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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
I know you guys love Swedish style and
Scandinavian interior design inspiration
as much as I do so we're going to
explore Pinworthy design moments
and tease apart details we can
incorporate into our own
spaces to add touches of lovely.
What makes me an expert on Scandi?
Nothing in terms of formal education,
travel, or study of rules...ummm, I have
more Irish blood than Swedish.
I'm an artist, a self-taught decorator,
and a passionate student of design.
The opinions I express flow from a genuine
admiration and love for Scandi everything
as well as a half century of experience
of being surrounded by the
beautiful culture, aesthetic, and
souls who immigrated from the region.
| Reflections on Swedish Interiors |
What makes this design style so special?
It's a subjective matter, but for me,
it's the sort of environment that feels
dreamy, pure, and clean, with plenty
of fresh air to breathe and dream in.
It feels collected, authentic, and effortlessly
undone, whether it is interpreted with
a modern aesthetic or a vintage one.
"A well-designed Swedish room, whether an antique-filled country home or a contemporary industrial loft space, has a calm and feel-good quality that literally permeates the atmosphere. " (From Reflections on Swedish Interiors)
What sort of personality fits well with it?
Since Scandinavian style can be interpreted
in any number of ways, I would imagine
it could be a great fit for many different
personalities...it can be feminine and a
little dressy, sophisticated and posh,
or totally laid back and boho.
If you need a lot of bold color in your life,
you are likely not drawn to this design style,
and sames goes if you can't bear the thought
of painted, not stained wood.
There's a sensibility Scandinavians possess
which gets echoed in their interiors so it
may be especially appealing to the more
sensible among us.
Without further adieu, here are ideas for you
to bring Scandinavian style to your home.
Images: Pinterest
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
1.
PAINT YOUR WALLS A SOOTHING SHADE
Try a Swedish style inspired wall color
like these suggested by House Beautiful:
Farrow & Ball: PAVILION BLUE 252
BLUE GRAY 91
SKYLIGHT 205
GRAY 242
LAMP ROOM GRAY 88
Sherwin Williams: ONLY NATURAL SW 7596
SLEEPY BLUE SW-6225
SENSIBLE HUE SW-6198
C2 Paint: Pavement C2-988
Donald Kaufman Color: DKC-67
DKC-6
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
2.
PAINT A VINTAGE CUPBOARD OR CHAIR
Swedish style is about celebrating and claiming
as much light as possible since long Northern
winters can lower the mood.
Painting a dark wood piece a light tone
can lift the spirit of a room and also
add instant age.
Swedish country style is also about a more
informal vibe, and painting a fancy or
a too fussy piece can instantly take it
from formal to laid back.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
3.
RESTRAIN THE PALETTE.
By limiting a room's palette, one can
maximize the sense of tranquility
and calm in the interior design and
often achieve a sense of sophistication.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
4.
LOOK FOR FURNITURE WITH SIMPLE LINES
Forget heavy ornamentation and fancy details.
For a calm, serene, Scandi-lovely feel,
seek furnishings that are on the plain side
and are more sensible than show-offy.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
5.
TRY CHECKS ON A FLOOR OR FABRIC.
Whether it's gingham or buffalo checks,
a pretty two-toned check fabric for
upholstery and linens adds beautiful
Scandinavian style country charm
in its innocence and simplicity.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
6.
UNIFY FURNISHINGS WITH WHITE PAINT.
The best rooms look collected over time,
and for Swedish style, it's possible to
unify pieces that don't match and that
hail from varying eras.
Transforming multiple furnishings with
white paint is an economical way to
achieve a cohesive, calm look for
very little cash and labor.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
7.
SKIP THE WINDOW DRESSING.
To allow a maximum amount of natural
light to flood your room, consider leaving
windows free of curtains or heavy dressing
if privacy is not an issue.
The Swedes are masters of working with
precious sunlight, and as the light entering
a room changes throughout the day,
so does the room's character and interest.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
8.
EXPLOIT THE REFLECTIVE
PROPERTIES OF MIRROR AND GLASS.
Whether it's glass panes on a vintage hutch
or crystals twinkling from a chandelier,
introducing glass to bounce the light around
creates a sense of lightness and airiness.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
9.
CONSIDER A LIGHTER KITCHEN.
Whether it is adding open shelving to keep
dishes and essentials within arms reach or
designing a mostly white kitchen,
a Scandi-style kitchen feels clean,
pure, and cozy.
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
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| Interior Design Inspiration: Scandinavian Style Decor |
Do visit Part 2 for more
ideas to bring Scandinavian style
to your home...in the mean time,
have a look at this charming
Peace to you right where you are.
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