September in Scandinavia: Colour, Candlelight & Long Summer Evenings

Russell & Claire
3 hours ago
4 min read

As summer slowly gives way to autumn, Russell and Claire share some inspiration for bringing the warm colours of Scandinavia, seasonal flowers and Danish candlelight to the table.

There is something rather lovely about September.

For Claire and me, it is that moment when summer hasn't quite finished, but you can feel the seasons beginning to change. There are still warm evenings when we can sit outside with friends, gather around the table and enjoy the last of the long summer light. Yet the evenings are becoming shorter, the light a little softer and the garden is beginning to take on some deeper, warmer colours.

It is a time of year we particularly enjoy.

Rather than suddenly changing everything for autumn, we find ourselves gradually introducing those warmer tones into our home — colours that still have something of summer about them, but hint at the season ahead.

And this beautiful palette of soft pink, melon, coral, terracotta, warm orange and rust feels just right.

ester and erik candle colour pallet blomster designs Scandinavian homeware

A softer approach to autumn colour

Scandinavian interiors have always inspired us because of the way they embrace the changing seasons without feeling overly decorated.

September doesn't necessarily call for deep, dramatic autumn shades. Instead, we love the softer transition between seasons.

Think Rosy Caramel, Coral Reef and Melon, alongside warmer shades such as Rosehip, Terracotta, Aged Rust and Vivid Orange.

Together, they create a palette that feels warm and welcoming without losing the freshness of late summer.

And perhaps that's what makes these colours so versatile. They work beautifully with natural wood, linen, ceramics and greenery, but also sit effortlessly alongside the softer colours of late-summer flowers.

ester and erik colour card
blomster designs

Let the flowers lead the way

Flowers are one of our favourite ways to bring seasonal colour into the home.

At this time of year, we love flowers in warm peach, coral, dusky pink, terracotta, orange and soft cream, perhaps with a few deeper tones tucked amongst them.

There is no need to perfectly match your flowers to your candles. In fact, we think it looks much more natural when the colours complement rather than copy one another.

A soft peach flower beside a Melon candle.

A dusky pink bloom alongside Rosehip.

Terracotta flowers with Terra Cotta candles.

Or a little hit of orange amongst softer pinks and creams.

These small repetitions of colour are enough to make a table feel beautifully considered, without making it feel too styled.

And this is where we love bringing together our two worlds at Blomster Designs and Blomster Designs Flowers — flowers and candlelight working together to create a feeling rather than simply decorating a table.

The beauty of an evening around the table

For us, Scandinavian style isn't really about creating a picture-perfect home.

It is much more about creating somewhere you actually want to spend time.

We love the idea of a September evening with friends around the table. Seasonal flowers in a loose arrangement, different candle colours scattered amongst them, glasses being filled and everyone lingering a little longer than planned.

As the light fades, the candles become part of the atmosphere.

This is where Ester & Erik's beautiful candles , made in Denmark work particularly well. Their extensive colour palette means you can mix different shades together rather than having to choose just one.

A few candles in Rosehip and Rosy Caramel can keep things soft and romantic, while Terracotta, Aged Rust or Vivid Orange add warmth and depth.

And they don't all have to match.

In fact, we think the most Scandinavian-looking combinations are often the ones where several complementary colours are allowed to sit together naturally.

Blue Echinops flowers amongst coral and soft pink taper candles on a September table

Bringing September indoors

As the evenings become cooler, these small seasonal changes become even more noticeable.

A vase of flowers in warm autumnal tones.

A linen tablecloth.

Natural textures and simple ceramics.

A collection of beautiful taper candles.

And that wonderful moment when the candles are lit and the room begins to glow.

You don't need to completely reinvent your home for autumn. Sometimes a change of colour is enough.

If you're unsure where to start, our Ester & Erik colour swatch is a lovely way to explore the enormous range of colours and see which combinations speak to you before choosing your candles.

side view with hydrangeas

Setting the Scandinavian Table

For us, setting the table is as much about creating the mood as it is about what eventually finds its way onto the plates. We wanted this table to feel relaxed and generous — beautiful enough to make an occasion of it, but not so carefully arranged that you wouldn't want to sit down and enjoy it.

The blue and white of Royal Copenhagen felt particularly at home amongst the flowers. The Blue Fluted Mega pieces bring a lovely touch of Danish design to the table, while the blue Echinops picked up those deeper blue details almost by accident. Alongside the softer white of the White Fluted pieces, the effect felt fresh and very Scandinavian.

We kept the glassware equally relaxed, mixing Holmegaard Cabernet wine glasses with Holmegaard x Mikkeller beer glasses. After all, a Scandinavian table isn't necessarily about everything matching — it's about choosing pieces that work together and letting the table evolve naturally around them.

Finally, the Georg Jensen VIVIANNA cutlery adds a little polish against the simplicity of the linen. Together with the flowers, candlelight and a few friends around the table, these are the details that make the setting feel personal rather than perfect.

And perhaps that's what we love most about Scandinavian entertaining: there is beauty in the details, but there is never a need for everything to be too formal.