Merry Christmas!

This beautiful picture was taken by Pernille Enoch / Femina DK

Have you got any fun plans?  I'm taking a little time off to visit, family and friends which will be so nice and maybe even go on a road trip to snowy Norway (we'll see).

If you feel like a little Scandinavian interior inspiration in the meantime, I love these archives (some of them have over 100 homes - how crazy is that?!):

Swedish homes
Norwegian homes
Danish homes
Finnish homes
Vintage inspired homes
Bohemian style homes

And just in case you missed it - the best of My Scandinavian Home 2017 is now up (thank you for a wonderful year).

Wishing you a very merry Christmas! I hope your holidays are full of love and laughter.

See you January 8th!

Kram!

Niki x

PS This beautiful picture was taken by Pernille Enoch. See the DIY for this and other candle decorations here. So pretty!

5 Beautiful Gift Wrapping Ideas with a Natural Touch

Christmas is only a few days away (in our family we celebrate with our Swedish-side on 23rd December and then fly to London on 24th to celebrate Christmas day with our English-side - how about you?). This can only mean one thing: the big gift wrapping session is about to commence! If you haven't wrapped yours yet, we hope our round up of five beautiful gift wrapping ideas will help to make your presents look extra pretty under the tree (if you don't celebrate Christmas - we think these ideas are just as lovely for winter birthdays, weddings etc). Think paper in deep plum, dusty pink, white and natural browns, pretty velvet ribbons, muslin and even fabrics dyed in colours with the scent of the winter season! 

Local Artisan

Therese Knutsen

Ollie and Seb's Haus

Can anyone help with the credits?

Eyeswoon

Although a little more time consuming, I love the last idea of dying old rags with scents associated with this time of the year. If you feel like getting creative, you can find the complete step-by-step guide here.

I also love the idea of adding mini wreaths as decoration (see the know-how here).

Or, for simple, fuss-free ideas you might also like to check out 8 rustic gift wrapping ideas and last year's gift wrapping challenge!

How will you be wrapping your presents this year?

Have a lovely day!

PS If like me, you're not quite there yet with the present buying (guh!) - I hope our gift guide for Scandinavian design lovers (and their children) comes in handy. You could always spread a little nordic love by giving someone a copy of my Lagom book -  available in English US, English UK, French and Portuguese versions. I'm completely biased, I know but I do think it makes a lovely pressie!

A Mysig Swedish Family Home at Christmas

How pretty is this beautiful house in the suburbs of Stockholm, all decked out for Christmas? The beautiful home belongs to interior designer, photographer, storyteller and founder of Wiho Design, Jasmina Bylund who lives with her 'sambo' (live in partner) and their children - Winston (3.5) and Belle (6 months). Jasmina has decorated the house in shades of grey, white and midnight blue and a beautiful blend of old and new. "I don't follow a particular style, I simply follow my heart," Bylund explains.  Jasmina is a big fan of Christmas and loves to "gather family and friends, eat good food, bake, decorate and wrap presents." Evidence of this can be seen throughout their home - which is peppered with subtle festive touches  - including a Kungsgran tree, pretty wreaths, sprigs of pine  and paper star lanterns. No doubt there's snow outside the window too. Åh va mysigt!

Photography: Jasmina Bylund, shared with kind permission.

Oh so pretty, don't you think?

Get the look from Jasmina's home: living room - wall hanging from FROSTA design, Menu Turning Table, Hay table, seagrass belly basket. kitchen - wine glass rack. bedroom - on the wall 'Jotun Lady Happy Homes'. This natural bed linen is beautiful. sitting room - Bemz sell lovely linen slipcovers for sofas (see mine here!). The wrapping paper was sourced on Etsy.

For similar paint colours check-out the Jotun Lady range - they have so many beautiful colours (I used Blushing Peach for my bedroom). To achieve a similar textured surface seen on Jasmina's bedroom wall try adding Roll-A-Tex Sand Texture Additive to the paint (I used this in my dining room make-over and it worked wonders!)

If you'd like to see more of Jasmina's home and latest projects you must check out her lovely instagram feed and blog.

And if you're looking for more Scandinavian home tours with a festive touch - these will definitely get you in the Yuletide mood:

A Swedish country home at Christmas
A Danish home at Christmas 
A Norwegian home on Christmas eve
 Dreaming of a white Christmas in a Swedish home
A cosy Scandinavian home ready for Christmas 

If these have inspired you to rush home and decorate your own home I can recommend these beautifully simply DIY ideas:

Lovely, easy Danish Chrismtas DIY ideas
5 beautifully simple Scandinavian Christmas DIY ideas

Have a lovely day!

PS Are you still Christmas shopping (I am!)? If so this list of last minute Christmas presents for Scandinavian design lovers (and their children!) might come in handy. 

