On New Year's Eve, everyone is in a festive, high spirits and bustle. You want to decorate your home and impress the guests who will definitely stop by to congratulate you. And simply, I want to create a fabulous, snowy, gentle atmosphere of magic at home these days!
A Scandinavian-style interior in itself is an excellent basis for creating a winter fairy tale of Christmas days. The most suitable New Year's decorations for such a home are those made with your own hands and from natural materials! This approach is fully consistent with the concept of Scandinavian style. Moreover, it is ideal for decorating such a wonderful family holiday as Christmas.
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“These days I don’t want anything earthly...”
(Nikiforov-Volgin V. A. “Silver Blizzard”)
Christmas is one of the few holidays when you want to believe in a miracle. Along with a host of small beautiful snowflakes, something translucent is floating in the air, like a thin, radiant ether that God himself breathes. The heart is imperceptibly filled with warmth, a childish belief in magic and all-conquering goodness. At such moments, a person strives to lovingly decorate every corner of his home with fabulous Christmas symbols. And in Scandinavian interiors, this tradition has acquired an incredibly important meaning and a unique “natural” flavor.
Materials in Norwegian interior
The Norwegian style uses materials typical of the Scandinavian Peninsula and its surroundings. First of all, it is worth mentioning natural wood, which is preferred to other materials in decoration, furniture and decor. Wooden surfaces are varnished (usually matte varnish) to reveal the texture, or painted white. The latter is more common in urban interiors in the southern part of the country.
Wood is the basis of style Source lillehammerfjellstue.no
Norwegian style combines wood with other materials; Brick, stone, concrete, glass, matte porcelain stoneware are welcome. Metal is used to a limited extent. These can be chandeliers with forged elements, lamps made of chrome or black metal.
In modern interiors there is space for plastic. This can be a material that imitates a natural surface (for example, a tabletop with the texture of wood or stone) or an object made of bright plastic in an eclectic solution. Additionally, natural textiles, leather, rattan, and ceramics are used.
Kitchen in a country house Source aviarydecor.com
Most important attribute
Christmas without a spruce is like winter without snow or a cheerful holiday without guests. But it is not necessary to buy a large and lush tree: in small apartments, a fluffy brush of any needles can play the role of “the main character of the celebration.” As a last resort - a graphically curved twig or a large branch of a deciduous tree, decorated simply and minimalistically. And there are also completely avant-garde options: paper fir trees, depicted silhouettes of a festive tree on the wall, original constructive compositions from scrap materials. Fresh, modern, not boring?
Palette
Norwegian house designs were originally designed to make the most of natural light. It is not surprising that many people strongly associate Norwegian, like the entire Scandinavian style, with white color and bright space filled with IKEA furniture.
However, the Norwegian style, like all modern trends, is based not on strict rules, but on techniques, and therefore it is influenced by fashion trends in world design. Thus, in the 80s, pastel colors appeared in Norwegian interiors; a decade later they were replaced by earthy tones. Later, there was a fashion for light blue, lilac and violet shades.
In a classic palette Source pufikhomes.com
In recent years, the design has been filled with richer and more energetic colors: red, orange, coral, yellow. Often, pale blue, turquoise, or mint shades are chosen to decorate a living room or kitchen.
Despite the style’s loyalty to bright colors, the basis still remains white, gray and their derivatives, light and muted tones. The color of natural wood is complementary; the remaining shades are used in doses, mainly in decoration and textiles. The fashion for bright accents is more common in cities.
Black color is present only if it is functional: in the form of forged parts or the cast iron body of the fireplace stove.
Modern color scheme Source vox-cdn.com
So intimate and subtle
Listening to the divine philosophy of natural motifs, to the beauty of natural forms and colors, wise Scandinavians maintain the same pattern of existence in their family hearth. Traditional Northern European home decoration for Christmas is not only modest and moderate, but always noble and extremely stylish.
Preference is given to environmentally friendly materials: wool and cotton threads, linen, felt, wood, paper. Natural decor from ready-made gifts of nature itself is valued: beautiful spruce Christmas wreaths or decorations made of straw wheat, cinnamon sticks, pine cones, moss and dried twigs with red berries.
Christmas tree decorations are simple and, most often, made with your own hands - mainly from wood, fabric and yarn. But in the New Year's Scandinavian interior you can also find glass balls, as well as traditional Christmas stars. Hanging in a group or individually, they sparkle not only on the holiday tree, but sometimes in the most unexpected corners of the house. Why not? The need for beauty should not be limited to stereotyped techniques.
