Cosy 'Fika' at Home on the New Iconic PK1 chair

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

Things are getting cozy at home now, and with the darkness settling in, we're spending so much more time around the table enjoying fika (coffee and cake) by candlelight, playing games, helping with homework, sharing lovely dinners with friends, and just about anything else! Does this happen in your home too?

This weekend, we had the pleasure of enjoying all these moments on the newly launched Carl Hansen & Søn PK1 dining chairs. Designed in 1955 by Poul Kjærholm, one of the pioneers of Danish modernism, the PK1 was his first-ever design and reflects his functionalist approach to furniture, emphasising simplicity and lightness. Kjærholm was passionate about combining his favourite material—steel—with organic elements.

The re-launched PK1 chair beautifully combines stainless steel with natural paper cord, resulting in an elegant, lightweight form. Let’s take a closer look!

Originally made from wicker, the updated version is crafted from FSC-certified weaved paper cord, using the original weaving technique and takes a skilled craftsman 15 hours to weave! I have seen them in action in Copenhagen, and it's so impressive! I love it when craft techniques like this are kept alive. 

I am always fascinated by how furniture designed in the mid 20th century can stay so relevant - I believe it's because they were designed for both comfort and aesthetic value but they are also simple in their design which gives them a timeless appeal. 

Oh, and it's also stackable which I always think is extremely handy. 

The chair is considered an icon, so I am so happy it has been given a new lease of life this year! 

I hope you enjoyed these pictures of the new chair - and my dining area at home.

What did you think of this chair? 

You can read more information about the PK1 dining chair over at Carl Hansen & Søn. 

I have featured lots of beautiful items from Carl Hansen & Søn in the past including the cute new wishbone chair children's version in my cabin, the fabulous CH07 Shell Chair in my sitting room, and my all time favourite possession - the FK10 Plico Chair by the fire in our little cabin. 

Thank you for stopping by today. I'll be back again tomorrow with a beautiful home tour which I think you will feel very inspired by. See you then! 

Niki

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Winter charm: Inside a Swedish Country Home Dressed for Advent

Sweden was blanketed in snow this weekend, brightening up the darkness. Even so, the cold has drawn life indoors, sparking a hive of activity as we prepare our homes for winter—layering rugs, blankets, and other soft textiles to create a cozy retreat.

The first Sunday of Advent is just around the corner, marking the start of Christmas decorating in Scandinavia. It's a gradual and thoughtful process, beginning with adventsljusstakar (advent candles) in the windows, perhaps paired with a star lamp and some wintry foliage.

Rebecka Palmqvist's charming country home, built in 1848, is a perfect example of this seasonal transformation. She and her partner have been lovingly renovating it, using old furniture and beautiful wallpaper while preserving its original architecture. The result is a warm, inviting space for their family, including their two small children, Gullvie and Frans.

In winter, the home feels especially magical. Star lanterns and electric candles glow in the windows, and orange garlands are draped across the ceiling. while a Christmas tree adds to the festive atmosphere indoors. Welcome to Rebecka's home! 

So charming! I’m so excited to see the first signs of advent candles appearing in windows here in Sweden. It’s such a beautiful tradition—something you’ll spot in almost every window across towns and villages, from homes to businesses. Do you have something similar in your country?

I also love how Rebecka has decorated her home, staying true to the original charm of the farmhouse while creating a magical space for her family. You can see more pictures here.

Here are a few more Scandinavian homes in the snow: 

A lakeside Swedish log house in the snow
Hannah's cosy Finnish house in the snow at Christmas
A rural cosy country home at Christmas
A Swedish home in snowy North Sweden
Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian home beside a snow-covered fjord

I have loved all your comments this weekend - always so interesting and fun to read. I am looking forward to pouring myself a coffee and responding to all of them later today. 

There have been quite a few country homes featured here lately, so I’ll do my best to share an urban apartment with you on Wednesday for all of those of you looking for a little city inspiration. But before that, I’m excited to create an extra post for you tomorrow—I have some news to share from Carl Hansen & Søn! Please stop by if you have the time.

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rebecka.palmqvist, shared with kind permission. 

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A Fairytale Swedish Family Home Ready for Winter (and Christmas!)

Here in Sweden, it’s 2 pm, and the light is slowly fading on a world blanketed in snow. It will likely thaw again here in the South, but it’s still a sign that winter has arrived. It's time to hunker down and decorate the home with cosy candlelight and even festive touches. In fact, decorating early has become such a popular phenomenon that there’s even a new term for the Christmas tree: the 'November fir!' I like it!

While we won’t be putting our tree up anytime soon, I love starting to get into the spirit and feel inspired by others. This lovely home in snowy Gävle—a city north of Stockholm—has been beautifully renovated by its owners, Anna and Erik Lång. In doing so, they created their dream family home, full of vintage finds, pretty patterns, and charming details. It's a magical place to raise their three children.

So, wrap up warm, get cozy, sit back, and enjoy the Jul-inspired tour.

What a dreamy family home! I love how there's a little one around every corner. It’s been beautifully renovated too, with so many thoughtful details. I really enjoyed admiring the paint colours, the wallpaper, and all the patterned textiles.

Did anything in Erik and Anna's home stand out to you?

You can see more pictures from their renovation and latest projects over at @hemmahosaugust.

