Subtle Christmas Touches in A Swedish Country Home

Twinkling lights are starting to appear up and down the country in preparation for the first of advent. Ever since moving to Sweden, I have had a weakness for subtle white and green displays - a simple wreath here, a mini Christmas tree there. Located just outside Gothenburg, the country home of Caroline Bodehed (founder of shop Lily and Honey) and her husband, three children, three cats and a dog is a fine example of this. Every room in the 1970's house features a subtle nod to the festive season. "I like to bring natural and organic elements into my decoration," Caroline tells me. And this, she does with style! Välkommen in!

Walk past Swedish homes at Christmas time and you'll see one of two things in the window: paper star lanterns* or advent candlebras (available here) - or perhaps both! 

Paper star

Pimpernel wallpaper, Small paper star

Anyone else a big fan of simple wreaths? I think this is the first time I've spotted one nailed to a book shelf, not a bad idea if you're short of wall space (like I am!). 

"I prefer to use a more neutral and subtle colour palette. Although my Christmas tree has a lot of colourful decoration that my children have created," Caroline tells me.

Well, I think their family Christmas tree (taken last year) is so pretty, don't you? I bet it smells divine too!

3D star lantern*

This image almost requires a caption competion - what is that curious cat thinking?! My guess is: 'will anyone notice if I cosy up on that sheepskin and bat those wreaths all afternoon?!'

The half wreaths look so pretty in the window and thankfully, are well out of reach of mischievous cats! I love the small paper star resting on the windowsill too.

Potted mini Christmas trees are always a good idea! I've been a fan ever since this Norwegian home tour (they make a great pressie too). You could also go for mini trees up the stairs, like in this home. 

I bet doing the dishes wouldn't feel half as bad looking out over the snowy landscape, that's if you can get the crafty cat out of the way! She's looking pretty comfy, don't you think?!

Candle wreath ring, L:A bruket hand soap*

This home has definitely got me in the mood for decorating, how about you? I have promised myself not to put anything up until 2nd December (except for the advent calendar), but I'll be already to rock when the time comes!

Do you have a date when you start to decorate your home?

There is something extra special about the snow too - we had a white Christmas in the south of Sweden a few years back and it was magical! Have you ever enjoyed a white Christmas?

If you live in Sweden and looking for some pretty Christmas decorations, you'll love Caroline's shop - if not, there's always her lovely instagram feed for more inspiration.

And while we're on a roll, don't miss this Swedish country home all decked out for Christmas too!

Happy thanksgiving to all my American friends out there!

And have a great weekend all!

Niki

Photography: Caroline Bodehed with kind permission

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The Ultimate Scandi Christmas Gift Guide For Children

No one gets more excited about Christmas than children (which makes me one very big kid as I LOVE this time of the year!). But sometimes it can be tricky to find something they'll love and that's built to last. Here's my round-up of Scandic-Inspired Christmas gifts that will hopefully bring squeals of delight under the tree and can be enjoyed for many generations to come!

1. Fjallraven rucksack Kanken No. 2
2. Miniature Funkis House
3. Lillagunga Reindeer
4. Maileg Circus Mice Play Set
5. Lillagunga Rings Oak
6. Ferm Living Small Fruiticana Tufted Strawberry Rug
7. Anthropologie Banwood First Go! Balance Bike
8. Kid's Concept Rocking Horse Neo Mammoth
9. Panda Striped Baby Alpaca Knit Sweater


1. Night and Day Baby Quilt
2. Kid's Concept Neo Natural Baby Walker
3. Maileg Prince Mega Mouse Stuffed Animal
4. Kid's Concept Grey Hedgehog Seat Puff
5. Done By Deer Black Wooden Swing
6. Liewood Beige Wooden Activity Arch Pale blue
7. Oeuf Apple Soft Toy
8. Kid's Concept White Rocking Scooter


1. Ferm Living Fruiticana Bamboo Dinner Set
2. Shibui Nursery Mobile
3. Kid's Concept Multicoloured Abacus
4. Anthropologie The Five Minute Journal for Kids
5. Little Miss Workbench Wooden Camera Toy
6. Kid's Concept NEO Hammer Bench
7. Maileg Christmas Medium Girl Mouse Stuffed Animal
8. Olli Ella Wicker Picnic Basket
9. H&M Plate with Motif
10. Mandi Smethells Sunny Days Purse

I hope you have found lots of ideas for all those little munchkins you know and love out there!

You are so welcome to add other ideas in the comment section below!

Niki

PS I'm excited to share a wonderful Swedish home tour with subtle festive touches later today, sop make sure you pop back to take a peek!

