The 7 most popular (and fabulous) home tours

Thank you for your tremendous support and engaging comments this year and a big hello to all new readers too. I've been looking back over 2014 and feel so proud of what My Scandinavian Home has achieved.  But which posts did you enjoy the most? I took a look through the archives to find the 7 most popular posts of all time (links to each post under the pictures). Do you agree?

The fabulous home of a Dutch designer

Christmas touches in a Finnish home

A beautiful Dutch stylists home ready for Christmas

The cool home of a Norwegian Blogger

Beautiful Dutch bedroom make-over

The Danish home on a hill

A Touch of Scandinavian Christmas

I have to say, some of these posts are my favourite too (I love the Finnish and Norwegian blogger homes). Are there any in particular you enjoyed?

These posts were incredibly popular on Pinterest too.

We're heading off to my husband's family today to celebrate our Swedish Christmas - so excited! I'm a big fan of the Swedish julbord! Do you have any great plans for today?

I'll be back tomorrow with a post before the holidays begin, until then, I hope you have a lovely day!

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A cosy Danish cabin ready for Christmas

Hello! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! I thought I'd kick off the week with another extremely cosy log cabin, this time in Klampingborg, Denmark (did you miss the previous one?).  This oh so lovely retreat belongs to Jeanette Hyleborg of webshop Best of Nordic and blog Voksenlivsstil and her director husband Sten.  I love the irregular tree which has been decorated with mirrored hearts, stars and snowflakes and I'll be taking inspiration from their Christmas table - the fir cones and roses in moss make for a beautiful mix, don't you think? I could spend my Christmas holidays relaxing here, how about you?!

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Femina. Peter Kam

Who would guess I'm pining for a winter escape this Christmas?! But seriously, this cabin is just so cosy. What a perfect escape?

See more images here.

A quick guide to where items are from. EKTORP armchair and sofa from IKEA. Cognac coloured butterfly chair.  Two Foscarini Caboche Suspension Lights over the dining table. Royal Copenhagen blue fluted dinner plates. Hunter wellies. Many items can also be found in Jeanette's shop. Have I missed anything?

If you're after some last minute table decorating inspiration, I like this laid back dining style for a boxing day lunch. And there's plenty more Christmas inspiration to be found here and also on my Pinterest Christmas board. If you have any inspiration tips do leave them in the comment section below!

Tomorrow will be my last blog post before the holidays before I return with some fun new year inspiration including an introduction of the hot new interior colours for 2015. If you're planning an even bigger New Year's Eve than usual this year....Bario Neal has launched three absolutely stunning engagement rings just in time for midnight....how romantic?!

Have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

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The rustic Norwegian log cabin hide-away

How much would you love to head off to this rustic Norwegian log cabin for the holidays? If I could spend just five days at this retreat, belonging to founders and owners of Bolina,  I'd camp out by the  roaring log fire with a cup of tea, my book by Swedish novelist Jonas Jonasson- the one hundred year old man who climbed out of a window and disappeared (which I've been meaning to read all year), play board games with my family, take long walks in the snow, and generally feel relaxed and very merry. How about you?!

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission. 

I have to say the owners have been ingenious in their decorating. At first glance it looks like a classic log cabin, but look closely and you'll notice a modern blend of textures  (concrete, wood, sheepskin, velvet, rattan) and styles (industrial, rustic, contemporary). Combine this with unique fittings such as the kitchen units crafted using reclaimed wood from a derelict barn and the result is an incredibly warm, cosy, personal retreat.

Oh how I dream to own a place like this. What about you?

More dreamy log cabin's I could pad around in this holiday include a Norwegian one by the sea (the sauna!), a black and white Finnish retreat, or a cottage in the snow that looks like this (toasty)!

If a rural retreat feels a million miles away right now and you have a christmas shopping list as long as your arm (it is the weekend before Christmas after all) you might want to take inspiration from these two fab gift guides: for children, for just about everyone. And my fail safe last minute man gift. Good luck!

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend!

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A relaxed and eclectic Stockholm space

'A pop of colour here and a vintage vibe there' is the best way to describe this very cool and relaxed apartment in Stockholm captured by Fantastic Frank. I like the casual way the books have been stacked on the kitchen floor, the striking yellow Mhy light, the decadent velvet armchair and the picture gallery wall. All in all, this space is just what I need on a Thursday - somewhere eclectic to kick-back and relax in style. Could you pad around here for the day?

