God Jul / Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much for a wonderful year here on My Scandinavian Home. It's been a joy to stop by each week. I have so appreciated all your comments and mails - always with a positive tone! I'll be back on 8th January, 2024. In the meantime, if you're looking for some inspiration, check out the 'best of My Scandinavian Home 2023' and discover my favourite archives right here. 

I'll leave you with this beautiful tree decorated with bouquets of dried flowers in the Swedish home of Lovisa 'Furubo' Andersson.  If you're looking for a last minute decoration idea, check out the bow and bell on the door handle too - so pretty! 

Wishing you a God Jul (very Merry Christmas!).  

Love, 

Niki

Photography: Lovisa 'Furubo' Andersson, shared with kind permission. 

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Best of My Scandinavian Home 2023!

This post contains an advert for my own book. 

Hello friends! 

It feels like only yesterday I was summing up the blog year for 2022. But here it is - the best of My Scandinavian Home 2023! 

This blog is in it's 12th year, and I have to say, I am equally in love with this little corner of the web now as I was way back then! This is all thanks to you! I so appreciate you stopping by and I've loved reading your comments and emails.  

2023 has been quite a year, not least because I completed my fourth book Njuta - The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment which launches on 26th December (available to order here among other places) - I'm excited and nervous in equal measure. I hope you enjoy reading Njuta as much as have writing it. It is set to launch in other languages too - more info to come in 2024! 

Over the past week I've been busy rounding up the most popular blog and instagram posts of the year and it's quite a selection! From a charming cottage overlooking a Norwegian fjord and a Swedish home in the South of France to Marianne's Stockholm apartment and a cabin in Latvia! Read on to discover more! 

Top blog posts of 2023 (starting with your most favourite!):

1. A charming rural cottage by a Norwegian fjord

2. A charming Swedish family home in the south of France

3. Marianne's art-filled apartment in SOFO, Stockholm

4. A dream cabin in Latvia becomes a reality

5. Before and after: A dated Danish house becomes a vibrant summer cottage

Top instagram posts on @myscandinavianhome in 2023

1. Kristin in her home in the south of France (found on instagram here) 

2. Carl Hansen & Søn nesting table collaboration 

3. My 'Day in the life' of Malmö reel 

4.  A Danish cabin featuring an outdoor terrace and bath - don't miss the complete before and after tour of the cabin. 

5. The before and after of our cabin bedroom nook was also a popular call! 

I loved all these too! 

But, perhaps you had other favourites - after all, I did share around 120 Scandinavian home tours this year! If so, let us all know which caught your eye below! 

If you'd like to pour over some Scandi inspiration over the holidays, here are some of my favourites archives: 

Christmas decorations and tours

Country home tours

Cabins and summer cottages

Tiny homes and small spaces

Swedish home

Danish home 

Norwegian home

Finnish home

Right folks, other than a quick 'Merry Christmas' post on Friday, I think this is pretty much it from me this year. Thank you so much again for stopping by, it really means so much to me! 

If I don't see you before the holidays, hope you have a really wonderful, relaxing break. I'll be back again on 8th January, 2024. In the meantime, you might like to subscribe to my newsletter so you don't miss any posts and you can also find me on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram! 

Stor kram! (big hug!) to you all! 

Niki

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Will I see you at imm cologne in January 2024?

Paid partnership with imm cologne, thank you for supporting the businesses that make My Scandinavian Home possible

Oh, how happy I am to be returning to Cologne in mid January. The reason? To attend the international furniture and interiors fair imm cologne which will take place 14th - 18th January, 2024! Have you been to imm cologne? This year, the trade fair will be divided into three main segments: pure, home and sleep. 

I'm super excited as it's my go-to destination for inspiration and to discover trends at the start of the year. It's also a great place to meet other interior industry insiders (I'm so looking forward to catching up with the blogger community from all over Europe, interior designers, architects and a very broad range of exhibitors which include everything from up-and-coming start-ups to well established global brands). 

You can see the full list of exhibitors here. In the meantime, here's a small selection of some of the fabulous Scandinavian brands who will be present - some of whom you will likely recognise from My Scandinavian Home: 

Affari - Furninova AB / Hall 10.2, stand L004

Skovby - hall 10.1, stand A004 B005

Essem - hall 4.2, stand A017

Hübsch - hall 3.2, stand A041

BRAFAB - hall 10.2, stand L004

Since there are so many exciting exhibitors, it's well worth planning your visit in advance. And also, keep an eye on the events programme at Studio @Circle Cafe for interesting talks on topics such as 'community creating architecture', 'design that brings people together' and 'community, inclusivity and joyful spaces'. The Circles area also has a bar and lounge area, making it an über comfortable meeting place!

Find more information about imm cologne 2024 and buy your ticket here!

Hopefully see you there! If you are attending, let me know, I'd love to meet up. If not, do keep an eye on my instagram stories as I'll be sharing all the latest interior news live from the event! 

Niki

PS I'll be back tomorrow with my usual Scandi Christmas posts! See you then :) 

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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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