PREPARING FOR WINTER

It¨s the first day of fall break in Oslo, and I'm mending the knees of trousers with the background soundtrack of a dish washer in one room and the rhythmic hums of a laundry machine in another. When my tea is ready, I will take my sewing pile outside and mull over plans for our tiny flower bed. Bulbs? Bushes? Berries? Blooms? The trees surrounding the garden are shifting from green to yellow one at a time, as if they were a colouring book and someone was penciling in each leaf.

September and October are a delight with all their blazing colours. The mountains in the north are never as beautiful as in fall, with intense sunsets burning on the horizon each afternoon. Further south, forests rise mighty and inviting, filled with the sounds of birds and animals fattening up on berries, pine cones and shrubs. In our suburbs, the air smells of apples, pears and plums, cut grass and fall flowers. First graders are wiggling loose teeth, and the older kids race to school in new rain gear.

And there is still day light. The skies may be gray, but the days are not dark yet, so Scandinavians savour the lingering light.

Welcome to another season on the blog.

WINTER IS COMING

Welcome to new readers and returning visitors! We are well beyond halftime a.k.a midsummer, and according to the old viking calendars, winter arrives in about two months. October is also the official season premiere of the blog, so bookmark us, subscribe to bloglovin or visit our pinterest boards for pre season inspiration.

The Scandinavian summer was mostly lukewarm and rainy this year, so it seems fall has arrived early with chilly nights and spectacular sunsets. Enjoy the crayfish, moon eclipses, harvest season and floral abundance of fall, and we´ll see you soon!

WALK IN THE LIGHT

Today is Kyndelsmӓssodagen, and Christmas is officially over, but in addition to the catholic symbolism tied to this day, the sun has also returned to the polar regions. The polar night is finally over, even in Svalbard.

WEEKEND INSPIRATIONS

Have you visited Svenskt Tenn's new and improved webpage? Don't miss the "Inspiration" tab with new rooms every season. Available in both a Swedish and an English version.

THIS! How I long to visit Ulriksdals tradgård every time I go to Stockholm, and my web browser history proves it. Since I usually travel alone with kids, it's been about nine years since my last visit. Imagine that! Nine!

The Grand Hotel in Stockholm recently underwent a major renovation. The gallery showcasing their muted interiors are a delight.
IMAGE: GRAND HOTEL STOCKHOLM, WEBPAGE

HOME EC 2.0

Hemkunskap is Swedish for Home Economics but the literal translation is "Home Knowledge". I am fully capable of feeding my family, but it is time to up my game in the kitchen. When a chef boasting two Michelin stars publishes a book about simple home cooking basics, I cetrainly expect it to elevate our week day dinners. Sample pages at Bokus. 

IMAGE: BONNIER FAKTA PRESS IMAGE

IT'S CLEARLY WELCOME BACK

I'm STOKED about the re-launch of Limelight by Kosta Boda. The glasses are the icons of the collection, but I adore the pitcher and the vase for roses. 

IMAGE: PRESS IMAGE KOSTA BODA

WEEK FOUR

The first month of this year is unusually warm in Oslo, but with the characteristic gray skies and icy gravel strewn streets of most Nordic urban winter days. I linger in the midwinter darkness, the cozy feel of wool blankets and resist the urge to welcome spring too soon. In a week or so I will begin to introduce white and green in the home again, to welcome the light. But not quite yet.

In the desperate attempt to declutter prior to a move six years ago I threw away the old maps I'd been saving to have framed.  I'd torn out the original print from a book in an even earlier attempt to declutter. This was one of those maps, printed in 1909, and I miss it terribly. Perhaps it is time to admit to myself that I never grew up. I am one still of those who adore the treasures others call clutter.

IMAGES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: BLOMSTERFRAMJANDET, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, USED WITH PERMISSION. MAP OF STOCKHOLM FROM THE INTERNET BOOK ARCHIVE 

IT'S A CATCH

January, a.k.a. the bleak month post Christmas, is said to be the poorest month of the year for most Scandinavians. So here's a budget friendly tip: the coat hangers in iron that we bought for our hallway are a steal at JULA.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE JULA WEBSHOP

GOOD NIGHT MOON

Much like the Chinese I name each year after an animal. Well,sort of, I name it after a room...or a project area.

2017 is the year of the bedroom. This is the year we'll establish better bedtime routines, ban late night netsurfing, upgrade bed linen and bedding, get cozy sleep wear and in short: sleep well every night and wake up rested and bright every morning.

One can at least dream, no?

