Step Inside a Cosy Swedish Allotment Cottage Dressed for Christmas

I always get excited when I feature a kolonistuga (Swedish allotment cottage), but this little one is particularly exciting! Why? Allotment cottages are very seasonal. Since the water is usually turned off to avoid pipes freezing in colder weather, it's rare to see one decorated for Christmas.

Located in the heart of Gothenburg, this little cottage belongs to Elin Lannsjö. She loves staying here year-round. You might recognise the white abode from a summer feature way back in 2015. Now, I’m thrilled to share a tour of Elin’s cottage dressed in simple yet beautiful festive touches, complete with a roaring fire.

Outside, the snow blankets the ground, while inside, the glow of candlelight makes the cottage feel warm and inviting. Touches of greenery—branches of pine, amaryllis, and hyacinths—add to the cozy yuletide vibe.

Ready to step inside and soak up the Christmas charm of Elin's cosy cottage?

So cosy! A real little winter haven in the heart of the city. 

Perfect inspiration for the first Sunday of Advent (when traditionally in Sweden everyone starts to decorate their home, although I have noticed many couldn't resist starting already purely to brighten up the winter darkness!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Elin's cosy stuga? 

Before I wrap up for the weekend, why not grab a blanket and cosy up for a few more cabin tours:

A cosy candlelit cabin deep in the Norwegian fjords

A magical mountain cabin in Norway (captured for my second book!)

A Finnish log cabin in wintertime

Looking for more Christmas inspiration? Check out the Christmas and Christmas decoration archives. 

Have a lovely weekend friends. Thank you so much for stopping by, I've loved reading all your emails and comments and so happy you have enjoyed the tours this week (and the chairs in my dining room!). 

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Elin Lannsjo, shared with kind permission. 

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Emily's Danish Family Home at Christmas (with this year's hottest trend)

 

Hello there friends. How are you today? I snuck in a little extra post yesterday featuring my dining room and some very beautiful iconic Danish chairs - did you see it? 

And today, I'd like to take you on a virtual trip to Denmark, and the beautiful home of fashionista Emily Salomon and her young family. Emily's home reflects her personal style - relaxed and simple with a wonderful unique twist. There are many things to appreciate about her home - including the neutral base and touches of stone. But I particularly love the way Emily decorates her home at Christmas using  garlands, a touch of chintz and this year's absolute must - bows! 

In fact, as a nod to the eighties we're seeing bows absolutely everywhere this Christmas - on the tree (as seen on this beautiful one), in windows, in the bathroom (as seen in Emily's lovely home), on the door, as earrings (I just ordered these bow earrings for my daughter for Christmas... shhhh), on clothes and of course, in the hair! 

Ready to take a peek at Emily's lovely home? 

I could get into that bath right now with a good book! I actually haven't seen a stone bath caddy before - have you? It looks so smart! And while on the topic of bathrooms, how cute is the little scalloped sink in the guest loo? 

All the Christmas decorations have got me in the mood for decorating my home this weekend - so looking forward to it! Have you started yet? 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Emily's home? And will you be decorating your home with bows? 

You can see more pictures of Emily's home and also get Danish fashion / style inspiration over at @emilysalomon. 

It would be rude not to share a few more Danish homes all decorated for Christmas - so many beautiful and unique ideas to feel inspired by: 

A beautiful Copenhagen home full of festive cheer

A colourful vintage inspired Danish home at Christmas

Also you might like:

5 holly jolly Danish homes at Christmas

My pick of Danish glass tree ornaments, tableware and gifts 

Beautiful Danish Christmas decorations in a Swedish cottage 

Happy Wednesday to you all - and an extra Happy Thanksgiving to all American friends out there! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @emilysalomon, shared with kind permission. 

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Cosy 'Fika' at Home on the New Iconic PK1 chair

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn. All words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too. 

Things are getting cozy at home now, and with the darkness settling in, we're spending so much more time around the table enjoying fika (coffee and cake) by candlelight, playing games, helping with homework, sharing lovely dinners with friends, and just about anything else! Does this happen in your home too?