Stylist: Mimmi Staaf, photographer: Emily Laye  Fantastic Frank

I note that stylist Mimmi has added two hot trends in interiors right now  - an oil portrait. They're relatively difficult to find but I love the ones sold by Three Potato Four and also the cool animal portraits by Oldi (I have the Lurcher one which has become a family favourite!). And antique chairs in velvet - how decadent to place a grand armchair in the kitchen - love it! (check out LiveAuctioneers or Lauritz for similar).

Seeing the stacked books has made me reflect on my own sitting room. I love books and feel the space looks disturbingly void of reading material, don't you? This Christmas I'll be pouring over my Pinterest storage board for ideas. One possibility is String shelves (I love the latest inspirational images they've released) and think they'll fit perfectly with my mid-century style. What do you think?

Lastly - today is a big day for me, it's the last day at my corporate job after 14 years in the industry! As of 1st Jaunary I'll be focusing full time on this blog - it's grown so much thanks to you all that I feel it's time to give it the attention it so deserves. Scary and exciting in equal measure! Here's to new and exciting adventures! And thank you all for your wonderful, ongoing encouragement and support.

Have a great day!

PS If it was Christmas decorating ideas you were after you can always check out my Christmas archive with a lorry load of decorating tips, DIY ideas and lovely scandinavian festive home tours. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

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A Norwegian home at Christmas

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while (thank you, you're lovely!) know I'm a big fan of the work of Norwegian based photographer and stylist Elisabeth Heier and her beautiful home which I've previously shown snippets of  here and here. It comes as no surprise that her Christmas decorating is equally as lovely and follows her simple, pared-back and elegant take on Scandinavian interior decorating. Here are a few festive snaps of her home this year.

Photography / styling: Elisabeth Heier

True modern Scandinavian Christmas decorating inspiration. A pared-back tree, white Helabores, paper stars strung up in the window which will light up at night, a simple wreath hung on the wall and fir tree branches in clear glass jars.

In case you're wondering where some of the items are from, I also spy the By Lassen Kubus 4 candleholder, RAR rocking chair (currently 10% off here), Knoll diamond chair and the classic Swedish Skultuna tea light holders in brass. Children's room: half-moon bedding, rabbit light.

For a slightly different look, here are some more inspiration images shot and styled by Elisabeth in her home for Norwegian magazine RUM 123 with a black, gold and Pantone's colour for 2015 - Marsala colour theme.

Photography / styling Elisabeth Heier

The gold flag garland, mirror stars and Christmas cone in black are from Tine K Home.

I absolutely love the idea of filling a glass jar or vase with old burnt out white candle stubs, so simple yet so lovely and a great use of waste.

Is there anything that stands out to you in these images? Which look do you prefer?

Have a lovely day!

PS I also love Norwegian blogger Nina of Stylizimo's Christmas decorating. So pretty! 

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One beautiful home, two different tours

A few weeks back I showed the magnificent home of Swedish stylist Marie Olsson Nylander captured by estate agents Valvet. And then I came across a second set of photographs of the same home over at  Desire to Inspire captured by Sara Svenningrud. Marie's unique sense of style shines through in both and yet the photographers have managed to capture the home in different ways. Both capture the romantic yet striking uniqueness of the family home in Höganäs, Skåne, and yet the angles and lighting is very different. Personally I'm hoping to find yet more images of this lovely home as I simply can't get enough of it, how about you?!

Sara Svanneberg. Marie Olsson Nylander. Post inspired by Desire to Inspire. 

I'm not sure how Marie can bear to part with this home (it's currently for sale - hurry!). But I'm sure her next home will be equally as unique and beautiful.

A small guide to a few items: This Cassis Rose linen bedding is extremely similar to the one on Marie's bed, Try dark Farrow & Ball paint colours for similar wall effects. The lamp above the sitting room area is the Koushi by Mark Eden Schooley. Source industrial vintage lighting on Etsy.

For other homes with a lovely unique feel I'm loving the home of Malin Persson which I showed last Friday (especially the children's bedroom!), this home teeming with flee market finds  and this rustic / boho Norwegian space.

By the way, if you're looking at picking up a designer bargain for your home this Christmas don't miss the wonderful offers from Design Collectors - with up to 15% off items such as the LCW chair and Butterfly stool until 31st December!

Have a lovely day!

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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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