Above, muted tones and timeless design from Åhlens, which I am considering for the children's room. But it might be the 2013 fall catalogue from Mille Notti that will be my style guide on the journey towards a bedroom where good sleep abides.
IMAGES: PRODUCT IMAGE ÅHLENS; (ABISKO)

JANUARY

IMAGE BY CARL LARSSON VIA FLICKR, CREATIVE COMMONS  

Kom, helg!

Kom, vinter, med din vita ro,
kom, helg, med dina håvor!
Låt fattigfolk i fruset bo få del av dina gåvor!
Låt gammalfolk bli ungt på nytt
och minnas blott allt gott som flytt
och maka sig tillsamman i stilla glam och gamman.

Kom, jul -- må gamla hymner klart
av unga röster sjungas,
var själ blir lättad underbart,
som eljest hårt betungas av dagens ok
och aldrig ser en glimt av soln, förra hon går ner.
Nu soln ikring oss dansar
i ljus och och krus och kransar!

Kom, nyår, med ditt gryningsljus
och lär oss tro och hoppas!
Hörs ej en sunnans milda sus?
Snart nakna kvistar knoppas.
Kom, Ljusa Stjärna, med din glans,
kom Sankte Knut! En sista dans
kring gran i gårdens driva,
dær snart står vårens viva!


Swedish holiday poem "Kom, helg" by Karl-Erik Forsslund

LET IT SPRAY LET IT SPRAY LET IT SPRAY

Plastic spray bottles are usually pastel or gharish neon colours. This one is neutral enough to be allowed to remain on the sink in between meal clean up for easy access throughout the day. Also available in clear and 2 other tints, from Clas Ohlson. 

IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE CLAS OHLSON

A MERRY TREE-O

It had been waiting in the yard for a good eleven days but the tree made it into the living room this week. In the beginning og December dad and oldest son had fun picking and choosing the tree while the youngest got busy downing 6 cups of gløgg and 11 ginger bread snaps... To each his own.
IMAGE: PERSPEKTIVET MUSEUM TROMSØ, VIA FLICKR

SEW SEW GOOD

I love a great shortcut. These unadorned aprons in gray chambray from Åhléns are perfect for embroidered personalization. A clever quote, a nordic star, a phrase the receiver has coined, or a simple monogram in a contrasting colour will make the gift thoughtful, useful and appreciated. In Sweden, most Åhléns stores open late until christmas eve.

Hurry hurry and you'll have time to finish one or two before Santa is supposed to arrive.

IMAGE: ÅHLENS.SE

DECEMBER 13

They were rolled into their characteristic S-shape well past midnight last night, but there was indeed a traditional Lucia table decked this morning complete with Adventsbarn, lussekatter, gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate with ham sandwiches on the side...

Ateljé Lyktan was established in 1934 and their electric Lucia line up from 1964 is considered a classic. Available from Byggfabriken.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE BYGGFABRIKEN WEBSHOP

WINTER

IMAGE: "Straws and ice crystals" by Trond Kristiansen. 
Published under creative commons license, click on link in image for full attribution and license.

SMALL OBJECT, BIG LIKES

A small painted block coloured glass cylinder from H&M Home is the best item in their whole range at the moment. Fill with candies, nuts or cookies and deliver as hostess gift.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE H&M HOME WEBSHOP 

TOASTY BUNS

Scandinavian winter is more enjoyable when you aren't freezing your behind off. These bloomers (!?) are made of silk or a silk and wool blend to keep you warm. Pair with wool tights or hosiery and you can even brave the streets in a skirt. From Calida and Twilfit. Available in Twilfit stores and online.
IMAGE: PRODUCT IMAGE TWILFIT 

THREE´S A CHARM

 

Cajsa Stina Åkerström is my queen in the singer-songwriter genre. Worth a listen even if you speak no Swedish at all. Vreden och stormen. Silje Nergaard rules the jazzpop genre. Chain of Days. Ingebjørg Bratland reminds me of Cajsa Stina but with less perfectionism and more folksy vocal ornamentation. Månesinn.
IMAGE: ITUNES.COM

DECEMBER BLUES

We are entering the second week in advent and Christmas is just a few weeks away, but I am not ready for the bright reds just yet. It seems as if I keep returning to a muted blue and green colour scheme this time of year. 

Throw pillows from Åhlens, Lexington and Svenskt Tenn. Glass jar from Iittala, Coasters from Svensk Tenn, Wooden teddy from Rosendahl, Brass napkin rings from Skultuna, Tea cup from Design House Stockholm, Plant from Plantasjen, Glass vase from Lyngby Porcelæn. 

IMAGE: PRESS OR PRODUCT IMAGES FROM ÅHLENS, LEXINGTON, SVENSKT TENN, IITTALA, ROSENDAHL, SKULTUNA, DESIGN HOUSE STOCKHOLM, PLANTASJEN, LYNGBY PORSELÆN.