hygge (ˈhyɡə) noun: a concept, originating in Denmark, of creating cosy and convivial atmospheres that promote wellbeing
I'm quite sure that I first read of hygge in this entry on Cornflower's blog. I began looking into the subject, and thought to myself, 'yes, this is it.' Here is my domestic life principle. This is who I am, a homebody who wants my home to be a comfortable and comforting place for me and others. I wrote about this a bit here, as I found that Laurie Colwin felt the same way.
I've preordered The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking, and can't wait to read it.
I've heard that hygge was on short list for word of the year 2016, but it was beat out by brexit.
The pronunciation is something like 'hooguh' said quickly.
You may find more about hygge in the following places:
A short, terrific video here. I think I could happily live in Copenhagen. She shows us that hygge is a concept more far reaching than simply the household sense of the word.
This should give you an idea, and if you are interested, there is much more online. Here are some hygge spaces in my house.
living room
kitchen
tv room
I love your home and believe I could move right in and feel entirely "at home." I'm ordering The Little Book of Hygge right away. Thank you for sharing these photos.
ReplyDeleteWish you were closer so you could at least visit!
DeleteHow funny, I just read about this on a news site and did a little investigating myself. :) Love your comforting and hygge spaces, Nan!
ReplyDeleteIt is quite in the news these days! Thanks.
DeleteDo you remember how my girls and I study a different country each year, adopting some of their customs and traditions (particularly at Christmas)? We have already selected Denmark for 2017, primarily for the purpose of delving deeply into hygge. Love the concept and have already embraced many of these precepts, without knowing that there was a Danish word and tradition for living this way. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI do remember and am pleased you still do it. I felt the same way when I first heard of it - that this is what I try to do in life. Thanks, Marcie.
DeleteYour house is a home - comfy and loving is the feeling you get looking at the pics.
ReplyDeleteMary
Such a nice thing to say. Thanks, Mary.
DeleteHygge is definitely apparent in your living spaces. It looks so inviting. You are so neat and tidy too. While our styles are a bit different I feel the Hygge in our home. I love it here. I will read up on this Hygge.
ReplyDeleteMy secret to being neat and tidy is Lucy the Labrador. She's better now, but she came to us with a degree of anxiety having lived with people who were gone too much and finding it hard to raise a Lab puppy. When she gets anxious she'll pull a paper towel off the counter or a book off a table. I've learned to leave nothing out that she might get. Even our winter boots and mittens are out of her reach. So, I've thanked her for her decluttering 'advice.' haha
DeleteAfter reading about hygge, watching the video, and seeing your place I think I can say that my home is hygge. I just never had a word for it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's just how I felt when I learned about it!
DeleteLove this post (and your earlier post about Laurie Colwin). Susan Branch wrote about hygge recently on her blog. Yes, it's what I'm about too. Good to know there's a word for it. You have such a warm and inviting home -- thanks for sharing the pics! Must order Wiking's book. Glad I'm not the only one who's content to stay at home, devoting my time to making it a nurturing space. :)
ReplyDeleteI know that you are from reading your blog. Always so warm and comforting and fun!
DeleteYour house is so comfy and beautiful. It looks like something out of a magazine. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOnly in pictures. If you were here you would see quite a coating of yellow Labrador hair on the floor. After we got Lucy we learned that they shed 24/7 365 days a year. haha
DeleteMuch as I'm out and about all the time, I love my flat, and even more so since "The Big Switch" earlier this year. I don't know if it is hygge, but to me, it is home, and it is what in German is called gemütlich - not dissimilar to hygge, although maybe not as far-reaching.
ReplyDeleteYour entire house is hygge, not just the spaces you show us, I think! :-)
And you are spreading hyggenness to your grandchildren, too.
I know you love your place and you have made it so comfortable and comforting. I looked up gemütlich, and found this:
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gem%C3%BCtlichkeit So why is hygge getting all the press?! Perhaps you should write a book about it. I love what you said about the grandkids.
Ah yes! Our home is comfy too. In fact we are selling a newish sofa and replacing it because it isn't. Your home is one of those I could just walk into and have a cup of coffee in, Nan, no need to worry about the cushions, where to put the cup, etc. Even though I arrange the cushions nicely, if you don't like them, just put the m on the floor before you take a seat!! This word (hygge) has been on the edge of my conciousness for some years now, but suddenly I see it's hit the big time.
ReplyDeleteIt sure has 'hit the big time.' And as Librarian wrote above, there's a German word for it, too. It's so interesting how things like this spread, isn't it. I love it that you're getting rid of furniture that doesn't fit the feeling of your house.
DeleteI love this! I also learned a word from a Finnish person with whom I once worked... Sisu. It's the determination and spiritual strength that allows a Finn to make it through difficult times. I wish I could know the contentedness and joy that the Finns and Scandinavians know...
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should move over there! There's been a lot written about Finnish education - there's a good piece here: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/why-are-finlands-schools-successful-49859555/ and another: https://eyeonearlyeducation.com/2014/03/19/finlands-approach-to-child-care-and-preschool-programs/
Deleteand then there is the most wonderful thing here: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22751415
Shall we make plane reservations?!
I have been a Laurie Colwin fan since before her death. And hygge is the perfect description of her world! You might enjoy reading THE YEAR OF LIVING DANISHLY by Helen Russell. She is a British journalist whose husband got a job with Lego.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of the book, and probably will read it after the book I mentioned.
DeleteOh yes, your lovely warm home meets the definition perfectly. Love everything about it, and the wood floors and the quilt wall hanging in the den/TV room particularly struck a chord..
ReplyDeleteMy aunt Susie made that quilt in 1927 when she was 17 years old! Do you believe it?!! I wrote a little about it here on the blog: http://lettersfromahillfarm.blogspot.com/2007/06/book-reportapricots-at-midnight.html
DeleteYou do realise I hope that your blog is hygge !
ReplyDeleteSo a huge Thank you!
Oh, what a nice, nice thing to say!
DeleteYour home already looks filled with hygge..........
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think I've always felt this way, and just found out a name for it.
Deleteespecially these days, as we await the transitions coming up.
ReplyDelete:-(
Merry Christmas, Nan. Best wishes for a grace-filled 2017.
ReplyDeleteSuch a nice thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteThis is fascinating! My best friend back in the 70s was from Denmark. Her daughter and mine were best friends and we got to be friends from carpooling to community college while our kids were in school. And Nan, her house was definitely hygee and yours reminds me of hers, even though I don't remember her saying that term. Sadly, she passed away far too early.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about your friend. I didn't know the term until recently. And as Librarian says it is also a German concept.
DeleteI've been saving this post to read at a leisurely pace, knowing it will strike a chord with me. I agree with all those who have already shared their comments and say that you are living this lifestyle and have been since we first met. I have always loved seeing pictures of the interior of your home and it gives me a sense of peace to see the warmth of your uncluttered space. And it's not just the appearance of your home, but your lifestyle. I can't wait to hear what you think of the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very nice comment, Les. Thank you so much.
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