My Scandinavian Home - 2015 round-up

Thank you so much for all your wonderful support this year. I've loved reading your comments on here, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook. It's been a very special year for My Scandinavian Home. Last December I finally took the plunge and left the corporate world after 14 years to focus on My Scandinavian Home. And what a year it's been! Here's a round-up of 2015:

 Top ten home tours of the year*:

A light-filled family home in Sweden

A fabulous home in Fontainbleu France

A fabulous Swedish apartment

The mid-century LA home of Jessica De Ruiter

The colourful Dutch home

Black and navy in an elegant Swedish home

A beautiful Norwegian home in summer time

An incredibly cosy Finnish home

The calm Finnish home of Anna Pirkola

A Swedish apartment on the dark side of life

 *based on number of pageviews. Click on text under each picture for the full tour and credits.

Did you have a favourite?!

Last year I became a recognised 'Pinfluencer' by Pinterest (needless to say I have a slight Pinterest addiction!), it seems you may have too since some pins received over 400 repins! Here's a round-up of the....

Top five Pinterest pins of 2015:

From post: simple yet beautiful Christmas decorations

Anon. Can anyone kindly supply the credit for this beautiful picture?

From the post - Pretty Danish Christmas inspiration

Swedish Semmeltårta

Anon. If you know the credit for this please let me know so I can update this post!

Loving that the cake is in there!!

In January I started using Instagram (so late to the party I know!). In that time I've gained 24,500 new friends, thank you for making it so much fun!

Top five instagram pictures of the year:

Log cabin in the snow 
A bed next to a roaring log fire
A cabin in the Faroe Islands
A Norwegian cabin on an island
My sitting room

It seems you love your cosy log cabins?!

This December I finally received the first copy of my book: Modern Pastoral (out in Feb, 2016). Publishing my first book has been a dream come true, thanks you for all your tremendous support - and to my publisher CICO Books!

And finally, I owe the biggest amount of gratitude to all the photographers, stylists, designers, architects, and other creatives out there (please take time to look through the credits under the last image in each post) who generously give me permission to share their work and also to my fabulous sponsors who make My Scandinavian Home possible.

This year has been exhilarating, terrifying, thrilling, challenging, exhausting and above all inspirational. I wouldn't change a single moment of it!

I'd love to here about your year too in the comment section below.  

Back later with a final 'Merry Christmas' post! Until then....thank you.

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A Lovely Pared-back & Contemporary Home In Bergen, Norway

Are you ready for a virtual trip to Bergen, Norway? Today, we're taking a tour of the beautiful home of Ole Anders Teslo - of real estate agent Eie and Catherine Bækken, a designer at Heem, a Norwegian studio focusing on subtle minimalism in the field of interior architecture and concept styling. Little wonder their home is a picture of Scandinavian modern perfection! The rooms have been painted in various earthy, calm tones - from a lighter blue-grey in the dining area to a dramatic deep shade in the bedroom - proving the background for an amazing selection of Scandi design pieces! The minimalist touch ensures a light and airy feel - and also allows each iconic piece to stand out. Look closely and you'll also see subtle textures which help to ensure a balanced feel. I think neatniks in particular are going to love this tour! Ready to take a peek? 

Eames wire chairs circle the table and a Penthella floor lamp can be seen in the corner. 

You often see lamps (like this Hay Cloche one) on the windowsills in Scandinavian homes. I've asked a few friends about this and they say that it helps to make your home look warm and inviting from the outside, making it nice to arrive home!

A pair of Jielde lamps are the only items on the wall in the kitchen (I love these lamps! I picked up a beautiful vintage one on Etsy a few years ago here). Try Icelandic brand Kalklitir for a similar chalk paint affect. 

A beautiful leather Tiki sofa pops against the dark wall and a mirror and Flos 265 light help to lighten up the space on darker days (it rains 239 days a year in Bergen - can you believe that? It's still one of my favourite cities though!).  

Wall mounted classic String shelves provide a perfect home for a collection of magazines, books and other treasures. 

I love this little home office space. Using a Ferm Living plant box* as storage for prints and frames is a great hack too (it could also be used in a children's bedroom for books!). 

I spy the iconic wishbone chair. Did you know these chairs take around three weeks to produce - including one hour for a skilled craftsman to weave the seat? They are so beautifully made! 

I love how a simple Thonet bentwood chair has been used as a bedside table. I also recognise the Noon print by Kristina Krogh (I have the same one in my bedroom!).

And just look at the storage system below! I can imagine this looking so different with a wardrobe like mine - but loving the idea, it turns the whole room into a walk-in-wardrobe! Could you imagine doing something like this?

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did and have come away with some ideas for your own home. 

If you'd like to see more of Catherine's style, check out the Heem portfolio - it's full of beautiful minimalist spaces! 

I'm really excited that this has given me the opportunity to dip into the Norwegian archive to find a few more homes for you to enjoy today (there are so many incredible ones in there): 

An idyllic Fjord-side summer retreat

A simple yet cosy Norwegian cabin by a fjord

A cosy candlelit cabin in rural Norway

A charming cabin on the water's edge

Oh, how I miss Norway! Have you ever been? It's a magical country. 

