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! 

How lovely! I can just imagine coming in from the snow and cosying up there with the fires roaring, how about you? 

See more of Hanna's Finnish home here. 

If you like to make things at Christmas and are on the look out for more DIY ideas this week, here are some my favourites: 

How to make star tree decorations with loo roll cartridges

5 Christmas craft ideas to make alone or with the children!

3 Christmas decorations you can make with wallpaper

16 DIY Christmas decorations made from nature!

Have a great start to the week, stay toasty! 

Niki

Photography: Hanna / @punainen.pihlaja shared with kind permission

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Celebrating calm, rustic space living

Whenever I go shopping here in Malmö the list of places I visit is loooong (so lucky to have so many design shops here!). And H&M Home has recently become a must. You only have to see their latest lifestyle images (shot by Pia Ulin and styled by Glen Proebstel) -to see why, so beautiful! The home reminds me very much of this Gotland one (the colours, the materials...). And I love the overall rustic and organic nature of the space.

Oh so lovely! Calm, natural and relaxed.

What do you think of the rustic vibe?

Get the look: Sitting room - linen cushions,  throw, large cotton rug, wooden tea light holder, this table lamp is very similar (this one off vintage industrial table lamp is a-ma-zing!). Keep an eye out for similar here. Bathroom - linen dressing gown / robe, bath mat, towel, rustic bench, market bag. Bedroom - linen duvet cover set (I also love all the linen bedding from here - beautiful!).

I'm feeling a little link love coming on....

Proof a small kitchen can be bright and beautiful.

She danced all night...and all the way home is one inspiring tumblr!

Throwing shapes: hexagonal tiles and a round window.

Biggest trend this Autumn - the 'she shed' (remember Jeska's?), have you created your own one yet?).

Last day to enter the Instagram give-away to win this vintage beni ourain rug in assoc with Maroc Tribal (check out these beauties here too)! I know!

Have a great start to the week!

PS this post isn't sponsored, I simply love the look and feel of the space and thought you might too!

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6 Rustic Cabins For a Cosy Weekend

As we inch nearer December the temperatures are starting to dip and the North of Sweden, Norway and Finland are dusted in snow. Sadly, there's no snow here in the south yet, but the cold wind has me dreaming of snuggling up in a rustic log cabin by the fire this weekend. Do you feel the same? 

I did a little digging in the My Scandinavian Home archives to retrieve some of my favourite cabins. Some  are way out in the woods and others are deep in the Norwegian fjords or by a frozen lake in Finland. One of them (the last one) I have had the pleasure of visiting not once but twice in person! The first time was to shoot the Norwegian cabin for my book The Scandinavian Home*, and I was so mesmerised by it, I returned with my entire family that winter. If you click on the link you can take the entire fabulous tour - and see my girls in action. It was minus twenty-five degrees celsius so we were well wrapped up! 

I hope these cabins get in you in the mood for a cosy weekend and you can experience the wonderful feel of them through the pictures! 

1. Visit Lisa's cosy cabin deep in the Norwegian fjords 

2. A rustic hideaway in a former railway carriage, and boutique stay

3. A cosy Finnish cabin boy a frozen lake

4. A cosy cabin in the woods

5. Hilde's Norwegian cabin in wintertime

5. An incredible Norwegian cabin for cross country skiing

Oh, so lovely! I would be perfectly happy to spend my weekend at any of these cabins, how about you? They all look so cosy with their roaring fires, snuggly blankets and rustic backdrop! 

We are driving up to Norway after Christmas for a few days to relax and enjoy the snowy landscape - maybe do a little skiing if it's not too cold. Having seen these pictures, I can't wait! In the meantime though, I'll imagine I'm in one of these lovely places! 

Have a cosy weekend all! 

Niki

Credits: 1. Gunn Kristin Monsen 2. Settle 3. Krista Keltanen 4. Alice Saunders 5. Hilde Mork 5. James Gardener for CICO Books. 

