A Charming Swedish cottage in the Snow, ready for Jul

Let me take you on her journey to the snowy landscape of Northern Sweden. Tucked away in the quiet countryside of Västerbotten,  you'll find two cottages not far from one another, owned by two sisters. The pair share the same love for antique and vintage finds as well as wallpaper and lace curtains that echo times gone by. At Christmas, their cottages are bathed in the warm, golden glow of candlelight casting its spell on the surrounding countryside. 

Their instagram feed @gammsystra has become something of a sensation in Sweden thanks to the beautiful portrayal of their traditional country homes throughout the seasons - and at Christmas time they really come into their own! 

Here's a small selection from their many Christmassy scenes. Keep a look out for the 'ljusstake' - the candelabra in the window which you'll witness in the windows of most Swedish homes come December and the 'Julbock' a Christmas goat made from straw, another yuletide tradition from this Nordic country. 

At Christmas Swedes drink glögg - a spiced mulled wine with raisins and almonds as well as a side of gingersnap biscuits. A perfect antidote to the cold!

Sheepskins are draped over furniture for a cosy feel. 

So magical! 

Could you imagine spending Christmas here? 

For more beautiful snapshots from the sisters' homes, head over to @gammsystra.

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @gammsystra, shared with kind permission. 

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A Weekend Guide to the Danish Island of Bornholm in Winter

Out in the middle of the Baltic sea - not far from Sweden, Germany and Poland, you'll find the Danish island of Bornholm. It's known as a summer paradise, with many Danes and other eager tourists taking the ferry over in droves to explore the island, lie on the sandy beaches and soak up the summer sun. My family and I have spent a wonderful few days during a sailing holiday many moons ago and I have so many fond memories. But I've never thought about going there in wintertime. Until now! 

Last weekend Per and I took the 1.5 hour ferry ride from Ystad, Sweden to the island of Bornholm and spent a cosy, winter weekend there. Now, I must add that we were lucky to have snow, and it is definitely out of season - but fortune favours the bold, and those who dare to brave the cold will be treated to Christmas markets bursting with local arts and crafts, snow covered forests, pretty fishing villages and coastal walks all to yourself! Here are some snapshots and a summary of the activities you mustn't miss should you visit the Danish island of Bornholm in wintertime: 

Visit the pretty village of Svaneke 

We stayed in the newly renovated hotel Siemsens Gaard in a pretty room overlooking the harbour. The in-house restaurant was absolutely perfect too - cosy with delicious in-season dishes (you don't want to go far in the cold, so it was a treat to wonder across the candlelit courtyard! 

The view from our room! 

Take a walk around the old fishing village to look out the pretty cottages all decorated for Christmas and explore the array of small boutique shops (I particularly loved Olivarius bookstore).  

Sampling the freshly baked bread and Danish pastries at Svaneke Brød bakery was also a highlight! 

Blow out the cobwebs by taking a wintery stroll by the coast. 

Take a walk in the forest

If the coast is not your thing, head to Almindingen forest in the centre of the island, and pick one of the many trails for a hike. During our stay the snow covered forest looked like something out of a fairytale! 

Shop local! 

Tour the island by car and pick up locally made arts and craft, glassware, lighting and other items from beautiful independent interior design boutiques such as Storms Rum (above), Lille Krusegaard, Matters - House of Craft and Hjorths fabrik as well as small vintage and secondhand stores. You'll likely pass many honesty stalls along the way which selling everything from handmade Christmas decorations, Christmas trees, eggs, honey and other locally produced items! 

Watch glassmaking in action 

Bornholm is very famous for glass-making - and includes ateliers like Pernille Bülow with whom I collaborated with for this Christmas tour of Helen's cottage. We loved watching a glass-maker in action at Matters - House of Craft in Nexø. 

Visit a Bornholm Christmas market

There is nothing more hyggelig than a danish Christmas market! In the weekends leading up to Christmas the island is full of them! Nestled beside a shipping wharf, Bornholm Christmas market in Nexø is brilliantly off-the-wall and a great place to buy anything from local beer, honey, jewellery, glassware, chocolates and knitwear! 

Svaneke Blomster flower store had a beautiful stall! 

I loved that there were oil barrels dotted around the market offering a place to warm our hands - they were completely in fitting with the industrial shipping location! 

Other Christmas market must-dos include the small, yet charming one at Siemsens Gaard Hotel in Svaneke where you could warm the cockles over a mug of gløgg and hotdogs (below): 

Also, don't miss the incredible Christmas craft market at Hjorths Fabrik - recognised as one of the best preserved industrial monuments in Scandinavia. At Christmas, the museum is taken over by local seamstresses, potters, jewellery makers and artists selling their wares. It's a Christmas market shopping paradise and not far from the ferry port in Rønne so easy to get to without a car too! 

