Last Christmas Post of the Year...

I just could not help myself, even though we are past Christmas... I bet many of you are still enjoying the wonderful pine smell from your Christmas tree, the cozy & festive feeling of a well Christmas decorated house, perhaps even still enjoying all the wonderful food Christmas has to offer...?

Prior to Christmas I was the lucky recipient of an invitation to a Danish Christmas get-together here in The States... Besides good food and great company, we did a little DIY Christmas decor, mostly for the sake of "Hygge" and fun. I have not made these little paper stars in many, many years, but with a little starter help, I finishes six or seven that evening. They are so pretty and now I want to get a head start on next years Christmas :) I imagine a tree full of these in different sizes...

How about this great room, complete with amazing light - the house is in Norway - a tall and open Christmas tree, and a beautifully decorated table. 

Glogg.... Yes, please!

I would love a warm cup of Glogg complete with Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

I encourage you to take a full look at this house, it's amazing. True Scandinavian decor, lot's of White & lot's of light.

Enjoy the last days of... well, December.

Natasha

All images by Maria Reme for Bloigpluss Norge

Thank You!

Typically you do not find red roses in my house, except if they are the Black Velvet kind, they have to be really dark, blood red almost...

I thought today to be a fitting day to share them with all of you, as a Thank You for following along and commenting from time to time, it so great to hear from all of you!!

SO... Merry Christmas and Thank You for all your support of the Northern Light Blog!!

Natasha

Image NHH for the Northern Light Blog, Vase is from Kate Spade

Merry Christmas to You!

Here.... well, it will be a Green Christmas :)

BUT, not without the trademark black & white stripes ... 

Even the table setting will be white and green... keeping the look fresh.

Would have loved one of there Reindeer Moss Wreaths, so soft and interesting, maybe next year :) 

Dressing up the boxwood planters is easy, love how this looks!

And I really like this door piece, not your typical wreath, super stylish and still Christmas-y!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Natasha

All images via the Northern Light Blog on Pinterest

Setting the table...

Almost there people... Now is the time to start thinking about how you will set the table :) I say shimmer and soft green will do it for me! 

I just adore this pretty little place card holder, thinking it will make the table a little more formal...

 

Enjoy planning the table decor!! Cheers :)

Natasha

Images via The White Company 

Silvery shimmer

Mixing up all your candleholders in silver just makes everything sparkle, and when picking foliage with that same "silver" color, it just looks so pretty, don't you think??

Adding a mirror doubles the shimmer :) 

I particularly like the large silver punch bowl, so festive!!

... if you only have a small space to decorate - like me - use trays!! Not only do trays keep clutter at bay, but styling up a tray is so quick and easy :) Have fun with colors or keep it simple like here... notice non of the containers match, but that's what makes it so interesting and sweet!!

I am all for hanging ornaments this way... group together a few different ones, I like to keep the tone the same, attach a beautiful ribbon and hang them at different lengths, et voila, instant Christmas sparkle. You can do this with all kinds of bulbs, whatever your color preference. Use all the "left over" pieces you didn't have room for on the tree. Or if there is no tree, this is a great way to bring out the decorations, easy to do and easy to hang almost anywhere!!

Have fun decorating!

Natasha

Images via The White Company

Natural Christmas...

While so many of you have been posting the most beautiful Christmas decorations out there in Blog Land already, I am lacking a little... I have been looking at all the beautiful images, and feeling a little inspired... SO, here are a few Natural - and super easy DIY - Christmas decorations.

I am all about candle light, especially around the Holidays, when it gets darker outside early! This DIY candle holder looks so pretty, don't you think??

What is your take on colored candles?? Typically I like all white ones, but I would make an exception for these!! Such a pretty and simple Advent display.

Oh, I am all over this Christmas tree :) LOVE!! This is the kind of Christmas Tree I grew up with... Simple, open and with live candles on the tree. 

One of the first Christmases here in The States I ordered a metal bucket from Martha Stewart, complete with a stand that fit inside, the edge was scalloped. It was so pretty! I actually still have the bucket, but the stand is long gone, so I can't use it anymore, unfortunately...

What do you use? Traditional stand and skirt? Bucket, or??

Natasha

Images via Pinterest

Colorful (Scandinavian) Christmas!

It's not often you find a Scandinavian home, decorated in jewel tones for the holidays, but... here you go! Refreshing with a little purple, plum and coral. Add a few pinecones, special ornaments & an anemone, so pretty this little colorful tray is, don't you think?

Super interesting mix of textures and styles. Notice the branch in the background, what a great way to show off those pretty glass ornaments, adding a pop of color away from the traditional Christmas tree.

I am such a fan of "thinking-the-color-scheme-through" it's almost embarrassing... hahaha! 

Soooooo, I can appreciate the choice of purple gift wrap, the small touches of purple throughout the decorated house (notice the purple Tine K tea light glass on the tray, and the purple in the round pillows). It's little pops of cohesive color that keeps the eye moving from room to room, it's interesting! 

It's quite obvious - in my opinion - that you do not need to go overboard, like so many homes I see in the magazines here in The States! 

With all these small touches of Christmas spirit throughout the house, you can really appreciate each item, the colors and not be completely overwhelmed by "Stuff", my kind of decorating by far!!!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Natasha

All images via Bloomingville

Opening the Box...

I am sure many of you already have the tree trimmed, baked the cookies and have the gifts wrapped and ready to go, right? Right...? 

Well, around here I have just started to open the boxes with the Christmas decor!

We have decided NOT to do a tree this year, as we are both pretty busy and feel we don't really have the time to truly enjoy it... That being said, don't for a minute think there will be no Christmas decor in the house, I can't wait to decorate!!

There are so many ways to spruce up the house & to show off all those pretty ornaments!!

I like to pile them on a platter, perhaps a few different shapes and muted colors together, as above, but you can also try filling a beautiful glass bowl. Why not incorporate a few tea lights to make the ornaments glisten? I am all about live candles, especially when it gets dark outside early.

What colors will you be decorating with this year? Or are you "one of those" ;) people who pile it all on the tree; new and old, theme-y or not, heirlooms & gifts?? Do tell!

So much fun to see & hear how people decorate their Christmas trees!!

Natasha

All images via Tusenfrojd

December is here...

... and I am planning to keep it simple!

So much over the top decorating going on out there... longing for simplicity.

What will be your style this Christmas? White, Silver, Gold, Red, Green...? 

Hope you have a moment to leave a comment. Happy decorating!!

Natasha

Images via the Northern Light Blog's Christmas board on Pinterest.

Is it too early??

Really, I have tried to stay true to my belief, that Christmas decor and images would not appear in my home - or here on the blog - till December 1st.... BUT as you can see, I have already been looking for great wrapping ideas, and just wanted to share these with you.

While I blogged about these really great Acorn ornaments last year, I find these small, silver ones to be a great "little something" to add to a gift, a little added sparkle. I think it is just as important how you wrap a present, as what is inside. Why go through the trouble of finding the perfect gift, if you are not going to take the time to properly wrap it? Presentation, my friends :)

This year, I have also fallen in love with these creamy white, matte, porcelain Nutcracker ornaments! The fact that they are so understated totally won me over :)

So... I broke my own rule and wrote a little holiday post early... it will be the only early one, I think...

Enjoy your weekend!
Natasha

Images via West Elm