Swedish style in the interior: decoration

Swedish style is included in a large group of ethnic trends. It is not as popular as prudent English, concise Mediterranean (Greek) or romantic Italian. Swedish style is closely related to Scandinavian. Sometimes both of these concepts are even considered as one. In fact, the style is one of the Scandinavian varieties, since Sweden is part of the historical and cultural region of the same name with Denmark and Norway, to which sometimes Iceland is also counted. In this part of Europe, where the harsh northern beauty surrounds cities, at the level of mentality, locals with particular trepidation relate to nature and all that is natural. This love is reflected in the interiors. To understand how highly the Swedes value the environment, it is enough to give a clear example. If a tree grows in the place where it is planned to build a private house, then if possible it will not be cut down, clearing the site, and “surrounded” with a veranda, making it part of the situation. Swedish style in the interior has become one of the pioneers of eco-direction. Let's talk about its characteristics and special role in design.

History of style

The beginning of the history of style is not lost in the depths of the centuries, as it happened with many other ethnic trends. It began to form in the second half of the XVIII century. If before this period the interiors of the average Swedish houses were created according to the principles of all-European fashion, then after (through the efforts of national symbolists and modernists) the basic principles of the style that became autonomous were formulated. Many people associate his birth with the German sociologist Max Weber, who proposed the concept of Protestant work ethic to the public. It followed that only honest, conscientious work, unshakable faith and restraint in everything (including the “benefits” of mankind) can be the key to a solid economy and a happy society. The new concept marked the beginning of laconicism and severity in Swedish interiors, which reflect the national character to the maximum.


    

Swedes value a stable position in society, a good salary, but they don’t boast of their achievements and do not furnish houses and apartments with luxurious items that, by default, must "splurge". Therefore, the Swedish style can be safely called a direct antagonist of Baroque, Rococo, Empire, that is, those areas in the pomp of which were buried France, Germany and Italy. It was formed on the splinters of classicism, absorbing the bold ideas of impressionism, romanticism and sentimentalism. From above, the concept of direction was slightly seasoned with national traditions. As usual, innovative ideas were picked up not only by designers, but also poets, artists, sculptors. Among the most famous masters of the “new genre” are industrial designer Sixten Sasson, artist Karl Larsson, architect Gunnar Asplund. Their works have become exemplary for the emerging Swedish style.


    

The Swedish style is closely related to the concept of "Hugge", which is increasingly relishing modern interior fashion magazines. Although the word is taken from the Norwegian and Danish languages, the Three Crowns State is also directly related to it. The neighboring countries have similar cultures, so the concepts of coziness and comfort are not much different.


    

Features, characteristics and style characteristics

The concept of the Swedish style can be expressed in one phrase “moderation in everything”. The direction is characterized by the following features:

  • Light (mostly white) walls and pastel colors in the interior.
  • Wooden furniture from light breeds.
  • Natural details in the interior (branches, stumps, moss), which are characteristic of the modern version of the Swedish style.
  • The abundance of light, both artificial and natural.
  • Laconic decor, which, as a rule, is represented by massive floor vases, rugs and small pillows decorating the surfaces of upholstered furniture.
  • The lack of thick curtains and curtains. The windows simply close the blinds or hang light curtains of translucent fabrics. By the way, the openings themselves are wider, more similar to the French panoramic ones.


    

Before planning a room design, it is worthwhile to focus on the climatic conditions in which the Swedes live. They largely influenced their national character (restrained, stern, alien to familiarity) and the interiors of the houses. The weather here is also not warm, as in the vast majority of Russia. Winter is long and harsh. Landscapes are mostly monotonous, the sun peeps rarely, and then mostly in the summer. Therefore, the furnishings of the room are arranged in such a way as to allow the maximum amount of deficient light into the house.


    

Materials and methods of finishing

The decoration is used mainly natural materials. The walls are covered with light white or milky paint. You can also plaster or wallpaper them. Welcome and combined finish. For example, three walls are covered with plaster, and the fourth is covered with textural wallpaper with a “marble” pattern. Since the surface is accent, it is acceptable to use bright colors: cherry, green, blue. The ceiling is also plastered or trimmed with a stretch fabric with a glossy shine. It will play the role of an additional reflective surface that refracts the light. In the living room, bedroom, nursery and hallway the floor is covered with laminate or parquet board made of light wood. Ceramic tiles are used in the kitchen and in the bathroom. In the last tile and trim the walls. In the modern variation of the Swedish style, it is allowed to introduce light shades into the brickwork interior. Such a design solution, as a rule, is aimed at zoning large or combined rooms. In the bedroom and living room use long boards, for which deck laying is ideal. If the apartment is under the roof, the ceiling is decorated with plaster and gray or brown beams, which alternate with the windows. Such a colorful finish is a bit like a chalet style.


