Wabi-sabi. It’s a concept, an aesthetic, and a way of life.
As a phrase, it cannot be easily translated from Japanese into English. But, even if you haven't heard of it, its presence in homes – from homemade ceramics and organic linens to rustic, earthy colours – is undeniable. Wabi-sabi is the Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection. It promotes authenticity, organic forms and handmade items.
Much like Japandi, where the oriental influence of traditional Japanese design meets Scandinavian design, wabi-sabi is an emerging trend in the design world. Read on to learn all you need to know about wabi-sabi, including where the term originated, why it’s gaining so much traction in the western world and how to incorporate it into your interior.
The history of wabi-sabi
Wabi-sabi originally began in ancient China, with its history rooted in Buddhism, and developed into a distinctly Japanese ideal. It later arose in the country’s famous tea ceremonies, which appreciated utensils that were handmade, irregular and flawed. Although there’s no direct western translation for wabi-sabi, simply put, it’s an intuitive way of living that encourages you to find beauty in the imperfect, impermanent and incomplete. The concept also accepts the natural cycle of growth and decay of nature.
Wabi-sabi’s increased popularity
Faster, smarter, newer, better – it can feel like these are the only things that matter in today’s society. Our way of life can be exhausting, often promoting overstimulation and overscheduling. We seek instant gratification, make impulsive purchases and aspire to nothing less than perfection. Wabi-sabi is the perfect antedote to today's hectic pace and obsession with perfectionism.
The Voronoi Collection by tala is derived from the Voronoi patterns seen amongst the forest canopy. Derived from nature, it encapsulates the ethos of wabi-sabi It’s unsurprising that wabi-sabi and the idea of hygge are trending and being adapted to modern-day living. Our personal space now not only has to act as a place of shelter but also of sanctuary, where one can hide away from the external stresses of everyday life. Wabi-sabi lifestyle calls for living modestly, accepting that we are imperfect and learning to be satisfied with what we have.
How to bring wabi-sabi into your home
Wabi-sabi interior design applies these same principles to your home. Instead of seeking a sleek and perfectly coordinated home, create something more relaxed and peaceful. Wabi-sabi interiors appreciate nature, so pay attention to the materials you bring into your home and choose natural elements such as wood, leather, stone and clay where possible. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they mature well too.
Select hand-crafted, intentionally imperfect home accessories
When considering wabi-sabi home accessories, it’s important to seek handmade pieces that project authenticity. Explore our warped bowls and copper vases for ideas.
Tom Dixon's Form Bowl Set
These bowls by Tom Dixon are beaten, bashed and hammered into shape by hand from fine sheets of brass. Effortlessly decorate your bed, sofa or corner piece with our soft throws and blankets for a truly inspired wabi-sabi look. Hanging art in stormy grey colour is a great way to ensure a wabi-sabi interior design. Perhaps consider a gallery wall with a mix of artistic styles and frames.
Myer Halliday’s dining collection has a real feeling of craftsmanship. His collection includes everything from hand-painted espresso sets and jars to fruit bowls and Estuarine plates. Each piece is unique. Myer even hand signs the underside of every design providing a personal touch that connects customer and creator.
Collection by Myer Halliday To adopt true wabi-sabi style in your home, shift your perspective from one of prizing perfection to one of appreciating organic shapes. Our range of white glaze dinnerware from Mervyn Gers embraces wonky imperfection, making it easy to incorporate wabi-sabi into your dining room.
Choose nature-inspired lighting
For wabi-sabi lighting inspiration, look to pendant lights from designer Tom Raffield, who uses the traditional craft of steam-bending wood to create expressive and practical pieces of art for your home. With understated elegance, every piece is beautiful in form and unique in its use of sustainably sourced woods and traditional processes.
Tom Raffield individually handmakes his designs at his woodland workshop in Cornwall
Add simple furniture to your dining room
To incorporate truly rustic wabi-sabi design in your dining room, look to our Tuscan tables and benches. The original knots and grain of the wood are left in tact, ensuring each and every piece is natural, beautiful and unique. The Tuscan table pairs well with the our leather buffalo chairs which are upholstered in a hand-finished hide that, again, have slight inconsistencies and imperfections that are unique to each chair.