5 beautifully, Minimalist Christmas Trees

It's that time of year.... yaaay! In Scandinavia people source their trees in all kinds of ways - if they live rural they might chop one down from their own backyard / forest, others visit sustainable tree farms and of course, there's always vendors selling them on street corners for the urban folk among us! Either way, when it comes to decorating the tree Nordic style, in my experience, it's about keeping it fairly minimalist and allowing the beauty of the branches to shine through (update: thank you so much to Rita for pointing out that there are also Scandinavians who love to go all out too!). Here's our round-up of beautiful Scandi-style Christmas trees - for homes big and small!

Photo - Niki Brantmark / my scandinavian home, styling- Sarah Brooks-Wilson

The man and I were so happy with our new bedroom (see pics of the make-over here and here) that we decided to go all out and treat ourselves to a Christmas tree in the bedroom this year!! I decorated it with simple black candles (beware if you also decide to go for real candles (also seen on my tree last year) never ever leave them unattended!!) I absolutely love waking up to the smell of fresh pine!

Pella Hedeby

Ma Maison Blanche

House Doctor

Daniella Witte

So many pretty ideas to steal here! We hope you've found our tree round-up inspiring too! We'd love to see yours - please do tag us on instagram with #Myscandinavianhometree!

It's my last day in New York today - booooo! It's been wonderful (what a FUN city!!!), and such a magical place to be in the run-up to Christmas. I'm not looking forward to my overnight flight to Copenhagen later I must say, but it'll be nice to get back - as the Swedish saying goes 'borta bra men hemma bäst' (very loosely translated as - 'it's great to be a way, but there's no place like home!'). 

Have a lovely day!

5 ways to cosy up your home this winter

I've just arrived in New York for the Domino Design Blog Awards tomorrow - so exciting! I love this city! It's soooo chilly though and there's a light dusting of snow on the ground which makes today's post even more apt - it's time to cosy up those homes guys! Here are my 5 top lagom tips (based on my years of living in Sweden!).....

 1. Layer on the blankets and throws - waffle, wool, linen and sheepskins are the order of the day at this time of year. Throw them over the backs of chairs, on the seat of your sofa or keep blankets neatly rolled in a basket so you and your guests can grab them when you feel that draught!

2. Bring in a little nature: fill a bowl with pine-cones, create a rustic wreath, place white hyacinths in a glass bowl surrounded by moss (I love the scent, don't you?!) and add a simple branch of pine to a vase. It doesn't need to be complicated - in fact the more simple and imperfect, the more cosy your home will feel!

3. Create a warm glow - an obvious one, but add plenty of candles - and dot them around your sitting room, kitchen, and your bathroom for a warm, cocoon-like feel. If you've got guests over - why not do as our Nordic friends do and place two outdoor candles outside the door for an extra warm welcome?!

4. Put a basket of slippers by the door -  In Sweden you always remove your shoes, which kind of makes sense if you really stop to think what you've picked up on the soles during the day. Keep tootsies toasty by keeping a basket of slippers and woolly socks at the door so you and your guests can get comfy the moment you walk in.

5. Get the scent going - there's nothing like the smell (and taste!) of Pepparkaka (ginger thins) at this time of the year. Enjoy them with glögg (mulled wine) and blue cheese (a personal favourite). Don't forget to save a few to hang on your Christmas tree. Not into baking? Hmmm, sounds like someone else I know....ME! Pick up ready made pepparkaka dough from IKEA or pierce oranges with cloves and hang them up with ribbon or bundle cinnamon sticks together to create a centre-piece. Your home will begin to smell like Jul in no time!

Get The Look
Circle Candleholder • ferm LIVING • $199
H&M Moss-knit Throw • H&M • $59.99
Wire Basket Large - Black • ferm LIVING • $124.99
Byredo - Cotton Poplin Scented Candle, 240g - Colorless • Byredo • $80
Brass Extinguisher • ferm LIVING • $31.99
Wondershop 15ct Holiday Accessory Glitter Pinecones • $5
Diptyque Baies Scented Candle, 190g • Diptyque • $64




Do you have any tips to add? If so, I'd love to hear them in the comment section below! 

Have a cosy day and stay warm out there! x

PS thank you so much to wonderful Ana for helping with this post - can't tell you how happy I am to work with you!


Photo credits: 1. The home of Christian Duivenvoorden of online shop Artilleriet  (Residence magazine. 2 - 6 & 8. Neptune 7. Melanie Barnes / Geoffrey and Grace (FYI this is such a beautiful blog. Find out about their slow living retreats here).

Scandinavian Inspired Gift Ideas for Kids / 2017

Being Mum's to little ones ourselves, Ana and I have trawled the net for the most beautiful Scandi-inspired children's gifts this year. The criteria: items we know our kids would love and that look fabulous in the home too! 

