6 Beautiful, Simple Swedish Christmas Decorating Ideas from Anna's Home

It's no secret that I love Christmas, it's one of my favourite times of the year. I'm extra excited this week as this Sunday marks the First Day of Advent when I finally feel free to put up some decorations (hence the back-to-back 'jul' themed posts)! However, I understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea - or indeed that everyone celebrates Christmas so I promise to try to keep it balanced over the coming weeks!  

With that said, who's ready for some decorating ideas? Ho ho ho! One of my favourite Swedes to follow at time of the year is Anna Truelsen, her home is always full of beautiful, yet simple decoration ideas - many of which are handmade. Here are five I spotted which would make great crafting ideas: 

1. Homemade pine garland: I love a simple garland made from pine sprigs - they look equally pretty hung in the window as they do draped over the back of a chair (see top picture!). Find out how to make your own here. 

2. A simple sapling placed in a vase or pot of water: a very popular Scandinavian tradition (especially if you're lucky enough to have Christmas trees growing in your garden - yes, I know....!). Pulling saplings up and placing them in a vase, ceramic pot or other vessel of your choice make for a really pretty 'au natural' decoration. Plus you can replant them after the festive period! 

By the way, how stunning is Anna's table? Almost made me weep! 

3. Dried orange garlands: an annual staple and super easy to make, orange garlands add a lovely touch of colour and fill the home with a wonderful Christmassy scent! 

4. Paper snow flowers: these fine specimens have exploded in popularity in Sweden over the past few years, and they're so simple and fun to make.  There's a step by step guide here (in Swedish - but non-swedes should be fine as there are plenty of pictures!). 

5. Paper chains: got some leftover wallpaper or wrapping paper? Why not make some good old fashioned paper chains? See the know-how here along with DIY bunting and baubles! 

6. A Tree in a basket or pot: It's lovely to bring a tree into the house early, but if you're not careful it'll quickly droop come Christmas Day. And that's where potted trees come into the mix. If watered regularly, they'll stay fresh and healthy - as well as smell divine. And you can replant it once Christmas is over! 

I hope this has given you a few ideas! Hop on over to Anna's instagram to feel inspired! 

Looking for some pretty advent candle inspiration? I love these 5 pretty candle displays you can make in an instant.  

You might also like to take a peek inside the Christmas archive for more ideas. 

Also, do you make an advent calendar for your children / nieces and nephews / grandchildren / pets? One year I made this one for my girls. They loved it. I couldn't resist putting a couple of potatoes in one of the numbers as a joke. I was roaring with laughter. I did have a couple of sweets set to one side though, I'm not that mean! 

Have a hyggelig weekend friends!  

Niki

Photography: Anna Truelsen - shared with kind permission. 

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Your New Year cabin hide-away?

As the Christmas holidays draw near I'm dreaming about getting away from it all for a few days at a little remote hide-away. Nothing fancy, just my family and I and a little wood burning stove - doesn't that sound wonderful?! This tiny Swedish cottage in Marie Emilsson's garden at Håkesgård, just outside Varberg on Sweden's west coast fits the bill perfectly. The traditional falun red cottage, which includes a kitchenette, bedroom and basic facilities has been newly renovated in classic green tones to match the surroundings. Oh and it has a hot tub too. Guh! How I'd love to spend my holidays here, how about you?!

Credits: Photography - Kristin Lagerqvist (blog here) - shared with kind permission. 

So pretty! And the surroundings? Beautiful!

Could you imagine spending a few days here?

Get the look from Marie's little cottage: Morris Willow Bough wallpaper, Farrow & Ball sells a selection of green paint like this, straw fedora (source vintage ones here), buy beautiful grey linen fabric by the yard here, L:A bruket soap, these traditional linen cushions /pillows are pretty.

You can see more pics of Marie's lovely cabin here. 

The second to last image of the wood burning stove is taken from the main house - and features a beautiful garland made with fir and other foliage gathered from the garden - more pictures and a great tutorial of how to make this garland here.

Although not currently for hire, word on the (blog) street is that Marie might start to make it available - watch this space! In the meantime, if you're in Varberg, Trip2garden is definitely worth a visit with it's garden, café, shop and gallery.

More beautiful homes captured by Kristin Lagerqvist include a vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul, the lovely home of Johanna Bradford and an idyllic allotment house. I have to say, this Scandi-boho style is one of my favourites.

