ADVENT

Longyearbreen (glacier) at Advent Bay, Spitzbergen, Norway. Photo from between 1890-1900.
IMAGE: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

FILMS FROM THE NORDIC MUSEUM

Did you know that the Swedish museum of Nordic history has its own youtube channel where they publish both recent interviews and old black and white films that document both farm life and old techniques for making coal, textiles, and much more?

Visit the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/nordiskamuseet/featured 

or go straight to my favorites:

The beautiful architectural details of the Nordic Museum

Laundry pressing techniques

A beautiful presentation of the Swedish Nordic museum and how it came to be 

WITH WARM WISHES

Looking for a gift to a homeowner? A beautiful iron fire basket is my answer. Perfect to gather around for that outdoor toast at midnight on New year's Eve.
IMAGE: QVESARUM WEBSHOP PRODUCT IMAGE

BEST IN SHOW 2019

A christmas range is as difficult to sell as a christmas album: it has to be traditional enough to fit the genre, but include enough new interpretations to add to what the consumers already own.

This year Åhléns hits the mark with products that fit a muted nordic winter colour scheme, as well as an interpretation of traditional Nordic folklore (if you're looking for a kitschy glitzy global celebration, there's plenty of that too). Whether your celebration will be a Royal Copenhagen kind of affair, or a Skansen fairytale you'll find something that fits perfectly. Additional bonus points for offering products that can be used the full winter season, if not year round, such as the monochrome linen shown above left, to great prices.
IMAGE: PRESS IMAGES ÅHLENS 

MY TYPE OF WIPE

The perfectest paper napkin! Festive and bright coloured for a gløggmingel or dinner party, yet simple enough to perk up a regular gray Tuesday, From Arket.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ARKET WEBSHOP

A BOX JUST IN TIME

Brushing the kids' teeth for 2 minutes, rinsing with mouth wash for 1 minute, applying make up while the breakfast eggs are boiling...our morning routines make me carry my phone around the house as a combined timer and clock, and by the time I'm leaving for work I can't remember where I last put it...

Touch activated, battery operated, small, table clock with three alarm settings from Clas Ohlson is discreet enough for a bathroom cabinet, while helping everyone step in time.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE CLAS OHLSON WEBSHOP 

WHY AND HOW

On the site of a pagan temple or banquet hall, a Christian church was erected in the 12th century in Uppsala. In the Nordic countries we still use the pagan word Yule for the holiday that was once celebrating the solstice. The Encyclopedia Britannica has an excellent summary of the origins and contemporary fixtures of Christmas.
IMAGE: PHOTO BY SEVERIN NILSSON, CA 1880 OR 1890, FROM THE ARCHIVES OF THE SWEDISH NATIONAL HERITAGE BOARD  

ORGANIZING THE KIDS´ ART SUPPLIES

This magazine rack in iron looks like the perfect way to store our collection of half finished colouring, sticker and activity books while still being accessible enough for small hands. On sale at Swedish home decor store Lagerhaus.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE LAGERHAUS WEBSHOP

TO KNIT OR NOT TO KNIT?

            

As our family members grow older, the number of screens aka electronic gadgets have increased exponentially. At the moment I´m entertaining the idea of learning how to knit, as a way to increase my own share creative "screen free" activities. Machine washable yarn from Novita Nordic Wool. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE NOVITA NORDIC WOOL

VILA VID DENNA KÄLLA

I miss Stockholm more than ever in November, so spend my evenings browsing archives with historical images from some of my favourite places. Watercoloured pencil drawing by Elias Martin, from 1780 depicting an oak at the Djurgården park area in Stockholm, close to Blockhusudden.
IMAGE: Photograph by Jan Eve Olsson, 1995, from the library of the Swedish National Heritage Board (Vitterhetsakademiens bibliotek)via Flickr

RAGTIME

It annoys me that so many regular household items have either jelly bean bright colours (pink, blue, green), or industrial cool gray tones. Microfiber rags from Kid Interiør may not transform mundane wiping into an entertaining pastime, but at least they blend in seamlessly with the rest of your fall and winter home.

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE KID INTERIØR WEBSHOP

LIGHTHEADED

A few years ago I attended a birthday dinner where the hostess had placed petite oil lamps around the apartment instead of the ever present tea lights. It added a sort of understated finesse that made an impression on me, so was happy to find the new Clas Ohlson oil burners/lamps at bargain prices.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE CLAS OHLSON WEBSHOP 

STONE ME INTO THE GROOVE

If there is such a thing as a glaze snob I have to confess to being one. It surely comes as no surprise to long time readers of the blog. Stoneware in particular has to have a nice look and, equally important, a nice feel as you touch it. Many IKEA items with good design fall short when it comes to the glaze, but the glaze on H&M's range of stoneware is the best I've seen in this price range. I'm particularly fond of the green and black, and the the asymmetrical pieces. New color additions are pink and yellow. Whoever is designing this line deserves a hefty Christmas bonus this year.
IMAGE: H&M WEB SHOP 

FRAME IT THIS WAY

For the past 15 years I've been on the look out for picture frames with a narrow frame at a good price. It was nowhere to find, and IKEA's RIBBA was ubiquitous. I considered custom framing but the price tag was hefty. Finally IKEA launched their Lomviken line. Bliss.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE IKEA

BABY BUNNY

Forget about snapchat filters. The only time you truly rock bunny ears is when your head fits into a baby hat. These are from Åhléns and on my shopping list for expecting friends. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE ÅHLENS WEBSHOP

WELCOME BACK

October is here with cool winds, gray skies and yellow leaves.

The blog is open for its 8th season in all its old school glory.

Many blogs have evolved into lifestyle magazines where digital influencers show highly edited and staged homes featuring commercial product placements. This one sure hasn't. It is still a quiet corner  that highlights my favourite seasonal finds of all sorts. Product features and interiors can be visually inspiring, but you don't need to own a red log cabin in the mountain, a Victorian flat in Stockholm or a barn on the countryside to invite Scandinavian hygge into your home. All you need is a tea light, a cinnamon bun, soft spoken music in the background, and you'll be ready for winter.

Welcome back, friends.

 IMAGE: AUTUMN IN TYRESTA BY ERIK JUNBERG, OCTOBER 2015