Our love for all things Scandi isn’t going anywhere. The clean, light and bright characteristics of our Norse cousins permeates our culture from fashion to food. Maybe because like them, we spend over half a year in dark and gloomy coldness eagerly awaiting the first rays of Spring sunlight.
I think it would be a fair to say that this permatrend started with furniture. Even as far back as the late 1950s there was a lean towards a cleaner aesthetic in the home. From neutral monochrome to our obsession with all things pine the Viking invasion had taken a foothold.
So how do you create this look in your own home? Here are five tips to steer you in the right direction.
Light
The backbone of creating a Scandi look in any room is ‘light’. Whether you are lucky enough to have huge windows and an abundance of it, or have a limited amount, there are ways to harness and accentuate it. Curtains are unpopular in Scandinavia, very rarely will you find window coverings. It’s about maximising light so why would you have fabric draped over these precious sources of it. In addition to this the Swedes, Danes and Fins are passionate about lighting. Using soft glow lamps, up-lighters, wall and ceiling fixtures aplenty in their homes. They look to create soft and opulent light, never stark or brash. When dressing your room think stylish pebble and table lamps with low wattage bulbs. Place in dark corners and centrally. Another great way to create light is to place mirrors adjacent to your windows. Whoever said ‘It’s all smoke and mirrors’ had a point.
Wood
Wood is hugely important in creating a Scandi style space. A large proportion of Scandinavia is covered in stunning forests and they use it abundantly in all parts of the home. Scandinavian wood is generally light so when you are creating a look, steer towards pale oak, pine and beech. Also a very popular trend is whitewashed wood which creates a beautiful soft, vintage look. Check out our fabulous Hamilton whitewash sideboard pictured right.
Lets use the dining room as an example. To dress a dining room firstly, focus on the the focal point of the room which is the table. Whether you’ve a large family or it’s just the two of you, your table should be sturdy, functional and light wood.
The Agnes oval table featured left is the epitome of Scandi style. Crafted from oak, It’s smooth, unfussy shape and finish make it a perfect match for most interior design styles. Pair with neutral seating of a matching or similar wood finish. A dining bench is a nice idea for this style of table. Check out our range at The Orchard Home and Gifts.
Neutral Tones
So now you’ve chosen the perfect table and chairs, what next? The addition of a rug under the table in a very Swedish touch. The current trend for berber rugs is huge and their gorgeous neutral colourway make them the perfect addition to your dining room decor.
Neutral is a term you’ll hear a lot when referencing Scandi design. A simple, unfussy finish exuding style and the Scandis have it nailed.
The clean lines of the Agnes glass cabinet (left) are a great example of taking a generally over fussy item and pairing it down to basic neutral wood and glass.
This piece will make a great addition to both dining and living rooms alike.
Contrast
When thinking about contrast in Scandi terms we are going way beyond the simple colourwheel. Texture, shape and patterns are just as important and a well dressed Scandi room will have more than a few examples of all of these.
Think soft upholstery, floor vases with dried teasels and tactile wall hangings and rugs. Bringing nature into your home with gorgeous green leafy plants and pebble piles. Contrast your neutral toned walls with pieces of bold modern art particularly favoured by our Northern buddies. Candles are another hugely popular Scandi musthave. Add tea lights and vintage style candleholders to side tables, shelves and cabinets.
Hygge: Definition [hue-gah] ‘cozy’
The nearest word we have to hygge in the English dictionary is probably ‘cozy’. Hygge is more a feeling than a word and it really is an overall sense you get when in a Scandinavian home. Don’t be fooled into thinking that Scandi style is stark, it is far from it. Here’s is how to create ‘hygge’ the cosy finishing touch to your Scandi style room.
I’ll use the living room as an example. Add huge-knit pastel toned throws to your sofas along with bright floral embroidered cushions to add a pop of colour. Classic Scandi sheepskin rugs on your armchairs and add pretty fresh and dried flowers to your coffee table.
Lastly but not least by any means. An important thing to observe about Scandinavian homes is the quality of their furniture. We are not talking about cheap flatpack here. Scandinavian craftsmanship is second to none, they are master carpenters and cabinet builders. This quality is reflected in The Orchard’s Scandi Range. We want to give you furniture that is not only functional and beautiful but lasts for years and years.
Well I hope this has been of some help.
Hej då and happy styling!