We hope our picks help you find pressies for even the most fussy of children and that you'll love them too.....



Scarf Oeuf NYC • $144
ENCORE ! Small Loft • $153
FUNKK Letters Felt Message Board • $125
ZOÃ RUMEAU Cloud light • $194
Grandma Giant Octopus Soft Toy • $143
FJALLRAVEN Mini Kanken Backpack • Fjallraven • $111
La Sardine DIY Camera White • $140
Painted Oak Songbird • $119.05
KEORA KEORA Cat Rattan Saddlebag • $88–398
Sons + Daughters Lenny Sunglasses • $134


FERM LIVING KIDS Terrazzo Boxes - Set of 3 • $51
Georg Jensen - Elephant Figurine - Set of 4 • Georg Jensen • $85.61
PEACE AND WOOL Blanc Bonnet & Bonnet Blanc DIY Knitting Kit • $80
FERM LIVING KIDS Pineapple Cushion • $86
FANNY AND ALEXANDER Wooden Camera • $80
Organic Cotton Children's Backpack • $86
MAIN SAUVAGE Wold Soft Toy • $89
FERM LIVING KIDS Organic Cotton Party Cushion • $62
Small Mushroom Lamp Jade Green • $63
Donna Wilson - Mini Knitted Blanket • $90.96


Ferm Living Party Memory Game • ferm LIVING • $25
Bold Tuesday • FIND IT USA • $24.90
Stars garland • $45
FERM LIVING KIDS Children's Green Polka Dot Apron • $40
Star Cushion Stone grey • $27
Mugg Mumindalen, Snorkfröken • $15
FLATOUT FRANKIE Little • $28
BUHO Pompom Lurex Hat • $51
DONNA WILSON Cat ceramic plate • $42
BRIKI VROOM VROOM Decorative Wooden Mushrooms - Set of 4 • $40

Happy shopping!

Niki & Ana

Photograph (top): my children's feet photographed by Kimme Persson /  stylist - Genevieve Jorn.

2017 Gift Guide: For Lovers of Scandinavian Design

Every year I have this wonderful vision of merrily strolling the fairy light festooned shopping streets, picking up gifts for my nearest and dearest,  before stopping for a mug of steaming glögg (mulled wine). The reality? Somewhat different! There's just SO MUCH TO DO! Do you feel the same? If so, you'll be happy to hear Ana Degenaar (My Scandinavian Home's wonderful elf contributor) and I, have been working away on a gift guide for Scandinavian design lovers - covering all budgets (it's stated in dollars but the items are available almost anywhere in the world) and items we feel represent the Scandinavian aesthetics. We're super proud of our picks and hope you'll get some great ideas for even the most picky of friends and family!

Vitra - Eames House Bird
Leather MacBook Air/Macbook Pro 13" - Made from veg tan leather
Sandqvist - Backpack
Muuto - Framed Mirror
Triwa - Gold Nevil 2.0
Zoeppritz since 1828 - Must Have Blanket
Serena and Lily - Winter Beach Pillow Cover
Klong - Patina oil lamp
Kinto - Brewer Stand Set
JOHNSTONS - Plain cashmere scarf





La cerise sur le gâteau • Cushion
Ferm Living • Hexagonal Vase Green
Round Bottle Carafe
The Poster Club - Berit Mogensen Lopez
Concord Set - Aesop
Georg Jensen - Ilse Candle Holder • Georg Jensen
Bloomingville • Aluminum Tray
Native Union - iPhone Lightning Charging Dock+
Decosinto - Linen Towels
Tom Dixon - Stone Spice Grinder



HAY - Lup Wall Candle Holder - Half Round
Bloomingville - Stoneware Tray - Natural - 30cm
Bloomingville - Pom Pom Cotton Cushion - 45x45cm
SNÖ - Scented Candle
Bloomingville - Ella Mug - Green
Present Time - Nimble Slope Vase Hazel
My Scandinavian Home Book by Niki Brantmark
H&M - Waffled Bedspread
Muuto - Silent Vase
Coriander Seed Body Cleanser • Aesop  

Under $15:  If you know someone who's looking to add a little balance and calm to their life, my book - Lagom - The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life - Niki Brantmark (available in English UK, English US, French and Portuguese - note they have different jackets) could be a nice little pressie!  I wrote it with all my friends and family in mind and included all the small tips and tricks I've learned from Swedes and my life here that make daily life just a little easier. The LA Times included it in their list of 'Great Stocking Filler books' this week too - so perhaps Santa will be coming down the chimney with it?! Ho ho ho!

 

I hope our 2017 Christmas Gift Guide has helped, and more importantly, gives you a little more time to enjoy those all important cosy evenings with friends sipping glögg (or espresso martinis!) with friends and family - just as December is intended!

Happy shopping!

Lifestyle photography - © Niki Brantmark / My Scandinavian home 

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