Christmas gift guide – Nordic and unique

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? How about something a little unique this year. Something handmade by Nordic designers, artists and craftsmen to be specific? You may remember NOORVERK from this lovely Christmas decoration feature and now, I'm returning for a little Christmas shopping! Excitingly NOORVERK has something for everyone who cares about quality and craftsmanship, tradition and sustainability (and of course, beautiful design!), from pillows and blankets, to jewellery and scarves and wooden children's toys. Here's my pick:

For her

For the host
 
For design lovers

For best friends

For art lovers

For him 

For me!
For children

1. Leather desk organiser 2. Hand turned bowl. 3. Porcelain paper cups 4. Grey vase 5.  Painting by Matilde Friese 6. Merino scarf 7. macbook folder 8. Backpack

So beautiful and unique, what perfect Christmas pressies don't you think? Which would you choose?

NOORVERK deliver to Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Luxemburg. Be sure to order before 14th December to ensure they arrive in time for Christmas!

This post was sponsored by NOORVERK. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will to. Plus I genuinely would love to receive / give any one of these as a present (hint hint!). 

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6 beautifully simple Scandinavian DIY Christmas decorations

It seems every house I visit is a hive of Christmas DIY activity right now. Kitchen tables have been transformed into makeshift workstations and laden with glue, wire, scissors and various other tools. Branches of foliage, acorn cups and cinnamon sticks lie in various states of transformation, with wonderful creations rising from the creative debris. This is why it's my favourite time of the year. Everyone gets creative! In case you're in need to a little inspiration to get you started, I've rounded up 6 of my favourite beautifully simple DIY Scandinavian- style Christmas decorations doing the rounds this year.

Ooooooooh so lovely, don't you think?

Here's how:
1.  Marij Hessel talks us through fab DIY baubles.
2.  Norwegian blogger Nina Holst's pretty mini wreath place setting (no instructions, but I am guessing twisting into a circle and wiring together?).
3. See the DIY instructions for A Merry Thought's wonderful minimal half wreath.
4. Light up your wreath like Francois et Moi's DIY candle wreath.
5. Or go traditional like Babes in Boyland's rosemary wreath (step by step guide here).
6. And finally, who said putting up lights isn't creative?! How about shunning the usual Christmas ones for simple string bulb lighting like at Zeta's Julmarknad and arrange your way?!

After a few more ideas? You might also like to check out 3 beautifully simple DIY Christmas decorations. And my Christmas archive (scroll past the first post if it's this one) - full of Scandinavian homes in the festive spirit (including my own!).

What will you be making this Christmas?

Have a wonderfully creative weekend!

PS This post is a result of a special request from my sister - good luck with your wreath tomorrow Cas!

PPS Don't forget to enter the give-away to win an Abbott & Mosley watch! It only takes a minute!

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Our home at Christmas

Do you have any Christmas tree traditions in your home? My family and I absolutely love heading out to a tree farm (not dissimilar to this beautiful one I mentioned a few weeks ago) to collect ours. When we get home the entire space is filled with the wonderful scent of fresh pine and we set about decorating it with a steaming glögg in hand. This year our decorations are from Nordal, a Danish online shop working with talented designers to create beautiful, unique pieces.  I went for a pared-back look (you know me!), including simple wrapping paper decorated with ribbon and foliage, adding a sprinkling of brass to the tree with a fab drinks trolley to match! (all that glitters...... ). This year we were keen to go 'off grid', and revert back to an era when trees were lit up from the lovely warm glow of real candles. Using real candles* immediately paves the way for a 'slower' more simple Christmas.  Since they can only be lit for short periods at a time and you need to be extremely vigilant,  it forces you to stop and admire the beauty of the tree and take in the magic of the moment. Here's a peek at our home all decorated for Christmas (with the help of one little elf in particular!), I hope you like it! 

Credits: Photography (me) Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home. Styling Genevieve Jorn (pictures 5, and 7 styled by me).

Oh I do love this time of year, the house feels all cosy now! 

