A Fairytale Swedish Family Home Ready for Winter (and Christmas!)

Here in Sweden, it’s 2 pm, and the light is slowly fading on a world blanketed in snow. It will likely thaw again here in the South, but it’s still a sign that winter has arrived. It's time to hunker down and decorate the home with cosy candlelight and even festive touches. In fact, decorating early has become such a popular phenomenon that there’s even a new term for the Christmas tree: the 'November fir!' I like it!

While we won’t be putting our tree up anytime soon, I love starting to get into the spirit and feel inspired by others. This lovely home in snowy Gävle—a city north of Stockholm—has been beautifully renovated by its owners, Anna and Erik Lång. In doing so, they created their dream family home, full of vintage finds, pretty patterns, and charming details. It's a magical place to raise their three children.

So, wrap up warm, get cozy, sit back, and enjoy the Jul-inspired tour.

What a dreamy family home! I love how there's a little one around every corner. It’s been beautifully renovated too, with so many thoughtful details. I really enjoyed admiring the paint colours, the wallpaper, and all the patterned textiles.

Did anything in Erik and Anna's home stand out to you?

You can see more pictures from their renovation and latest projects over at @hemmahosaugust.

When do you usually start decorating your home for Christmas (or the winter season)? I usually wait until after my birthday on December 6th, though I suspect a few small details might sneak in before then!

But it's never too early to start feeling inspired, right? To get us all in the festive mood, why not pour yourself another cup of coffee and delve into these archives:

Cosy cabins
ski chalets
Scandinavian homes decorated for Christmas
DIY Christmas decorating ideas

We're currently on our way up to Stockholm (although a snowstorm isn’t exactly ideal road trip weather) because my daughter Alice, who’s fourteen, has a gymnastics competition. It’s a great excuse to visit the Swedish capital—and I love watching her and her team in action, even if it’s a bit nerve-racking!

I hope you have a lovely weekend too. Stay warm!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hemmahosaugust, shared with kind permission.

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Inside Daniela's Vintage Scandinavian Home: With a Blend of German and Finnish Influences

I’ve always been fascinated by the homes of people living abroad. It’s so inspiring to see hints of the culture they’ve brought with them mixed with influences from their new country—and everything in between. Over the years, I’ve shared so many beautiful examples: a Swedish photographer in France, two German creatives in Österlen, Sweden, and a Scandinavian living in Mallorca… and today, I’m excited to introduce Daniela’s home!

Originally from Munich, Daniela now lives in Gothenburg with her husband and their two children. Their 145-square-meter apartment is a newly renovated rental in an old building, and they’ve been here for six years. With a Finnish husband, German roots, and a love of design, Daniela’s home is a wonderful mix of Scandinavian mid-century modern, vintage treasures (including pieces from her husband’s Finnish family), and unique finds she’s thrifted or picked up on Facebook Marketplace. It’s stylish yet full of warmth, romance, and personality -a beautiful reflection of their life and creative spirit. 

I can’t wait to show you more!

Charming, and so cosy! 

Did you see all the plants? The recent storms have meant that there are no leaves on the trees now and they are lying dormant for winter - so seeing greenery indoors really lifts the spirits. I particularly like how climbers have been trained up and around the double doors between rooms. 

Is there anything that stood out to you in Daniela's home?

You can see more pictures and films over on Daniela's inspiring instagram account @hejhejheimat. 

Have a happy Wednesday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @hejhejheimat, shared with kind permission. 

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Autumn Fika in our Little Cabin - and a New Danish Dining Chair!

Sponsored by Skovby, all words are my own and I only work with brands I love. Thank you for supporting the businesses which make My Scandinavian Home possible. 

Hejsan! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! We spent the past couple of days at the cabin, enjoying plenty of walks, fika (coffee and a small bite), and games of Yahtzee by the fire. Leaving last night was bittersweet, especially with a stormy week ahead in Malmö and even a hint of snow on the horizon.

Before heading back, I captured these pictures of our kitchen/dining room and cosy bed nook (if you’re not familiar with our little cabin, you can check out the full tour here). The focus of these snapshots is the beautiful new 842 chair by Skovby—a Danish brand renowned for its craftsmanship and, true to Scandinavian design, the perfect balance of form and function.

