Despite its rich history, the Scandinavian style looks quite modern. Although the direction has a number of signs and is subject to certain theses, it conveys rather the spirit, color of Scandinavia, and not its specific features. The most important distinctive features of the characters of the northern peoples were able to find their reflection in the style: restraint, thrift, slowness, easy estrangement and boundless love of nature and all natural. Behind the word "Scandinavia" hides the historical region where the group of developed countries is located: Finland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden.
These countries, despite their geographical proximity to the rest of Western Europe, rallied around the symbolic center and always kept themselves apart. Perhaps that is why the characters of the northern inhabitants retained partly primitive, Nordic features. For example, the well-known saying “my home is my fortress” is more relevant to the Scandinavians than ever. They always sought to create a cozy, neat dwelling in which they would like to spend most of their lives.
Norwegians and Danes even have the concept of "hygge", which literally translates as "something safe, good and cozy, which causes a feeling of psychological comfort." In recent decades, it has become a full-scale life concept, which has begun to be actively introduced into the masses. Partly Hugge also affects the interior issue, because the house is a part of human life.
Origin of style
The exact date of the occurrence of the Scandinavian style will not name anyone. This process was long and took almost several centuries to “gain momentum”. Initially, Scandinavian designers decided to create a unique direction that would have exclusively native features and would meet the requirements of their compatriots. The beginning was made at the end of the XIX century. The main principle was recognized the statement: "more beauty in everyday things." That is, despite the natural human craving for beauty, the northern people have not lost their traditional attachment to practicality.
Although some experts in the history of design suggest that the birth of the Scandinavian style began even earlier (almost 200 years before), when King Gustav III ascended the throne in Sweden. He devoted much time to fashion and everything connected with it. Perhaps for this very reason, the king overlooked a conspiracy of aristocrats that led to his death, but that is another story. Gustav, by his example, began to show the Swedes that, as it were, the British, Italians and French did not make out their houses beautifully, their style can not just be copied, but also to add something of their own. Baroque and rococo were replaced by an elegant ampir, which in Sweden took a completely different path, where it was “overgrown” with numerous elements characteristic only of northerners.
For three centuries, the direction has finally formed and strengthened. Unfortunately, until recently it was not paid special attention until modern Europe (the trendsetter), tired of pretentiousness, pomp and luxury, did not turn its attention to simple styles. It happened in the 30s at the International Exhibition, held in Stockholm. Designers have demonstrated their work, reflecting the lifestyle of the average resident of Sweden or Finland. Shown was a success, which consolidated 20 years later in Canada and the United States after repeated exhibitions. Since then, the direction has its own official name, increasingly flashing in textbooks and magazines on interior design.
Luxury gradually lost ground, and new directions broke into houses and apartments like a breath of fresh air. Some of them were as restrained as possible (minimalism, modern tech), while others allowed themselves to have coarse details (Provence, village, industrial, fusion). And at this very moment, the quiet and inconspicuous Scandinavian way of life (that same mysterious concept) interested the Europeans who were tired of the chronic pursuit of time itself. With the arrival of the Hugge to the houses, to which whole treatises began to be devoted, where the Scandinavians are being dismantled except under a microscope, the characteristic style of the interior became popular. He is calm, but not devoid of emotionality (albeit scanty).
Features Scandinavian style
The main features by which the Scandinavian style can be distinguished from the closest "relatives" include the following features.
- Calm, natural colors, which is dominated by white (the color of the snow canvases - the native landscape for the northerners).
- The minimum amount of decor. The space must breathe.
- Only natural materials: no synthetics or plastic.
- The simplest finish.
- Open layout. Northern style is not very fond of doorways, so often resorts to the combined premises.
When making a house, you can save money without buying a “multi-layered” finish, but natural wood or stone will require additional costs.
Exterior and features of construction
The projects of Scandinavian houses are notable for their reliability. The architect will carefully verify all the details and remove surpluses that do not carry any functional load. Northerners prefer to settle in private country houses, which are quite unlike our traditional cottages. In the construction of the Scandinavians always pay attention to the surrounding nature: in no case can it be destroyed. From the dacha color here remains except the location, and in general, the home is more like a comfortable hut forester.
The place is chosen as calm as possible with charming rural landscapes that can be admired through panoramic windows. This is another feature of such houses: they must skip the maximum of light and allow them to spiritually calm themselves behind the sight of the surrounding beauties. The line did not develop from scratch, because in the north there is such a short summer and so little sun that you want to swim in it if possible. In one-story dwellings, panoramic windows can develop into glass walls.