Here's a guide to all the pieces I've used:

1. Diamond xmas tree candle holder 2. xmas tree candle white 3. Paper waste ornament large 4. Metal star golden 5. Two-in-one ball hanger 6. Metal star black 7. 8. Circle candle holder 9. Ring bottle 10. Flower vase  11. Ring vase 12. Fluffy sheep 13. Advent candle holder 14. Scissors 15. Basket 16. brass trolley 17. Box with ribbon 18. Small cement tea light holder 19. Medium cement tea light holder.

If you'd like to know about any other items please do give me a shout in the comments section below!

*Real candles are beautiful and have been used by our ancestors for hundreds of years. However it's important to remain extremely vigilant! Always space candles properly, keeping a safe distance from other decorations, overhanging tree branches and other flammable items. Ensure the candles are straight, and not in the way of any drafts and never leave lit candles unattended. It's also advisable to keep a bucket of sand or water or better still a fire extinguisher close by - just in case!

Have a wonderful day!

PS Did you spot my little helper?
 


This post was brought to you in collaboration with Nordal. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

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Win an Abbott & Mosley watch!

I think it's time for a give-away don't you? How about a uniquely crafted watch from Abbott & Mosley? Available in 40mm or a slimmed down 36mm and a variety of lovely combinations, Abbott & Mosley time-pieces make a perfect gift for guys or girls. They're also the first watches in the world to feature a dial made from real Italian marble meaning every single piece is unique! Love that! The wonderful team at Abbott & Mosley would like to offer you the chance to win a watch of your choice just in time for Christmas! Find out how to enter below. 

Pictures 1, 2  taken by Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home of Rose Carrara Black 36, pictures 3, 4, 5 courtesy of Abbott & Mosley, featuring  Gold Marquina Black 36 and Rose Carrara Cream. 

How to enter
  

1. Visit the Abbott & Mosley website and take a look at The Marble Collection.
2. Let us know which watch you'd like Santa to bring you on his sled and why in the comment section below.

And that's it! Ho ho ho!

The give-away is open to everyone and closes at midnight GMT, Tuesday 6th December 2016. The winner will be announced here on My Scandinavian Home on 7th December 2016.

Terms & Conditions

You must be age of majority in your country of residence. We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur. Only 1 entry per person. 

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Abbott & Mosley.

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A vintage inspired Swedish home full of soul

Every now and again I stumble across a beautifully unique, creative, Swedish home that's full of soul.  This is one of them. Tuva Minna Linn, husband Peter and their two children and dog live in a former missionary house in the countryside in Southern Sweden. The house dates back to 1921 and is teeming with vintage treasures and beautiful patterns, and designed throughout so all the family can feel happy and relaxed. So wonderful! A few weeks ago photographer Kristin Lagerqvist (who's home I once featured here), paid a visit.....

Photography: Kristin Lagerqvist Interior design: Tuva Minna Linn

So lovely! And so lovely life!

The wallpapers, the textiles, the quirky art, the one-off pieces. It's all so inspiring, don't you think?

Is there anything that catches your eye?

Get the look from Minna's home: Boucherouite rugs (this one is beautiful - it's a one-off though so you'd need to be quick!) and vintage kilims (love these!), this leather chesterfield is similar, Minna sells vintage kimonos in her online shop. Children's bed canopy and bunting. Try William Morris for similar wallpaper (Hyacinth is a pretty one). 

You can see the full tour of Minna's home here. You might also like to check out Minna's lovely blog, instagram and online shop Oddlovin'. 

Other homes captured by Kristin include the lovely Swedish home of Johanna Bradford, the boho home and studio of an artist and florist and a dairy in the Swedish countryside. Sooooo beautiful, in a fab boho way.

Have a lovely day!

PS With my favourite month of the year just round the corner there are so many exciting things coming up on My Scandinavian Home  (even if I say so myself!) including a big give-away this evening and a tour of my home with Christmas touches tomorrow (I've been busy with my little elves! Always nerve-racking to share too - eeeeek!), as well as lots of other Nordic Christmas inspiration (and of course the usual Scandinavian inspired home tours)....soooooo excited!

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