Hitting the SWEDE SPOT

With its muted colours, scrolling shapes and simple folk patterns, Swedish country style has an enduring charm. Here’s how to make it work in your own home

We often think of Swedish style as the ultimate in simple, contemporary design, but it actually dates back to the much fussier French interiors of the 18th century, when King Gustav III was swept away by a visit to the Palace of Versailles. The then king of Sweden was so impressed with the elaborate decoration, gilding and scrolling shapes that on his return he decided to create his own ‘Paris of the North’. As a result, Swedish interiors of the time borrowed heavily from French neoclassicism. The Scandinavian interpretation, however, was to be much more restrained and simplified. Using the work of local craftsmen, and native woods painted in pale shades to suit the northern light, the newly evolved design managed to look relaxed and elegant, homely yet stylish. It’s a decorating scheme that has proved timeless and adaptable through the centuries – a perennial classic that looks current in both traditional and modern settings.

In this Suffolk cottage, a shapely ointment pink bench with blue painted pattern (which the cushion matches) is all that’s needed to bring colour and charm to a dining room

This wallpaper by Swedish company Sandberg is based on a 19th-century design that was often seen on ceilings. It comes in a pale shade of green or blue, which immediately softens the geometric pattern. Edvin, £91/roll, Wallpaper Direct (wallpaperdirect.com)