Why we all want a greenhouse to dress for Christmas

Is it just us dreaming of entertaining at Christmas in a greenhouse… or are you catching our drift (snow pun intended!)? We love how Sofia utilises her Swedish greenhouse for the perfect Christmas venue, full of warmth and Scandi style, as featured in our Simply Scandi Christmas 2025.

For Sofia Bjork, building a greenhouse wasn't about just creating a space to grow things, it was about creating a space for beauty, gathering and simple joy. "It's just like Pippi Longstocking said: 'I have never tried that before, so I think I should definitely be able 
to do that’,” Sofia smiles. The idea had been forming for years. She imagined a glasshouse at the heart of her garden, surrounded by gravel paths and flower beds for growing cut flowers; a space that would work hard through the seasons: practical and productive, but also warm and welcoming, a place to host friends and family. 

We asked Sofia to share her style secrets…

Where did you start with your greenhouse project?

You’d think with my husband Micke being a carpenter, this would have been an easy project to get off the ground, but he wasn’t quite convinced. I couldn’t just sit around waiting, so I took matters into my own hands. If my dream was going to come true, I’d have to make it happen myself. Luckily, I’m creative and capable, having helped renovate our home with Micke. And also, my father has a digger! When I came across a large haul of reclaimed window frames, everything started to fall into place. Although I wasn’t sure I could build something that big – Micke told me it was harder than I thought – but you never know until you try. I spent hours sketching the design, measuring carefully and gathering ideas. With Micke’s help, we made sure the structure would cope with autumn storms and heavy snow. Then came the groundwork, laying gravel, pouring the concrete base and building a low stone wall before the timber frame could go up.

Has it turned out as good as you imagined?

It would have been easier to buy a metal-framed greenhouse – and probably cheaper – but this was exactly what I had imagined. It was my dream in real life. Micke is always telling me what a good job I did. He’s also the first to say it’s the best place for a party. With the wood-burning stove in one corner, flickering candlelight, and glass panels that reflect the snow and stars outside, the greenhouse becomes the cosiest of spaces in winter. We light fire baskets just outside the door, and for those brave enough, we’ve a sauna, and they can take a dip in the icy lake nearby – the perfect way to end an evening!

How do you use the space?

In summer, we often start the evening outside, but once the mosquitoes arrive, it’s lovely to step into the greenhouse. We also grow things in there. In spring, it’s filled with trays of seedlings, mostly cut flowers, though tomatoes get a corner too. But in winter, it’s nature that decorates the space. Branches of pine and spruce – sometimes entire trees – fill baskets, jars, and crates. There’s always someone in our circle who owns woodland, so it’s easy to collect armfuls of pine and fir branches from the forest floor. 

And how does it change at Christmas?

I spend time making wreaths and garlands, but I love simpler displays, such as bowls, baskets and jugs filled with greenery and pine cones. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful. I love mixing rustic with  touches of shimmer, glass, silver, and crisp linen at Christmas – it brings everything to life.

Words & photography: Anna Örnberg/House of Pictures.