A Beautiful Ski Chalet / Cabin in Hafjell, Norway

Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 has got off to a cracking start! I'm so happy to be back, here's to a great year of drool-worthy Scandi inspiration! 

It's no secret I think Norway is the most spectacular place on earth - and after Christmas, my family and I headed to the fells of Hafjell to blow away the cobwebs, ski, and generally relax by the fire. Temperatures reached minus 26 degrees celsius (-14.8 F), which shall we say, is fresh. But fortune favours the bold, as they say - and we wrapped up warm and headed out into the frozen landscape to njuta (savour) the vistas over the snowcapped forests and valley below. 

It's a place I hope everyone can venture to at least once in their lifetime whether you're into downhill skiing, cross country or simply relaxing by the fire! And if you do, I've found you just the cabin! Listed on Airbnb, I was immediately drawn to the the pared-down wood clad interior which has been kitted out in almost all natural materials to mirror the surrounding landscape. Meanwhile, a vast stone fireplace and a hot bath await to help thaw out your toes after a day on the trails. Ready to dream? 

What a beautiful cabin! Could you imagine staying here? You can find all the details on Airbnb here. 

Let me know if you think it would be interesting to feature a personal guide to Hafjell, Norway here on the blog - I'd be happy to share my experience as well as some tips for magical things to do in the area (ice bathing being one of them!). In the meantime, you can catch a glimpse of our trip in this instagram reel and my in instagram highlights if you'd like! 

How about taking a look inside a few other snowy mountain cabins today? Pull up a seat, pour a coffee and enjoy: 

A magical Norwegian mountain cabin

A contemporary Swedish ski chalet with a wonderful window seat

A lakeside Swedish log cabin in the snow

A dreamy scandi-inspired ski chalet in Whitefish

I am so happy to be back blogging again after the break. As always I'll be posting three days a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). If you'd like to ensure you don't miss a post, you might like to sign up to my newsletter, 

*And in other news - my new book Njuta, The Swedish Art of Savouring the Moment has now launched! Thank you SO much to everyone who has already ordered a copy, it really means SO MUCH. I hope the tricks and tips I mention in the book will help elevate each and every one of your days in 2024. Njuta is currently available through all retailers and libraries in the USA and Canada (if your local bookstore or library doesn't yet have a copy in stock, please do put in a request!). The book is also available on Amazon pretty much worldwide and Waterstones in the UK. Although, I promise, there will be more languages and retailers to follow. 

Have a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

*advert for my own work

Photography courtesy of Airbnb with thanks

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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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