Decoration materials
Therefore, we confidently collect branches of coniferous trees and junipers, eucalyptus and willow, cones, twigs and beautifully shaped branches for winter compositions in parks and forests. For tying and decorating, you may need twine, twine, ribbons, burlap, organza, fur, buttons, lace, embroidery elements and much more.
You can use different items that you have in your home and may not have been used in everyday life for a long time. For example, old lamps, jars and bottles of unusual shape, forgotten candlesticks and garlands with large lamps, animal figurines made of wood and bone. Some of the treasures you find may require additional painting or cleaning, but the end result will be a unique, heartwarming decoration for a family holiday!
Check out some spectacular interior sketches of modern Scandinavian design. Stylish cool tones, sparkling decorations, elegant minimalist furniture - a fresh Christmas collection. Wonderful!
One, two, three: the Christmas tree is on fire!
Do you believe that you can create a recognizable motif from a Scandinavian New Year’s fairy tale in the interior of a room in three steps? This wonderful transformation can be done in any home.
- We reproduce the textile design of the room
We decorate sofas and armchairs with soft knitted blankets, bedspreads and decorative pillows in a traditional New Year's red and white pattern. In general, the color red is extremely important for the northern inhabitants of the European continent. Its warm aura and brightness lift the mood, and also play loudly in contrast with the soft pastel colors of the Scandinavian style.
We choose a plain tablecloth for the festive table: the color of milk or creme brulee. Bright red fabric napkins and towels, and any Christmas accessories, will look great against such a neutral background. By the way, don’t forget to hang cute textile bags and socks in your house for nice Christmas souvenirs.
- It's the little things that matter
One of the favorite symbols of winter Scandinavian interiors is the figurine or head of a reindeer with branched antlers. The proud inhabitant of harsh climatic conditions is also stylized in decorative patterns on fabrics, knitted items, wallpaper or wrapping paper.
The silver home decor for the New Year is reminiscent of the beauty of a snow-white winter and frozen water. The fabulous glow of cool details enliven the room, filling it with purity and solemnity. And in combination with sprigs of green pine needles, any holiday accessory will sparkle with a noticeable, vibrant shine.
Who said gingerbread cookies are just a treat? New Year's treats in the shape of naively sweet hearts, figurines of birds and animals will look great on scarlet and green ribbons in your interior.
- Light as a unifying moment
Lighting is capable of great metamorphoses and games with human perception. We can say that this is half the success in our venture and a very important symbol of a New Year’s cozy space in the style “a la Scandinavia”. And if you are not the happy owner of a fireplace, then instead of ceiling chandeliers, get a powerful “living fire” in the form of numerous thick candles, original wall and floor candlesticks, decorative lanterns and garlands. It is this kind of home decoration for Christmas that will bring into your life the taste of a real holiday and the anticipation of big, good miracles.
What kind of houses do people live in in Norway?
Norway is known for its stunning nature (it is worth remembering its famous fjords), as well as its reverent attitude towards customs. Therefore, it is not surprising that, along with modern construction, houses continue to be built in the country using old, proven technologies.
Traditional fishing settlements gave rise to the architecture of modern private buildings. Housing is built from a carriage - a log hewn on opposite sides. The habit has historical roots: fishermen who were not wealthy were forced to save money and used fire monitor logs to build walls, and made floors and ceilings from slabs.
Eco-friendly and practical Source zinco.ru
It is clear where other characteristic features of Norwegian houses came from: the predominant one-story structure, windows with frequent frames (today these are bars in the form of a lattice) and the famous roofs covered with grass. Modern private housing is also built from gun carriages, but other technologies are also common: brick or panels. But grass roofs are becoming less and less common, mainly in exclusive projects.
In the 20th century, urban architecture changed the most. In Oslo and other cities in Norway you can find buildings erected under the influence of German neoclassicism, as well as a variant of Art Nouveau - Art Nouveau. Modern residential buildings and buildings are designed in the spirit of functionalism: they are characterized by clear, geometric shapes, large glass areas, bright facades with contrasting details.
Modern house in traditional style Source pinimg.com
Window
They try to make them as large as possible so as not to lose a single ray of precious sunlight. Traditionally, it is not customary to hang curtains on windows, but it is not necessary to adhere to age-old rules. It won’t hurt your style if you decorate the window opening with light curtains, Roman shades or blinds.