The Tuscan Table and Bench
Embrace change with your outdoor accessories
Our flame garden firebowl truly exemplifies Sabi, meaning the beauty or serenity that comes with age, when the life of the object is evidenced in its wear. Bring wabi-sabi principle to your garden or patio with our fire bowl and enjoy the pleasure of witnessing it naturally change from silver to beautiful copper tones.
The Flame Garden Firebowl
There’s something simple and calming about designing with wabi-sabi in mind. The idea of being surrounded by natural, changing, unique objects helps us to connect to our real world and appreciate simplicity. Over time, objects in our home lose their brand new appeal. Materials age, accidents happen, and things change. A wabi-sabi home embraces all of these aspects of daily life, allowing authenticity to be the star of every room.
[ INSPIRATION ]
Trends & Lifestyle
There’s a new interior design trend in town – introducing ‘Japandi’: a hybrid of traditional Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian decor. Also known as ‘japanordic’, this fresh style has been deemed the biggest new design movement for 2018. Combining the modern-rustic appeal of Scandi style with the traditional sophistication that’s associated with Japanese design, it’s no wonder that it’s a growing favourite amongst designers.
What is ‘Japandi’?
Japandi is a portmanteau of Japanese and Scandi. The stylistic term blends elements from both of these aesthetics to create a style that is all its own. At its heart, Japandi centres on simplicity, which is a core element of both Japanese and Scandinavian styles. It draws on the Japanese notion of ‘wabi-sabi’, translating to finding beauty in the imperfect. It also takes aspects of “hygge”, the Scandinavian style trend which focuses on creating an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.
Clean lines and minimal spaces are at the heart of Japandi style In the Japandi aesthetic, the neutral pale tones of Scandi style are balanced by the richness of Japanese palettes, while the polish of Japanese design is softened by Scandi’s eclectic, rustic nature. The result is clean lines, raw functionality, flawless craftsmanship and lots of contrast.
This exciting new look brings together the best of both worlds. Though from different parts of the world, Japanese and Scandinavian design share comparable principles. Both styles revolve around a minimalist approach, echoing clean and uncluttered interiors. They emphasise living a less is more lifestyle.
Space is created with functionality in mind, with a few statement pieces rather than an abundance of décor. The fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian simplicity makes Japandi the ultimate take on minimalism. With so much in common, it’s easy to see how these two styles team well together.
How to bring Japandi style into your home
Welcome this hybrid style into your home with elements of nature, natural wood, furniture from both design styles and functional accessories.
Elements of nature
Luckily for us, both interior styles pay homage to natural beauty. The best way to maintain a strong connection with nature is to bring it indoors. Instead of colourful flower arrangements, opt for the simple deep greenery of a houseplant in an elegant vase.
Keep things simple and opt for deep green plants over flowers.
In addition to plants, Japandi homes bring serene, natural views inside through expansive windows. If you have a garden or patio area, add sturdy garden furniture with clean lines and natural wood. Explore our luxury Tanso outdoor collection, inspired by the simplicity of Japanese furniture and crafted from Grade A weather-resistant teak.
The Tanso Range by David Irwin
Elements of wood
A hallmark of Japandi style is mixing the light wood tones of Scandinavian style with the dark wood of traditional Japanese design. This tonal contrast adds depth to any room. Create it in your home with a sleek dark wood dining table and chairs, set against light wooden walls.
The Cross Extending Dining Table
You can even mix light and dark wooden furniture. Nothing says Japandi quite like our Fiber Chairs with wood bases in black, placed around a light wood dining table.
Combine both furniture styles
Japandi is a hybrid aesthetic, so it requires mixing elements of Japanese and Scandinavian furniture. To achieve true Japandi style, clean lines are essential to all furniture pieces, colour palettes are kept calm and subdued, and plenty of open space is left around furniture items.
In the living room, try our Noguchi Coffee Table in black ash wood. Designer Isamu Noguchi was inspired by his Japanese heritage, which is evident in the table’s elegant curved shapes and dark stained wood. Pair it with the timeless sturdiness of our Scandinavian-inspired Rest Sofa in muted grey, available in two and three seater designs.
