A minimalistic handcarved Dalecarlian horse from Färä. Available at Åhlens, among others. Perfect for urban dwellings where a bright red painted horse would stick out like a sore thumb.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ÅHLENS WEB SHOP
HANG TIGHT
Every Christmas I make a mental note of what I need to stock in larger numbers for next year. A few years back it was paper napkins (with plenty of kids as guests I should have seen it coming), then it was frozen vegetables (Norwegian grocery stores were closed for most of the holiday), and last year it was gift tags. Why? Because writing with markers on gifts is an instant downgrade... These are plain and pretty. From Lagerhaus.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE LAGERHAUS WEBSHOP
THE GRAY-T POT
The new NYPON potsfrom IKEA are a steal. Modern clean lines, light weight, available in a range of sizes and suitable for both indoor and outdoor uses. Best of all? Empty pots can be stacked for storage! Would look good with a schlumbergera, poinsettia, or a small tree for winter.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA WEBSHOP
CHRISTMAS TREND FORECAST
In 2012 I was interviewed by Gina Munsey of the Oaxacaborn blog about christmas trends and concluded that:
"the next big thing will be a warmer retro palette with influences from the seventies: deep green, navy, orange, yellow, brown and brass"
In 2017 TrendStefan, declared the christmas colour of the year to be brown. In 2018 he declared it to be green, and press images everywhere have navy couches with mustard colour accent pillows this fall. Not to mention that brass has been the IT-metal of the past 8 years by now. The orange I was expecting to see was replaced by many shades of rust and pinks, as orange was relegated to October as the imported holiday Halloween has increased in popularity.
I believe these trends have peaked by now and that the novelty of that colour sheme has worn thin.
The cabin aestethic with its ubiquitous reindeers and plaid patterns have evolved into a fairytale genre with elves and toadstools joining small gnomes. You can see it most blatantly at IKEA this year. Plenty of toadstools, hedgehogs, badgers, squirrels, roses and acorns, all of which are certainly gone by the beginning of November in Scandinavian nature and have few references to christmas, but plenty to fairy tales.
This move from wintry forests and lodges to lush hedges and bushes is parallel to the shift from rustic to bourgeoisie. Holidays at castles and opulent apartments from the early 1900s are the new style references. Plants on pedestals, sugared fruit platters, velvet and silk ribbon, Elsa Beskow, Beatrix Potter, William Morris, candlesticks, tied bouquets and floral centrepieces. In Sweden perhaps a revival for discontinued china such as God Jul by Rorstrand. We might even see a return of the potpourri. The coming years I expect to see plenty of table settings with a mix of thrift shop and flea market items mixed with inherited and modern pieces. The table linen will be spotlighted as the element that tie it all together.
The counterpart to that classic christmas is the modern minimalistic holiday with a pared back rather monochrome and neutral palette. Richness in textures with sheepskin, handmade pottery, decorations made from straw, enamel, linen fabric, checkered fabrics, frayed and salvaged edges, small potted indoor trees, and of course votives and hurricanes en masse. Style references are Shaker furniture and food items such as grains, seeds, notes, porridge, beets, black kale and farm style breads and a general romanticism about "simpler times". Quilts and candle making will trend again, and rolled beeswax candles will return as a fragrant staple at christmas markets.
"the next big thing will be a warmer retro palette with influences from the seventies: deep green, navy, orange, yellow, brown and brass"
In 2017 TrendStefan, declared the christmas colour of the year to be brown. In 2018 he declared it to be green, and press images everywhere have navy couches with mustard colour accent pillows this fall. Not to mention that brass has been the IT-metal of the past 8 years by now. The orange I was expecting to see was replaced by many shades of rust and pinks, as orange was relegated to October as the imported holiday Halloween has increased in popularity.
I believe these trends have peaked by now and that the novelty of that colour sheme has worn thin.
The cabin aestethic with its ubiquitous reindeers and plaid patterns have evolved into a fairytale genre with elves and toadstools joining small gnomes. You can see it most blatantly at IKEA this year. Plenty of toadstools, hedgehogs, badgers, squirrels, roses and acorns, all of which are certainly gone by the beginning of November in Scandinavian nature and have few references to christmas, but plenty to fairy tales.
