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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A fabulous home in Fontainebleau, France

Hello! It's Monday. It's November. I'm feeling the autumn inspiration, how about you?! It's great to be back after a wonderful week in London (I really missed My Scandinavian Home - is that weird?!). Although I must say, it's hard leaving London too - especially as my sister's expecting a baby anytime soon, so exciting! Do you have family in far away places too? Anyway, on with the home tour - and I thought I'd kick off the week with this rather fabulous 'maison' in Fontainebleau, France. I'm loving everything about the way Royal Roulotte have designed this space complete with monochrome and cognac colour theme, mid century geometric patterns and furniture, and vintage and antique touches - this home has it all!  Let's take a peek...

 

Home designed by Royal Roulotte. Found via DustJacket with thanks.

 

Oh la la! Think I might just move in if I may. That kitchen?!

 

Could you live here? 

 

A quick guide on where to buy a few of the items: source mid-century furniture on Lauritz. Bert & May sells similar geometric tiles. Black fridge freezer by Smeg. Vitra RAR rocking chair (15% discount with code MYSCAN).

 

Other incredible French spaces include the home of French stylist (the black floor), the bohemian retreat of a fashion designer and a perfect Parisien home.

 

While in London I attended the Amara Interior Blog Awards and was incredibly honoured to be awarded 'highly commended' in the Best European Interiors Blog category! Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me, the judges, the category sponsor Missoni Home and of course luxury online homeware boutique Amara for a fab night!  I was so excited to meet so many talented bloggers, creatives and all round lovely people including Emily Quinton, Gudy Herder, and Natasha of CandyPop too.  Roll on IBA 2016!

 

I wasn't entirely off last week as I did do a little brainstorming - and I've got so many exciting plans for My Scandinavian Home this November - including a free gift for all of you (watch this space...), several gift guides (see how I avoided the C word there?! I'm not quite ready for it!) and fun give-aways. As well as lots and lots of fabulous Scandinavian inspired home tours of course. Eeee, can't wait!

 

Have a great start to the week!



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The Cosy Rural Home of a Swede Living by a Scottish Loch

As a Brit living in Sweden for the past 18 years, I'm often asked which culture has influenced my home decor style more. I'd definitely say the latter, but I'm sure there's a deeply ingrained British touch there too (there's always a pack of Earl Grey tea in our kitchen cupboard for starters!). I love to see how other homes of those living abroad look. And today, the beautiful home of Patricia Amalia Rodi - a ''Swedish Frenchy in Scotland'' - popped up on my instagram feed. I caught up with Patricia to find out more about her home, how she renovated it on a tight budget and how her past has helped shape her present.

Can you tell us a little about your background? 

My dad is French and I spent lots of my time in France as a child (I even lived in Nice and Paris in my twenties), but I was born in Sweden and grew up there until I moved to Scotland - which is where I've been for the past eight years. I work as an interior stylist, blogger and content creator. 

Your house is lovely, where is it and who do you live with? 

I live in the Scottish countryside, more specifically in a Victorian house built in 1860, overlooking a loch in the Argyll and Bute area of Scotland. I live with my husband Patrick and dog Alva. 

How long have you lived there and did the house require any work? 

We bought the house two years ago and it was a total renovation project. We have restored the whole house ourselves, bringing it back to its former glorying using reclaimed materials. It's been a massive undertaking, but we have learnt so much in the process, from restoring windows, laying floors, plastering - you name it! 

That is an amazing feat! What did it look like when you first found it? 

The house hadn't been touched for over twenty years and was covered in awful carpets and plastic floors. However, some of the historical and traditional features were still intact - and this connection with the past was something we wanted to treasure. The renovation has taken us nearly a year. Since we didn't have the money for a grand reshuffle, or to pay builders (except for our amazing joiner Gareth), we kept most of the layout as it was and worked to preserve the period features. This meant removing the dusty old carpets, sanding floors, laying reclaimed floors, plastering and painting inside and out. It was really hard work but nonetheless incredibly rewarding when you stand back and realise that you have done it all by yourself. 

What have you learnt most from the process?

It has taught me not to rush through the process of putting together a home. Indeed, it can be hard to live somewhere unfinished, mundane, and chaotic. But I've learnt that I need to allow the home to slowly unfold over time so that it rhymes and changes with the patterns of our life. 

