Article: BTS style secrets of our Christmas 2025 cover home
BTS style secrets of our Christmas 2025 cover home
Christmas brightens the darkest of winters in Scandinvia, when light, family and home become so important…
And that is so true for our Christmas Special 2025 cover home star, belonging to Erika Nilsson-Gustaffson. Her home is a wooden farmhouse dating back to 1886, in the Swedish reigon of Västmanland, which she shares with husband kim and their three children. At Christmas, hand-made decorations mingle with gingerbread structures, while crackling fires and children's laughter bring warmth and joy to each December day. Here are a few of our favourite ideas from Erika's home pulled out in detail…
1 We love the backdrop to her Christmas table
The couple built a shelving unit that frames the window, providing a soft-coloured backdrop to the dining table as well as a cosy window seat that's the perfect place to look out at the snowy scene. The window frame has been painted red, which Erika has used as an accent colour around the room.
2 Her gorgeous collection of vintage tableware
Erika's table is set with vintage pieces – green-and-white Gröna Anna tableware from Rörstrand, with Antik smokey glassware from Reijmyre. We love how she's used table runners across the width of the table to add layers, while eucalyptus greenery and soft blush pink amaryllis make a lovely soft, relaxed floral arrangement in a vintage wide-rimmed silver vase. "Part of me wants things as simple as possible, so I can spend more time socialising," says Erika, 'but then the other part of me loves outting extra effort intp the detail, like choosing special plates, arranging the food… it's a balancing act."
3 Erika's placement of furniture to create cosy corners
With a beautiful woven star at the window and over the coffee tables, and layers of furniture – different height tables, plants, tall candlesticks and a floor lamp – build a warm spot to sit and enjoy family time. The coffee tables are second-hand finds. "At Christmas, the family gathers in different spaces – open-plan doesn't always suit," says Erika. "We tend to have people drifting into different rooms, so it doesn't feel overwhelming."
4 Erika's use of colour from room to room
Each room of the farmhouse, which luckily still had many original features in place, such as the beautiful wide-plank floors and dining room stove, effortlessly flows into the next, thanks to a Scandi-country scheme of greys, greens, reds and naturals. Tongue-and-grove panelling adds warmth to the kitchen. The units are from IKEA, installed by the previous owners, which Erika and Kim have painted a dark grey.
5 Erika's love of star lanterns
At the end of November, paper stars hang in every window, followed by classc red-and-green decorations. "Living in the countryside means long winter nights – it's uplifting to see stars shining indoors," says Erika. "We add more festive pieces gradually – usually when my patience runs out and the children finally get their way," she laughs.
