The Scandinavian Home: Interiors Inspired by Light

The Scandinavian Home:  Interiors Inspired by Light by Niki Brantmark             Hardback Book: 176 pages            

I’ve been on a Scandinavian kick lately.   You’ll note some of my earlier blogs mention books on the Scandinavian way that promotes having enough – not sparse, not over indulgent – just enough to feel right.    This plays out in the interior decorating of Scandinavian homes, too.    Having things that you love and not a lot of excess leaves clean lines, and interesting things to catch the eye and delight the esthetic senses.    Scandinavians prefer to use a lot of interesting mixes of textures in their homes.   Natural pieces reign.    Wood or carved furniture is a dominant feature.     White walls are favored as they allow more light into the room in a geographic location that has long dark winter phases to get through.    Glass and silver relective pieces add not just interest to a room but cleverly add sparkle and illumination.     Sensory pleasures for the eye are everywhere from beautiful repurposed antiques to the gentle feel of fur blankets and throws left on chairs and sofas as if inviting visitors and homeowners to come enjoy the luxury of their comfort.    Mirrors give the illusion of vast space even in small areas.   They offer the impression of open space even in tight quarters.   Mirrors also capture light and expand it softening shadows and delivering a convivial feel to a room or a welcoming to a new space in a hallway or entryway.    Nature indoors is often found regardless the style or tone of a room be it bohemian chic growing herbs in a windowsill or geraniums set on a table or a large plant residing in a cubby of the family room or library.   Color becomes a character residing in a room rather than just a theme repeated here and there throughout.    A signature piece within a room of starkly white background walls pops in a bright beautiful color of teal or purple, sunny yellow, kelly green it speaks of the personality of its owner as well as the time put in to please the eyes of the beholder whether family, friends or lucky visitors stopping by.   Lots of unique items stand alone in their glory almost a presence in their own rite.   Windows are important in Scaninavian architecture and are respected for the views the offer both outside and inside.   Like openings to dreams – step inside or stay a voyeur to something wonderful – those fyords weren’t put there for nothing!   Throughout the book I found a purposeful elegance to all the illustrations included.    Everything seems to be just right and serves a purpose for being where it is and how it is displayed.    The Scandinavian taste does not require a lot of busy walls – often nothing or just one framed something, a photo, a drawing, a painting or something meaningful to the person living there placed in a frame or placed under glass or arranged just so like finding one flower in a sea of grass beautiful in its simplicity that seems to sum up the Scandinavian style.   Relaxed, just enough,  not scant, but, artistic or better yet personal taste and touches blended with much loved pieces sometimes older pieces bought or handed down to join old and new, mixed pieces and sets that make the beholder feel good in the space.   Relaxed, well lived in, artistically pleasing places you enjoy seeing and that are so comfortable you want to linger and soak up the joy you feel from it.   Like that feeling you get from soft fluffy slippers that seem to give you a hug you mentally relax in the atmosphere.    From the photos you get a 3-D like experience you can visualize yourself being there in those rooms and gardens and it feels good.   Like getting out of the City and all its hubbub and escaping for a blissful day spent in nature or driving in the country to see a favorite friend or loved one.   Serene would be a good word for Scandinavian flavor.   Good book.    After finishing it I felt like I had visited a mountain lodge with a delightful surprise art gallery within.    Very nice.  Loved the virtual visit.  Next time I will stay for tea.  I would definetly recommend this book especially for artists, designers, want to be artists or designers and especially for folks like me who love to see how other people decorate and place things in their homes.