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Thursday, December 20th, 2018
Fall and eventually winter are the perfect seasons to gather with family and friends. This is the right moment to gather around afire and to just enjoy each and everyone’s company. People from Scandinavian nations refer to this as hygge which roughly translates to cozy and warm or being in a peaceful ambiance.
Here are some of the leading reasons why Nordic design can be equated to hygge –
There is always a focal place in Nordic homes where people gather around to talk or just to relax. This room often has the most comfortable chairs, photo albums (so family members and guests can reminisce if they want to), a plethora of books, ample lighting, and game boards or some cards.
More often than not, this place has a fireplace or even a simple wood stove. Just imagine the whole family drinking from their mugs of hot chocolate while waiting for Christmas. It’s the most sublime picture.
And this is not just at the dining table.The living room could also be decorated with the most interesting candles. Even the kitchen counters, living room coffee table, and the bedroom nightstands have their own sets of candles.
And at dinnertime, Scandinavians make it a point to enjoy a candlelit gathering. If you’re concerned about everyone’s safety, then use tea lights or votives since these are less likely to be blown and toppled. Tapers are often the cause of accidental fires so you can also pacify your mind with some battery operated pieces.
This could be the unspoken rule throughout the Nordic nations – that you can never have too many candles. Just imagine the long winter nights that you have to sleep through. There surely is a need for ample lighting.
Create the most magical mood by adding more flickering candles throughout your home. Once again, just make sure that they won’t topple when a breeze suddenly blows in the room.
The holiday season is the time for comfort food. Apart from the aforementioned mug of hot cocoa, you can also enjoy other beverage and food that are common during Christmas such as –
Fruit salad complete with panettone croutons
Grape Focaccia
Prime Beef Rib
Christmas cakes
Candies
Herb-roasted chicken
Eggnog, and many more.
Especially around the dining table to enjoy dessert and coffee. On many nights, fresh fruits or a cup of tea is what each family member or guest enjoys. Square chocolates are also widely enjoyed. The idea of Nordic comfort is to provide a little something to entice the guest or relative to stay a bit more.
You can even up the level of hygge by taking off your shoes and enjoying baked desserts with your guests. And if you’re really feeling up to it, you can even relax and just eat your dinner at the breakfast nook or even on the couch.
Oh, what could be more relaxing than a good piece of music? Music is one of the magical ways to create an instant comfortable ambiance. Consider the kind of mood that you would want to evoke in your home. Play some jazz music and you’re off to many restful evenings.
The music that you use should be soft enough because jarring noise would lower your chances of achieving hygge. Also, the secret is to play music that won’t require you to shout just so you could converse with your family.
Just take a look at the faux furs and the throws that are strewn on the floor. These are just some of the pieces that are inviting enough to make you feel relaxed.
Have a stack of blankets on the ready.
Tags: McCreery's, Nordic, Nordic interiors, Scandinavian style
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes, Window Design | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017
The Century Furniture Living Room Fox Tuxedo Chair AE-11-1068 is made with sturdy Scandinavian leather.
Scandinavian or Nordic style remains to be one of the most sought-after looks by interior designers, critics, and homeowners. It is especially popular this last quarter of the year because of the Christmas season. All things hygge seems to fascinate people globally. But what features totally describe the Nordic look?
Believe it or not, there are some popular myths about this look. If you’re not careful, you could fall into the same trap and end up making your home look like it’s the land of the frost giants.
Myth #1: Scandinavian Style Means All White
While Nordic nations do love white interiors because of its light-giving properties (remember how dark it could get during those long wintry months?), it could also cause depression when not used with care.
You still can use colors, in fact, you have a rainbow of tints and shades to choose from. The safest way to do it is to find the most gorgeous pastel colors. Imagine ice cream flavors and you have pretty much captured what a stylish Scandinavian interior should look like.
Myth #2: Scandinavian Style Is Always Minimalist
Have you seen those Nordic-style homes in interior design magazines? While almost all of them are simple and pared-down, with their unadorned rooms and shades of black and gray, the Swedes, Danes, Icelanders, Finns, and Norwegians are far from unexciting.
In fact, they also have a more exciting side to them. Adding simple potted green changes the monochrome setting in an instant. You can delight your guests with patterns and popping hues taking inspiration from Nordic arts and products.
If you have seen Josef Frank’s patterns, you will surely feel warmer and more welcome as he tries to soften neutral homes.
Myth #3: Scandinavian Style Is All Wood and Organic
Oops, wrong again.
No less than three of the Scandinavian nations are covered with lush forests so it is not a surprise that they are default resources for many furniture and housing needs. While this is true and while organic stuff is welcome, there are many creative works out there that also spell Danish or Icelandic.
Colorful, bright patterns such as flamingos are always welcome.
Brentwood Collection features the Sadie Night Table which offers the light-colored wood requirement for your home’s Nordic look.
