Image source: Wikimedia Commons
It’s officially December and we all know what that means… It’s time to deck the halls! In a departure from the usual riot of tinsel, baubles and glitter, I’m edging towards a more Scandinavian scheme this year. I love the blend of natural materials and modern elements in a soothing yet festive colour palette.
There’s nowhere better to go for inspiration than Scandinavia at Christmas. The snowy winters and iconic architecture of Nordic villages just feels so festive. Add native reindeer to the equation and you’ve got the perfect picture of Christmas.
So what is it about Scandi style that I love so much? I think it’s the fact that it seems so effortless – it’s not overdone or trying too hard, it’s just quietly cool. Scandi design is also classic and timeless so you really can’t go wrong. So how can you recreate this in your home? Read on to find out…
Natural Elements
Scandinavians borrow from their beautiful surroundings to create stunning Christmas decorations. Things like simple green wreaths, pine cones tied with red ribbon and branches in vases feature alongside the traditional Christmas trees.
Colour Scheme
White, red, grey, black and a natural brown/stone are practically the only colours you’ll see in Scandinavian homes this Christmas. This might sound a bit bland, but when you combine these hues with the natural green of the tree it all comes to life. This festive colour scheme works especially well in Scandi homes because the wood furniture and flooring is often very pale. It’s the perfect foil for strong colour and really lets it shine.
Decorations
Tradition is important to the Scandinavians, that’s why you’ll always see the Swedish Dala Horse or the straw Yule Goat adorning the mantle at Christmas. Other decorations include handmade paper ornaments and beautifully painted baubles in all shapes and sizes. Finally, to get that real Scandi look, you’ll need lots of candles and Christmas lights to give the house a cheery, festive glow.
One of my favourite shops in Bath sells wonderful Scandi furniture and design classics. Located in Walcot Street, Shannon Furniture has a really imaginative festive window display every year, created by the shop owner Sue Shannon. It looks amazing and always gets me into the Christmas spirit. If you can’t make it to Bath, you can buy Scandi style gifts and furniture from the well-stocked website.
