Inside this year's Christmas cover home
In west Sweden, Elin and Tobias have created their dream life, turning Tobias' childhoodhome into a contemporary interpretation of a turn-of-the-century house, decorated in a nature-inspired palette. At Christmas, they welcome family and friends into rooms filled with the scents of hyacinths, pine greenery and gingerbread.
Words & styling: Anna Bjelkholm; photograhy: Anna Karlsson.
MEET THE HOMEOWNER
At home with Elin…
"Christmas is always longed for by the time it arrives. I love the anticipation, the crafting and all the preparations that gradually build a warm feeling before the celebrations begin. I appreciate the sense of togetherness that comes with our traditions and the joy of spending time with family and friends," says Elin.
Elin and Tobias met in 2015. Fast-forward 11 years and they are married, have renovated a house and welcomed three children. Their home is on the family farm Tobias has taken over.
How do you spend Christmas?
"Christmas Eve itself is celebrated in traditional Swedish fashion, with a knytkalas – a shared meal to which everyone brings a dish," says Elin. "We eat a traditional julbord, the Swedish Christmas buffet, with meatballs, prinskorv – small smoked sausages – salmon, pickled herring and Janssons frestelse, a creamy potato and sprat casserole."
"We keep the festivities going until Tjugondag Knut (St Knut’s Day on 13 January), which traditionally marks the end of Christmas in Sweden. I think we may as well enjoy it for as long as it lasts. It is such a long time before all the decorations can be brought out again," says Elin. "We always gather with the cousins for a julgransplundring, a traditional end-of-Christmas party when we dance around the tree, sing songs and eat sweets before taking down the decorations."
Styling with the seasons
"I take great inspiration from the seasons," says Elin. "There is something lovely about the way the year changes, and I enjoy making use of what's available in nature. It's such a simple way to create atmosphere. In summer, a house should be filled to the brim with flowers, just as it should smell of spruce branches and hyacinths in winter."
#1
A table to gather
Elin and Tobais made the large dining table – which can seat up to 10 comfortable – with the help of a friend. A large-scale checked tablecloth provides just a hint of pattern for the festive period, tying the dark wood of the Germla chairs and the pale walls and flooring together perfectly.
#2
Foliage centrepiece
The trio of fresh foliage wreaths, hung above the dining table, were made by Elin, using fresh juniper gathered from the family's own woodland. To get the look, you can use a large lampshade ring to give structure, or shape your own foliage frame from bendy twigs.
#3
Festive vases
For an easy, yet seasonal, table centre, pop a few sprigs of fresh foliage or festive flower stems into oversized vases. Pine, spruce and holly lend shape, while amaryllis and hyacinths give colour – and all combine to add to the scent of Christmas in your Scandi home.
3 ideas to bring Elin's look home
Work with warm neutral shades
In Elin's upstairs living room, shades of caramel and cinnamon add warmth to a cool grey sofa. A jute rug underfoot is echoed with plenty of natural textures, while paper Christmas decorations and fresh foliage bring a festive touch to the room.
Dress windowsills for a warm glow
Festive touches add cheer to windows, which look out onto snowy scenes. The paper star light gives a soft glow. Even the children's playhouse, designed an built by the couple, has its own wreath, wooden reindeer and outdoor Christmas trees.
Make space for Christmas crafts
For Elin, a primary school teacher, photographer and crafter, Christmas is one of the highlights of the year (she sometimes holds workshops in her home). Upstairs, she has combined craft room, workspace and home office under the house's sloping roof.
Our bumper-packed Simply Scandi Christmas Special 2026 is full of seasonal loveliness, with Scandi homes, styling ideas, decorating touches, gift guides, recipes and our favourite Scandi people and brands.
Join us as we visit five homes across Scandinavia, each one with its own traditions and seasonal magic.
We've also our annual gift guide, from ideas for the kids to your Scandi besties and much more. Laura Hall shares secrets from Lapland, while we've festive food for a crowd from Brönte Aurell, plus beautiful decorating ideas and craft projects and ways to bring a simple Scandi Christmas home – the wait is over to get your hands on Simply Scandi Christmas 2026.
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