There’s something wonderfully grounding about a Scandinavian Christmas. The colours are soft, the materials honest, and every detail – from candlelight to hand-painted decorations – is chosen with care rather than excess. It’s a celebration of warmth and togetherness, where the home becomes a gentle refuge from the festive bustle. A palette of whites, gentle greens and wintry blues lets natural beauty shine, allowing you to create atmosphere without stress – and with enormous joy.

Here are four ways to in love with the look – and how to create it with Chalk Paint™.

Dark drama makes the sparkle brighter

Scandinavian interiors aren’t all pale pine and white linens – deeper shades are just as celebrated, especially in winter. This moody Christmas dining space painted by Annie’s son, Felix Sloan, proves how stunning they can be.

He layered Chalk Paint® in Athenian Black and Graphite to create a multi-dimensional, night-sky effect on the walls. Then came the constellation – tiny stars washed across the surface by flicking Graphite and Old White from the end of a long-handled detail brush. Simple, but absolutely enchanting.

Dark charcoals and black might feel bold, but they’re unbeatable for creating a winter cocoon. Fairy lights glow brighter, baubles shimmer more boldly, and candlelight becomes the star of the show. If you’re worried about it being too dark, use natural branches, glowing lights, and handmade painted ornaments.

See Annie Sloan’s Dark Christmas Dining Room

Soft white bedrooms – the best winter retreat

See Inspiration for Neutral Scandinavian Bedroom

Once we have finished eating and opening gifts, a peaceful place for guests to rest makes Christmas feel truly indulgent.

In this Scandi-inspired bedroom, both the floors and walls are painted in Chalk Paint in Old White – which creates spa-like calm. Texture and lighting keep it from feeling clinical: warm white lights, handmade paper bunting, and rustic wood panelling bring instant cosiness.

The bedding? Annie Sloan Linen in Old White + French Linen. Created to match Chalk Paint colours, the combination brings just enough warmth to look inviting, while the tumbling process gives the fabric a beautiful softness – irresistible after a long winter’s day.

Painted furniture adds story, history & warmth

When the rest of the house is dressed for guests, a single expressive furniture piece can pull everything together. This painted cupboard sits beautifully in a minimal Scandinavian living room, although it would work just as well in a kitchen or dining space.

The floorboards are refreshed in Chalk Paint in Old White, finished with Chalk Paint Lacquer for a clean, low-maintenance finish – and you can’t get more Nordic than white floorboards.

The cupboard itself was layered with thick Chalk Paint in Duck Egg Blue, then topped with a mix of Duck Egg Blue + Old White. After waxing with Clear Chalk Paint Wax, gentle sanding revealed the deeper blue undertones – that beloved, classic two-step Annie Sloan distressed look – and a final coat of wax sealed everything to perfection.

See How Annie Created This Minimal Scandinavian Christmas Cabinet

Scandi style Christmas dining

Rather than leaning on traditional red and green, this dining room embraces a muted khaki-and-rose palette for a softer, more natural take on festive colour. The walls and floors are painted in Château Grey, with the floors protected using Matt Chalk Paint Lacquer for durability. The dining chairs are painted in Olive to pick up deeper woodland tones.

To balance these earthy shades, the table has been lightened with a wash of Old White. The legs are painted in Scandinavian Pink, then gently softened back with White Chalk Paint Wax to create a beautifully aged, chalky blush effect.

The combination of raw materials, gentle tones and handmade finishes is unmistakably Scandi – relaxed, welcoming, and full of warmth.

See Inspiration for a Scandi-Style Christmas Dining Room in Scandinavian Pink and Château Grey

Duck Egg Blue

This gentle green-blue is rooted in the 18th-century discovery of a clear blue pigment – later softened with white to create that recognisable Swedish and Rococo pastel. Duck Egg Blue shifts throughout the day, sometimes reading more blue, sometimes more green. It’s grounding, fresh, and endlessly versatile.

Old White

There’s a reason it’s the all-time Chalk Paint bestseller – and available as Annie Sloan Wall Paint, too. Old White holds the perfect balance of temperature: neither too cold nor too warm. It’s the ultimate neutral foundation, allowing bright, bold or muted palettes to shine exactly as intended.