my scandinavian home

Lovely Christmas Touches In A Calm Berlin Home

Friday friends, FRIDAY! And it's a special one in Sweden today: as we're celebrating Lucia. Alongside midsummer, the Lucia celebrations is one of my favourite. In case you're not familiar with the concept, Lucia is an ancient mythical figure and a bearer of light in the dark Swedish winters. This morning parents across the country (myself included) waited in the dark, cameras at the ready, while our children participated in a special Lucia procession - wearing candles in their hair (gingerbread men, 'tomten' (Father Christmas) and other characters were also involved!). It's a sight to behold! White must be on my mind - as I was immediately drawn to Katharina's beautiful home in Berlin, Germany this morning. Katharina sells beautiful homeware pieces through her online shop Edel Weiss. Many of the pieces she sells can be spotted in her home, and jostle for position with a fab array of Scandinavian design lamps and cultural objects. Look out for the pretty festive touches too! Enjoy the tour!

Print from wall of art, IKEA Nockeby sofa with a Bemz Belgian linen cover in soft white*. Z1 lamp, Cuba chair

"This year I have decorated a lot with paper stars and natural materials. There are also candles and small lights everywhere."

Woodland trees from Arboretum

Stoff nagel candleholder, Louis Poulsen table lamp*

Eve II limestone sculpture, Kizu table lamp, try the 'Snö' candle by Skandinavisk - smells divine! (20% off with code nikijul20 until 16th December too).

"This year, our tree will be decorated with white Christmas baubles and pendants made of paper."

Thonet chair*, candleholder

Vertigo pendant light, AJ Lamp*

What a beautiful apartment!

I love the wooden trees - I've just been over at the Arboretum site, they sell such a great selection too (got my eye on the forest!).

Is there anything that stood out to you about Katharina's home?

If you live in Germany, check out Katharina's shop, it's full of beautiful pieces!

Right folks. That's it from me for the week! If you're looking for Christmas inspiration over the weekend, have a delve through the Christmas and Christmas decorations archives.

I'm heading to London today to see my sisters and parents - ALL BY MYSELF! Luxury!

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Niki

PS If you want to give someone the gift of a home that smells like a Scandinavian Christmas, don't forget to make the most of the 20% discount on seasonal candles from Skandinavisk with code nikijul20.

Photography by Katharina and shared with kind permission

*Affiliate links

How About A Getaway At This Cosy Lakeside Cottage?!

If your Christmas holidays are anything like mine, we'll all need a holiday to recover from the holiday! And I've got my sights on The Leo Cottage on Lake Michigan, Union Pier, Michigan. It's hard to imagine that interior designer Kate Marker completely transformed the 1920s property in a matter of months - and on a budget too! In my mind, I'm already chilling on the antique furniture and clearing the cobwebs with lakeside walks. But the big question is - do you go for the master bedroom with the beautiful reclaimed clawfoot bathtub or fireside reading in the smaller, yet super cosy second bedroom? Tough call! Whichever, you decide, I'm sure you'd leave e feeling completely revived and ready for the year ahead. Enjoy the tour!

Isn't it cosy?!

Could you imagine relaxing here for a few days? And if so, did you decide which bedroom you'd prefer?! I think I'd plump for the one with the wood burning stove - it looks so toasty!

The Leo Cottage is available to rent here (just saying!).

Oh, and if I've got you in the mood for a winter getaway but Michigan is a bit of a stretch, here are a few other cosy cabins available to rent this winter:

An airbnb hideaway in the woods (before and after!)

A cosy log cabin in a Dutch national park

A dreamy cottage to rent in south east England

Two idyllic Danish cabins to rent

The shack on Bruny island

Roll on the winter holidays!

Niki

Photography courtesy of The Leo Cottage with thanks.

FILED UNDER: Cabins Holiday homes rentals rural retreats Summer cottage

Dreaming of a White Christmas in Sandra's Serene Home

Some people love to go all out at Christmas, while others prefer a more pared-back approach. If you fall into the latter camp, I think you're going to enjoy the festive touches in Sandra's minimalist apartment in Hanover, Germany (remember this tour?!). Think subtle bunches of eucalyptus, olive and amaryllis, candles, and white paper stars and Christmas ornaments against a serene white and light wood backdrop. I had a brief chat with Sandra to find out more!

What is important to you when it comes to decorating for the season?

As you may recognise, I appreciate simplicity and clear structures around me - and, although I really love to follow the seasons with my home decor, the basic feel of the home remains constant.

When do you start adding festive touches to your home?

I see more and more people getting festive in November. But, for me it makes it even more special to wait until the First Sunday of Advent - when the countdown officially begins!

What's your philosophy when it comes to Christmas decorating?

I think simplicity is key - 'less is more'. I have an overall focus on natural elements like wood, flowers and of course a lot of greenery like fir, eucalyptus and olive. The result is a minimalist, natural but also refined look.

Do you have anything new in your home this season?

This Christmas, I found a huge Scandinavian paper star, (more info here!) that will spread some Christmas cheer in our living room.

Thank you for inviting us inside your beautiful, festive home Sandra!

I think Pauline and Jo, Sandra's dogs are enjoying their Christmassy home, don't you?

Is there anything that stood out to you?

I guess you know what's coming (you know I can never resist!) - yes, links to more Scandinavian Christmas decoration inspiration of course!! Here goes:

Our Swedish Christmas from Per's perspective (don't miss the 20% discount off Skandinavisk seasonal candles with code nikijul20 - valid until 16th December).

10 simple DIY decorations made by nature

5 mini Christmas tree ideas for small spaces

A Rural Swedish country home at Christmas

A mysig family home at Christmas

Altogether now, "deck the halls with boughs of um, eucalyptus...!"

Incidentally, I have one whole week of blogging left before Christmas - is there anything you'd love to see? Give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll do my best to cover it!

Niki

Photography: Sandra / @Karlas_view shared with kind permission

FILED UNDER: Christmas Christmas decorations International homes minimal White home

Looking to Shake Things Up In 2020? How About This Estate In The Stockholm Archipelago?!

I've shared so many Christmas-themed posts lately, I thought it was time for something different - what do you reckon? A little dreaming perhaps? This one's for anyone looking for a total life change and a new renovation project in 2020 (Per starts quaking in his boots.....!). The property in question?This magnificent gardener's house and orangery in the grounds of Engsholm castle. Located on the island of Mörkö in the Stockholm archipelago, the estate also comes with its own jetty so you can arrive by boat! The gardener's house dates back to the early 20th century and has been fairly newly renovated (the process of which was covered on Swedish television), whereas the orangery needs a whole load of work. But imagine how incredible it could be? Let's take a tour and you can decide for yourself!