How has your background inspired your decor? 

I have always been deeply passionate about interior, food and nature - spending my childhood scurrying between my Father's restaurants in Gothenburg, Sweden where I grew up; the countryside of Southern France where I spent every summer with French aunts; and the seaside of San Remo, Italy, where I just ate too much gnocchi and burrata! My interior style is inspired precisely by my multicultural background and childhood memories of Italian tiles, French antiques and Scandinavian modernism. 

And finally, what do you miss most about Sweden?

Oooh the dreaded question! I love the Nordic farmhouse, vardagslyx (everyday luxury), and the mysig or hygge (cosy) approach to life. I miss these cultural components that are so entrenched in the Swedish lifestyle. I know that I used to take them for granted sometimes, but they really do have a calming impact on everyday life. 

As a Swede, I love to make our home cosy. I think that's why our home is always filled with people. There's always cake (or food) in the house, the candles are lit, the coffee is brewing and there's always a record playing in the background. I really like that Swedes know how to bring a special feel to mundane weekday life. 

Thank you so much to Patricia for inviting us into your cosy Scottish home.

I love the idea of living in a Victorian house beside a loch - it sounds so romantic, don't you think? 

See more pictures of Patricia's home over at @patriciarodi and discover more about her work here. Her blog over at Lovely Life is simply beautiful too!

I loved hearing about how Patricia's past has shaped the decor and feeling in her home. How do you think your past has shaped your home? I'd love to hear in the comments below! 

Would you like to see a few other homes belonging to Scandinavians living abroad? Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cuppa and feel inspired by these: 

Life change: a Swedish family living in the French alps

Mindful decorating: fall in love with the home of a Swede living in Holland

A relaxed Finnish oasis on the Spanish island of Mallorca

Happy Lillördag friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Patricia Amalia Rodi

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A Beautiful Vintage-industrial Inspired Living Space in France

Hej, or should I say 'bonjour! in the language of love - something of which I am hoping to spread today on Valentine's Day with this dreamy open-plan room in France! Alexandra - who owns online antique furniture boutique Petite Belette and runs online 'upcycling' masterclasses - describes her home and workshop as "a universe made of forgotten furniture, of raw and simple materials that respond to the adage: 'nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed,' (Antoine Lavoisier). I couldn't resist sharing this light-filled room, packed with personality - and yet at the same time cosy and calm. A perfect place to curl up with a book!

Eclectic furniture, industrial touches and rough walls rich in patina all help to create this wonderful room!

A library of books wait to be plucked from the shelf before curling up on the sofa. 

Beautiful. 

Imagine all that light! 

Could you imagine pottering around this room today? 

Wishing you all a happy St. Valentine's Day and a wonderful start to the week! 

Niki

Photography picture 1: Audrey Fitzjohn - Home magazine. Other images courtesy of @belettepetite 

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A chalet in the Swiss Alps

Hello Friday - woohoo! A dream weekend for me is all about planning great escapes to rural outposts. So this Friday it had to be some kind of cabin tour to celebrate the end of the week. And I've got just the thing. Montagne Altarnative  are farm buildings which have been converted into contemporary living areas in the heart of a medieval village in the Swiss Alps. The renovations have been painstakingly carried out with passion, dedication and openness to integrate harmoniously with the rugged mountains and beautiful nature beyond. Weekend in the Swiss Alps anyone?!

Montagne Alternative as featured in Marie Claire Maison. Via Blissful Blog with thanks

Ooooo, how I could Whisk myself away there....how about you?!

Although I love to ski in the Alps in the winter I've never visited in the summer, have you? It's definitely a dream of mine.

This space reminds me a lot of this dreamy Norwegian cabin by the sea (same look, different nature!). Even if, like me you live far from the mountains, this mountain-themed children's bedroom is proof the mountain can come to the city too!

On Monday we're heading to France for our summer holiday. I'm so excited as I absolutely love France, and we'll be attending my sister's wedding while we're there! Since it will be a bit hectic, I've decided to share posts every other day (rather than every weekday) over the next fortnight starting on Monday, I hope this is OK?

Have a wonderful weekend and see you Monday!

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