Niki

Styling: Heem

Photography: Dag Randen

This post contains affiliate links marked with * Thank you for supporting My Scandinavian Home. 

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Take a Peek Inside Steffi's Cheerful and Relaxed Family Home

Hey, Friday - how happy I am to see you! Is it me or has it been one very long week?! It could be because we're going skiing tomorrow and I've honestly been counting down the days! I hope you've got some fun plans for half term too! Before I head off I wanted to stop by and share Steffi's lovely, relaxed home in Hamburg, Germany with you. Built in 1910, the house has a lovely flow and large windows which flood the space with light. Colourful art, flowers and accessories add a cheery feel and I love the mid-century touches. In the words of Bright Bazaar - it's truly 'make you smile style' - and a wonderful family home for Steffi, her husband and two little boys. Enjoy the tour! 

I feel relaxed just looking at these pictures, how about you?

It's the kind of home that would make you feel instantly at ease. Love that.

See more pics over on Steffi's instagram @heyheyhaus. 

Since I'm heading off on holiday (rub it in why don't I?! Sorry!), I'm planning a little blog break until Monday 24th so that I can give my girls and long-suffering husband my undivided attention! I therefore thought I'd leave with you a load of archives (cue hours, days or even weeks of inspiration to be found!). I hope you find a load of inspiration for your home! 

Swedish home tours

Danish home tours

Norwegian home tours

Finnish home tours

Icelandic home tours (not so many in this one admittedly - but SO worth a peek!). 

Before and afters (I'm such a big fan of make-overs!)

Small spaces

Bohemian homes

My home

Oh, and I nearly forgot. Happy Valentine's Day! Are you doing anything special? Per and I don't really celebrate it, but my girls love it. This morning when I left home, there was a little boy putting something in our mailbox - it looked like some chocolates and a card. So sweet! Allie is going to be  happy when she gets home from school! 

Have a fabulous weekend and see you 24th Feb!

Niki

Photography: Steffi / @heyheyhaus shared with kind permission

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A black and white Christmas with Tine K.

It's the weekend, yay! There's going to be a flurry of last minute decorating and wrapping here in my home in preparation of celebrating our 'Swedish Christmas' with my husband's family next weekend. If like me, you're looking for new ideas - here's a touch of inspiration. When it comes to Christmas, Danish brand Tine K Home always come up trumps. The Tine K Home  theme for the holiday season 2013 is black and white, save for the tree which is also decorated with a touch of earthy mauve (or, what would you call this colour?).

Tine K Home inspired by a post from Purple Area

Do you like a black and white theme at Christmas?

I've gone for a white and brown theme and hung ginger snaps in our tree. The scent as you walk in the door is wonderful, I can definitely recommend it. How do you create the smell of Christmas in your home?

If you love this style you'll also love the home tour of Tine K Home's owner.

For more black and white Christmas inspiration check out this Swedish home, this Norwegian home  and here for beautiful Danish Christmas decoration inspiration.

This afternoon I'm heading up to the nursery to watch my girls in their Luciatåg (Lucia procession). My eldest will be a 'tomten' and my youngest 'Lucia' with a crown of candles in her hair (not real thankfully), I can't wait, it'll be so sweet! What are you up to this evening / over the next couple of days?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

PS I have a little Christmas treat for you next week designed by my friend here in Malmö!.....

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Beautiful Danish christmas inspiration in white and brown

Oh wow. Friday already? Is it me or does December race passed at the speed of, eh hem, Christmas lights?! The final weekend before the big day calls for some beautiful Danish Christmas inspiration, don't you think? This beautiful home was shot for the Oi Soi Oi AW14 collection. I'm loving the natural, rich brown and white tones, pretty trees climbing the stairs, and subtle stars and hearts. Perfect inspiration if you're looking to add some final touches to your home (or just getting started!). All we need now is a little snow!

 

I love this!

Many of these beautiful decorations are still available at Oi Soi Oi.

Is it just me or are mini Christmas trees popping up everywhere right now?! And all in different forms too - like the paper beauties in this pretty Danish inspiration post, DIY Christmas tree mobiles (available from Fabulous Goose) and the real McCoy in this Norwegian home tour - love them!

I'm also enjoying how it's all about tapping into every corner of the home  - from the bedroom (as seen in this oh so cosy Swedish home),  the bathroom (like in this Danish home) and even the kitchen and home office (seen in my home at Christmas a few years back!).

Let's not forget the outside too. I visited Stockholm last weekend and my brother-in-law had a beautiful Christmas tree with simple white lights in the garden, it looked so pretty in the snow. Here are five outdoor trees I also love:

Colour in the woods 
Au natural
Three outside a French country home
Lining the streets of NYC
Doubling up for a warm (yet snowy) welcome

And even lighthouses are getting into the Christmas spirit! Wonderful!

Admittedly it takes time and effort to go all out and despite my best intentions (I did put my tree up nice and early!), I'm not sure where the time has gone? Do you find the same?! But next year....NEXT YEAR..... :)

Have a fabulous couple of days and see you Monday!

PS Don't miss the very exciting give-away this weekend....watch this space! 

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