The Naturalness of a Swedish Christmas

Swedish Christmasses are absolutely inspiring and beautiful, and quite different to any others. They are not particularly ‘yo-ho-ho’, or tinselly, they are natural, earthy, and somewhat pagan – which appeals to my Presbyterian background and desire for simplicity.

St Lucia Day
Swedish Christmas holidays start with celebrations at home and in church of St Lucia Day (mid-December). For many of Nordic origins, Lucia is the bearer of light in their cold, dark winters. She comes with candles in her hair, pure white dress (with a red sash), bringing hot beverages and pastries. 

I first came across this charming ceremony after seeing St Lucia Day – Christmas in Sweden (1908) by Carl Larrson. His use of light, and depictions of domestic life played out in folksy room interiors – all painted furniture, painted everything pretty much  – made him a HUGE influence on me. 

Carl Larsson’s Country Look

It was Larsson who re-introduced Swedish painted furniture to everybody. It had been big in the 18th century in the countryside, and in grand houses, because they had ample amounts of wood to paint. Like William Morris he romanticized going back to one’s roots, to making handmade things. Larsson used the traditional colours of Sweden – the wonderful pinky and browny reds that are native to the country in the natural pigments. Just take a look at these two interiors below of Christmas and family life.

 Girl and Rocking Chair (1907)

Christmas Morning 1894

Gustavian

Together with his wife Karin, Larsson revived a kind of provincial 'Gustavian' style in their timber cottage Lilla Hyttnäs. Named after Gustav III, the original Gustavian style was grand, all white painted rooms with pale furniture on lime-washed floorboards (copying the French court of Versailles). The Larssons’ twist was more bohemian, using earthy red sienna colours and ochres. Larsson hand painted all his furniture and some of the details depicted here are exquisite. I have always been influenced by Larsson’s colour choice and of course we have our own Scandinavian Pink.

Getting Ready for a Game 1901

I also have a personal love for the Swedish way of doing things (be it celebrations or room interiors) as my granddaughter is part Swedish! A

Happy Christmas!

Yours, Annie

PS I will be going to Sweden next year in connection with a new book!

 Work Book Launch!! 

The party was held at my house

We asked Becky of Becky's Kitchen to cater. 

....then we got talking............................

Edible paint pots:

Classical: Olive tapenade with flatbread brushes (Graphite)

Rococo: White bean, roasted garlic and olive oil, swirled with preserved lemon pesto and Parmesan palmier brushes (Country Grey, Cream, Old White)   
Modern: Pea, mint and broad bean, with crisp cavalo nero brushes  (Antibes, Provence)

 Rococo Bibury smoked trout pate, sweet dill vinegared cucumber inside a chicory leaf

Oxford Blue cheese, local poached quince jewels inside a chicory leaf

Rococo Parmesan Palmiers 

Classical Rare roast beef, horseradish cream, Little Salad Co. watercress on a truffle toast 

Wild mushroom pate quenelles on Parmesan toasts 

Modern Rusty Pig smoked black pudding, local cauliflower puree & cranberry sauce

Lavender & Walnut macaroons 

           

Rustic Ham hock terrine, pickled local kohlrabi and parsley gremolata 

Chunky rosemary oatcakes, Aveton goats’ cheese, seasonal turmeric pickles

  

Quiet Riot & Asian Black Wakame Samosas,  filled with spiced local beetroot and coconut rice 

Makizushi with a variety of fillings

Cranberry and raspberry profiteroles, dipped with dark chocolate 

http://www.facebook.com/beckyskitchenoxford made and created all the delicious and inspiring palettes 

Sabel Gonzales of Studio Blancohttp://studioblanco.co.uk  

took the photos as we were setting up.