Subtle Festive Touches in a Norwegian Home

Morning! I'm a little bleary eyed after a red eye flight from New York, which landed at 7 a.m. this morning at Copenhagen (1am USA time) GUH!!! I think I'm on my third coffee and it's not working - help! Jet lag tips welcome! Despite my cloudy mind, I wanted to stop by and share some beautifully subtle Christmas decorations in the Norwegian home of photographer Elisabeth Heier (you might recall this inspiring post of her Christmassy home a few years back!). Elisabeth has gone for a 'less is more' approach this year since she is moving shortly. Even so, I absolutely love the festive touches, calm tones (with a hint of wine-red) and the combination of the grey with brass. Enjoy!

Photography: Elisabeth Heier / shared with kind permission. 

Oh so lovely! Everything looks so calm and organised! I could quite happily sleep off my jet lag here!

Is there anything that stands out to you?

Get the look: Pick up pretty brass Christmas ornaments at Ferm Living (incidentally - I also spotted a brass Christmass tree stand in the webshop too - love that!), I love this elegant candlestick holder by SKULTUNA, small brass tree.

I'm going to do my best to pop back in before the weekend kicks off but since I'm fading fast I'd better say 'have a wonderful' weekend now (just in case!).

See you Monday!

PS I was happy to see a write-up in the New York Times about Scandinavian-themed books this week (even more so, because it includes my Lagom Book - yay!). It's worth taking a peek if you fancy taking it easy this holiday with a nice (Scandi-inspired) book or two!

READ MORE...

3

5 beautifully, Minimalist Christmas Trees

It's that time of year.... yaaay! In Scandinavia people source their trees in all kinds of ways - if they live rural they might chop one down from their own backyard / forest, others visit sustainable tree farms and of course, there's always vendors selling them on street corners for the urban folk among us! Either way, when it comes to decorating the tree Nordic style, in my experience, it's about keeping it fairly minimalist and allowing the beauty of the branches to shine through (update: thank you so much to Rita for pointing out that there are also Scandinavians who love to go all out too!). Here's our round-up of beautiful Scandi-style Christmas trees - for homes big and small!

Photo - Niki Brantmark / my scandinavian home, styling- Sarah Brooks-Wilson

The man and I were so happy with our new bedroom (see pics of the make-over here and here) that we decided to go all out and treat ourselves to a Christmas tree in the bedroom this year!! I decorated it with simple black candles (beware if you also decide to go for real candles (also seen on my tree last year) never ever leave them unattended!!) I absolutely love waking up to the smell of fresh pine!

Pella Hedeby

Ma Maison Blanche

House Doctor

Daniella Witte

So many pretty ideas to steal here! We hope you've found our tree round-up inspiring too! We'd love to see yours - please do tag us on instagram with #Myscandinavianhometree!

It's my last day in New York today - booooo! It's been wonderful (what a FUN city!!!), and such a magical place to be in the run-up to Christmas. I'm not looking forward to my overnight flight to Copenhagen later I must say, but it'll be nice to get back - as the Swedish saying goes 'borta bra men hemma bäst' (very loosely translated as - 'it's great to be a way, but there's no place like home!'). 

Have a lovely day!

READ MORE...

17

Win a natural linen tablecloth and napkins!

Sponsored post

Thank you so much to everyone who entered, I loved hearing about all the different types of food you enjoy at this time of the year *mouth waters*. I'm excited to announce the winner of this beautiful tablecloth and napkins from Nordal as, drum roll......

Koza Domowa - congratulations! Please send me a mail with your full name, address and phone number so Nordal can ship your prize to you.

***
To me, this time of the year is about getting together with family and friends over food, drink and candlelight  - how about you? I try to do something a little different every year with my table setting (check out this year's here). If you're looking for a new look and haven't got around to organising anything yet I might just have the perfect give-away for you! Danish homeware brand Nordal are offering you the chance to win a beautiful pure natural linen tablecloth (140 x 270 cm) and a set of six napkins to match Oh yay! See below for how to enter.

 N.B. I love the more relaxed look but the tablecloth and napkins look beautiful ironed too! 

This give-away is now closed. 

Check out Nordal's beautiful home-ware items here. 

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 Nordal, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

1 & 2 Photography: Niki Brantmark / Styling Genevieve Jorn. 3. Courtesy of Nordal. 

READ MORE...

