I want my family and our guests to feel comfortable and welcome in our home."
Sonja opens the doors to her modern home and shares how to create a feel-good atmosphere at home, even in the darker months. Her interior style, a combination of Scandi and Japandi, is defined by a clear, light aesthetic with cosiness at its heart. Ambient lighting, scented candles and seasonal accessories: discover her favourite winter interior tips.
Dear Sonja, thank you for having us. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm Sonja, I'm 37 and I live in Bavaria with my husband Patrick and our two young daughters. We moved into our newly built house two years ago. I'd describe our interior style as modern, light and clean, yet still cosy. It's a mix of Scandi with a few touches of Japandi.
Which colour palettes do you prefer for winter?
I stick to my colour concept – white/beige with black accents – in every season. Seasonal decorations and fresh flowers then add the occasional splash of colour.
My current favourite is a dark green, which I think looks lovely at Christmas. My table setting on Christmas Eve will include dark green elements too.
How do you bring dark green into your home?
In the run-up to Christmas, dark green mainly comes in through plants. I love easy arrangements, such as silk pine in a vase. And of course there's the Advent wreath, which this year is a "wild" mix of asparagus fern, mimosa and thyme. Not forgetting our beautiful Christmas tree.
How do you create a cosy atmosphere in the darker months?
I love ambient lighting. Almost all our lamps are dimmable, because I find soft light much cosier. Candlelight also creates atmosphere and cosiness. From October onwards, it feels like we have (scented) candles burning every day, and at the end of November I always start putting up the Christmas lights. That includes (illuminated) stars and a long string of fairy lights that runs around our entire terrace canopy.
Which textiles and accessories do you prefer for bringing warmth and cosiness into your rooms?
At the moment, I love bouclé and teddy fabrics – they instantly make any corner cosy. Also snuggly cushions, blankets and faux furs in high-quality materials.
With home accessories, I think "less is more" often applies. Not every corner needs to be filled. I often arrange decorative pieces in groups of three, which looks very harmonious, and leave other corners empty. That way, the eye can focus on one thing and you don't get overwhelmed.
What's your favourite window decoration for the run-up to Christmas?
Paper stars, definitely. I've built up a small collection over the last few years and spread them around almost every room in the house. Plus some subtle, simple fairy lights.
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