Roman curtains - a suitable decor option Source squarespace-cdn.com
Such different Christmas and New Year celebrations in Sweden
For Swedes, New Year's spirit has been in the cold air since the end of November. Then Advent candles are lit and Advent calendars are hung. The festive New Year holidays end with St. Knut's Day.
The Christmas tree is decorated together closer to Christmas Eve, and then they begin to tease everyone with the fragrant smells of their kitchens: gingerbread houses and cookies are being baked. On Christmas Eve, Swedes will taste gleg, similar to mulled wine, pork, and dried cod.
Santa Claus in Sweden pleases with his appearance at home just before Christmas, and the guest's name is Jul Tomten. He looks like a gnome and prefers to treat himself to rice porridge with almonds.
This is interesting! You can often see poems on gifts - it feels like everyone in Sweden is a poet at heart.
If a tourist finds himself in Swedish towns around Christmas, he will be amazed at the wastefulness of the local population: it’s not every day that you can see children running up to the threshold of someone else’s house and smashing the dishes there with all their hearts. But you shouldn’t worry, it’s all “for luck.”
But the New Year is no longer as associated with family celebrations as Christmas. The holiday is secular in nature. The Swedes themselves associate this day with the holiday of light, on which they can give each other beautiful candles made with their own hands. New Year's Eve celebrations are noisy and fun; in Sweden the rule “how you celebrate it is how you spend it” also works.
People dress brightly and indulge in New Year's fun from eight in the evening. On the table there are dishes with lobsters and oysters, arranged on the best sets.
Many Swedes are not averse to spending the past year right in front of the TV, where they read the poem “Ring Bells”, read live from Skansen. The ringing of church bells can be heard everywhere, and as soon as the chime rings, champagne is opened. Here they make promises to themselves: some are planning to say goodbye to cigarettes in the new year, others are planning to say goodbye to extra pounds or start learning Chinese. After the chimes have died down and congratulations have been heard, people pour out into the streets to continue the noisy fun. Then they burn the stuffed straw goat.
Icelandic New Year
Original Iceland, which has long fought for its sovereignty and the preservation of the original Icelandic language, is unique in everything. The New Year is celebrated there with burning bonfires, and it is around them that round dances are held and songs are sung. Santa Claus doesn't get here while he's busy distributing gifts. Instead, trolls and elves do this here. These heroes of myths and legends have their own names and characters. This whole fairy-tale brethren is called Yule Lads (Yule Lads), and she will certainly appear at any moment and hide a gift in the boot on the window. And Icelandic children carefully watch the red boot. Probably, the amazing obedience of Icelandic children throughout the Christmas month is connected with elves and trolls. If they behave badly, they will receive a raw potato instead of a gift. This is a direct hint that you need to behave well, otherwise the child will be left without a gift on Christmas. Or even the Terrible Grila, a troll cat who can happily eat the bully, will come.
And if you want to learn about the peculiarities of Christmas in Britain, check out our publications: Catholic Christmas in England, New Year's traditions at Buckingham Palace
Here comes December 23rd, St. Day. Thorlakur Thorhallsson (St. Thorlakur Thorhallsson), and a Christmas tree is being erected in Iceland. No one makes any noise at this time, and dinner is served very simply. After such a day of silence comes a merry Christmas week. There will definitely be a very noisy crowd of dressed-up people going from house to house: they will sing traditional songs and leave gifts for the children. Who knows, maybe among those who come there will be a troll who will play pranks in this house and hide things in other places?
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Walls and floor
Classic attractive minimalism - cool light shades of walls and warm wood floors - is a permanent classic of style. To reproduce it in wall decoration, they use different methods: they are plastered, trimmed with panels made of wood (or a high-quality imitation of it), wallpapered or painted.
The last method is especially common due to its simplicity and accessibility. Repainting allows you to quickly refresh the interior when you don’t have the time or finances for a full renovation. It is also a popular way of self-expression, although in most cases preference is still given to light colors.
Kitchen Source architectureforlondon.com
The naturalness of the Norwegian style in the interior is especially pronounced in the choice of material for the floor. The classic flooring is made of wide boards of light wood (pine, ash), but in reality parquet and laminate are also found everywhere, and the color of the floor increasingly varies over a wide range. Preferably wood with a natural texture; it is rarely painted white.