The Rest Sofa by Muuto
When considering the bedroom, use practical fabrics, textiles and wood. Add a plush sheepskin rug, natural throw or blankets to give it that homey, comfy Scandi feeling. For bedroom ideas, explore our exclusive Morten bedroom collection, offering simple yet sophisticated white wash oak furnishings. Again, mix light and dark woods for contrast – for example placing two dark wood bedside tables alongside a light wood bed.
The Morten Chest of Drawers
Choose functional accessories
Japandi celebrates the careful consideration of every item in the home. Beauty must be combined with practicality, so when considering home accessories, look for items with a functional purpose, like bowls or trays. For easy decorative ideas, draw from Scandi style and consider a patterned rug or cosy throw for textural contrast.
Majolica Dinnerware
For more furnishing inspiration in softer tones such as blue, pink and mint, explore our full collection from Muuto. Muuto is an exciting Danish brand bringing new perspective to Scandinavian design.
The Stacked Range by Muuto
Although Japandi is regarded as a new design trend, it has the potential to become a timeless staple. Combining the best of two popular aesthetics, it delivers the ultimate minimalist look. And, beyond that, it brings an inspiring philosophy to your home – embrace imperfection, honour authenticity, celebrate craftsmanship and live simply.
Scandinavian design is the beloved style embraced in numerous homes around the world.
Known for its simplicity, functionality and beauty, Scandinavian style originates from Scandinavia which, in this instance, refers to the countries of Northern Europe: Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
Scandinavian design is often referred to as democratic design as it adopts the notion of being made available to everyone through products that are accessible and affordable. Its style looks to improve day-to-day living through the unique design of furniture, lighting and home accessories.
Scandinavian designers seek inspiration through simple forms and from values of practicality, durability and comfort. Natural materials such as wood, leather, hemp, clay and ceramics are used to create nature-inspired pieces.
Highly functional, Scandi style is effective without the heavy use of elements; only what is needed is used. Even though Scandinavian interior design originates from one group of countries, each country has a slightly different character. Let’s explore the unique design styles and representative designers of Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Norwegian Design
Norway boasts its own unique design identity; durability, beauty, functionality, simplicity, and natural forms are all hallmarks of Norwegian design. As a country that spends an extended amount of time shadowed in darkness, it is not surprising that innovative homes make the most of pale colours and lighting to create an elegant ambience.
The Buri sofa bed
What are the main elements of Norwegian design?
Norwegian design can be described as less style-conscious than its Scandinavian neighbours. Its designs offer a quirky mix of cutting-edge, modernist and historical design.
A strong minimalist aesthetic also runs through Norwegian design. Clean lines, simple designs and pale, indigenous woods all feature alongside new and sometimes unusual aesthetics.
Who to look out for
Hans-Christian Bauer is a Norwegian-born industrial designer, known for combining warmth and individually when creating ceramic forms. Renowned for his contemporary silhouettes, explore his sophisticated ceramic vases to add a truly Norwegian touch to your Scandinavian interior.
The Hammershoi Vase
Bringing Norwegian style into your home
Innovative lighting techniques are essential in Norwegian design – bringing much-needed natural light inside. The lantern pendant light designed by Anderssen & Voll is a great example.
When considering Norwegian decor as part of your home interior, our minimalist Morten range offers furniture in a light wood finish, which sits beautifully with our Scandi-inspired homewares.
The Morten Chest
To complete your Scandi interior and create a warm textural look, layer furniture with our luxurious throws and blankets.
Swedish Design
Long dreary winters call for bringing lightness indoors, welcoming anything pale, light, airy, and radiant. Pale walls, floors, and furniture reflect natural light, inviting a style that is cheerful, calm and warm on dark winter days.
A distinguishing feature of Swedish design over the years is the prioritization of efficiency – an ethos that its designers successfully embrace.
The Mistral Chaise
What are the main elements of Swedish design?
Swedish approach to furniture design is fairly minimalist, with an emphasis on functionality and simple clean lines. Diversity is a vital part of modern Swedish design, which challenges aesthetics and traditional methods. Interior styles often have a focus on a traditional light and clean aesthetic.