86

The relaxed Norwegian home of Maja Hattvang

Apart from having a very cool name, Maja Hattvang also has style, and bags of it. But looking through her instagram and blog it's not your usual, classic, Norwegian style. There's a raw, cool edge to it with the slightest hint of glamour (spend a few minutes browsing her inspiring instagram feed and you'll see what I mean). Her signature style seeps into everything she turns her hand to - including the way she dresses, her book (see below) and the way she decorates her home. The Olso apartment is a mix of designer and vintage finds (note how the curved furniture helps to break up the angular architecture and add softness), and although fairly minimalist - piles of books, plants and groups of objects give the space a lovely, relaxed vibe.

Photography: Maja Hattvang - shared with kind permission. Found via SF Girl By Bay with thanks.

So lovely! It's the kind of space you could walk into and feel instantly welcome and at home, don't you think?

Maja's first book is an extension of this wonderful rawness. Naturlig Nok - (naturally) contains a variety of recipes for face masks and body scrubs to soaps and scented candles using natural ingerdients. "Nature is full of things that have proven good effect on the skin, if you only know how to use them." I so need a copy of this, how about you?

Get the look from Maja's home: dining room - 'woman with a fan' by Pablo Picasso, side cabinet from Montana, Flos light,  sitting room - Grand piano sofa, knoll diamond chair.

N.B. Maja has recently moved out of this home - I'm so looking forward to seeing what she does next, how about you?!

Have a lovely day!

PS I'm currently in New York and preparing for three exciting events today: An interview with a USA TV channel,  a magazine for my Lagom book - and the Domino Design Blog Awards 2017 (I'll so be needing a cocktail by then!). Excited and nervous all wrapped into one!! Weeeee!

READ MORE...

4

5 ways to cosy up your home this winter

I've just arrived in New York for the Domino Design Blog Awards tomorrow - so exciting! I love this city! It's soooo chilly though and there's a light dusting of snow on the ground which makes today's post even more apt - it's time to cosy up those homes guys! Here are my 5 top lagom tips (based on my years of living in Sweden!).....

 1. Layer on the blankets and throws - waffle, wool, linen and sheepskins are the order of the day at this time of year. Throw them over the backs of chairs, on the seat of your sofa or keep blankets neatly rolled in a basket so you and your guests can grab them when you feel that draught!

2. Bring in a little nature: fill a bowl with pine-cones, create a rustic wreath, place white hyacinths in a glass bowl surrounded by moss (I love the scent, don't you?!) and add a simple branch of pine to a vase. It doesn't need to be complicated - in fact the more simple and imperfect, the more cosy your home will feel!

3. Create a warm glow - an obvious one, but add plenty of candles - and dot them around your sitting room, kitchen, and your bathroom for a warm, cocoon-like feel. If you've got guests over - why not do as our Nordic friends do and place two outdoor candles outside the door for an extra warm welcome?!

4. Put a basket of slippers by the door -  In Sweden you always remove your shoes, which kind of makes sense if you really stop to think what you've picked up on the soles during the day. Keep tootsies toasty by keeping a basket of slippers and woolly socks at the door so you and your guests can get comfy the moment you walk in.

5. Get the scent going - there's nothing like the smell (and taste!) of Pepparkaka (ginger thins) at this time of the year. Enjoy them with glögg (mulled wine) and blue cheese (a personal favourite). Don't forget to save a few to hang on your Christmas tree. Not into baking? Hmmm, sounds like someone else I know....ME! Pick up ready made pepparkaka dough from IKEA or pierce oranges with cloves and hang them up with ribbon or bundle cinnamon sticks together to create a centre-piece. Your home will begin to smell like Jul in no time!

Get The Look
Circle Candleholder • ferm LIVING • $199
H&M Moss-knit Throw • H&M • $59.99
Wire Basket Large - Black • ferm LIVING • $124.99
Byredo - Cotton Poplin Scented Candle, 240g - Colorless • Byredo • $80
Brass Extinguisher • ferm LIVING • $31.99
Wondershop 15ct Holiday Accessory Glitter Pinecones • $5
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, 190g • Diptyque • $64




Do you have any tips to add? If so, I'd love to hear them in the comment section below! 

Have a cosy day and stay warm out there! x

PS thank you so much to wonderful Ana for helping with this post - can't tell you how happy I am to work with you!


Photo credits: 1. The home of Christian Duivenvoorden of online shop Artilleriet  (Residence magazine. 2 - 6 & 8. Neptune 7. Melanie Barnes / Geoffrey and Grace (FYI this is such a beautiful blog. Find out about their slow living retreats here).

READ MORE...

5