....drum roll....

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