Think lots of white and blue, with pops of pastel colour – yellows, greens, pinks and dove greys are favourites. Certain areas are sometimes emphasized with red, purple or gold. Furniture design combines straight lines and gentle curves.
Swedish styles remain as successful today as they were in the 20th century, with everything from stick-back style chairs to more sophisticated pieces.
The Ercol All Purpose and Windsor Dining Chairs
Who to look out for
Bruno Mathsson was a Swedish furniture designer and architect with ideas highlighted by functionalism/modernism, as well as old Swedish crafts tradition. After working in his father’s gallery, he soon found great interest in furniture, especially in the design and function of wooden chairs.
Bringing Swedish style into your home
Apart from calm, muted interior design tones, Sweden is well known for its traditional crafts, including glass. Swedish-inspired furniture can bring a modern elegance to your home. Consider our wooden coffee tables as practical modern centrepieces for your living room.
Effortlessly introduce some of the fun and bold colours associated with Sweden into your home.A red armchair, purple rug or gold vase can add a pop of colour, or try floral prints, fabrics and stripes.
Danish Design
The Outline Sofa by Muuto
We can’t talk about Danish design without mentioning the word hygge, which relates to an atmosphere of warmth and comfort. However, Denmark’s design has a rich history of innovation.
Many Danish designers use new industrial technologies, combined with ideas of simplicity and functionalism for furniture and home accessories.
What are the main elements of Danish design?
Many homes in Denmark are sparsely decorated, with an emphasis on space. Denmark’s style was influenced by the German Bauhaus School, which became the cornerstone of the modern Scandinavian design movement in the 1950s.
Danish designers were quick to embrace the design philosophy of Bauhaus and make it their own, with its appreciation for local materials and functional forms.
Who to look out for
Despite its small size, since the 1950s Denmark has introduced us to some of our favourite designers. Architect Arne Jacobsen was possibly one of the most creative Scandinavian modernist designers of his time, best known for his iconic, futuristic design chairs: The Egg and Swan. futuristic egg chair is an easy way to bring a bit of Denmark into your home; pair with a chunky throw to give it the ultimate Nordic appeal.
The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen
Bringing Danish style into your home
Danish design has become synonymous with timeless style, so is easy to incorporate into any home. Homes in Denmark adopt spacious floor plans, clean lines and minimalistic furnishings.
Importance is set on windows and lamps, light-coloured fabrics, and other accessories including candles. Furniture pieces such as dining tables, side tables and chairs are kept sleek, simple and practical.
While design in Norway, Sweden and Denmark have subtle differences, they do have shared cultural, geophysical and historical threads. Luckily for us, we can incorporate these elements into our ever-evolving contemporary style.
It’s no secret that colour can have a profound impact on our mood.
Red is known for increasing blood circulation making us more aware and for its connotations to power and aggression. Blue, on the other hand, evokes a feeling of calm and serenity. When colour is used in the home, it can be completely transformative to the way we feel in those spaces. A room painted in crisp white will feel very different to one painted in a dark and moody blue, for example, and different people will be drawn to different schemes for different reasons.
In this post we’ll be taking a closer look at what colours are set to be popular in interiors throughout 2018 and, perhaps just as importantly, why we are seeing them. While trends come and go, they provide an interesting insight into the attitude we have towards the role of ‘home’. This is especially true for colour trends as they have such a close tie to our emotions.
From the trends that are emerging it seems that, in 2018, our homes are a place to escape the outside noise. As Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux, said, we don’t know what the news will bring us from day to day. We have more access to more information and choices than ever before but we live in a world that is more divided than ever before. With that in mind, let's explore four colour trends that are set to be popular throughout the year.
Modern Neutral
Let’s start with what we’re calling Modern Neutrals. Here, it’s about swapping the pale greys and cool blues for warm, versatile neutral tones. These hues offer a bit more depth and intrigue than the classic whites, beiges, and greys, but still have the same versatility. They create a statement without being too loud.