    

Swedes are "closed" for strangers. They show their character only in the circle of close people. Therefore, the interiors of their houses are designed primarily for comfort for the owners, and secondly, convenience for guests. The Swedish house is really an impregnable fortress, to which only the elite are allowed.

    

Color solutions

The basis of colors will be white. It is complemented by light shades of brown, in which wooden surfaces are painted. By the way, it is recommended to use larch, as its color is ideally suited to the Swedish interior. The ceiling is traditionally white. The walls are painted either in his tone, or choose a couple of shades of pastel. Gray or light brown floor covered with accent mats. Bright colors in the interiors are present, but in extremely scarce quantities. Accents are chosen from two to three tones. As a rule, it is blue, blue, lilac, green, purple, turquoise, mint and in rare cases pink, coral. Bright spots are evenly distributed between the decor and furnishings.

    

Lighting

On lighting in the Swedish interiors do not save. For the bedroom, they select the ceiling chandelier and wall sconces, floor / table lamps, which are placed on both sides of the bed. In the living room lighting fixtures must equip every corner. For these purposes, again choose sconces, lamps with original shades, candles, lanterns. Additionally, use point light sources, which are placed around the perimeter of the room on the ceiling and on top of the furniture. The accent wall can be illuminated with light bulbs. In the kitchen, which is combined with the dining room, instead of the central chandelier, a group of lamps is suspended above the dining area. The lack of light above the working surfaces will be compensated by the bulbs built into the lower shelves. In the bathroom, as in the hallway, mirrors must be decorated with twin wall lamps. For the rest of the lighting meets the ceiling chandelier simple configuration.


    

Furniture selection and placement rules

The living room has a large sofa with light upholstery. In front of him a wooden coffee table is placed on the rug. In this room a small fireplace is usually installed, which will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere. A small reading corner with shelves for books is also separated here. In Swedish living rooms in the corners are usually placed chairs or ottomans, which can accommodate home during the holidays. Thus, everyone will gather in the same room, but at the same time they will not interfere with each other to go about their business.

    

The bedroom has a spacious bed of light wood. Included with it are two cabinets, symmetrically located on the sides. At the foot of the place they put a small couch, and if there is enough space, then it is replaced with a canape, chaise longue, rekamye or ottoman. Any of them will allow you to relax or take a nap over a book in the bedroom during the day, without bothering to disassemble the bed. Complement the interior dressing table, chest of drawers or dressing table, painted in white. If the size of the bedroom allows, then here they put a modern wardrobe with a mirror facade. The kitchen uses a standard furniture set consisting of a dining group (table and chairs) and a kitchen unit. The latter is chosen from simple models, where the bottom is represented by thumbs with doors, and the top is by an open storage system. In the hallway, too, cost a minimum of furniture and decor: dresser, canapés, a mirror on the wall and a hanger for outerwear. Everything is done in light shades. In the bathroom, preference is given to "angular" plumbing with chrome elements. Showers, by the way, are rarely replaced with baths. From furniture it is enough only one white nightstand and a pair of open shelves for towels. Upholstery upholstered furniture mostly monophonic. It is allowed to use textiles with an inconspicuous floral pattern.


    

In the bedroom and living room is welcome to use light wicker furniture (usually chairs). They unobtrusively emphasize the "airiness" of the interior and fit into the color composition with light brown notes.


    

Elements of decor and accessories

Swedish decor is responsible for the comfort in the room, as the furniture and decoration are selected according to the principles of restraint. You can dilute the interior only with the help of decorations and stylish things. They do not force the whole room, the accents are evenly distributed over its area, so that no corner is left “forgotten”. The floors are decorated with carpets: bright, solid, patterned, with a long nap or in the form of animal skins. One or two pictures are hung on the walls with pictures of beautiful landscapes or decorated with groups of family photos. Vases of unusual shapes, beautiful bottles, plates with unobtrusive painting are placed on the table tops. On the shelves are placed books interspersed with candlesticks, photos on supplies, for hours. The floor is decorated with lamps or massive vases. We must not forget about the "green strokes" in the form of indoor plants. Armchairs, sofas, beds are covered with warm blankets and decorated with groups of pillows of bright colors to match the secondary color scheme. The use of knitted parts is welcomed. Blinds are traditionally fixed on the windows. In the bedroom, where textile curtains give a special comfort, thin organza curtains are used.


    

Conclusion

“Swedish trace” in interior design is not limited to furniture and decor from Ikea. Although, if you ask a question about the associations that this country causes, this conglomerate will come to every second. The Swedish style was formed quite a long time ago, but only the last 10-20 years began to appear outside the country. The reason for this demand was the popularization of minimalism. Laconic, simple, but clearly adjusted interiors, in which there is harmony between the material and the spiritual, have become valued very highly. Then the world designers turned their attention to the line of styles, which were grouped under the common name "Scandinavian".

Watch the video: INTERIOR DESIGN. Tips to Decorate in the SCANDINAVIAN + MINIMALIST DESIGN STYLE (March 2024).

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