Scandinavian design

I think my last post summarised the important elements of Scandinavian design: light, wood and warmth.  So what will I take home with me from Swedish interiors as inspiration?

Northern Lights in N. Sweden

Sunlight, candlelight and the clever use of artificial light are all important across the world, but I have really been struck by the brightness of the natural light here in Sweden.  Especially in these spring months of April and May, the blue sky emerges with dazzling sunlight bringing everyone out from the long winter hibernation inside.  Also having the Northern Lights on your doorstep up here in Scandinavia must have an impact on how you consider light, it being such an amazing sight.  It is one trip I plan to put on my bucket list (when I get round to making one); to me it looks so surreal, unnatural even, and I guess it is even more amazing that this is a natural occurence in our world.  From my short time here, I have gathered that people love natural light - from the sun and from candles - and there is much use of neutral tones, but at the same time, there is a real celebration of colour in the buildings and interiors:

I think the fantastic thing about design and interiors is that it becomes such an eclectic mix of a person's personality and their experiences in life - what they have been inspired by both locally and further afield.  For me nature, light and a sense of cosiness and warmth are all important in my home and perhaps that is why I have found so much that I like in Scandinavia, as it brings all those elements together.

For me, once I have found the right inspiration, it is a matter of interpreting that into interiors.  I visualise that the ideas I will take home from Sweden will appear in little ways - wooden furniture as a feature piece, or a splash of colour to create warmth; the use of glass or neutral tones to accentuate light, and a theme of simplicity that runs throughout the house.  Here are a couple of interiors I liked that display Scandinavian design: