Scandinavian Designs and Interiors
As the name suggests, Scandinavian designs originate from the countries of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland and offer a vast and eclectic taste that personifies this design movement. They are characterised by simplicity, functionality and minimalism. Long renowned for their simplicity, utility and beauty, Scandinavian homes have a pure, pared backed style that is centred around warm functionality, clean lines, flawless craftsmanship and understated elegance. The use of light is considered to be extremely important, and many Scandinavian homes are characterised by the use of earthy muted tones, honest materials and minimal ornamentation. Seemingly at odds with our African love of ornate, baroque designs, Scandinavian-style interiors nevertheless offer an alternative design philosophy for those willing to try something new.
The calm, muted tones of pale blue, cool grey, white and cream are seen everywhere in Scandinavian interiors. This colour scheme has almost become the trademark of Scandinavian designs and seems to be one of the main draws to its global mimicry. However, not all Scandinavian designs are muted and calm. In fact, there are some noteworthy designers who preferred a much bolder design statement, such as the popular Marimekko; a Finnish design company that prefers bold, graphic and colorful arrangements. Whether you prefer bright, bold interiors or a more calm serene quality, you can achieve a distinctly Scandinavian style in your home.
Carpets are not a common occurrence in Scandinavian homes and with our hot climate, that may be something we should look to emulate. Scandinavian designers have always seemed to prefer the use of simple, white wood from floor-to-ceiling.
It is easy to understand why this is so popular when one looks at rooms designed in this manner— white wood floors make a room seem open, airy, clean, and draw muchneeded attention to the interior craftsmanship of the architecture and furnishings.
If the flooring is not white wood, then it still remains light in colour with wood such as birch or pine, or a cool grey stone tile. Mimic this clean design by using light wood wherever possible. It is certainly an interior design that you will not grow tired of.
With upwards of 60 days of polar nights, lighting can become essential and revered. This is what most Scandinavians deal with every winter, depending on their location within the Polar Circle. While we may have the opposite ‘problem’ (i.e. an abundance of sunlight), it is important to make the best use of this natural phenomenon and design homes to capture the best possible light. What better way to let in the much-loved light than large windows? Floor-to-ceiling windows are common in Scandinavian designs for this very reason.
Scandinavians have a deep-rooted love of nature. With past-times revolving around outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and swimming—they take every possible opportunity to be in the great outdoors. Of course, during their cold winter days and nights, it can be easy for them to forget the natural beauty of their much-missed summer world. So, they bring nature indoors as much as possible.
Interiors reflect this by bringing in numerous natural plants, and furnishings that mimic nature through their rustic wood grain. As Nigerians live an increasingly urban life far away from nature, it is important for us to connect with the environment by also bringing in some plant life indoors, or have a small garden that you tend to regularly.
This is the look that has iconised Scandinavian Design -white walls, antique clocks, crystal chandeliers, curved rustic white wood furnishings, white linens, and simple flower arrangements. It is a marriage of down-toearth attitudes with understated elegance. It is easy to see why this design has been copied time and time again. It personifies the definition of grace. It can be easy to replicate this style by simply painting some rustic furniture pieces white, and adopting this relaxed yet elegant feel in your home.
So, loosen up; open your windows, letting in the cool breeze and natural views. This is a look that says relax and stay while.
Functionality reigns supreme within Scandinavian designs. Homes are meant to be open, airy and have a flow that allows easy living. This is not to say that art and romanticism doesn’t have a place in these designs - culture and art play a large role in Scandinavian life. It is only natural for this to show up in their home interiors, as well.
Maybe we should all take a cue from this simpler lifestyle and get rid of some of our un-required clutter.
While modern Scandinavian furniture takes advantage of innovative textiles, no matter what decade their furniture is derived from, one thing is certain, attention to detail and high-quality materials will always show-up in Scandinavian furniture designs. A simplistic, yet artful, approach reveals itself in all their furnishings through simple straight lines combined with understated ornateness. Furniture is like an object of art, and it should last for a lifetime. This is the reason that there are still some great antiques that remain on the market. If an antique is out of your price range, then consider looking to many of the modern Scandinavian furniture designers who are making an impact in this market.
Modern Scandinavian homes feature world-leading green technologies that are exported around the globe. Through political movements and a strong desire to save nature, Scandinavians have helped to lead the eco-friendly design movement. Scandinavians not only preach this lifestyle, they live it, with 99% of Norway’s power being derived by hydropower. Nigerians could benefit from many of these technologies especially with our lack of electrical power.