my scandinavian home: Search results for christmas

6 Subtle Festive Ideas to Steal from Alexandra's Swedish Home

Why, hello there! The big chill in Sweden continues and the Christmas lights look so pretty against the snow - even if it does make for treacherous cycling conditions (yes, Swedes cycle in the snow - with varying results I might add!).

The minus temperatures also mean we only really go out if we have to - and homes are being transformed into cosy sanctuaries. This also means Christmas decorations come out a little earlier than they might do in other countries. However, I'm not talking the full monty - instead, I've noticed Swedes start out with subtle festive touches with a natural wintery theme and then continue to layer their homes throughout December (something I touch on in my new book Njuta*!).

In Alexandra Löfgren's family home in Mölndal, south of Gothenburg is full of lovely, subtle touches and nice ideas. I especially love her son Matteo's room with it's brown, rust and blue colour scheme and a mini Christmas tree all of his own! So magical! Here's a glimpse of the rooms and six ideas to steal.

1. combine amaryllis with other foliage from the garden such as branches with berries and eucalptus for a beautiful bouquet.

2. A simple touch of pine in a vase draws the winter season inside without going all out 'Christmas'.

3. Swap out your usual pendant light for a star pendant such as this one. It can easily be stored the rest of the year!

4. A mini undecorated tree in a pot can be decorated as time goes on - and kept until the following year!

5. Add a mini Christmas tree in unexpected places - such as in the hallway or in a children's bedroom to sprinkle a little magic all over the home!

6. Wreaths can be placed anywhere in the home, but I especially love seeing them over the bed, as seen here!

I hope Alexandra's home has given you some cosy ideas!

If you're looking for more Christmas decorating inspiration this weekend check out these home tours:

15 small festive touches to steal from a Swedish country home

A Copenhagen home full of festive cheer

A colourful vintage-inspired Christmas themed home in Denmark

Inspiring Christmas touches in a Swedish family home

11 Christmas decorating ideas in Mari's lovely Swedish home

And also, scour the Christmas decoration archive - for a ton of beautiful Scandi ideas to be found!

If you'd like a virtual tour this weekend, Per and I will be heading to a Christmas market on the island of Bornholm, which has a focus on quality goods and creating a magical atmosphere - and I'll be covering it in my instagram stories!

Have a cosy weekend!

Niki

Photography: Alexandra Löfgren, shared with kind permission.

*promotion of my own work.

A danish home at Christmas

The Danes are famous for their beautiful Christmas decorations. Have you ever walked through Nyhavn in Copenhagen at Christmas? The quayside is transformed into a winter wonderland and festooned with fairy lights and fir tree branches. Christmas market stalls line the quay and the aroma of roasted chestnuts, almonds and glogg (mulled wine) fills the air. This danish home is a fine example of how beautifully Danes decorate for Christmas. Every single room has a touch of the festive spirit, even the bathroom and I love the rustic festive feel.

Bo Bedre via Decorator's Notebook with thanks

Is there any Christmas inspiration you'll be taking from this home?

I love how presents are dotted around the house, although I think the temptation might be too much for my little girls! I also love the irregular shaped Christmas tree - so pretty! For more Christmas tree inspiration I love this 'pared-back style' or for a modern touch - these very fun christmas tree alternatives.

Here are a few snaps I took of our Christmas tree last year. We always go out to a place in the forest where you are allowed to chop down your own tree, it's one of my favourite days of the year.

One present I'll be buying this Christmas (look away now brother-in-laws) is a gift card for a tailored t-shirt from Son of A Tailor. Basic tees will continue to be big in the style stakes for 2015 and this Copenhagen based company offer the perfect opportunity to 100% tailor your own classic organic cotton t-shirt - even the gift card itself comes beautifully packaged. Such a perfect present don't you think?!

Have a great day!

PS does anyone know the full credits for these images, I'd love to update the post? Thank you.

Inspiring Christmas Touches in a Beautiful Swedish Home

I think it's time for some more Christmas inspiration, do you? And what better than to return to the beautiful Swedish home of photographer and stylist Emelie Sundberg? You might recall the tour back in February - which was understandably hugely popular, and it comes as no surprise that Emelie's home is equally beautiful and cosy at Christmas time. Think pretty snow flowers and star lanterns, homemade wreaths, amaryllis, hyacinths, a wonderful Christmas tree and of course, lots of candlelight. There's inspiration to be found every corner!

I love the simple idea of storing white candles in a glass vessel. Also note the hyacinths in small* and large glass vases* - this is common a common sight at Christmas in Sweden and makes for a beautiful display that fills the home with a fresh scent! Note also the subtle boxwood wreaths.

Top picture - Eldig Christmas star*

I've always loved this type of wine glass storage, it's perfect for entertaining too!

I love pretty amaryllis at Christmas time - and this salmon pink version adds a pop of colour!

A pretty Sputnik star lantern* hangs over a traditional 'adventsljustake' (advent candleholder) in the window.

The fireplace has been decorated with a simple straw wreath and candle display.

Emelie's daughter plays with pretty 'St Lucia tåg' choir figurines on the windowsill.

A bouquet of amaryllis brightens up the desk in Emelie's study. It's also lovely to have a candle lit while you're working - it's not something I would have thought of living in England, but these days I often light a candle on my desk to help brighten up the winter darkness and create a calm feel (needed at this time of year, right?).

How beautiful!

I hope you feel as inspired by Emelie's home as I do.

Is there anything that stood out to you? Also, I'm really curious - do you have the same type of Christmas flowers in your country?

Follow Emelie's beautiful instagram feed for more inspiration this Christmas.

Other festive homes you might enjoy today:

11 Christmas decorating essentials from Mari's home

Understated, yet super pretty festive touches in a Swedish family home

A cosy Swedish family home at Christmas

I loved reading your comments about my three new lights yesterday. I was curious to read that in order for a room to feel complete and practical, you should have at least four sources of light. I feel I'm finally getting there now - do you have enough lighting in your home?

Ha det så bra!

Niki

Photography: Emelie Sundberg shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations swedish home

Hanna's Cosy Finnish Country Home in the Snow At Christmas

Hello friends! how are you? Keeping warm I hope? Here in southern Sweden it's minus 7 degrees Celsius (19 Fahrenheit). As long as I'm wrapped up, I love it as it's a very dry cold and everything is white - like a true winter wonderland! A lot of Northern Europe is now blanketed in snow, so we're all hoping for a white Christmas! Do you have snow where you are too? In Finland, Hanna and her husband Tomas, and children Frans, Hilda and Eedvin are cosying up in their charming rustic cottage in rural Finland.

You'll likely recognise their home as I featured it last year - and it's so unique and memorable! This morning I popped over to Hanna's instagram as I was intrigued to see how the family have decorated their home for Christmas - and of course, it looks as cosy as can be! Here are a few pictures showing touches of red, a rustic tree, homemade paper flowers and sofas draped in sheepskin. A perfect place to curl up and spend 'Joulo' (Christmas).

Hanna loves making paper snow angels and flowers to hang on the tree and in the window.

Find DIY tutorials for how to make Christmas snow angels here and paper flowers and stars here.

I love the rustic tree, it's so pretty, don't you think? Did you see my Scandinavian Christmas tree round-up on Friday? There are some lovely rustic ones in there too!