Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wishing you a fabulous new year....

May your night sparkle and all your dreams come true!

Credit unknown (can you help?)
Credit unknown (can you help?)
via Allyson Vinzant
Emily Steffen via Heart Love Always
Thank you so much for following My Scandinavian Home in 2014. 2015 is an exciting year for me as I'll finally be able to follow my dream of blogging full time.

See you on 2nd January where I'll begin a month full of ethereal Scandinavian inspired home tours, DIY projects, tips and tricks for the home and exciting give-aways.

Have a fabulous start to the year!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Could you spend new year here?

Hello! I hope you had a really fab Christmas full of love and laughter, long walks and board games. We've been having a wonderful time in 'old blighty' (aka England) visiting family and friends! I'm happy to be back here at My Scandinavian Home these past few days (have you seen the free downloadable my scandinavian home 2015 calendar from yesterday?). I thought I'd share a lovely, airy Swedish space in Gothenburg today complete with white wood floors, a monochrome colour scheme and some very cool art photography. Perfect for blowing away the cobwebs, don't you think?!








Alvhem
I could certainly pad around here the whole of 2015, how about you?! It looks so organised and awash with light. The perfect backdrop for all those projects too!

A few items I recognise and love: charcoal bed linen, this chunky knit throw is similar, sheepskin rugs, string shelves, Z1 cotton light.  Thonet 209 chairs in black. Louis Poulsen floor light. This soft grey blanket is similar to the one draped over the sofa (the grid blanket is also a new favourite). Storage boxes - Hay. This shop sells fab typographic prints. I'm not sure where the portrait image is from (can you help?) but I like this and this black and white portrait. I love the Grythyttan A2 outdoor chairs.

If you're throwing a party this new year's eve you could take inspiration from the balcony which they've made cosy using  a string of lights (try stringing up party lights like they have in this back yard) and some cosy blankets. I'm also taking inspiration from these lovely table displays (oh to live somewhere warm all year round!) and this delicious looking party food. Mmmm!

What are your plans for New Year's eve? We're flying home to celebrate in the snow in Sweden (could this be me on NYE?!) so I'll be a little hectic over the next few days. I'd like to wish you a very happy new year and see you on the 2nd January!

Monday, December 29, 2014

Free My Scandinavian Home Calendar 2015

I'm so excited to present the free printable My Scandinavian Home 2015 Calendar which is now ready for you to download and print off! This year, I decided to do something a bit different (see last year's here). Working in collaboration with the wonderful Ana of Blog Milk, the calendar has been divided into months and is also available in two different versions:  a US version (where the week starts on a Sunday) or a European and other parts of the world version where the week starts on a Monday (who knew?!). Both are A4 size and I'd recommend using glossy paper if possible.  Here's a glimpse of the My Scandinavian Home Calendar 2015, I hope you like it!





My Scandinavian Home 

To get your free 2015 calendar simply click on the link below for the version you are looking for and click the print icon:

US version
European and ROW version

By the way, the calendar isn't up in my office space yet (as seen in the last image), however I am so unbelievably excited about working on my blog full time from 1st January and one of the first things I'll do is print it off and pin it proudly to my wall!

I'd love to see pictures of the calendar up in your home / work space, please do e-mail them over!

Have a lovely day! 

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Colour Trends: Looking back and looking forward

There's nothing like the end of a year to make you hop around in your thinking.  While I'm busy considering the colour trends for 2015, I'm  also looking back to see connections and possible threads that can make these new colours have a little more staying power.

I'm interested in creating fresh looks through creative use of what is in a home, energized  with a few new purchases.  To pull this off you need a long term view of what is happening in the world of colour.  

Last year dark blues were prominent in  many of the images you saw in magazines and online, first appearing in Pantone's fall 2013 predictions.  That is still a strong look and one that  will  hang around for awhile.

If you look at Pantone's spring  2015 predictions you will see several tints/shades of blue.

Pantone colours spring 2015
source

My favourite is 4 Classic Blue because it is crisp and deep without being too cold.  Check out  this combination of dark blue with natural colours.

Designing Home; colour trends 2015, modern country

There is also a fresh take on the "old" country look emerging with clean lines, less clutter, natural materials and prominent textures mixed with lighter woods.   Think pared down Pottery Barn.  I've packed a number of possibilities into this style board, but you wouldn't want to use them all in one space.

colour trends 2015, olive green, Scandinavian , Designing Home style board

My personal preference  is more a mix of West Elm meets the Scandinavian countries. Notice the olive green which will be big in 2015.


