Beni

Yes, there is a definite theme running through my posts right now – they all seem to start with a traditional red-and-white Swedish cottage in the snow. But while the outside might have similarities, on the inside they all have a unique stamp. And this cosy home of Johanna in Vimmerby, Småland is no different — the town is best known as the birthplace of beloved author Astrid Lindgren. With the first Sunday of Advent this weekend, I wanted to share something from Johanna’s charming home that I think the Swedes are especially great at – simple, DIY Christmas decorations that don’t cost the earth and look absolutely lovely! Keep an eye out for Johanna’s step-by-step visual guide on how to create paper chains to hang from the ceiling and paper baubles to adorn your tree – all you need is some paper, scissors, and a needle and thread. I also love her bowl decoration with pomegranates and Advent candles! Ready to feel inspired? Step this way!  Johanna's DIY paper chain ...

I’m often asked how Scandinavians cope with the long, dark winters — and honestly, even when you try your best, the cold and endless twilight can wear you down. But if there’s one thing they’ve mastered, it’s  hygge : that soft, glowing sense of comfort that makes winter feel that bit more manageable. And it shines brightest at Christmas. Paper stars are already glowing in windows, early trees are popping up, and the whole vibe is warm and welcoming — exactly what you want after biking home through the icy dark. It’s one of my favourite moments of the year, which is why I’m excited to start sharing some “Jul” inspiration here on the blog ahead of the first Sunday of Advent. Yay! Ready to get cosy? I thought today’s home tour is the perfect way to ease in. This charming red-and-white country house outside Kristinehamn belongs to Emma and Rickard and their children, and it captures everything I love about Swedish Christmas. They’ve gently updated their 1930s home, blending old ...

In my last post I mentioned that I was going to start sharing a few Christmas posts this week – but bear with me, because first I have the charming home of a carpenter in north-west Skåne to show you – no doubt not far from our own summer cottage! This traditional red-and-white Swedish country home belongs to a carpenter and his family, who have been renovating it over time, transforming it into a lovely space where home-grown onions and garlic hang in the kitchen, a fire crackles in the living room and cats roam freely. Keep an eye out for classic Swedish colours – green, blue, ochre and burgundy – as well as the pretty wallpaper that adorns the bedroom walls. Välkommen in (as they say in Swedish). So cosy! I love the wood cladding – it adds so much character. I’m also a fan of how the window frames and skirting boards have been painted in different colours (or darker shades) – it’s something we’re seeing a lot of at the moment, and it works particularly ...

The snow arrived in Sweden yesterday and oh, how I scoured the web for a snow cottage to share with you today. But alas, it’s been a cazry week and an equally crazy day, and I’ve completely run out of time. And now, with it being 5pm on a Friday night — and our own getaway beckoning this weekend (we really need to hit the road soon; with all the ice, it’s getting more and more treacherous after dark!) — I thought I’d share a throwback to five beautiful, extra-toasty Scandinavian cottages and cabins in the snow with you instead. I hope they put you in a cosy, wintery mood!  1. Hanna's Finnish country home in the snow at Christmas 2. A Swedish log cabin by a (iced-over) lake 3.  A Swedish country home in snowy North Sweden 4. Pretty DIY Christmas decorting ideas from a Swedish country house 5. A cosy off-grid cabin in Lapland How wonderful! Is there anything better than a log cabin in the snow with a roaring fire, a ton of books, and a stack of games? ...

Sponsored by Carl Hansen & Søn, thank you for supporting the brands who make My Scandinavian Home possible.  This weekend we headed up to our cottage for a cosy autumn escape. It felt like the very last call of the season before the leaves give in to the wintery winds. Even with the cold coastal breeze whistling past, we felt really toasty thanks to our fire and warming bowls of soup! While we were there, I finally had the pleasure of trying the Ole Wanscher OW149 Colonial Chair  and  OW149F Colonial footstool  from Carl Hansen & Søn — and as someone who has a real soft spot for Danish design, this felt like such a treat. There’s something about Danish icons that gets me every time: the craftsmanship, the quiet elegance, the way they feel both deeply rooted in tradition and effortlessly modern. Here’s a closer look, along with a few more snapshots from our weekend retreat. Autumn at our cabin is the final  Designed in 1959, the Colonial C...