HOME INSPIR ATION
Move over, white-on-white minimalism: modern Scandi design is all about rediscovering the colourful history of this classic interiors aesthetic
1 EVOKE A FOLK FEEL
Take inspiration from rosemaling, historical Norwegian decorative folk painting featuring winding flowers and scrollwork, and add stylised floral motifs to ceramics, tiles or even furniture. Alternatively, shades of rich blue, red and green are a more subtle way to conjure up a folk feel.
2 CHERISH THE DETAILS
Take time to curate your dining table or sideboard with thoughtfully selected accessories and ceramics. Keep things whimsical by mixing different patterns, shapes and design eras in a fresh palette of two or three shades. Lampshade, £91; tea cosy, £75: both Cathy Nordström
3 EMBELLISH WITH PAINT
Traditional Scandinavian interiors feature richly embellished woodwork, walls and furniture – but for a more subtle nod to the trend, consider using paint to ornament a wooden floor, border of a wall or even a staircase.
4 EMBRACE SCANDI FLORALS
Unlike our own ditsy designs, Scandi florals are bold, folksy and free, drawing from a long heritage of traditional motifs and folk art. Look to Finnish design house Marimekko’s iconic poppy print and loose, painterly designs for inspiration. Earthenware plate, €88/ four, Caravane. Orella linen-mix cushion cover, £18, La Redoute
5 MAKE A GALLERY WALL
Nothing encapsulates the Scandi aesthetic like a gallery wall. Look for mismatched frames with character – charity shops are a good source of distressed wood and gilt frames.
6 LET THE LIGHT IN
Far into the Northern Hemisphere, where long stretches of winter pass entirely without sun, light is a treasured commodity to be maximised in interior design. Drape windows with sheer fabrics that allow light to flow and create soft, soothing pools of sunshine that change with the moving sun. 6
7 ADD THE FRILL FACTOR
Play with light by using frilled or pleated sheer lampshades that will create a soft glow ideally suited to the cosy Scandi aesthetic. Relaxed drapes, like Beata Heuman’s sheer linen “paper bag” design, are pretty without being too fussy. Faye fabric on bench and cushions, £141/m, Cathy Nordström
8 REINVENT THE BOX BED
Once popular in medieval Scandinavia, alcove beds are having a resurgence, perhaps thanks to their space-saving, storage-friendly design. For a modern twist, opt for sleek tongue-and-groove panelling or curtains instead of woodwork for a cosy yet colourful feel.
9 BRIGHTEN FURNITURE
A far cry from white-on-white minimalism, modern Scandi design is all about vibrant pops of bright colour. Chalk-painting wooden dining chairs is a