This move from wintry forests and lodges to lush hedges and bushes is parallel to the shift from rustic to bourgeoisie. Holidays at castles and opulent apartments from the early 1900s are the new style references. Plants on pedestals, sugared fruit platters, velvet and silk ribbon, Elsa Beskow, Beatrix Potter, William Morris, candlesticks, tied bouquets and floral centrepieces. In Sweden perhaps a revival for discontinued china such as God Jul by Rorstrand. We might even see a return of the potpourri. The coming years I expect to see plenty of table settings with a mix of thrift shop and flea market items mixed with inherited and modern pieces. The table linen will be spotlighted as the element that tie it all together.
The counterpart to that classic christmas is the modern minimalistic holiday with a pared back rather monochrome and neutral palette. Richness in textures with sheepskin, handmade pottery, decorations made from straw, enamel, linen fabric, checkered fabrics, frayed and salvaged edges, small potted indoor trees, and of course votives and hurricanes en masse. Style references are Shaker furniture and food items such as grains, seeds, notes, porridge, beets, black kale and farm style breads and a general romanticism about "simpler times". Quilts and candle making will trend again, and rolled beeswax candles will return as a fragrant staple at christmas markets.
OUR TURN TO TREK
In Norway, Sunday is turdag. A tur is a hike by foot, ski, or skates in the outdoors. Families, groups of friends, teams, classmates, or even a hiking club will meet to hike a trail, mountaintop, seaside, or forest. Our youngest haven't been a light load to carry and our oldest hard to convince but this year I am determined to force them outside a little more often on Sundays! I have consulted the Oslove guide by Hanna Norberg to find semi-urban hike routes, and have stored up on Kvikklunsj, the ubiquitous Norwegian hiking treat. Hopefully it will entice the family to advance to trails and mountaintops next year.
IMAGE: SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS BLOG/ANNA
THE ROLF SCHMITZ COLLECTION AT BUKOWSKIS
IMAGE: FAKSIMILE, AUCTION CATALOGUE, BUKOWSKIS
THEY SCENT ME HOME
More ambiance in our home is desperately needed. The scattered toys, piles of laundry and homework don't do the job. I've been pleased with the cinnamon scented candle, but new in this season is the cinnamon scented air diffusers and it might be the fall staple that will will do the trick for our messy quarters. I shall hunt them down as soon as I am done cleaning. From Bruka Design and available in clear and smoked glass.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BRUKA DESIGN WEBPAGE, USED WITH PERMISSION
SEASON OF STORIES
We try to read to our children a couple of times a week during the year, with varying degrees of enthusiasm on their part. Each October, however, storytime experiences an annual revival as evenings become dark again. Blankets, lit candles and stormy weather rustling the leaves on the trees outside the windows is the perfect setting for winding down. If you haven't tried it in a while, turn off all screens, put phones in silent mode and open a book to a new chapter as the sun descends below the tree tops tonight.
IMAGE: PHOTO BY FRIDA VIA FLICKR
SEW SCANDINAVIAN
The text line is from the psalm Hur härligt vittna skog och sjö written by Zacharias Topelius in 1879. Freely translated it says "In the splendours of the northern lights and robed in stars" As with many psalms the lyrics can be sung with several melodies, for example the well known melody to I denne ljuva sommertid by Nathan Söderblom in Sweden, and in Finland to a melody by Johann Balthasar König from 1738. The Swedish version as included in the "Swedish Sunday school song book for use in homes, school, and Sunday services for children" published in 1929, can be found here.
TWO, PLEASE
Always on the look our for items that corral the random lego pieces, coins, twigs, and action figures that boys treasure. This pot/bowl is playful and modern and a perfect fit for both our tweenie and kindergartener. From the temporary collection Sjalvstandig by IKEA.
IMAGE: IKEA
A SWEET THANK YOU
A paper cone filled with chocolate truffles is a common hostess gift in Sweden and a great souvenir if you're looking for something to bring home for a friend. Available from different suppliers at well sorted grocery stores and department stores. This version with milk chocolate and almond crunch is from Arbrå Ångbageri.
IMAGE: ÅHLENS WEBSHOP
IN SEASON
A seasonal ingredient this time of year in Scandinavia is cauliflower. I love to steam it and mash together with a dollop of good Italian pesto. A flavourful alternative to mashed potatoes.
IMAGE: AL/SCANDINAVIAN CHRISTMAS BLOG
THROW IT AROUND
IMAGE: AHLENS WEBSHOP
A NEW FAVOURITE
IMAGE: ARKET.COM WEBSHOP
HOME WORK
The first frosty nights have arrived, on time as usual. Time to turn attentions to the inside of our homes as we prepare for winter. Welcome October and welcome friends, we are back!IMAGE: Homework by Carl Larsson [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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