Sustainably made silk shirts hand printed with the ink from pressed wild flowers by Gevandt was one of the items you could buy at the arts and craft market. 

All of the original potters wheels and tools (seen below) are still in use in the atelier. 

If you're looking for something really local, keep an eye on the calender for the village Christmas market in Gudhjem. Lanterns light the way and a pretty Christmas tree by the harbour awaits! 

Tuck into a Dansk Julefrukost (Danish Christmas feast)

It wouldn't be Christmas in Denmark without a feast. Book a table by the sea at Melsted Badehotel (above) and tuck into a taster many including all the local Christmas delicacies washed down with a local brew and aquavit. or indulge in a cosy evening at Njord in Svaneke. 

I hope you enjoyed these snapshots from our wintery weekend on Bornholm! I just thought it would be fun to share our quirky trip with you - especially if you love to hear about more alternative Scandinavian destinations! 

If you're more of a warm weather person who likes more action and restaurants and bars buzzing with atmosphere then you should definitely consider visiting Bornholm in summertime! You can also see my guide about island hopping in the Swedish Baltic or touring the incredible Swedish west coast islands. And you might also like to read my Scandinavian city guides, including 20 things to do in Malmö in winter time! 

Came here today looking for Scandinavian Christmas decorating ideas for the weekend? Head over to this archive for a ton of pretty ideas! 

Right guys, I think that's it from me this week. Thank you so much for stopping by! 

I hope you have a really cosy and relaxed weekend! 

Niki

All photos and words by me. 

Thank you to Destination Bornholm for funding this press trip. 

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The Tale of Anna Truelsen's Swedish Home at Christmas

It wouldn't be Jul (Christmas) without sharing the charming home of Swedish interior stylist Anna Truelsen, right? And this year it's as cosy and festive as can be! I caught up briefly with Anna to find out more about what Christmas means to her and her ethos behind the yuletide touches in her country home! 

What does Christmas mean to you?

Christmas means so much to me! I like to decorate in a simple way using what nature has to offer. I dress up chandeliers with lingonberry twigs and make garlands from fresh pine. 

When do you bring in the Christmas tree? 

We put up the tree on 1st December, and then a few days before Christmas when my daughter comes home from Lund University, we decorate the tree in a Nutcracker theme. We have watched the Nutcracker every Christmas together since my daughter was a child. 

Your Christmas table looks beautiful!

For me, food means a lot at Christmas and I love picking herring and baking bread. 

How do you celebrate Christmas? 

We always celebrate on Christmas Eve at home. We start with a special breakfast and sip coffee before 'Tomten' (Father Christmas) arrives to hand out presents. And then we enjoy a a 'Julbord' (Christmas smörgåsbord) in the evening. The day ends with midnight mass at the church. 

I love the sound of your Christmas Anna, thank you so much for sharing your story with us!

You can see more pictures from Anna's home on her instagram, and also see a tour from a previous December here. 

I have to say, I love the idea of having decorations from the Nutcracker, how about you? My Mother used to take me to see the ballet every Christmas when I was little! 

How do you decorate your tree (if you have one / celebrate Christmas)? Do you a have a theme? or perhaps your tree is decorated with an array of nostalgic items collected over the years. I'd love to hear more!  

Today in Sweden is a very special day - it's Lucia! A celebration of light which brightens up the darkness, Lucia involves girls in white with a bright red sash and crowned with candles, followed by a procession of characters who are equally resplendent! Usually performed by children in schools across the country, we're treated to songs, saffron buns and glögg (spiced mulled wine)! It's one of my favourite events of the year! 

Happy Lucia!

Niki

Photography: Jonas Lundberg

Styling: Anna Truelsen

Shared with kind permission

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Lovisa's Cosy Swedish Country Home At Christmas

Tjena! I hope you had a cosy weekend! Sadly, here in the South of Sweden the slow has slowly melted away - but further North they're looking all set for a magical white Christmas! 

Evelina Lovisa Lind's traditional red Swedish country home looks so pretty against the white of the snow, and inside it's full of festive touches and as cosy as can be! Think vintage star lanterns, wreaths and plenty of candlelight. One furry member of the family seems to be particularly enjoy the spirit. Scroll on to see more pictures of Lovisa's festive home. 

Outside, the cold hasn't stopped Evelina Lovisa from using her greenhouse, quite the opposite! It's been transformed into a pretty dining space! Just added a heater and you can feel all toasty under cover, with the feeling of being outside! 

What a beautiful home! 

Could you imagine cosying up here this winter? I certainly could! 

See more of Lovisa's home over at @lovisalind. I once featured her previous home (also lovely!). 

There are also lots of more cosy festives homes to be found in the Christmas archive! 

Have a great start to the week!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @lovisalind, shared with kind permission.

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