In the process of selling our home and searching for a new one, my head has been full of ideas of how I would decorate my next abode. I’m like a sponge soaking up all sorts of things from all sorts of places; Pinterest, Instagram, magazines – squirrelling away decoration tricks, beautiful designs and material combinations for the day when I finally move in and can get going. So, to that effect, with my head in the clouds, I’ve been dreaming of a calm, new scandi-inspired living room, with lots of relaxed neutral colours and cosy textures.
Come take a little imaginative tour with me… it would be a lovely light room, with tall ceilings and big windows. There’d be period details, perhaps a little cornicing or a pretty tiled fireplace. Flooring would be white or light grey painted floorboards and the walls would be white. Calm, clean and cool. Can you picture it?
I’d carefully pick furniture that would stand the test of time. I think that’s the beauty of Scandinavian homes, they seem effortlessly classic and timeless, with elements taken from mid-century design paired with more contemporary accents, clean lines and unfussy shapes.
Creating a relaxed Scandi-inspired space is also about texture; lots of soft, tactile pieces, whether it’s gently creased linen, shaggy sheepskin rugs or warm, natural wood. It’s all about balance, and furniture and accessories that complement each other – a thick rug on a hard wood floor, squishy cushions on an sleek angular sofa, just a hint of pattern from a cushion on an otherwise plain chair. I love the calm grey-blue and green tones of the image below, made warm and inviting by that gorgeous parquet floor and a simple gallery wall.
A girl can dream. Here I’ve picked some of the pieces I’d fill this new living room, from some of my favourite Scandi brands such as Muuto, HAY and Ferm Living. A String shelf is a must for any Scandi-design lover (I’m loving the new black range), while soft earthy colours stop the look from being too cold and stark. I believe Scandi design can be rich and warm, after all the Danish did invent the word Hygge to describe a special type of cosiness – a lit candle, a warm pot of coffee, a cosy blanket on the sofa, just my kind of evening…
There’d also be lots of plants (if I can keep them alive…) to bring life and a little bit of colour to the space. I love how the bright green below contrasts with the dark grey of the sofa, the textural rug and the deep brown of the floorboards, or how the natural tones of the sculptural cotton branches above are picked out in the snug textiles.
I may not have the new house yet, but I have the furniture in mind! Just got to find somewhere to put it all… For the moment, I’m enjoying the last moments of my little, light-filled King’s Cross flat and living vicariously through my Pinterest page.
What do you think? Do you love a bit of Scandi design like me?
This post was written in collaboration with Nest.co.uk. Main image: Stadshem