When do you usually start decorating your home for Christmas (or the winter season)? I usually wait until after my birthday on December 6th, though I suspect a few small details might sneak in before then!

But it's never too early to start feeling inspired, right? To get us all in the festive mood, why not pour yourself another cup of coffee and delve into these archives:

Cosy cabins
ski chalets
Scandinavian homes decorated for Christmas
DIY Christmas decorating ideas

We're currently on our way up to Stockholm (although a snowstorm isn’t exactly ideal road trip weather) because my daughter Alice, who’s fourteen, has a gymnastics competition. It’s a great excuse to visit the Swedish capital—and I love watching her and her team in action, even if it’s a bit nerve-racking!

I hope you have a lovely weekend too. Stay warm!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hemmahosaugust, shared with kind permission.

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Inside Daniela's Vintage Scandinavian Home: With a Blend of German and Finnish Influences

I’ve always been fascinated by the homes of people living abroad. It’s so inspiring to see hints of the culture they’ve brought with them mixed with influences from their new country—and everything in between. Over the years, I’ve shared so many beautiful examples: a Swedish photographer in France, two German creatives in Österlen, Sweden, and a Scandinavian living in Mallorca… and today, I’m excited to introduce Daniela’s home!

Originally from Munich, Daniela now lives in Gothenburg with her husband and their two children. Their 145-square-meter apartment is a newly renovated rental in an old building, and they’ve been here for six years. With a Finnish husband, German roots, and a love of design, Daniela’s home is a wonderful mix of Scandinavian mid-century modern, vintage treasures (including pieces from her husband’s Finnish family), and unique finds she’s thrifted or picked up on Facebook Marketplace. It’s stylish yet full of warmth, romance, and personality -a beautiful reflection of their life and creative spirit. 

I can’t wait to show you more!

Charming, and so cosy! 

Did you see all the plants? The recent storms have meant that there are no leaves on the trees now and they are lying dormant for winter - so seeing greenery indoors really lifts the spirits. I particularly like how climbers have been trained up and around the double doors between rooms. 

Is there anything that stood out to you in Daniela's home?

You can see more pictures and films over on Daniela's inspiring instagram account @hejhejheimat. 

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hejhejheimat, shared with kind permission. 

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Autumn Fika in our Little Cabin - and a New Danish Dining Chair!

Sponsored by Skovby, all words are my own and I only work with brands I love. Thank you for supporting the businesses which make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

Hejsan! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We spent the past couple of days at the cabin, enjoying plenty of walks, fika (coffee and a small bite), and games of Yahtzee by the fire. Leaving last night was bittersweet, especially with a stormy week ahead in Malmö and even a hint of snow on the horizon.

Before heading back, I captured these pictures of our kitchen/dining room and cosy bed nook (if you’re not familiar with our little cabin, you can check out the full tour here). The focus of these snapshots is the beautiful new 842 chair by Skovby—a Danish brand renowned for its craftsmanship and, true to Scandinavian design, the perfect balance of form and function.

The chairs are on loan (though luckily, the Skovby table and stools are permanent, much-loved fixtures—you can see how the table miraculously extends here), so we were keen to make the most of them!

Here are some more glimpses of our dining area, along with a little more info. Enjoy!

The stackable 842 chair launched in August and is available almost worldwide. The design is inspired by a classic danish dining chair, with a contemporary touch. 

Per doesn't get too involved with the design in our home - but he does have one key request: a chair should be comfortable—which, of course, includes having an armrest! 

The sculpted armrest on this chair was a big hit—it adds comfort while seamlessly connecting to the backrest. To me, it feels like a warm embrace, adding both function and a beautifully light, airy aesthetic to the overall design.

Candlelight is an essential element at this time of year, and the moment I arrive at the cabin, I can’t help but flit around lighting everything! I have a particular fondness for oil lamps—they have such a nostalgic feel. Do you like oil lamps too? 

The branches are from the garden, gathered beneath the oak tree. Per’s brother planted the oak seed 50 years ago when he was just a young boy playing in the garden, and today, it’s one of my favourite features and never fails to provide a beautiful centre-piece for our table, no matter the time of year. 

The 842 chair is available in seven different type of wood finishes - this is the oak natural oil version. For added comfort, you can also opt for a removable seat cushion (also available in a few different colours), which as you can imagine - made Per very happy! 

All in all, it was such a cosy weekend! I hope you liked these snapshots. 

You can find out more info about the 842 chair and your nearest stockist here. 

I have had the honour of collaborating with Skovby for many years, in fact I am currently seated at a Skovby chair and desk in our home office, featured here (check out a smaller, foldable space-saving desk which I captured in Helen's studio too). I have also photographed a beautiful glass display cabinet in our sitting room - as well as a large dining room and chair set here. There have also been coffee tables (also captured with a Christmassy touch in our cabin), a bench in my bedroom, bar stools in my kitchen - you name it! 

Do you have a favourite Skovby item? Or perhaps you have invested in a Skovby piece for your home? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Do let me know if you're wondering about anything else in the pictures, I'd be happy to help in the comments below. 

Would you like to see what it looked like when darkness fell and I was all cosied up in bed in our cabin? 

Aaaaah, there's nothing like a fire on a cold Autumn day. 

I hope you had a cosy weekend too! 

I'll be back with a home tour on Wednesday, until then - stay toasty friends. 

Niki

Photography by me (Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home) 

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