This weekend, we had the pleasure of enjoying all these moments on the newly launched Carl Hansen & Søn PK1 dining chairs. Designed in 1955 by Poul Kjærholm, one of the pioneers of Danish modernism, the PK1 was his first-ever design and reflects his functionalist approach to furniture, emphasising simplicity and lightness. Kjærholm was passionate about combining his favourite material—steel—with organic elements.

The re-launched PK1 chair beautifully combines stainless steel with natural paper cord, resulting in an elegant, lightweight form. Let’s take a closer look!

Originally made from wicker, the updated version is crafted from FSC-certified weaved paper cord, using the original weaving technique and takes a skilled craftsman 15 hours to weave! I have seen them in action in Copenhagen, and it's so impressive! I love it when craft techniques like this are kept alive. 

I am always fascinated by how furniture designed in the mid 20th century can stay so relevant - I believe it's because they were designed for both comfort and aesthetic value but they are also simple in their design which gives them a timeless appeal. 

Oh, and it's also stackable which I always think is extremely handy. 

The chair is considered an icon, so I am so happy it has been given a new lease of life this year! 

I hope you enjoyed these pictures of the new chair - and my dining area at home.

What did you think of this chair? 

You can read more information about the PK1 dining chair over at Carl Hansen & Søn. 

I have featured lots of beautiful items from Carl Hansen & Søn in the past including the cute new wishbone chair children's version in my cabin, the fabulous CH07 Shell Chair in my sitting room, and my all time favourite possession - the FK10 Plico Chair by the fire in our little cabin. 

Thank you for stopping by today. I'll be back again tomorrow with a beautiful home tour which I think you will feel very inspired by. See you then! 

Niki

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Winter charm: Inside a Swedish Country Home Dressed for Advent

Sweden was blanketed in snow this weekend, brightening up the darkness. Even so, the cold has drawn life indoors, sparking a hive of activity as we prepare our homes for winter—layering rugs, blankets, and other soft textiles to create a cozy retreat.

The first Sunday of Advent is just around the corner, marking the start of Christmas decorating in Scandinavia. It's a gradual and thoughtful process, beginning with adventsljusstakar (advent candles) in the windows, perhaps paired with a star lamp and some wintry foliage.

Rebecka Palmqvist's charming country home, built in 1848, is a perfect example of this seasonal transformation. She and her partner have been lovingly renovating it, using old furniture and beautiful wallpaper while preserving its original architecture. The result is a warm, inviting space for their family, including their two small children, Gullvie and Frans.

In winter, the home feels especially magical. Star lanterns and electric candles glow in the windows, and orange garlands are draped across the ceiling. while a Christmas tree adds to the festive atmosphere indoors. Welcome to Rebecka's home! 

So charming! I’m so excited to see the first signs of advent candles appearing in windows here in Sweden. It’s such a beautiful tradition—something you’ll spot in almost every window across towns and villages, from homes to businesses. Do you have something similar in your country?

I also love how Rebecka has decorated her home, staying true to the original charm of the farmhouse while creating a magical space for her family. You can see more pictures here.

Here are a few more Scandinavian homes in the snow: 

A lakeside Swedish log house in the snow
Hannah's cosy Finnish house in the snow at Christmas
A rural cosy country home at Christmas
A Swedish home in snowy North Sweden
Simple Christmas touches in a Norwegian home beside a snow-covered fjord

I have loved all your comments this weekend - always so interesting and fun to read. I am looking forward to pouring myself a coffee and responding to all of them later today. 

There have been quite a few country homes featured here lately, so I’ll do my best to share an urban apartment with you on Wednesday for all of those of you looking for a little city inspiration. But before that, I’m excited to create an extra post for you tomorrow—I have some news to share from Carl Hansen & Søn! Please stop by if you have the time.

Kram! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @rebecka.palmqvist, shared with kind permission. 

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