Previously, houses were built using the same technology as our log cabins, but later they either began to sheathe the walls with boards outside (clapboard) or use processed timber as a material. Scandinavian buildings usually have a “sharp” gable roof. This "technique" allows the snow to be cleaned independently, and not to accumulate in the form of deposits. Here the flora can run amok: the roofs are often overgrown with moss, creating a disguise for the surrounding nature. The presence of the second floor is not necessary, but for large families it becomes a necessity. Attic space can replace it with success, the northerners love to equip offices, nurseries and bedrooms under the roof.
To talk about the window. This amount of sunlight is explained by another feature of Scandinavians: they actively use alternative energy sources, among which solar is in the first place. After all, the Swedes, Danes and Finns are trying not to harm the environment. Do not be surprised when you see solar panels on the roof, and a windmill near the house.
Who chooses a Scandinavian interior
This style is preferred, as a rule, by young, energetic people. They want to arrange their home with maximum comfort, which at the same time is not alien to extravagance. “Solitude and comfort” as a rule is taken by those who are too tired of excessiveness in everything: in colors, details, in forms. They want to come home and feel that only here you can relax and leave all experiences behind the front door. Going to your stronghold is akin to achieving nirvana in yoga, when a person completely lets go of all household trifles and troubles in order to relax. Full rest, helps with a double zeal to rush into the vortex of everyday life. That is why the Scandinavian style becomes a wonderful contrast for those who can rest in order to gain strength for even more intensive work.
Colour
The main canvas in the Scandinavian style has become white. It not only causes nostalgia for endless snow-covered expanses among server nations, but also expands the space, reflects light, which is so scarce in cold climates. In order to avoid the feeling of emptiness “ringing in the ears”, variations of white with a little warmth are used: creamy, pearl, ivory. Complement it with calm cool shades. Imagine the palette of winter, what will it be? Blue-white with transitions to blue, gray and even turquoise. These tones will be paired with white to form the basis of the color picture. Nobody forbids adding to them a grain of "warmth" in the form of shades of pink, purple, green or yellow, but they should be small. In general, to decide on the color scheme, it is enough to go on nature and look at its palette.
Scandinavians are not so boring people, as it may seem at first glance. The brightness is also not alien to them. In the middle of the last century, the designers of a Finnish company came up with a print “maki”, which glorified the owners and became the hallmark of the organization. He depicts bright flowers, which are rather primitively painted on a white or similar flashy background. This print Scandinavians are actively used in the interior of their homes.
Materials and methods of interior decoration
The Scandinavian style in the interior of a country house dictates strict rules regarding materials for decorating. It's very simple: they can only be natural. Finns, Swedes and Norwegians prefer wood (oak, elm, birch). She revets the walls, decorates the ceiling and covers the floors. Wallpapers Scandinavians do not like, preferring coarse strokes of paint. Wood is used not only for the construction and decoration of houses, but also in the creation of furniture. It is almost entirely made of this material with a few exceptions, when using metal or natural stone. Forget about the synthetic drapery or plastic tiles, they will reduce the price of the situation and destroy the picture of the Scandinavian interior.
Walls
The walls are usually plastered and simply painted in light colors. Priority again on the side of white and its shades. When choosing paint, pay attention to its combination with the lighting in the rooms. In the store, it can look very different than in the house. Rough brushstrokes are also welcome: slight negligence when applied will only emphasize the relief of the wall. For wallpaper rarely resorted. They are partially glued, as a rule, only one wall, on which it is necessary to focus. Shades choose neutral, and the drawing is usually of a “botanical” character (floral or foliate ornament, low-key cell). Additionally, parts of the wall can be decorated with wood, stone or brick. The latter looks like a “hi” from the industrial style, but it fits into the Scandinavian framework.
Floor
The floor is covered with laminate, although sometimes they use parquet board, which is painted in one layer, so that the natural wood pattern is visible. In colors, preference is given to light shades of brown. Remember, the northerners prefer colors close to natural pine and disregard the red tones. Brown favorably shades the whiteness of the walls and makes the atmosphere of the room warmer. It is useful to have a fluffy, soft carpet or animal "skin", which is casually thrown in front of the threshold or under the sofa by the fireplace. In the kitchen and in the bathroom, the floors are covered with neutral-color ceramic tiles (a chessboard pattern is possible): black, white, gray, blue or violet.