Myth #4: Scandinavian Style Is All About Living Close to Nature
Nordic countries are always pictured as idyllic countryside villages with gentle breezes. While there is plenty of woods and the locals do love nature and everything organic, they do not limit themselves to the stunning beauty of nature alone.
A bigger percentage of Scandinavians actually live in cities, metropolitan spaces, and towns. These are urban areas though they may not have as dense a population as New York City but, you do get the picture.
Since they, too, live in an urbanized location, it is pretty common to find the most interesting architectural features.
Myth #5: You Can Shop for Hygge
Hygge has become a catch-phrase of sorts as this has become synonymous with warmth and coziness. While tea, sheepskins, slippers, and open furnaces are the coziest things that you can have in your home, there are other ways to create hygge in your home.
Spending time with your loved ones inside your well-lit home is hygge. This is the Nordic statement for contentment inside one’s own home.
Myth #6: Scandinavian Is All Function
While Nordic style does put its emphasis on functionality, you must never forget about style. Just think of their global designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen, and Lisa Larson and you would understand that Nordic interiors are far from static.
Now that we’ve busted these six myths, are you ready to redesign your home into a more exciting Nordic theme?
Tags: hygge, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, Nordic interior design, Nordic interiors, Nordic style, Scandinavian interior design, Scandinavian interiors, Scandinavian style, shabby chic
Posted in Color Schemes, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Interior Design Themes | Comments Off on 6 Scandinavian Design Myths Busted
Wednesday, September 21st, 2016
1586-80116-MULTI Aura Round Accent Table with Shell Top 1118CR Delancey Club Chair
Scandinavian design is maximized styling with the least amount of fuss, the two guiding principles being function and fundamentalism. This design has been shaped by the sensible minds in Old Nordic Europe resulting in airiness, light, serenity, even a stark oneness with Mother Nature.
Scandinavian trend is a concoction of Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish design principles. All of these use natural elements which favor the neutral color palette. Remember to keep lines more basic.
Winning the World Over with the Scandinavian Look
Scandinavian home design invaded the world right after the 1947 Triennale di Milano edition. This is a renowned design exhibit in Milan. Here, glassware, accessories and furniture pieces coming from Nordic regions are shown. Later, the world caught on as they saw the beauty that this stark white design can offer.
The design show soon travelled to the U.S. and in Canada. The years 1954 through 1957 were the most fascinating years for this design as more and more ideas were added.
It is interesting that Scandinavian trends have evolved from the usual European look of favored ornate and opulent décor brought to the world by royalty and aristocracy. The Nordic people embraced a more practical look though plush pieces also appear now and then.
Scandinavian Light
Lighting is key in the Nordic regions with only seven daylight hours during the winter season. The look and feel of your lighting fixture will say a lot about whether or not you have achieved the Scandinavian design.
Scandinavian interiors have different kinds of lighting for mood building and correct illumination. This usually hangs between the industrial and modern looks. The styles could be anything from pendant to wall sconces.
Candlelight is also a must as it can automatically add a beautiful glow to any space. Votives are a beautiful deviation though you can be traditional by using candelabra.
Hooker Furniture Dining Room Mimosa – Cottage Fabric Barstool
Scandinavian Form and Function
Scandinavian furniture is all about the use of clean lines. Find chairs, tables and sofas that have a Mid-Century modern look. These are the ones that have rounded, smooth edges and neutral hues.
This design also focuses on function and innovative look.
Scandinavian Flooring
Don’t ever use wall-to-wall carpeting as this never happens in Scandinavian interiors. Flooring is traditionally hardwood, used in its natural color or, often, painted white. Since it is white, it automatically contributes to the expansion of the space and allowing more light inside.
Scandinavian Living Elements
It is also crucial to bring in living elements of beauty and color in this design. Fresh flowers are an absolute necessity. This is apparent with all those sidewalk florists in Copenhagen who sell tulips in every possible color.
Succulents are also a welcoming vision in any Scandinavian home.
Scandinavian Means Neutral
If there is one color palette that is most associated with Scandinavian design, then it would have to be neutrals. So go ahead and use a lot of whites, grays, browns and blacks. These can be interwoven throughout your home if you want to create a calming and clean look.
Designers have introduced pop colors throughout the years so sea greens and light pinks are also now acceptable.
Regular Scandinavian homes have white walls that allow art and furniture to mesmerize.
Scandinavian Means Zero Clutter and Limitations
One of the best features of Scandinavian interiors is cleanliness. Storage is a must and is often implemented through shelves and cabinets. Décor is always intentional where less is more. Always remember visually relaxing as your mantra.
Inviting light in is a major concept in Scandinavian interior design. Windows from these European regions have windows that are often stripped bare. Should the homeowners consider using window treatments, then the materials should be sheer or linen.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, neutral, neutral colors, neutral design, neutral hues, neutral palette, Nordic design, Nordic interiors, Scandinavian, Scandinavian design, Scandinavian interior design, Scandinavian interiors, Scandinavian style, white, white color palette, white color scheme, white interior design, white interiors
Posted in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Themes | No Comments »
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