Cozy Christmas

Why this Christmas superfan fills every room with paper stars: “I want to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere for as long as possible”

Finnish Anni Blomqvist loves Christmas and starts preparations early in her self-renovated row house. Her most cherished decorations are an angel chime and the many paper stars she has made herself.

Author Laura Sychold

Images Mikko Kaaresmaa

November 20, 2025Lue suomeksi

Home: A 1980s row house in Keuruu with 3 rooms plus a kitchen, 74.5 m² (about 800 ft²).

Residents: Anni Blomqvist and Varpu the dachshund.

Follow on social media: @anniblomqvis

A self-declared Christmas superfan, Anni Blomqvist found a three-room row house and painted and wallpapered it to her liking. Festive spirit sneaks into this cozy home well ahead of the holidays.

“My home is decorated in a Scandinavian style with a relaxed approach. I love using bold patterns and colors, and I eagerly try out different wall finishes.

A pink-toned living room with a Christmas tree — The living room wall is painted in Tikkurila’s X420 Maiden. The butterfly chair was purchased from Anni’s sister. The coffee table is dear to her because it’s made from planks that originally came from Anni’s great grandfather’s house. The poster on the right is from Pentik, and the other is from Desenio.

“I hang string lights around the house, and they glow like little light fairies.”

A light-up curtain in the living room — The Christmas curtain with lights has traveled with Anni from home to home. On the String Pocket shelf, Anni has gathered all sorts of beautiful items, such as Marimekko dishes, an Aarikka ram, and the Block lamp. The sofa was purchased from Veke.

Anni Blomqvist sitting on a couch with her dog — Every Christmas, Anni dresses Varpu in her own little festive outfit.

A living room with a bookshelf — Anni is drawn to the stories, character, and quality in vintage furniture. The bookshelf came from her grandparents, and Anni customized it to reflect her style. The Artek Mademoiselle chair is a find from the Tori marketplace, and the 1960s armchair is from a thrift store in Anni’s hometown Keuruu.

Going on thrift store tours is my favorite pastime. I hunt for vintage items, furniture, and Finnish design. I love to fix up my finds. I bought Alvar Aalto chairs cheaply online, then restored and painted them to look like new. They go nicely around my dining table, as does the 1960s three-armed vintage light fixture I also found at a bargain online.

A living room with a Christmas tree and a fireplace on the TV — Anni loves the resinous scent of the tree, as well as the aroma of dried orange slices and gingerbread. She crafts her own tree ornaments to complement her retro pieces. She can dream of a real fireplace by watching the flickering flames on TV. On the wall are Menu’s POV candleholders. The wall is painted in Tikkurila’s V447 Serpentine.

Anni Blomqvist setting the table — The Artek chairs found online were in poor condition, but with a fresh coat of paint they turned good as new. The table is from Ikea. The light fixture was also found online. The stars are from the interior shop Zicos. The illuminated Christmas-tree curtain is from Jotex. The wall is painted in Tikkurila’s V484 Driftwood.

A drawing done with a chalk marker on a window — Anni drew a winter scene on the window using a chalk marker. The drawing can easily be removed with a magic eraser and water.

I’m always on the lookout for old and retro-style Christmas ornaments because they’re so lovely. My latest finds include a Finel elf-themed pot, which makes the rice porridge taste extra delicious.

I love lights, scents, beauty, and peace, and I want to enjoy the lovely Christmas ambiance for as long as possible. So as early as November, I bring in a Christmas pine that I place in an old dame jeanne bottle and decorate. Seasonal textiles like curtains and throw pillow covers gradually take over. I hang string lights around the house, and they glow like little light fairies.

A Christmas table setting with a cake — Anni is a skilled baker. This time, she made a chocolate gingerbread cheesecake topped with a delicious peppermint meringue layer. The dishware is from Marimekko’s Kuusikossa series, and the serving platter is Aarikka’s Mamselli. A branch of holly glows in the Marimekko Umpu vase.

A Christmas cake decorated with gingerbread

Elves and little house lanterns on a shelf — The little elves were made by Anni’s father. They are dear decorations for Anni and must be displayed every Christmas.

Paper filter stars on a Christmas tree — Anni crafted paper filter stars for the tree. You can find instructions for them here! [in Finnish]

Paper stars are my absolute favorite decorations, and I hang them in every room. I’ve made tree ornaments by folding filter paper stars and drying orange slices. It’s also wonderful to decorate my spacious terrace with lights and lanterns.

“Leisurely togetherness with loved ones is the best part of the holiday season.”

My most beloved Christmas decoration is an angel chime. We had one both at my childhood home and at my grandparents’ place. Its soft tinkling brings me back to Christmases of my youth. When my siblings and I woke up on Christmas Eve morning, there would always be a Disney movie and big candy bags waiting under the tree. We could hardly sleep the night before, the anticipation was so great.

A spruce in a vase on a bench — A small spruce with orange slice ornaments brings joy and the scent of Christmas into the bedroom. The old bench is by Pentik, and the bathrobe is from the Ikea × Marimekko Bastua collection.

A bedroom wall covered with finger paneling — The most striking feature in the bedroom is the finger paneling that Anni installed with her father. The bedding is Marimekko’s Kuusikossa pattern. The lamp is By Rydéns’ Bazar, and the decorative pillow is from Ellos.

Paper stars on the wall — The room serving as a guest and dressing room features an Ikea Söderhamn sofa. The Nyytti decorative pillows are from Anno. The spruce-patterned throw blanket is by Pentik, and the old dresser is a thrift store find. The wall is painted in Tikkurila’s N494 Nephrite.

Paper stars and wallpaper in a bathroom — Anni keeps paper stars in every room, even in the bathroom. The wallpaper is Boråstapeter’s Nocturne.

Sauna walls stained black — The sauna in the row house is used frequently throughout the year, but there’s something special about sauna time at Christmas. The animal track pillows are by Lapuan Kankurit. Both the ladle and pail are by Aarikka.

It’s also nice to leave my cozy home and head to my parents’ place just a couple of kilometers away. We always spend the entire Christmas together, with my siblings and grandparents also in attendance.

An early Christmas sauna washes away the last traces of stress. I love to bake and try out holiday recipes. I make a berry parfait every year for dessert, and my chocolate-loving family also gets a cake. After the meal, we exchange gifts and play games while Christmas carols play in the background.

Over the holidays, my boyfriend Tuomas drives 300 kilometers to visit me, and we get to ring in the New Year together. Leisurely time with loved ones is the best part of the holiday season. I hope that someday I’ll be able to share all these beautiful traditions with my own children, too.”

A row house entrance styled for Christmas — Guests feel welcome right from the entrance, which Anni decorates with a wreath, seasonal lights, a garland of greenery, and lanterns.

A Christmasy terrace with rattan furniture — In Anni’s experience, rattan furniture can withstand winter temperatures under a covered porch. The Fanni K hanging chair and sofa set are from Veke, and the table is from Jysk. The pelts are thrifted finds, and the reindeer pillow is from Ellos. The lantern is from Ikea.

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Why this Christmas superfan fills every room with paper stars: “I want to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere for as long as possible”

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