Are you up for a little game today? How about I show you eight traditional things you’re likely to find in a Scandinavian home at Christmas—and then you can share in the comments (if you’d like) how many of these you also display in your country?
And what better way to do this than through a tour of the living spaces in the Norwegian home of Nina Holst? Her name might ring a bell, as she’s the founder of Stylizimo, and I featured her previous home at Christmas way back in 2015! Nina lives with her husband and little baby in a beautiful, early 20th century art nouveau villa, and she has a talent for incorporating soothing earthy tones and design classics into her decor. Her Christmas decorations are always elegant and timeless.
Let’s take a look and see what we can discover!
1. Nature makes for the best decorations - whether in drinks, on presents or around the house. I quite fancy one of these gin and tonics tonight, it is lillördag (little saturday) after all.
2. There's nothing like the sweet scent of hyacinths at Christmas. Scandinavians love to remove the soil, place them in a glass vase and dip the roots into water instead.
3. With the sun barely lifting over the horizon, a group of candles in mix and match glass and brass candleholders helps to brighten up the darker days.
4. It wouldn't be 'Jul' without tall amaryllis in either white, red or rose - they're often placed in a vase or the bulb is wrapped in moss.
5. The Julgran (Christmas tree) is a given. After all 33% of Norway and 68% of Sweden is covered in forest so there are plenty to choose from! This popular variety is a Kungsgran (Nordmann fir).
6. Beautifully wrapped presents are a go-go - whether carefully done at home or by the in-store gift wrapping service that's widely available.
7. The adventsljusstake (advent candlestick) placed in the windows of homes, schools and businesses helps to bathe the dark streets with a warm glow and creates a welcoming feel in the cold.
8. A simple yet pretty homemade wreath is hung on the door, but also indoors on walls, or the chimney of a traditional tiled fireplace.
Such lovely decorations - ideal for anyone who loves a more simple, natural approach to decorating in wintertime.
I am guessing you have quite a lot of these decorations in your country too - are there any that stood out as different? Do you bring in the same winter flowers?
If you'd like to see more of Nina's Norwegian home throughout the seasons, head on over to her instagram here.
After some more winter decorating ideas today? Here are a few features for all tastes and styles:
And because I'm in the mood for cosiness, check out these wintery cabins:
Have a lovely Wednesday friends!
Niki
Photography courtesy of Nina Holst, shared with kind permission.
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