In the bathroom and in the kitchen work area (and sometimes in the living room), the wooden floor is replaced with tiles. Choose tiles of light shades; To make the surface more comfortable, install heated floors.
In the living room Source nordicbliss.com
Lighting and accessories
A variety of lighting devices help compensate for the lack of sunlight. They try to make the lighting complex, multi-level. In addition to standard overhead lighting (for example, chandeliers with candles), a variety of sconces and floor lamps are used. A separate lamp is hung above the dining table, auxiliary lighting is mounted in the work area in the kitchen.
Combined lighting in a city apartment Source squarespace-cdn.com
The Norwegian style in the interior is characterized by a minimum of decor, with preference given to items made from natural materials. If something decorates the room, it is a wooden figurine, photographs in wooden frames, a flower in a ceramic pot.
There is little textile - despite the harsh winters, Norwegians do without carpets on the floor, preferring pillows made of natural cotton. If you want to add a rug, choose one in light, gray or beige shades. It can be replaced with a handmade rug with a geometric pattern.
Norwegian style accessories Source blogspot.com
Furniture
The original Norwegian interiors developed gradually; the owners have filled their homes with furniture and accessories over the years. Furniture that forms the basis of the Norwegian style can be described in the following rules:
- Preference is given to items made of light wood (pine, birch, beech, ash). The coffee table top can be glass.
- Interestingly, bookshelves, work tables, and chests of drawers are often painted white. Tables with chairs, beds, sofas and cabinets are made from natural wood with preserved texture, but the opposite option is also possible.
Dining room Source pinimg.com
Distant Denmark at Christmas and New Year
The Danes are a very interesting people with traditions stretching back to the first millennium AD. King Harald Bluetooth (remember the familiar Bluetooth, yes, this device got its name in honor of the king of the Danes!) converted to the Christian faith in the 960s, so the tradition of celebrating Christmas entered the consciousness of all of Denmark.
The preparation period for the most beloved and anticipated holiday of the year begins on the first Friday of November. Denmark during the year and Denmark at Christmas can seem like different worlds, which will pleasantly surprise tourists.
There are amazingly beautifully decorated houses everywhere, it seems that the Danish kingdom is outside of time and space. Wreaths hang on almost every door, and you want to take a photo next to each one! Advent candles glow in the windows. The decorations are designed in the national red and white color scheme; spruce branches are also used as a green background.
The Danes' favorites are gnomes, of which there are so many of them around Christmas and New Year that it is impossible not to buy such a cute and fabulous souvenir. The gnomes (nisse – Danish) are taken out to the attic, not forgetting to leave a spoon of porridge next to them. The gnome will eat the porridge, in return he will protect this house from adversity. Children are also taught to love gnomes. They are given a small Christmas tree, from behind which a small gnome will definitely peek. This is also a kind of amulet for the child’s soul. Therefore, despite all the efforts, rooted in Harald Bluetooth and Epiphany, the original beliefs are not alien to modern Danes.
The image of Santa Claus came to Denmark much later, namely, it was sent by mail, drawn on postcards. Such postcards were sent home by emigrants all the way from America. Today he is the main character of the New Year, and if earlier the gnomes were in charge of distributing gifts, today it is the honorable duty of Santa. And Santa Claus has not only a different name there, there are two whole characters: Julemanden and Julenisse. Yulemanden is the older Santa Claus, and Yulenisse is the younger, with the appearance of a gnome.
This is interesting! Notable are the Danish New Year's lunches, which are even held at work throughout the Christmas month.
To get a Christmas tree, they go to a special plantation; this trip ends with a feast, at which a glitch is obligatory - warmed wine with spices, as well as delicious tender apple donuts.
Christmas dinner is so rich and delicious that it becomes clear why such a celebration remains a family affair. In addition to deeply spiritual reasons, there is a completely prosaic explanation: such delicious dishes as roast goose and sweet and sour potatoes with cabbage, marzipan pig, handmade sweets, fish, and the traditional cone-shaped pie kransekage are not conducive to active pastime. After dinner, I want to give all the warmth of my heart to my loved ones.
New Year's midnight is celebrated noisily and cheerfully in Denmark. Copenhagen City Hall announces the arrival of the New Year to residents, the Queen addresses every resident and guest of the country on television with a congratulatory speech. Everywhere on the streets there are noisy companies, colorful and deafening fireworks soar into the sky.