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A Delightful, Pared-Back Swedish family Home

The owner of this beautiful Swedish pad certainly knows a thing or two about interior design. I wish I knew who they were (tips welcome!). But, what I do know is that it was recently for sale through Bjurfors, so one lucky person has got lots to look forward to - even after the furniture has been removed! Just take a look at the beautiful herringbone parquet floors, stucco ceilings and soft toned walls for starters. And of course, there's the actual furniture, with it's delightful mix of vintage and mid-century finds. Let's dive in!

Above: Marshall Speakers*

The long make-shift sofa is everything in this room! Love all the linens! At the top of the wall you can catch a glimpse of a series of porcelain wall lights strung together with old fashioned twisted electrical chord. These are available locally from Byggfabriken (it's worth asking in your local lighting store if they can help source similar).

Stoke Tripp trapp chair*, Grey linen fabric by the half yard /metre* (this one* is pretty too!)

The open storage to the left is all IKEA. 

Source a vintage army cot exactly like this one here* (the Safari daybed is similar).  

I've often wondered about these army cots. They look fab and all, but not entirely comfy?! Is that just me?

These washed grey-blue linen duvet cover* and pillow cases* and dusty mustard-yellow pillow case* are similar. Source made to measure white linen curtains here*. 

Dromedary duvet cover

Kind of a beautiful apartment, don't you think? I couldn't find the exact location but I have a sneaking suspicion it's here in Malmö!

What do you reckon? Could you imagine moving here?!

If you'd like to brighten up your day with a few more inspiring Scandi home tours today - I'm loving a vintage-inspired Swedish home full of soul, a charming Danish home with mid-century touches, and a rustic Norwegian hide-away.

Happy hump day (as a Brit I find this expression very hard to get used to for reasons I'm not going to go into! - does anyone else feel the same)?!

Ha det så kul!

Niki

PS I'll be back this evening with my first of two Scandi gift guides! I hope it'll give you a few ideas for Christmas pressies!

Photography courtesy of Bjurfors - found via Style Files with thanks.

Affiliate links marked with *

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DIY Christmas Advent Calendar

I got a little creative yesterday and made an advent calendar. I think this is first one I've ever completed before 1st December, let alone ten days in advance! It's certainly going to keep them enticed! The idea all started when I spotted the super cute white and gold Christmas Advent Calendar Bags from Danish brand Nordal. I wanted to create something modern, but with a rustic touch.  I loaded each bag with sweets for every member of the family. I have to confess I was one set short so one bag has potatoes in it - I can't tell you how much I laughed at the thought of them opening it. Finally I get to prank back. I do have a set of back-up sweets up my sleeve though! Just in case you'd like to create something similar - here's the low down.

What you need

- Nordal Advent Calendar Bags* (the 24 stickers are included)

- A long, sturdy branch (this one is 110 cm)

- 120 cm white rope (for hanging)

- Tack / nail (for hanging)

- Brown string

- Presents / sweets (make sure they are not too heavy!)

- A few sprigs of fir

*The Nordal advent calendar kit is available in online shops across Europe (find your nearest retailer / online store here - I spotted some in Denmark here and the UK here). If you live outside Europe you could try 24 white or brown paper bags and use postage tags or stencils for the numbers). 

What to do

I wanted the advent calendar to have a rustic touch - and the answer came in the form of a stick which Allie brought back from the woods a few weeks ago (any stick will do as long as it's relatively long (this one is 110 cm) and strong enough to hold 24 bags).

I tied a length of nylon rope (you can pick up similar in all good hardware stores) to each end of the stick and then hung it from a tack in the wall - forming a triangle.

After filling each bag with goodies, I added the number stickers and then used simple brown string to hang each one from the stick. Instead of creating holes, I threaded the string under the fold of the bag before sealing it.

Rather than preparing them all in advance I found it easier to to cut the string as I went along so that I could check how low I wanted to hang each bag. They were then tied to the stick using a really simple knot (let's hope they hold - my sailor husband would be less than impressed if they're all on the floor tomorrow!).

And finally - I found a few sprigs of fir (which I picked up in a flower shop in town) and tied them to the centre of the branch for a festive touch!

And now, all we need to do is wait until 1st December!

If you've got any questions about the DIY just give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll be happy to help!

Do you make / buy an advent calendar each year? If so, I'd love to hear about it. One of husband's mates gets one from his wife each year with an IPA for each day (how's that for a great idea?!).

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Nordal. All words and creations are my own. Thank you for supporting the hand-picked brands that make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

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