Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

2013. As I entered the last couple months of 2013 and started reflecting on the past year I was not initally overcome with warm reflections….it was more like….well, exhaustion.

Some Days Are Diamonds, 

Some Days Are Rocks, 

Some Doors Are Opened, 

Some Roads Are Blocked

Walls,  Tom Petty

At first, because 2013 did not have the obvious outward sparkle and shine of previous years, I wanted to write it off as a blah year.  But that would not be fair.  While it did not hold the fanfare of years before, it might be one that changed my life more than I will realize for a long time.

2013 was a  year of learning. Hard lessons, repetitive lessons, small lessons, big lessons.  It was one of those years where a lot of days you just have to remember to put one foot in front of the other.  My plate was full, too full. Which brings me to the most important thing I learned this year….and it was hard. 

I learned to let go.

Somewhere during the slow drowning I was feeling God taught me how to let go.  Let go of how you plan or desire your path to go and realize you can't control everything, you can't be everything and you have to pick and choose and that is, in fact, okay.

A few things I learned to let go of this year that lightened the daily burden I was feeling:

-Getting pregnant when I wanted.  God's timing is perfect. 

-Feeling defined by my business/career.  Success, while a great, amazing thing can also become an enemy.  I am working on letting my career be something I enjoy and find fulfillment in, but not define my time on this planet.

- Mother Guilt.  Okay I am still working on this one but I am going in the right direction…most days…I think.  I am doing the best I can; Henry is a happy, healthy child and that is all I can ask for.  

-Feeling the need to blog*, tweet, go to events, etc. because I think I "should" rather than I want to.  Everywhere you turn there is something you feel you should be doing, someone to keep up with, something to take up precious time.  All these things are great, just in moderation.  They are wonderful when they are fun, not when they become another job.

*Sorry for the lack of blogging this year (I needed that time for other matters) and THANK YOU for still reading when I do post.

I could go on for a while but I think that covers what really defined a change in me this year.  I am thankful for 2013.  It was a really good year.  However, I am ready for 2014 and looking forward to a really great year.

All that glitters......

I can't believe 2013 has come to an end, it's flown by. I've had such a wonderful year, I hope you have too?! Now I'm gearing up for tomorrow night's new year's eve party which has to be a dipped gold glitter affair, how about you?

Dress designed by Jeffrey Monteiro for Bill Blass photo: Ann Street Studio

via

In case you're in need of some inspiration, here are some of the fantastic ideas I found on Pinterest: Glitter dipped door keys, gold confetti dipped balloons and beautiful glitter dipped nails! In fact my search has told me you can dip just about anything in gold glitter to make it look fab - an old pair of killer heels, a stained coffee cup,  tea light holders, mason jars, paper, star garlands, cutlery. The skies the limit for a year that glitters in gold!

In case you're after some fab new year's eve table decorating ideas take a peek at what Nina from Stylizimo did last year - so beautiful! 

In Sweden it's customary to let off fireworks at midnight so the year really does start with a bang - how about in your country?

Thank you so much for reading my blog in 2013!

Happy New Year!

See you on 2nd January for the first home tour of the year :)

Niki

Quiet Time

Oh so cosy Scandinavian log cabins

Hello! I hope you had a very merry Christmas and are enjoying the holidays?! We're having such a wonderful time with my family in England. The internet is so slow here at my parent's though I'm afraid I'll need to come back Monday with an extended post, but....

Credit - unfortunately I cannot locate the details for this beautiful image, can anyone help?

.......until then, I'll love you and leave you with links to some oh so fab and cosy Scandinavian log cabins. Just add snow!

Loving this Norwegian bedroom with a ski chalet feel and the Norwegian cabin by the sea.

Or how about a romantic Swedish log cabin with a twist.

Perhaps a Finnish family retreat in the islands is more your style.

Or if you're up for an alternative ski holiday, how about Glamping on the slopes? I'm there!

Have a lovely weekend and see you Monday! /Niki

Our Christmas Announcement

 This year's Christmas card is extra special to us because it came with exciting news...

That's right, we are having a baby in June.  It was a longer road to get here than planned but God's timing is always perfect and we are beyond thankful and thrilled.  

