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How Do I... Decorate in a Scandi-Christmas Style?
Love the Scandi look? Why not decorate with a Nordic theme this festive season – here's how
Georgia Madden
8 December 2018
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Agnes Sweijer, interior designer and head of Sweijer Design, reveals how to decorate your home with a Scandi feel this holiday season.
Scandinavians use many of the same traditional colours as those in Australia, such as red, gold, green, silver, but we style them slightly differently.
We use a lot of natural materials in our festive styling, and rather than introducing colour purely through decoration, we like to bring it in with natural elements, such as shiny, red apples, earthy cinnamon sticks and bright oranges.
We use a lot of natural materials in our festive styling, and rather than introducing colour purely through decoration, we like to bring it in with natural elements, such as shiny, red apples, earthy cinnamon sticks and bright oranges.
Keep it simple
Scandinavians love nature, and as such, we don’t like to detract from the beauty of the Christmas tree with too many decorations –less is more.
We favour minimalist ornaments and like to leave space around items so they have room to ‘breathe’ visually.
Scandinavians love nature, and as such, we don’t like to detract from the beauty of the Christmas tree with too many decorations –less is more.
We favour minimalist ornaments and like to leave space around items so they have room to ‘breathe’ visually.
Key elements of Scandi-Christmas style
Candles are a must. It’s cold and dark in Scandinavia at Christmas time, and candles instantly make your home feel warm and cosy. They will add a welcoming, festive touch to an Australian Christmas set-up, too.
Candles are a must. It’s cold and dark in Scandinavia at Christmas time, and candles instantly make your home feel warm and cosy. They will add a welcoming, festive touch to an Australian Christmas set-up, too.
- If you’re concerned about having lit candles in your home, use fairy lights strung around the mantelpiece, shelves or windows instead.
- Mix candles and candelabras of different heights to create a relaxed and organic feel. For a traditional Scandinavian look, choose timber candelabras and decorate with a few ornaments. For a contemporary look, choose a style in a metallic finish.
- You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy Christmas decorations for an effective Scandi look. Plain glass baubles or baubles spray-painted in the festive colours of your choice will look stylish on the Christmas tree.
- For the Christmas tree, choose a Norway spruce or Nordmann fir for a Nordic feel.
- Choose two or three festive colours that will harmonise with your decor rather than a medley of different colours, which can make a room feel uncoordinated.
- Traditionally, Scandinavians use small Santa-figurine decorations and angel ornaments in their Christmas arrangements, which they don’t just hang on the tree but sit on flat surfaces, such as the mantelpiece and console table. Just remember not to overdo it – you don’t want your home to look cluttered.
- Make a garland with Christmas tree branches and tie it with a bright red, silver or gold ribbon. Or, for a more modern look, arrange some sculptural branches in a simple vase and hang a few ornaments from them.
- Hanging some mistletoe above a doorway is a lovely Scandi tradition that you may wish to recreate here. For a coordinated look, tie it up with a ribbon that matches your festive colour scheme.
Scandi table styling
- For a classic Scandi look, set the table with a simple, white-washed linen tablecloth. For more drama, choose a charcoal-linen table dressing. Both will look wonderful with red, gold and silver.
- Opt for a low-level centrepiece rather than a towering style. Consider arranging a runner made from greenery, such as fir branches the length of the table, and weave through some candles of different heights.
- Choose cutlery that coordinates with the metallic finish of your Christmas decorations for a cohesive look.
- To add a splash of colour to your table decor, look to nature – think bright red berries or cheery oranges.
Decorate the front door
A classic Scandinavian wreath will often feature moss or green fir branches as the foundation. For a simple Scandi look with an Australian twist, you could make a wreath from eucalyptus branches or magnolia flowers.
Decorate the wreath with berries, cinnamon sticks and scaled-down versions of the ornaments you’ve hung on your tree in order to create a sense of connection between inside and out.
A classic Scandinavian wreath will often feature moss or green fir branches as the foundation. For a simple Scandi look with an Australian twist, you could make a wreath from eucalyptus branches or magnolia flowers.
Decorate the wreath with berries, cinnamon sticks and scaled-down versions of the ornaments you’ve hung on your tree in order to create a sense of connection between inside and out.
Don’t forget scent
No Scandi festive decor is complete without the scents and sounds of Christmas. We love to combine the aromas of oranges, cinnamon, and spiced mulled wine with the natural smell of the Christmas tree.
No Scandi festive decor is complete without the scents and sounds of Christmas. We love to combine the aromas of oranges, cinnamon, and spiced mulled wine with the natural smell of the Christmas tree.
Start a Scandi tradition
One Nordic tradition the children are sure to love is advent calendars. This special calendar is used to count down the days from December 1 to Christmas. There are many different styles available, but a perennial favourite is a large calendar featuring numbered pockets, which is hung on a wall. Parents pop a small gift in each pocket, and children open one every morning until Christmas Day.
The presents can be very small and cost just a few dollars – it’s all about extending the excitement and anticipation in the lead-up to Christmas Day – and it’s something the whole family can enjoy.
One Nordic tradition the children are sure to love is advent calendars. This special calendar is used to count down the days from December 1 to Christmas. There are many different styles available, but a perennial favourite is a large calendar featuring numbered pockets, which is hung on a wall. Parents pop a small gift in each pocket, and children open one every morning until Christmas Day.
The presents can be very small and cost just a few dollars – it’s all about extending the excitement and anticipation in the lead-up to Christmas Day – and it’s something the whole family can enjoy.
Tell us
Are you keen to create a Scandi-inspired Christmas this year? Tell us your plans in the Comments below. And remember to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
If you’d like to introduce a Scandi style to your home throughout the year, not just at Christmas, chat with a local interior designer or decorator for some ideas
Are you keen to create a Scandi-inspired Christmas this year? Tell us your plans in the Comments below. And remember to like, share and save this story. Join the conversation.
More
If you’d like to introduce a Scandi style to your home throughout the year, not just at Christmas, chat with a local interior designer or decorator for some ideas
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