The New Scandi: The hottest interior trend
It’s official: we’ve been seduced by all things Scandinavian. Trips to Ikea for flat-pack have turned into full-on love for the Nordic look. While architects and designers have drawn influence from Scandinavia for years, we were first offered a proper glimpse of their interiors through the Nordic Noir we couldn’t get enough of on TV. We fell hard for the furnishings in Wallander and The Killing (not to mention Sara Lundt’s knitwear), and before long we were scouring the internet for bargain Mid-Century Modern to replicate the look. But if you really want to keep up with those Swedish style-setters, it’s time to update your interiors. Get ready to embrace the New Scandi.
Dark is the new light
Neutral colour palettes have traditionally provided the backdrop, but now muted colours (hello blue, green, pink) give a richer warmth, and dramatic dark greys are used with balance to maintain a monochromatic appeal. Xanthe Weir from Edinburgh’s contemporary design store Moleta Munro (www.moletamunro.com) explains “We’re seeing more ‘maximalism’. Scandinavian designers are involving more texture, a much richer colour palette incorporating more decorative elements. A nod to understated luxury without compromising design eponymous with Scandi heritage.”
Natural elements are still heavily utilised, with wood, ceramics, marble, and textiles like wool and sheepskin; but with the addition of fabrics like velvet, and metals like gold alongside more traditionally used copper. This doesn’t need to have a luxurious price tag – high street brand H&M’s home range features key styles at affordable prices (pick up stoneware bowls and mugs for £7).
Space Copenhagen Fly Sofa £2,804, Moleta Munro, photo by Uli Schade
Good design never goes out of style
Scandinavian furniture design, with clean lines and functional form, has an enduring quality. It’s no coincidence that classic pieces by designers like Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto and Poul Henningsen* remain so desirable – they’re not only stylish, but durable. Kevin Tronel from L’Atelier Vintage (www.lateliervintage.co.uk) who sources retro and mid-century furniture for the Dean Village showroom, attributes their popularity to timeless design, robust materials and skilled craftsmanship: “These designers embraced new techniques and materials like moulded plywood and fibreglass. Combining aesthetics, comfort and practicality was the essence of good design. Those such as Arne Jacobsen followed this school of thought, leading him to create iconic pieces like the Egg chair. Good designs are good forever.”
Pli Supplement Table by Victoria Wilmotte. £976, www.madeindesign.com
Scandinavians lead the way
Nordic countries claim some of the world’s best design schools (Norway’s Bergen Academy of Art & Design, the Aalto University in Finland), and the emergence of exciting designers like Signe Bindslev Henriksen and Peter Bundgaard Rutzoü, (the duo behind Space Copenhagen who designed the interior of restaurant NOMA), furniture designers HAY, and lighting designer Louis Poulsen, mean we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to achieving that coveted Scandinavian look. All of these brands are stocked by Catalog Interiors (www.cataloginteriors.com), suppliers of furniture, lighting and interior design based in the Scottish capital. Interior Design Director Dixie Mirowski says, “We’re heading to the Stockholm Furniture Fair next week and we’re so excited to see what we find. Norr11’s Mammoth Armchair (pictured overleaf) is one of our bestsellers and already looks iconic despite being only five years old.”
In this age of Instagram, everyone’s into aesthetics. Type ‘Scandinavian’ into Pinterest and you’ll be met with thousands of images – and our appetite shows no signs of abating. It seems that the bolder, more colourful New Scandi is set to remain very much de rigeur.
Words: Carine Seitz
*Hans Wegner, Alvar Aalto, Poul Henningsen and Arne Jacobsen all available at Moleta Munrofurniture
Main image: H&M Spring 2017