Leo's Room, 4 years old

Styling: Studio Mini
Photographer: Katrine Rohrberg

This journal is sponsored by Forlaget Gyldendal.

Gyldendal is Denmark’s oldest publishing house. For more than 250 years, Gyldendal has published some of the most significant literature and stories. With Christmas just around the corner we have selected some of our loveliest Christmas stories for the whole family to enjoy together in December. Experience Christmas with H.C. Andersen, Pippi Longstocking, The Children of Noisy Village - or spend a magical Christmas Eve in the Great Hall at Hogwarts with Harry Potter. In the anthology, "Alle tiders bøger vi læser sammen til jul", you will find a wealth of wonderful picture books that we read again and again every year at Christmas: From "Peters Jul" to Cirkeline to Vitello.

Malmö, Sweden

4-year-old Leo's room is at first sight full or surprises, unexpected elements and unique combinations.

However, taking a closer look, you'll find a beautiful balance in here, where old meets new, light colours contrast the dark, and handmade items pair well with new purchases.

Explore this wonderful room, where stories hide under cushions – quite literally! – and where Leo's mother's talent for all things handmade is like an invisible thread tying everything together beautifully.

Leo's bed is placed in a cosy corner of the room by the window. In the window sits two wool guards; one medium and one large.

Next to the bed is a vintage blackboard, where Leo practices to draw and write.

Leo's favourite teddies – a crocheted elephant and a hippo – were made by his mother, and have been with him since the day he was born. They always lie on the bed. Also on the bed: Astrid Lindgren's book "Pippi redder julen".

The bedding is from HAY, and the bed throw, also made by Leo's mother, was sown for him when he was born.

A view of the room from the hallway. The cow rug is from Svenskt Tenn, and used to be in Leo's mother's living room before she met Leo's dad. Now it is a surprising, but wonderful, rug for a kid's room.

In the window sill sits an Inge Sempé lamp from HAY with a Liberty shade made in collaboration between HAY and Liberty Fabrics – and two wool guards.

The wallpaper is from the british brand Common Room and adds a lovely and light contrast to the navy blue tones used elsewhere in the room.

The Babar plate is from Zara, and blends in perfectly amongst clovers, shells and half moons.

"We wanted Leo's room to be a mix of things from our own childhood, paired with new items from today."

– Vicky, Leo's mom

Leo's mother made the paper Christmas wreath for Leo's room last year. It has been hanging on the door ever since, and is now ready for its second festive season – maybe even its second year?

The red chair is a new purchase from Ferm Living, while the table is from Leo's mother's childhood room. On the table sits a handmade, felted nativity play and a large red mushroom lamp.

Next to the chair and table is a lovely red kitchen, also from when Leo's mother was a little girl. On the kitchen are crocheted pretend food – handmade by Leo's mother.

Details of the old table, the red large mushroom lamp and the handmade nativity play, which includes baby Jesus, Maria & Joseph, the three wise men and a donkey.

Leo loves to read, and books are found all over his room. A couple of books are placed here in the window sill, including Jul i Bulderby by Astrid Lindgren.

"It is important to me that Leo is surrounded by colours, prints and textiles."

– Vicky, Leo's mom

Drawings, a couple of diplomas and other memorable art work are hung on the backside of the door.

On the handle hangs a mushroom Christmas ornament.

Lots of natural light comes through the window, shining light on Leo's bed.

The bed is a toddler bed from IKEA, which Leo's parents have spray painted in the same navy blue colour as the walls.

A closer look of the wool guards by the bed. The bed and the wall paint are both kept in a navy blue, but the colourful decor, white window sills and beautiful wallpaper add balance and contrast.

A junior hanger in lime green is a beautiful colour contrast to the cabinets.

On the hanger is Leo's favourite scarf paired with a soft cashmere sweater in navy blue.

The old Swedish chair was won on auction. Surprisingly, a magazine from 1932 was found under the seat while reupholstering the chair. The magazine, and a little note from Leo's mother, was put back under the seat as new fabric was added on to the seat.

On the chair: A pile of Christmas books from Forlaget Gyldendal.