Shnordic and a love of Bath with Susanna Hawkins

Shnordic is the Instagram account for social media influencer Susanna Hawkins. Named after her Scandinavian roots, Susannah avidly shares her home and beauty styling tips with her adoring audience.

Susannah and her husband (known affectionately as Mr Nordic) are also owners of the impossibly gorgeous new Light Location Bath House, which they successfully renovated over the challenging year of 2020. 

We caught up with Susanna to talk about her love for the city of Bath, renovating and moving home during a pandemic and a few fun facts about this inspirational Instagram star. 

Having lived in Finland, Brussels, NYC and London, what drew you to buy a property in Bath?

We had our honeymoon in Bath, and both really loved it. When we decided a few years ago to move, Bath was high on the list. So, when we found the perfect house project here too, it was meant to be 🙂

What are your three favourite things about living in Bath?

The architecture makes my heart sing, people are really friendly and welcoming, and I love the fact we are so close to nature and the countryside.

What took you down the path of a lifestyle blogger and Instagram influencer? 

It’s a long story, but basically, I felt like a bored housewife after giving up my job in a pharmaceutical company for family reasons and wanted to find something to do that would still allow me to be available for my children. So, I started my Instagram page and blog soon after that.

You were in the middle of a significant house renovation when we went into the first Covid19 lockdown. How did this affect your plans?

It slowed the project down by a good couple of months as everything stopped. We were living in a temporary 2-bedroom flat for a little longer than initially planned, but overall, it wasn’t too much of a delay.

You had moved into Bath House by the time Lockdown 2 and 3 hit. How did you utilise this time with your family in your incredible new home?

I love spending time at home anyway, so I quite enjoyed it. Home schooling was definitely more manageable when the children had their own rooms compared to the first lockdown, where we had to share more. We had lots of walks, movie nights and taught ourselves how to make sushi!

The fabulous kitchen and dining area in your home feature heavily on your social media. What do you love most about this space?

I love the height and the big windows, and the view over Bath. It just makes me so happy every time I stand in front of it and see how Bath is looking.

Your gorgeous family (including Ebba, the cutest ever cat) also makes regular Instagram appearances. Do they all like to be involved?

My husband isn’t especially keen, Ebba is very suspicious about cameras, but my children are happy to be involved occasionally. I don’t do any persuasion as it’s completely their choice!

You inspire a rapidly growing audience of interior inspiration seekers on Instagram. Where do you find your inspiration? 

From the usual places, Instagram, Pinterest and magazines!

Now that you have settled in your new home, what are your house goals for the next 12 months? 

I’m currently trying to get our living room sorted out.

Finally, to help us to get to know even more about the Susanna behind Shnordic, it’s time for our quick-fire round?

• What did you eat for breakfast this morning? 

Coffee and granola with raspberries

• What’s your favourite way to get in some exercise? 

I do love power yoga, and I also do a fun outdoor circuit class weekly. I say fun as I do it with a few friends, and we always have coffees afterwards, which is the main motivator!

• What would your superpower be and why? 

I get easily really excited about ideas, people and things. It might not sound like much of a superpower, but it is the driving force in my life. It is one of my favourite personality traits!

• If you had a time machine, would you go back in time or into the future?

I love a good period drama, so I would quite like to make quick trips to the past, please.

• What are you just a little bit obsessed about right now? 

Meeting up with friends and hugs now that we are allowed them again!

For heaps of interior inspiration, follow Susanna on her Instagram Account