Twinkle, twinkle little tree!

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The Scandinavians generally start decorating their home for the holidays on the first Sunday of advent (is it the same where you live?). As with all things Nordic, the decorations are beautiful in a fuss-free, subtle way.  Think earthy colours, natural textures and plenty of foliage for perfectly imperfect vignettes.  Every year we head to the forest to cut down our Christmas tree (one of our family's favourite days of the year,  not just because there's glögg and pepperkaka (ginger thins) involved, honest!). But this season I'll be bringing in another type of tree too - the Nobili collection by Denmark's oldest ceramics brand Kähler. Designed by Mette Bache and Barbara Bendix Becker, Nobili is a pretty series of six hand-decorated ceramic candle holders inspired by the clear frosty nights of the winter forest. Each is perforated with holes to allow the warm glow of candlelight to cast pretty shadows on the wall. Not only does it make for a cosy display on a table, mantel piece or windowsill, if you're very tight on space at home it's the perfect mini Christmas tree alternative!

"The distinctive silhouettes are inspired by clear frosty nights in a winter forest, when the shadows
dance and the stars glimmer in the soft, freshly fallen snow."

 "When darkness falls and the moon shines in the clear night sky, the shadows dance across the frozen streams and the soft, freshly fallen snow that covers hills and trees. It is these evocative hours and the wholly unique light of Nordic forests that inspired the range’s dark, vivid glaze."

Aren't they beautiful?! Sooo cosy too.

I love how pretty the dusty green, mouth-blown Omaggio glass vase looks in the vignette on the table too. "When the dusty green vase is combined with other shades of green, it creates a shadowy, fascinating contrast to the pale, Nordic aesthetic," the Kähler team explains. Yep, totally agree. It's very subtle and ideal for fresh sprigs of pine and other foliage gathered from the garden / nearby park / forest / through the cracks of the pavement - the more imperfect the better! 

You can pick up items from the Nobili collection and Omaggio glass range over at the Kähler web shop and a whole host of design shops (find your nearest retailer here). 

Bring on the hygge! 

This post is brought to you in collaboration with Kähler, however all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I love and think you will too.

Bring a Warm, Minimalist Touch to your Kids Bedroom

Calling all Aussie friends out there looking for fab Scandi-inspired children's furniture (that's gentle on the wallet too - got to love that, right?!)! Fantastic Furniture is a Sydney based sofa and bedding manufacturer with superstores in every major metropolitan city and regional town across Australia. Wander in (or take a look online) and you'll find all kinds of minimalist furniture for your children's bedroom including beds, storage units and desks (how fab is the Cabin Kids Bunk Bed for starters?!). Choose a classic white approach (which I have gone for in my own daughter's room) or warm it up with a natural wood finish. Bedding with colourful fun patterns and bold prints also add to the inviting look and feel - as well as provide a cosy place to curl up under and read bedtime stories together. Look out for my six tips on how to create a lovely Scandinavian style bedroom for your little ones below. In the meantime, here are some inspiring looks from Fantastic Furniture...

My 6 tips on creating a Scandinavian inspired children's bedroom
 
1. A child will enjoy their room if it's practical (and safe). Space permitting, try to ensure it covers all their needs including a zone to sleep, get creative, store and read. Plenty of storage places for all their bits and bobs (trust me - my girls have a lot of tiny little things!!) means that it's easier to keep the room neat and tidy, which in turn means they'll enjoy it more.

2. If you choose furniture with a clean design and neutral colours your little one can keep it for longer as they won't grow out of the look. Think classic pieces that stand the test of time and keep to a simple colour palette of white, black, wood etc.

3. Add a playful touch to the room by adding textiles featuring a pattern motif and colours. By getting your child involved in the process they will feel they have greater control over their environment and will be able to add their personal stamp on the room. Plus, these pieces can easily be exchanged / passed on as they get older and their tastes change.

4. Add your child's favourite colour to the room by creating an accent wall (you may like to paint a half-half wall, go for a playful geometric look. Removable wall stickers are also a great way to add a little colour. They are widely available, but if you feel like getting creative you can create your own using a stencil and tape.

5. Add layers of textiles in the form of cushions, blankets, and rugs to create a super warm and inviting feel to the room. That way you can cosy up together at bedtime.

6. Add plenty of lighting (including a mix of ambient and task) so they can enjoy the room after dark. Black-out blinds are ideal for a great night's sleep but don't forget the night light for little ones who are afraid of a monster lurking under the bed).

Feel free to add your own tips in the comment section below, it's always great to hear new ideas!

GET THE LOOK

1. Cabin Single Bed
2. Aster Corner Desk
3. Cabin 3 Drawer Lowboy
4. Willow Double Bed
5. Jordan Single Bunk
6. Cabin Kids Bunk Bed


Happy shopping!


This post is brought to you in collaboration with Fantastic Furniture, however all words are my own. 

My new watch from TRIWA, Stockholm

Just occasionally the postman arrives on his bike bearing goodies. This week he delivered my new Blue Aska timepiece from TRIWA  - and I have to admit I did do a little dance. For those of you not familiar with the brand, TRIWA make uber cool watches, straps, sunglasses (loving the Peach Thelma version!) and bracelets out of their creative studio in Stockholm (see the film about the inspiring TRIWA story here!). I particularly love the Blue Aska since it has a lovely abstract symmetry pattern, and is sold as a limited edition of 500 pieces (guys - hurry!). Having worn it non stop since it arrived (how did I ever get by without a timepiece when they make such a perfect piece of jewellery?!), I've now also got my eye on the classic Ivory Klinga and this very cool Midnight Falken - designed to interpret 1950's simplicity (a girl can never have too many watches, agreed?!).  For now though, I'll be enjoying mine over a fika (any excuse!).

Styling / photography: Niki Brantmark - My Scandinavian Home (with a little help from Tess!). 

Ah so beautiful! And who would have thought a watch goes so well with a cinnamon bun?! It must be it's Swedish heritage!

Oh and TRIWA ships worldwide (just saying!).

Have a lovely weekend - see you Monday!

PS Feel inspired by Manon's beautiful home, which artfully combines Kenyan handicrafts with contemporary design!

PPS I'm on my way up to Stockholm for a party tonight - eeeeeeeee!


This post is brought to you in collaboration with TRIWA. However all words are my own and I only ever work with brands I absolutely love and think you will too! Thank you for supporting the businesses that help make My Scandinavian Home possible.