And if I've got you dreaming about getting away from it all, you might also want to check out three of my favourite archives: swedish cottages, rural reteats and log cabins (just scroll passed if Marie's cottage comes up first). And relax!

Have a lovely day!

PS Thank you to everyone who entered the give-away to win two vases from Nordal - the winner has now been announced here.....drum roll....

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A Norwegian home on Christmas eve

You can always rely on Norwegian blogger Nina Holst of Stylizimo for beautiful interior inspiration. And when it comes to Christmas Eve it's absolutely no different! Her lovely home high up on a hill in Oslo is decorated with simple wreaths, fresh white linen and of course a magnificent tree laden with 'pepperkaka'  (Scandinavian ginger biscuits!). What a lovely setting for Christmas eve?

Credits: Nina Holst / Stylizimo

Could you imagine spending Christmas here?

Get the look: By lassen candleholder in brass, wishbone chairs, beautiful white linen tablecloth and napkins. These white porcelain stars and baubles are lovely.

Other Christmas link love:

Twinkling fairy lights on a big mirror.

Simple DIY dried orange garland.

One little Christmas tree. And one even smaller tree!

Something to share: cranberry brie pull apart bread - mmmmmm!

Have a wonderful day - I'm off to celebrate my birthday! Eeeeeeee! My sister Cas and little niece have even come all the way over from London as a surprise! 

PS Last day to enter the wonderful watch give-away - hurry! 

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A Cool Yet Calm Rose-tinted French Family Home

Every now and again I come across an entirely unique home that totally draws me in. This is one of them. The house (from the early 1900s) is located in Nancy, North East France and belongs to Coralie, so doctor,  her partner Nicolas, an architect, and their three adorable children. Coralie has a penchant for pink - the dominant accent throughout their home - but twee it's not. Her preferred pink is distinctly calming (Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball to be precise) and when paired with neon, brass, ochre, wood and rattan it emits a wonderfully bang up to date look that's cool and contemporary yet incredibly calm. Ready to feel inspired? Pull up a seat and enjoy the tour - I've added a few tips on where items are from - just in case you'd like to get the look at home! 

Kitchen countertop from Mosaic factory. Print: I love You. In French.

Lamp: DIY (how cool is that?) - see Coralie's instagram highlights for more info. 

Palm lamp, poufs from Muskhane

Dusty pink accent colour: Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball, Good Vibes light*. 

Rainbow wall hanging* 

Colour on the wall: Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball, bedding: Le Petit Florilège, Print: Rabbit by Fine Little Day 

Bed canopy: Nordic nest*, Boheme bed by Bon Ton

Wallpaper: Roomblush, hanging light: Ekatarina Galera, Garland on wardrobe: Happy Moon Studio. Print: Marta Abad Blay. 

Such a wonderful home! The pink hue is spot on, and there are so many great details! 

Could you imagine having a dusty pink accent in your home? Or perhaps there were some pieces / details that really stood out to you? Share your thoughts below, I'd love to hear from you! 

See more of Coralie's lovely home over at @coraliefelicie. 

There are a ton more French homes to feel inspired by here. 

I'll be back tomorrow with a charming, pared back Danish cabin - I think you're going to like it, so make sure you stop by! 

Niki

Photography: @coraliefelicie, shared with kind permission

*affiliate links

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A cosy Swedish cottage ready for Christmas

Hello! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! Anyone in need of a cosy winter retreat?! If so, I have just the place! This lovely Swedish cottage in the snow is owned by Katarina Drevenlid, her two cats and pet dog. It's been decorated for Christmas using simple creative ideas which draw on the surrounding nature. Look closely and you'll see a star made of moss, pinecones in jars or strung together to create a pretty festive garland, sprigs of pine in a glass vase and a mini Christmas tree emerging from a demijohn. In Sweden it's also common to use fir tree branches as a makeshift doormat to wipe away excess snow from winter boots. Add a roaring fire, and a modern Christmas tree made from washi-tape or string and you're all set to go!

Hus o Hem. Photography: Karin Foberg (with kind permission). 

I could spend my Christmas holidays here, how about you?!

I actually thought the black and white rug in the hall was made from mosaic tiles at first glance. You can achieve a similar look with this monochrome rug or a Dhurrie.

Etsy is a great source for Demijohns.

If you're up for more Christmas inspiration today why not pour yourself a coffee and scroll through my Scandinavian Christmas archive (this home will come up first so simply move down the page to find all the others!). Or perhaps you have some links of your own to share in the comment section below?

Have a lovely day! 

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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!

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