Designing Home, Margaret Ryall, style board, colour predictions 2015, olive green
This colour would work just as well as the dark blue in the Modern Country look.   And it is so sharp with black and cream.


Pantone's 2014 colour of the year Radiant Orchid came in like a lion, and obviously went out like a lamb because apart from what I saw online, it did not impact my life or design practice in any way.

 I actually liked this colour where many designers didn't.  I've always loved those redish purple hues especially in textiles, but not so much in furniture.  If you bought into this trend, it is easily updated and made even more interesting when combined with yellowish greens.   Just check out the pillow lower left  for an indication of this blend as well as the rug and artworks.

And now for 2015 Pantone is staying in the same arena with its choice of marsala, but definitely browning it down quite a bit to create a heavy bodied colour.  Again not a favourite of many designers.

Pantone 2015, marsala, Designing Home, Margaret Ryall, style board
 I've seen combinations of it with a variety of blues even cool ones and they all look fantastic. It also looks great with the oddest combinations as you can see below. I'm particularly loving it with blues and light creams.

Pantone 2015, marsala, Designing Home, Margaret Ryall, style board

Who knew it would work so well with orange and coral? 

Since I only spec Benjamin Moore paint colours in my business, I am always interested in their colour trends. 



Benjamin Moore's  2014 Breath of Fresh Air at least supported the spa/beach vibe that is still a go- to look with many homeowners.  It is a versatile colour that looks great with pearly grays, driftwood colours and soft or chrisp whites.  It also combines well with marsala and the current  Benjamin Moore colour for 2015, Guilford green.



 How can you possibly go wrong when you have two obvious "earth" colours like blue and green.  Nature never makes mistakes!


When you consider the metallics in your home, the move to warm metals is even more pronounced this year.


Brittany Makes Blog 

source 

 In  European markets  copper and pink gold are hot commodities. They are not as versatile for all over use especially the pink gold which always comes across as very delicate/feminine.  

source 

 In North American decor golds and  brass are prevalent. I'm fond of a more burnished look with these metals.  I can't seem to bring myself around to the shine of yellow brass - too much history. The yellow metallics look great with greens, dark blues and brownish reds like marsala.  And mixing metals is still very trendy.  Go for it.

Lots of connections.  Do you ever consider colour trends when you decorate?


Merry Christmas!

 Wishing you a truly fabulous and very Merry Christmas!


I hope you have a well deserved break over the holidays, where will you be spending your Christmas? I'll be celebrating mine here in Sweden before heading to London for a few days to visit family and friends (so excited!). I'll be back on the 29th December with the My Scandinavian Home 2015 free downloadable calendar (remember last year's?) as well as some fabulous home tours (after all we need to start 2015 with a decorating bang, right?!).

In the meantime if you came here looking for Scandinavian home inspiration and all you found was this (very handsome) reindeer, I  can recommend taking a peek at these Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish. and International home tours squirreled away for a snowy holiday such as this one. There are literally hundreds to browse through, enjoy! 

Have a wonderful holiday and see you on the 29th December!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The 7 most popular (and fabulous) home tours

Thank you for your tremendous support and engaging comments this year and a big hello to all new readers too. I've been looking back over 2014 and feel so proud of what My Scandinavian Home has achieved.  But which posts did you enjoy the most? I took a look through the archives to find the 7 most popular posts of all time (links to each post under the pictures). Do you agree?

The fabulous home of a Dutch designer
Christmas touches in a Finnish home

A beautiful Dutch stylists home ready for Christmas
The cool home of a Norwegian Blogger
Beautiful Dutch bedroom make-over
The Danish home on a hill
A Touch of Scandinavian Christmas
I have to say, some of these posts are my favourite too (I love the Finnish and Norwegian blogger homes). Are there any in particular you enjoyed?

These posts were incredibly popular on Pinterest too.

We're heading off to my husband's family today to celebrate our Swedish Christmas - so excited! I'm a big fan of the Swedish julbord! Do you have any great plans for today?

I'll be back tomorrow with a post before the holidays begin, until then, I hope you have a lovely day!

Monday, December 22, 2014

A cosy Danish cabin ready for Christmas

Hello! I hope you had a fabulous weekend?! I thought I'd kick off the week with another extremely cosy log cabin, this time in Klampingborg, Denmark (did you miss the previous one?).  This oh so lovely retreat belongs to Jeanette Hyleborg of webshop Best of Nordic and blog Voksenlivsstil and her director husband Sten.  I love the irregular tree which has been decorated with mirrored hearts, stars and snowflakes and I'll be taking inspiration from their Christmas table - the fir cones and roses in moss make for a beautiful mix, don't you think? I could spend my Christmas holidays relaxing here, how about you?!


