​How to create a contemporary Scandinavian style into your home

Simple, minimalist, functional and cozy are the words I use the most when describing the
​contemporary Scandinavian style. 

​Before moving to Stockholm in 2015, I was already familiar with the most iconic nordic design brands and how in Northen Europe, with its long and dark winters, interiors play a crucial role in the daily life.
For me, what represents the most the Scandinavian design are the symbolic pieces of the 60s, years where we assisted to the birth of products such as: the Danish Wegner Chair by Hans Wegner, the Tulip Chairs and Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen, the Artichoke light pendant by Poul Henningsen, not to mention the popular Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen. 

While strolling around the streets of Stockholm, the capital of Scandinavia, I discovered so many new trends and a new way of thinking and creating interiors. Nordic interior design is more innovative and curios to experiment new things, with still a total respect, for what has been already done in the past.
​Let's discover then what it takes to create a contemporary Scandinavian style that you can re-create into your home, whenever you are.

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(This post contains affiliate links)

1. Use neutral colours ​

The Nordic population do not benefit of a huge amount of sunlight during the year. The dark period goes from November until March, affecting significantly our daily life and the colours of the interior's palette.

The Scandinavians wish to catch as much day light as possible into their homes, therefore, It is still very popular the tendency to choose white colour for each room. Personally, I do not think that white is the only option we have to bright up a space. With so many off-whites, greys with white hue, beige and ivory colours available on the market, I would definitely try something else as well. 

Perhaps, you can paint the walls in the darkest areas of your room in white, and play a bit with beige, ivory or grey in areas closer to the windows. My strong advice is to opt always for a warm hue of the coulour you have chosen, instead of a cold one. Here below, you can find some examples with links from one of my favourites paint supplier: Farrow&Ball.

WIMBORNE WHITE, No. 239 - NEW WHITE, No. 59 - CORNFORTH WHITE, No. 228 - 
SKIMMING STONE, No. 241 - HOUSE WHITE, No. 2012​

2. Add colourful decorative ornaments

When I try to create a scheme for interior design, I always think how I dress up when going out in the cold Nordic winter...layer, layer and a more layer! To recreate the contemporary Scandinavian style, I do recommend to start ​your first layer with warm neutral colours and then start building your design schemes with some brighter colours and patterns. I usually spread them out in different hues, throughout the entire space according to theme chosen, to create like a "shadow" effect. 

Scandinavians like to add some sparkle with the decorative ornaments, although, still fairly discreet.
For example, they love the fabric's pattern designed by William Morris and Josef Frank.
I would recommend to add as many cushions as you can with fabrics of these two designers together with some in velvet. A knitted pouf will complete the perfect Nordic look. Use the cushions also in your bedroom with a bed throw in the same colours as your theme.
​Here below, some examples with links that will help you to create your stunning Scandinavian design scheme:

- William Morris cushion
​- Blue knitted round pouf
- Gray and floral bed throw

3. Make it cozy

I think that the word cozy is the most used by any Scandinavian I met.  In winter, but also during summer time, you will always find some candles light up, absolutely everywhere. Restaurants, offices, public bathrooms, even banks and post offices. Everyone creates a cozy atmosphere in their daily space. Therefore, hand made candles, candle holders, lanterns are really popular here.
​
​There are plenty of beautiful brands, which I had the opportunity to discover and their products are a real must have.
Here below, some examples with links (it was really hard to pick some as I love them all!):

- Iittala, tea light candle holder
- Orrefors, discus candle holder
​- Orrefors, raspberry candle holder
- Kosta boda, snowball candle holder

I hope you will have fun creating your Scandinavian style! 
For any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! 
​Good luck and thanks for reading!