The chairs are on loan (though luckily, the Skovby table and stools are permanent, much-loved fixtures—you can see how the table miraculously extends here), so we were keen to make the most of them!

Here are some more glimpses of our dining area, along with a little more info. Enjoy!

The stackable 842 chair launched in August and is available almost worldwide. The design is inspired by a classic danish dining chair, with a contemporary touch. 

Per doesn't get too involved with the design in our home - but he does have one key request: a chair should be comfortable—which, of course, includes having an armrest! 

The sculpted armrest on this chair was a big hit—it adds comfort while seamlessly connecting to the backrest. To me, it feels like a warm embrace, adding both function and a beautifully light, airy aesthetic to the overall design.

Candlelight is an essential element at this time of year, and the moment I arrive at the cabin, I can’t help but flit around lighting everything! I have a particular fondness for oil lamps—they have such a nostalgic feel. Do you like oil lamps too? 

The branches are from the garden, gathered beneath the oak tree. Per’s brother planted the oak seed 50 years ago when he was just a young boy playing in the garden, and today, it’s one of my favourite features and never fails to provide a beautiful centre-piece for our table, no matter the time of year. 

The 842 chair is available in seven different type of wood finishes - this is the oak natural oil version. For added comfort, you can also opt for a removable seat cushion (also available in a few different colours), which as you can imagine - made Per very happy! 

All in all, it was such a cosy weekend! I hope you liked these snapshots. 

You can find out more info about the 842 chair and your nearest stockist here. 

I have had the honour of collaborating with Skovby for many years, in fact I am currently seated at a Skovby chair and desk in our home office, featured here (check out a smaller, foldable space-saving desk which I captured in Helen's studio too). I have also photographed a beautiful glass display cabinet in our sitting room - as well as a large dining room and chair set here. There have also been coffee tables (also captured with a Christmassy touch in our cabin), a bench in my bedroom, bar stools in my kitchen - you name it! 

Do you have a favourite Skovby item? Or perhaps you have invested in a Skovby piece for your home? If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Do let me know if you're wondering about anything else in the pictures, I'd be happy to help in the comments below. 

Would you like to see what it looked like when darkness fell and I was all cosied up in bed in our cabin? 

Aaaaah, there's nothing like a fire on a cold Autumn day. 

I hope you had a cosy weekend too! 

I'll be back with a home tour on Wednesday, until then - stay toasty friends. 

Niki

Photography by me (Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian Home) 

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A Cosy Cliffside Hideaway on North Devon’s Rugged Coast

I've just arrived at our little cabin for the weekend, tapping away at my laptop, wrapped in a blanket, with candles lit and a cup of tea on the go. It’s so lovely to be here (even if it's taking a while for the place to heat up) and got me in the mood for weekend retreats. And where better to transport us today than a cosy, secluded getaway on the North Devon coast in England?

Nestled on a cliff overlooking Exmoor’s dramatic coastline and surrounded by forest, Rockton Mews is situated in a former coach house and has been beautifully renovated, all while ensuring the stone walls, roaring fire, and spectacular sea views take centre stage. I love the use of dark blue-grey, which creates contrast, adds a sense of drama, and connects the apartment to the sea beyond. It’s a perfect place to unwind and relax over a weekend—or hey, maybe even a week or two!

Ready to take a tour and dream away? 

Naturally you'd need to arrive in a racing-green Landrover Discovery (definitely the car of my dreams!). 

A windowsill in the kitchen doubles up as a spot for a cup of tea and a read. 

The open-plan room includes a kitchen, small dining area and sitting room - 

Could you imagine spending the weekend here? In my mind, I'm already pulling up in the Landrover Discovery, ready for my coastal walks and wine by the fire!

The interior has been beautifully done too - a perfect blend of modern and rustic, with a cosy twist! Is there anything that caught your eye? 

Oh, and if you're heading to England, you can actually experience this place in person as Rockton Mews is available to rent through Boutique Retreats. You can also see some before and after pictures of the renovation and words from the owner here, and follow Rockton Mews on instagram for more pics and news. 

The harbour in the last picture is so quintessentially English! It makes me look forward our trip back over the Christmas holiday.

Did you see this cosy English cottage I shared a few weeks ago? Another charming one! 

Have a great weekend - thank you for stopping by. I've loved reading all your comments and emails too! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Boutique Retreats / Rockton Mews

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