A cosy and warm Finnish table setting

With the shortest day of the year fast approaching here in Sweden natural light is scarce. As per Scandinavian tradition the best way to let natural light into the home over the winter months is through candle-light, whether on the dining table, in the windows or outside the front door. I've noticed that even my children's nursery have candle light on their breakfast table! This cosy dining table setting for two has been styled by Maiju of Finnish blog my second hand life for Lapuan Kankurit. It looks so cosy and warm, I could see myself having a 'fika' here with friends, anyone want to join?!

My Second Hand Life with kind permission. 

Other than the fabrics and square plates, everything used for this setting are flee market finds!

I found beautiful vintage lamps on Etsy yesterday, the candle holder is the Nappula from Iittala, find beautiful linen table cloths and napkins in white and dove grey here. The chair with the wooden legs is 'About a Chair' by HAY.

If you'd like to read more about this table setting you can always pop over to Maiju's wonderful blog.

I also love this Christmas table setting (imagine?!) and this New Years Eve table setting (I just bought star garlands like these from Illum but you can also buy similar ones online here). And look at these beautiful DIY rosemary napkin rings - perfect around a fresh white linen napkin?

How will you decorate your table this season?

PS I think you're going to love tomorrow's home tour! See you then :)

READ MORE...

17

Home of a fashion designer in a converted bar

Moving slightly away from the Christmas theme today with the beautiful San Francisco home of Courtney Klein, owner of Storq, a company focusing on empowering pregnant women through fashion, and her husband Zach. Located in Mission District, the former bar was built on a fault line and has survived two earthquakes without damage since 1890. Despite this shaky start (couldn'r resist!),  Courtney and Zach have created a home full of character; I love the mid century touches, personal installations such as the pallet coat storage unit which Zach made and the splashes of red. And what a garden?!

Courtney Klein. Ann Street Studio

Very cool don't you think? Who would ever guess their bedroom was previously used for storing beer?!

Thank you so much to Ann Street Studio for allowing me to publish these images. If you'd like to see more pictures and read more about Courtney and her wonderful home (including where many of the items are from) you can read the complete article here. 

If you love a great conversion, here are a few more to enjoy: the home of an artist in a converted warehouse in Australia, a converted brewery on Gotland, Sweden, and a converted textile workshop in Barcelona. 

Have a lovely day!

PS I had a question from one lovely reader asking about wonderful places to buy Scandinavian interior items in the US. Any tips?

READ MORE...

9

A danish home decked out for Christmas

I am not sure this stunning home of 38 year of Danish photographer, stylist, and director  Mette Wotkjær  and her family needs much of an introduction, save to say it's teeming with inspiring Christmas decorating ideas using washi tape, pom poms, paper stars and an alternative tree. Just add snow and a roaring fire!

Mette Wotkjær with kind permission. Femina.

I love this home. I could totally move in and celebrate Christmas here, how about you?!

Get the look? Paper stars, wood stars, pretty gift wrapping, washi tape, pom poms, sheepskin rugs, HAY tray side table, Eames DAW chairs (15% discount with code MYSCAN), black AJ floor lamp (10% discount with code SCANDI-HOME) .

For more Christmas inspiration check out this Swedish home, this Danish home and this very pretty vintage inspired home.

Have a lovely day!

PS Mette has teamed up with writer and stylist Christina Kattrup to form Have a Look which sells smart, great value reading colours in very cool colours. Take a look at the collection here!

READ MORE...

16

A Norwegian cabin by the sea

For a long time now my dream has been to renovate a beautiful wooden cabin by a lake or sea here in Sweden so that my family and I can spend weekends and holidays there (this Finnish family are my inspiration). This Norwegian cabin owned by Kari K.Holm and her German born architect husband Jurgen Kieh is just what I'm looking for. The house is designed for outdoor living, for every indoor space there is an outdoor area to match. From the many verandas Kari and Jurgen can wave at friends as they sail by the island. An idyllic retreat! Imagine this space with candles, Christmas decorations and a roaring fire?

Photography Pia Ulin (with kind permission). Dwell.

Do you think my dream will ever come true? I promise you'll be the first to know if it does!

What do you dream about on gloomy Monday mornings?

For more cabins and retreats check out this Finnish log cabin, this romantic log cabin with a twist and this Danish retreat. So beautiful!

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

READ MORE...

14

A beautiful Dutch stylists home ready for Christmas

I love to end the week with an amazing, awe inspiring home tour and this one is absolutely no exception! A former library in Nijkerk, Netherlands, this is the home of  101 woonideeen editor and stylist extroadinaire Kim van Rossenberg. The beautifully light Scandinavian style home is decorated in white with touches of black and is all decked out for Christmas using subtle wood stars, garlands, 'Gran' fabric and wallpaper and an unconventional tree. Even the logs for the fire have a Christmas touch! How fab?!

Home / stylist Kim van Rossenberg (Pinterest / Instagram). Photographer: Ernie Enkelaar. 101 Woonideeen. 

I'm not sure what I love most about this home, the entire space is simply fabulous don't you think?!

Get the look: I love this star garland. Source the 'Gran' fir tree cushions and wallpaper. And for added cosiness, throw a sheep skin rug over a Bertoia Knoll Diamond Armchair. The rest is down to paper scissors, pens and a little creativity!

I've a feeling there'll be a little Christmas shopping this weekend? If you're buying anything from one of my fabulous sponsors don't forget to use discount codes: 10% off with code SCANDI-HOME at Made in Design and 10% discount on Urban Trait watches with code MYSCANDIHOME + free international delivery (a guy friend of mine has this one, I love it!), and 15% discount with code MYSCAN at Design Collectors. Get beautiful gift wrapping here! And check out the other shops here for wonderful things!

Thank you so much to Kim for allowing me to share the images of her beautiful home today.

Have a lovely weekend!

READ MORE...

11

My home at Christmas

There's a storm brewing here in Southern Sweden and I don't like it. The only positive is that it's supposed to snow tonight and I do love a little snow around Christmas! Since we're hoping to visit Katrinetorp Christmas market tomorrow and chopping down our tree on Saturday I'm definitely starting to get into the Christmas mood! before the decorating begins I thought I'd share a few pictures of our home from last Christmas.

My Scandinavian Home

Makes me realise how much there is to do!

If you'd like to see a few more pictures and find out where some of the items are from you are welcome to follow these links: my christmas work space, my Christmas sitting room and my Christmas tree. 

Oh and if you think you may be looking for a more unconventional tree this year you must check out these ideas and this DIY project! 

PS My Scandinavian Home featured in the Smallable advent calendar yesterday - you can find a short interview behind 4th December if you fancy a read!

Have a lovely Thursday!

READ MORE...

35

A white and grey Swedish home with touches of Christmas

A few weeks ago I showed the lovely apartment of Swedish interior designer Elin Kickén which was for sale through interior stylists and estate agents Västanhem. Now I've spotted this charming Swedish apartment in Jönköping is for sale on the site too. The space is decorated in white and grey but I think it's the rugs and subtle Christmas decorations and candles which give it the warmth. 

Västanhem

Rugs and lights are the two things I don't have enough of in my home. An investment for 2014? Are you missing in your home?

On Friday it's my birthday - yay! I already cheated and celebrated a little last weekend with a night in Copenhagen with my man, sister and her fiancé - we went to Höst (such a beautiful restaurant!) and I can tell you the food is fantastic too) and Bibendum (still recovering!). Yesterday I also got an early birthday present from my Uncle - a Tom Dixon candle holder in copper. I feel like one very lucky and spoilt lady this week!

What's on your wish list?

READ MORE...

7