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Settle: A Rustic Hideaway In A Former Railway Carriage & Boutique Cabin

I have a total weakness for rustic spaces, do you? I spotted this cosy gem of a retreat over at Desire to Inspire yesterday and fell in love! 'Settle' is a retreat in Norfolk, England created by John - who owns and runs a reclamation yard, and his partner Jo - a well-known floral designer.  The incredible resort offers guests a choice to unwind in rustic railway carriages, bell tents or a boutique cabin overlooking woodland and lakes. I'm particularly in enamoured by the railway carriages and cabin which combine earthy textures and heritage materials with contemporary comfort - so, it's just to turn up, light a fire, maybe run a bath (wait till you see the outdoor one!)... and relax. 

The carriages: 

My eye is on one of the three beautifully restored retired railway carriages. Each offer two berths, a lounge area with a wood burning stove as well as a bathroom and small kitchen - although you might prefer to cook supper over the lakeside fire pit! 

The Cabin

If you'd prefer something a little more spacious, there's also the boutique cabin which looks like something out of a magazine (actually scrap that - it has been in a magazine!). Hand built by Jo and John, the fully equipped cabin has everything you might need for a relaxing retreat - a real home from home! 

The questions is, would you go for the freestanding indoor bath, or the lakeside wood-burning tub? 

Meet you there? 

In case you're keen - hop over to Settle to find out more (or simply dream!). 

Shall we indulge our shared love of rustic further today? How about these cosy gems? 

Before and after: a dated cabin becomes a Scandic-inspired Colorado retreat

A cosy candlelit cabin in the Norwegian fjords

Leanne Ford's dreamy cabin

A charming A-frame cabin on the Danish island of Orø

Have a hyggelig day friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Settle, via Desire to inspire - with thanks. 

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Contemporary Danish Design Meets Rustic in A Fabulous House In The Med

One of the most exciting things in the world of interiors at this time of the year is that brands are announcing their 'news' - which means a flurry of stunning lifestyle images. Ferm Living's latest offerings have just landed in my inbox and they certainly don't disappoint. The Danish brand has chosen a beautiful rustic setting to showcase their Spring Summer 2020 collection. Think earthy tones and organic shapes merging with soft, natural fittings and honest materials. I want to head over to the Med and settle into one of those desert lounge chairs by the pool all winter long - let's just hope the stylists left the kit behind! Anyone wanna join me?!

The above picture hints at the hottest colour combination this year: soft blue, brown and yellow (with a punch of deep, electric blue!). Stay tuned as I'll be sharing more on this later in the week!

I've got my eye on this new Vuelta lamp - it would work absolutely anywhere in my home (and you know how I love to move things around!). Kind of cool, don't you think?

One word: sofa. 

Just add a cushion in a golden accent colour and the room is complete. 

To me Ferm Living is all about the kids stuff. I've always loved the items they make for children's rooms - like the apple basket and this new dotted cushion! Too cute, don't you think?! 

I wonder, if I were to pick up a Desert Lounger like the one above (the textile seat is made from  recycled plastic bottles!), would I need to get a pool to match? If so, I'd better warn Per... 

Are you dreaming about a stay somewhere like this too? Or perhaps, just kitting your home out with a few fab Danish pieces from Ferm Living would do the trick? Either way, these guys have nailed their SS20 pics this year! 

I'm thinking we should go down the Mediterranean way today with a few more tours, what do you say? Here are a few rustic homes I love: 

A rustic retreat in Andalusia

A relaxed Danish oasis in Palma, Mallorca

A boho retreat in Ibiza

By the way - I was excited to receive a mail from the owner of yesterday's home tour who gave me more information about that DIY lamp and the dramatic bedroom wall colour. I've updated the post here in case you're curious! 

Have a dreamy day friends - sending warm, sunny thoughts your way! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Ferm Living

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