Ceiling
Ceilings must be light. No stucco, painting or other bright elements are not placed on them. Scandinavians from time immemorial ceilings were simply plastered and painted or whitened. This practice has been preserved to this day. The only allowable concessions are popular stretch ceilings, but they should be white and matte. Glossy shine on top of the room will be superfluous, will attract unnecessary attention.
Choosing furniture and textiles
The most striking example of Scandinavian furniture can be considered low-cost products from Ikea. They are original in their simplicity and non-standard solutions. Furniture is chosen from a natural tree. Materials based on compacted and glued waste for such an interior will not work. Forget about the visible decorative elements that often decorate the legs, handles or front walls of cabinets, beds and tables. Use is welcome:
- Marble (countertops).
- Glasses (coffee tables, decor of furniture doors).
- Metal (chairs, decor shelving or cabinets).
Nontrivial forms, perhaps, the only thing that can be recouped with fantasy. Scandinavian style welcomes the originality and quirkiness of the lines that enliven the interior.
In order to clearly understand what kind of furniture we are talking about, just look in the catalogs of the 50-60s. They present the design works of such masters as Saarinen, Jacobsen, Imz or Aalto.
What to focus on
Accents are arranged mainly in color. As mentioned above, attention can be focused on the wall, covered with wallpaper with an ornament or on a collage of "mixed" paintings, photographs. By the way, even bright colors can break through such a decor into a room.
Photos in black and white with bright elements (red dress, burgundy lipstick, blue eyes) look original. Floral prints can also occupy part of the wall or be applied to furniture. On the couch neutral gray place a couple of lilac pillows, and curtains made of natural fabrics can play shades of green. Do not forget about animal skins (or rather their imitations), which are covered with chairs, sofas or armchairs.
And of course the northern interior is complete without indoor plants. No need to turn the room into a branch of the botanical garden, just a few pots per room. Forget about the flower ranks on the windowsills, panoramic windows simply will not allow this. Flowers are placed on the tables or special racks. Preference is given to decorative tuyam, ferns, dragon, cacti, and in the bathroom you can place real bamboo, which will like its microclimate. And of course in any home the main focus is the fireplace. The hot heart of the house, its symbolic center, to which the whole family will reach in the harsh winters. Next to it a decorative woodpile is installed, which will add comfort.
Lighting features
In the conditions of light deficiency on lighting devices do not save, as well as on reflective surfaces. On the ceilings spherical chandeliers are placed on long holders. They are also helped by additional sources of point light, which can also emphasize specific areas of the room. Wall sconces are fixed on the walls, and lamps on thin legs are fixed on the floor and tops. The Scandinavian style is characterized by lighting a certain area of a room with instruments of the same color and shape, but of various sizes. When developing a project for a future country house, always be guided by the rule of three types of light sources:
- Top.
- Directional.
- Decorative.
Room decoration
There is one golden rule in the harmonious concept of hygge: each room must fulfill its specific functions. His appointment is necessarily emphasized, but this room is not allowed to stand out from the general atmosphere of the house. That is, the style passes through all the rooms through a thin thread on which the situation is “strung”. It is unique everywhere, but harmony and comfort are preserved in the interior picture. The project of the interior decoration of a country house is being worked out in advance, in consultation with experts or looking in fashion magazines. It is possible to furnish a dwelling with your own hands, but at the same time it is necessary to take into account all the subtleties in order not to overshoot and not create an overly sterile, hospital atmosphere.
Perhaps the most important rule to follow is a reflection of the owners' inner world in the decoration of the rooms. The direction is focused primarily on comfort. You should be comfortable and cozy in your own home, so transfer the “state of mind” to your home.
Living room
The living room is placed the minimum necessary furniture. Just a couple of chairs and a wide, spacious sofa, which is also transformed into a sleeping place for late guests. A low coffee table with a glass surface and metal legs is placed in a separate corner, next to the bookcase.