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with Christ's love.  

xx,

Marianne

Merry Christmas!

Petra Bindel for Elle Decoration

I hope you have a very merry Christmas!

See you on 27th!

N xxx

Quiet Time- Till He Appeared and the Soul Felt Its Worth

Truly He taught us to love one another, 

 His law is love and His gospel is peace.

-O Holy Night

Above lyrics not in the version below but I think they are so important for everyone to hear.

 

A happy and relaxed Dutch home (and beautiful Christmas cards!)

It's Friday and the end of a very looong week - time to celebrate, yay! Although this beautiful Dutch home isn't decorated for Christmas it still has some lovely pops of red. Based in Amsterdam, it's the home of design duo Romy Boesveldt and Ilya Yashkin and their three children. I love the mix of colours they've chosen and all of the designer / vintage finds. They clearly have a penchant for Tom Dixon lights too (people after my own heart!). What a beautiful, relaxed home!

Holly Marder for Houzz

The space was photographed by Holly Marder from Avenue Lifestyle (who also photographed this fab children's room) for Houzz where you can also check out many more pics from this colourful home.

If you're looking for last minute Christmas cards I have just the thing. A great (and very talented) Swedish friend of mine Ulrika, has just finished her first graphic design course and designed these beautiful Christmas cards exclusively for My Scandinavian Home blog. There are two fab cards to choose from.To view and print them off all you need to do is click on the following links:

Baubles card - designed by Ulrika Sjöström

Star card - designed by Ulrika Sjöström

Here's some last minute tree inspiration (for the pared-back look) -  I love the idea of having real candles on a tree but wouldn't dare risk it would you?! And if you're in the mood for sprucing up your home it's worth checking out Design Collector's Christmas promotions too.

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

A black and white home with a touch of pink

Hello and happy Thursday! It was a while ago I visited the fabulous Swedish estate agents Fantastic Frank and admired their wonderful styling and photography. This home stood out for it's colour palette (black, white, dusty pink) and the selection of fabulous lighting and furniture (the majority of which can be found at Nest), plus a few quirky touches.....

Fantastic Frank via Feel Inspired

I have bedding in that beautiful cassis rose colour and absolutely love it! The thing I don't have though are those feet - so fab and the stairs are such a great place for them (although I'm ot sure how long they'd last in that position in my home?!).

The Christmas tree in this post would work perfectly in this home, as would these decorations. So pretty!

If you're hankering after more Christmas inspiration for last minute inspiration you can scroll through ALL my Christmas posts from this year and last year here! Ho ho ho!

Have a lovely day!

The zen home of a LA fashion designer and boutique owner

Hello! Only a week left until Christmas and today I'm feeling the stress! Working full time, rushing around buying last minute presents and packing for three people while trying to keep the day to day running of the house going. Is anyone else feeling it? :( Just in case, here's a little oasis of calm - the LA home of Chay Wikes, fashion designer and owner of this beautiful LA boutique with the eponymous name. I love the concrete floors, textiles, vintage industrial furniture, high ceilings. Transport me there!

Photography: Brittany Ambridge, Interior design: Lauren Soloff and Chay Wike Via Bliss Blog 

What do you love about this home?

Full article and more lovely pictures over at Domino (plus a very beautiful shop).

Other homes providing a picture of calm today....this, this and this.

And if these fail, how about a trip to this incredible Alpine spa.....oh how I'd love to spend the entire holiday season there right now!

1,2,3 and breathe....

Have a lovely CALM day!

A Brazilian home to brighten up your day!

It's easy to forget when I look out at the gloomy weather here in Sweden that there are some parts of the world basking in sunshine right now (hello Southern hemisphere friends!). So this post is dedicated to you, and the rest of us will have to squirrel away the alfresco inspiration on our Pinterest boards until Spring! It's the Brazilian home of Lucas Jimeno photographed by Ruben Ortitz for Wish Casa. Stunning space!

Somewhere I would like to live for Wish Casa. Photography Ruben Ortitz with kind permission. 

Imagine that courtyard twinkling with fairy lights and a large wreath on those double doors. I love the black kitchen units and all the linen around the home (used instead of cupboard doors, table cloths, cushions, curtains etc - so beautiful) - I am thinking of using a dove grey linen table cloth for Christmas this year - lovely! 

