Snapshots From Ida's Charming, Vintage-Inspired Dalarna Home

Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to get up in the mornings? It doesn't help that it's pitch black and minus temperatures outside (and of course nothing to do with the glögg - honest!). But this gives us even more reason to make our homes as cosy as possible, right?! In my mind nothing adds cosiness like loppis (flea market) finds (candles aside obvs!) and Swedish photographer Ida Gustafsson has them in spades! Ida lives in her 1920's house in Ludvika, South Dalarna with her sambo (a great swedish word meaning 'live-in partner') Tom, and children Maja and Henry. The house has been decorated with patterned wallpapers, a wonderful eclectic mix of colour and the odd Swedish design classic (I see you Lilla Åland chairs!). Ready to take a peek inside?

The wall has been painted in Heart Wood by Nordsjö, Source a vintage architects chair here*. 

Pretty paper stars can be seen twinkling in the windows of homes across Scandinavia at this time of the year. Three alternatives I love include this flower*, a classic paper star* and this lovely snowflower lantern (seen in yesterday's home). 

I have a bit of a weakness for 'blossom' wallpaper by Mr Perswall - isn't it pretty?

In the guest room, Ida has applied traditional Tessin wallpaper. 

Baby, it's cold outside!

Oh so lovely! Such a personal, warm and inviting home, don't you think?

Check-out more pics from Ida's home here. 

And for more vintage inspired scandinavian homes: an idyllic summer cottage (and pink caravan!), a Danish home full of vintage treasures and an inviting Danish home with cosy touches. 

Have a cosy day! Stay warm!

Niki

Photography: Ida Gustafsson / Sullkullan

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Candles and Stars in A Cosy Swedish Home at Christmas

There are some homes which I find I come back to time and time again, simply because they are unique and utterly inspiring! This lovely one in Bagarmossen, Sweden is one of them! I have featured Janniche Kristoffersen's beautiful green and home before, but I couldn't resist sharing a few more with all the cosiness that December brings.  Janniche's 'barely-there' festive touches perfectly blend with the green, caramel, rust and off-white backdrop and there are plenty of non-christmassy ideas to steal too!

IVAR cupboards from IKEA. RAR rocker. Cushion in Water Lilies fabric by Fine Little Day.

"I actually don't decorate every room, but there are some things I always use. The paper stars are important, adding some light to the dark Nordic days, other than that I use a string of fairy lights to add some more light to shelves and around windows. I also love to decorate with flowers, mainly amaryllis but also branches with red berries etc. I also dry orange slices in the oven and make garlands. Nice and a very easy thing to do!" 
 - Janniche Kristoffersen. 

Woodburning stove from Morso, Snöblomma light from Watt & Veke.

Bedroom wall painted in Caramel by Alcro  Crinkle Throw* by Hay. Natural linen curtains*. Bistro chair*, paper star and lights from Granit. 

5 Festive Traditions In Janniche's Home

Baking - We bake a lot of things: Lussebullar (Saint Lucia saffron buns), ginger bread, saffron biscotti and different types of fudge. The kids love it!

Adventsfika - Our weekends are fully booked up until Christmas eating our home-baked goodies with friends at home.

Decorating the Christmas tree - With the children

Visiting the Christmas market at Skansen - It's such a lovely place to get in the Christmas spirit. I just wish for some more snow to add a little more magic!

Celebrating Christmas Eve - We visit our family in Norway or Piteå, Sweden to celebrate Christmas Eve, so this is our main chance to enjoy a white Christmas :).

I love the sound of all of these traditions, it almost makes me want too go home and start baking!

If you'd like to see more of Janniche's home, check out her fantastic blog bloggaibagis and instagram @bloggaibagis.

What traditions do you enjoy?

Other Swedish homes to brighten up the start of the week: peach and rust tones in an elegant Norwegian home, a free-spirited Swedish family home on an island and a charming German home with three mischievous cats!

Great if you can help me out a little - is there anything you'd like to see more or less of in the run up to Christmas? Looking for any particular round-ups? If so, give me a shout below and I'll see what I can do!

Have a wonderful start to the week!

Niki

Photography: all pictures by Janniche Kristoffersen except number 8 by David Jerner and Emma Wallmén for Granit. 

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Holiday Gift Tip: 20% off at TRIWA!

Ever since my Nikki Watch give-away, people have been asking about a TRIWA discount code - well, your wish is my command friends! The Swedish timepiece brand contacted me from their (very cool) atelier in Stockholm to offer you all 20% off up until Christmas Day (type in the code NIKI20 at checkout)! I gift wrapped this Ivory Nikki watch this morning - it's a Christmas present for a friend (who shall remain anonymous as I don't want to give the game away - shhhhhh!). Luckily I have one myself too or I'd have found it impossible to give it away, isn't it pretty?! 

The Nikki collection consists of three watches with different designs: Ivory Nikki, Gleam Nikki and Smoky Nikki - do you have a favourite?!

I also love their watches with organic leather straps (crafted by the Swedish tannery in Tärnsjö). The Rose Svalan is my wardrobe staple - it goes with everything!

Ruby Falken, Rose Svalan and Ivory Falken Black

It looks like 2019 could be one very punctual (and stylish)year thanks to TRIWA! What do you reckon?

TRIWA ship worldwide. The 20% discount code NIKI20 is valid until 25th December, 2018. 

Niki

This post is brought to you in collaboration with TRIWA. All words are my own and I am an extremely proud ambassador for this wonderful Swedish brand! 

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A Norwegian House By A Fjord

A friend of mine visited Zanzibar a few weeks ago and told me she's found her special place. "It was something to do with the light, I can't really explain it, but it gave me so much energy," she said. I understood immediately. I feel the same about Norway. If you haven't been, it's a MUST - the scenery is magical! One family who get to enjoy the power of the nature daily is Eldrid, Martin and their little son Aron. The family live in a house overlooking one of Norway's most stunning fjords in Stranda in the SunnmØre region of Western Norway.  These snapshots from the main living room beautifully capture a home where nature is the order of the day - inside and out! 

"Soon the snow will melt, the waterfalls will make music again and the green beauty of the fjord will spring forth." - Eldrid

Could you imagine looking out over this fjord? The weather changing every five minutes as it rolls in off the North Sea - so dramatic!

We're going skiing in Hemsedal in early January - I can't wait! If you have any tips I'd love to hear them!

You can see more pics for Eldrid's cabin here and read more about the region here (I see you can ski there in the winter!)

Naturally I can't wrap up the post without sharing a few more inspiring Norwegian cabins with you! Here are a few I love: a magical Norwegian mountain cabin, a rustic Norwegian cabin hide-away and a cosy Norwegian ski chalet.

Where's your special place?

Niki

Photography: House By The Fjord shared with kind permission

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