Take care of directional lighting for readers: it can be a sconce on the wall or a lamp on the floor. Wide windows usually do not curtain with tulle, because during the day it is necessary to skip the maximum light, and at night they are covered with thick curtains of neutral color (permissible with an unobtrusive pattern). The floor near the sofa is covered with soft carpet. On the walls hang a group of stylish paintings. Do not forget about the pads, soft blankets and shawls that are casually thrown on the sofa and armchairs. Одну стену можно полностью закрыть высокими стеллажом серого или коричневого цвета с нишей под телевизор и немногочисленные декоративные элементы (тоже нейтральных оттенков). Высокий папоротник в изящном и простом горшке добавит жизни в помещение. Если загородный дом будет оборудован камином, то гостиная идеальное место для его размещения.
Kitchen
The kitchen is usually combined with the dining room. Zoning of the space is easy to do with the help of a decorative platform on which the dining table and chairs are placed. Its main decoration will be a panoramic window, which will allow you to eat, having a beautiful view before your eyes. In the kitchen itself put ready-made set of wood of light shades. Permitted liberties in the form of metal handles or glass doors. A tile of one or a maximum of two colors is laid on the floor. On the apron, you can win back, laying it out of a bright material rich purple or green. Remember that warm tones contribute to the appetite, so it is here that you can refuse the perfect white in favor of its softer shades. Small pots with greens are placed directly on the working area of the table, and on the dining surface a vase with fresh flowers for comfort.
Bedroom
In the bedroom they put a wide bed, which is covered with a blanket of gray or black. On the bedside table must place fresh flowers or a houseplant and a lamp. Its ceiling is permissible to choose a bright shade. In the corner, you can hang a "floating" wicker chair with a blanket and a pillow, and next to a miniature rack or a couple of shelves with your favorite books.
The atmosphere is enlivened by a pair of soft knitted poufs or a decorative element on the wall, against which the headboard of the bed rests. Imitation of deer horns, painted white, in this room will look original. The floor is covered with a soft, pleasant to the touch carpet with a pattern that echoes other textiles in the room.
Children's
In the children's room they still adhere to the “snow-white” atmosphere, but in this room they add more bright colors. For a full development, a child just needs to live and grow in a “colorful” atmosphere. Permissible pink or yellow textiles in the furniture and on the windows.
One wall is usually decorated with paintings, in the creation of which even a child can take part. The process of registration will be fun and exciting. The original element will be the placement of the "tree of knowledge" in the corner. From natural wood create a decorative rack, branches, shelves which rest on the trunk. Books and toys are placed on them, and next to them you can install a small armchair with a table or a full-fledged work area. Learning a child will be more interesting, because behind each new piece he will have to climb a real centenary oak! Such a design move fits in with the original concept of the Scandinavian style: a natural material that emphasizes closeness to nature. The functional minimum for the nursery: a seating area, a bed, a wardrobe and a pair of ottomans.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, set closed shelves for storing household items, because you can expose only a stack of white towels for show. They tile the room with tiles or wooden panels, which are treated with special substances that protect the material from high humidity. Ceramics choose either monophonic or with geometric patterns. Do not save on mirrors, in this room there are not many of them. A bright accent will be a shower curtain with a floral print. Original look will sink solid stone, which will emphasize the originality of the situation.
Hallway and corridor
In the hallway use the "furniture" minimum. Discard bulky closets in favor of a simple hanger and a special “tube” for umbrellas. A narrow, high chest of drawers will be located under a wide mirror. You can liven up your surroundings with a decorative niche in the wall with a pair of neutral trinkets and a few paintings or photographs on the wall. The floor is covered with a rug of dark tones. In a country house the staircase to the second floor is usually located exactly in the hallway. You can leave it in its original form, or organize a separate storage area under it.
Neat closed shelves will be a real salvation for large families who find it difficult to cope with the disorder. Do not forget about the placement of additional lamps along the entire wall of the corridor or hallway. These are the very rooms that are devoid of the already rare sunlight. Deficiency needs to be compensated at several levels at once.
Conclusion
The Scandinavian style entered the world design scene, as an ethnic, but over time it turned into a classic, which passed more than one test. Fashion trends could not shake the "pillars" of direction, just leaked into the northern interiors of a couple of elements. Your country house should breathe with zeal, simplicity, ease and comfort. At the same time, he should be given a slight “winter” cold, which is close to both Scandinavians and Russians. Coherent natural elements fit organically in the direction: real stumps instead of chairs, branches-holders for things on the walls or a decorative “walkway” made of woody cuts on the floor. Your home is your cozy fortress, in which it is nice to lock yourself from the outside world sometimes. It is this idea that bears the stern, serious and practical Scandinavian style.
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