Anything you love about this home in particular?

More stunning inspiration from this Brazilian beach home and this Brazilian escape. 

If you're hankering after a little Christmas inspiration today check out this home of a Danish clothes designer and this Finnish home all ready for Christmas. Very pretty! 

Have a lovely day!

Happy Place

The first time I went to New York was with my father when I was in high school.  We stayed at the Waldorf and ate pizza at the top of the World Trade Center.  I liked it.  

The next time I stepped foot in Manhattan was to live there for 4 months in college as an intern with a PR company.  There were 7 of us and indulged in everything NYC had to offer.  I have so many good memories of that time including turning 21.  I left LOVING the city.

Since then I try to get back whenever I can.  My Dad and I like to go there together; I wanted "New York, New York" to be our Father/Daughter dance song at my wedding.  

In addition to going with him, a new tradition started 4 years ago.  A group of four of us go every year at Christmas (well, last year we opted for Fashion Week instead). I can't tell you how much  I love this tradition.  Being with really good friends in a city I love is rejuvenating and just what the doctor ordered this time of year.  New York is one of my happy places.

However, now it is back to work!  I try to take two weeks off at Christmas every year to hang out with Henry and recharge so this week is going to be a doozy.  If I am not back on here I hope the week treats you well and I will be back soon!

A white and yellow children's bedroom

Hello, and happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend. Is it just me or was it near impossible to get up this morning? Last night my man and I wrote down a few plans of what we'd like to do in 2014. Out of a list of 10 we agreed on a couple of things - we'd both like to do a hut to hut three day hike in Norway (any tips?) and we both agreed on a sailing holiday in the Stockholm archipelagos so it's looking like a Scamdinavian summer, the rest is back to the drawing board! Of course I have lots of plans for the house too. One room that's destined for a make-over is my little girls' room. Here's my inspiration (from Maiike Koster).

Maiike Koster, My Deer

It's very white, which of course I love but I know my girls will want more colour. So this is merely a pipe dream. But so beautiful don't you think? Clever Maiike!

Get the look: Apple papple print, cardboard play house, sheep skin rug. Cool cushions. Beautiful children's clothing to match the beautiful room!

Do you remember Maiike's beautiful home which I showed a few weeks ago?

Have a lovely Monday!

PS Do you have 'must-do' plans for 2014?

Quiet Time

Silent night, Holy night

Shepherds quake, at the sight

Glory streams from heaven afar

Heavenly, hosts sings Hallelujah.

Christ the Savior is born,

Christ the Savior is born.

A Glimpse

I took this shot this week as we were shooting a nursery and I love the way it catches the feel if the room. Calm, peaceful with just a hint of Christmas from the wreath on the window. I hope you had a great week and a peaceful weekend on the horizon.

A black and white Christmas with Tine K.

It's the weekend, yay! There's going to be a flurry of last minute decorating and wrapping here in my home in preparation of celebrating our 'Swedish Christmas' with my husband's family next weekend. If like me, you're looking for new ideas - here's a touch of inspiration. When it comes to Christmas, Danish brand Tine K Home always come up trumps. The Tine K Home  theme for the holiday season 2013 is black and white, save for the tree which is also decorated with a touch of earthy mauve (or, what would you call this colour?).

Tine K Home inspired by a post from Purple Area

Do you like a black and white theme at Christmas?

I've gone for a white and brown theme and hung ginger snaps in our tree. The scent as you walk in the door is wonderful, I can definitely recommend it. How do you create the smell of Christmas in your home?

If you love this style you'll also love the home tour of Tine K Home's owner.

For more black and white Christmas inspiration check out this Swedish home, this Norwegian home  and here for beautiful Danish Christmas decoration inspiration.

This afternoon I'm heading up to the nursery to watch my girls in their Luciatåg (Lucia procession). My eldest will be a 'tomten' and my youngest 'Lucia' with a crown of candles in her hair (not real thankfully), I can't wait, it'll be so sweet! What are you up to this evening / over the next couple of days?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

PS I have a little Christmas treat for you next week designed by my friend here in Malmö!.....