Femina. Peter Kam
FeminaPeter Kam
FeminaPeter Kam
FeminaPeter Kam
FeminaPeter Kam
FeminaPeter Kam

Who would guess I'm pining for a winter escape this Christmas?! But seriously, this cabin is just so cosy. What a perfect escape?

See more images here.

A quick guide to where items are from. EKTORP armchair and sofa from IKEA. Cognac coloured butterfly chair.  Two Foscarini Caboche Suspension Lights over the dining table. Royal Copenhagen blue fluted dinner plates. Hunter wellies. Many items can also be found in Jeanette's shop. Have I missed anything?

If you're after some last minute table decorating inspiration, I like this laid back dining style for a boxing day lunch. And there's plenty more Christmas inspiration to be found here and also on my Pinterest Christmas board. If you have any inspiration tips do leave them in the comment section below!

Tomorrow will be my last blog post before the holidays before I return with some fun new year inspiration including an introduction of the hot new interior colours for 2015. If you're planning an even bigger New Year's Eve than usual this year....Bario Neal has launched three absolutely stunning engagement rings just in time for midnight....how romantic?!

Have a lovely day and see you tomorrow!

Friday, December 19, 2014

The rustic Norwegian log cabin hide-away

How much would you love to head off to this rustic Norwegian log cabin for the holidays? If I could spend just five days at this retreat, belonging to founders and owners of Bolina,  I'd camp out by the  roaring log fire with a cup of tea, my book by Swedish novelist Jonas Jonasson- the one hundred year old man who climbed out of a window and disappeared (which I've been meaning to read all year), play board games with my family, take long walks in the snow, and generally feel relaxed and very merry. How about you?!

Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.
Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.
Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.
Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission.
Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer, Sisters Agency with kind permission. 

I have to say the owners have been ingenious in their decorating. At first glance it looks like a classic log cabin, but look closely and you'll notice a modern blend of textures  (concrete, wood, sheepskin, velvet, rattan) and styles (industrial, rustic, contemporary). Combine this with unique fittings such as the kitchen units crafted using reclaimed wood from a derelict barn and the result is an incredibly warm, cosy, personal retreat.

Oh how I dream to own a place like this. What about you?

More dreamy log cabin's I could pad around in this holiday include a Norwegian one by the sea (the sauna!), a black and white Finnish retreat, or a cottage in the snow that looks like this (toasty)!

If a rural retreat feels a million miles away right now and you have a christmas shopping list as long as your arm (it is the weekend before Christmas after all) you might want to take inspiration from these two fab gift guides: for children, for just about everyone. And my fail safe last minute man gift. Good luck!

Wishing you a wonderful, relaxing weekend!


Thursday, December 18, 2014

A relaxed and eclectic Stockholm space

'A pop of colour here and a vintage vibe there' is the best way to describe this very cool and relaxed apartment in Stockholm captured by Fantastic Frank. I like the casual way the books have been stacked on the kitchen floor, the striking yellow Mhy light, the decadent velvet armchair and the picture gallery wall. All in all, this space is just what I need on a Thursday - somewhere eclectic to kick-back and relax in style. Could you pad around here for the day?






Stylist: Mimmi Staaf, photographer: Emily Laye  Fantastic Frank

I note that stylist Mimmi has added two hot trends in interiors right now  - an oil portrait. They're relatively difficult to find but I love the ones sold by Three Potato Four and also the cool animal portraits by Oldi (I have the Lurcher one which has become a family favourite!). And antique chairs in velvet - how decadent to place a grand armchair in the kitchen - love it! (check out LiveAuctioneers or Lauritz for similar).

Seeing the stacked books has made me reflect on my own sitting room. I love books and feel the space looks disturbingly void of reading material, don't you? This Christmas I'll be pouring over my Pinterest storage board for ideas. One possibility is String shelves (I love the latest inspirational images they've released) and think they'll fit perfectly with my mid-century style. What do you think?

Lastly - today is a big day for me, it's the last day at my corporate job after 14 years in the industry! As of 1st Jaunary I'll be focusing full time on this blog - it's grown so much thanks to you all that I feel it's time to give it the attention it so deserves. Scary and exciting in equal measure! Here's to new and exciting adventures! And thank you all for your wonderful, ongoing encouragement and support.

Have a great day!

PS If it was Christmas decorating ideas you were after you can always check out my Christmas archive with a lorry load of decorating tips, DIY ideas and lovely scandinavian festive home tours. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!