This trend harks back to our need for the home to be a calming and nurturing place where we can sit back and relax. We want our homes to be a place where we can tune out the outside noise and re-energise. Expect to see colours with more pink, red and brown undertones filtering through to homes, especially on walls. There is a subtle richness to their palette which creates an earthy and uplifting finish.
Dulux appeared to back the trend when they announced Heart Wood, a dusty mauve shade, as their Colour of the Year for 2018. The heathery colour has warm, brown undertones rather than grey that would make it feel like a cooler, pastel hue. It transforms the home into a sanctuary, a place to retreat to. And it’s surprisingly versatile. It sits easily with blues, greens and even mustard yellows creating a calming and refreshing atmosphere that’s easy on the eye.
Image source: Dulux
Styling tip: These colours pair best with natural materials and textures so it’s convenient that we are seeing an increased demand for unfinished woods, relaxed linens and leather. A sense of comfort is very much based around tactility. They work together to create a modern, understated and sophisticated space that relaxes you.
Terracotta
Next, we move on to a colour that packs a punch: terracotta. Pink has been at the forefront of design for the last year but now we are seeing a natural step towards stronger reds, with their spirit of bold optimism. For a long time minimal, white spaces filled with plants have dominated Pinterest pages and magazine features. But we’re beginning to see bolder and braver colours enter these spaces. Terracotta is just one of these bold and brave hues.
Commonly associated with border tiles in the 1980s, the colour has moved onto upholstery and other textiles, including our Mistral sofa that has been given a new look for the new season. Upholstered in the Terracotta Varese velvet, the mid-century shape of Mistral displays the rich colour beautifully.
The Mistral sofa in Terracotta Varese Velvet
The brown undertones of terracotta confidently fill any space with energy, without the brashness of a true, clean red. It gives a space an amazing depth – in low light, it will make a room feel irresistibly cosy and inviting while remaining visually striking during the day. Similarly, it transcends seasons: its burnt orange tone reflects the heat of summer but it can easily be brought into the winter months with the addition of deep blue throws and cushions.
Why the resurgence of this bold hue? Perhaps it’s seen to be the antidote to the divisive atmosphere felt around the world. The rich, earthy palette is unmistakably warm and draws upon a mix of cultural influences. It ignites our sense of community and kinship helping us to renew our faith in one another and the world around us.
Styling tip: This deep orange trend has many alternatives and, whilst we’ve singled out terracotta as our colour pick, there are many other shades that fit the brief. The key to a diverse colour palette can be as simple as keeping it tonal. Scheme rich ochre with terracotta and rust and use contrasting colours sparingly.
Image souce: Dulux
Colour Blocking: Primary Colours
The next isn’t so much a colour trend as it is a scheme. As the mid-century furniture trend moves towards 70s and 80s references, so does the return of colour blocking from the same era. However, it’s been reinvented for the modern home with a more muted take on primary colours.
The Pillow sofa bed, coming soon Although pastel shades aren’t anything new, the way of using them is. Not for the faint-hearted, the colour blocking of dusty hues creates a bold statement. Here, the trend is to go for colour on upholstered furniture and set these larger pieces against a neutral backdrop.
Think blue sofa paired with red cushions, or mint green bed layered with a yellow throw. It encourages us to take a more light-hearted approach to interior design. There’s no need to consult the colour wheel. This trend is about following your instincts and using colours that you’ve not been brave enough to before.
The Elgin chair and Wallis bed, coming soon
Unexpected colour combinations highlight a much-needed element of fun and creativity in today’s world. Pops of colour create an uplifting atmosphere and spark our imagination. It’s all about embracing your own personal style and not conforming to the status quo.
Styling tip: Make the biggest impact with a brightly coloured sofa or bed that immediately draws the eye. This bright yellow Balmoral sofa is made all the more dramatic by being set against a rich blue wall.
The Balmoral sofa
Ultra Violet
No colour trend report would be complete without a mention of Pantone’s Colour of the Year. For 2018, the colour experts chose a rather psychedelic, highlighter-purple named Ultra Violet. Described as “a dramatically provocative and thoughtful purple shade” PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet communicates “originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future.” In a similar vein to the previous trend, this trend is about being innovative and encouraging us to see beyond what’s right in front of us.
While the colour doesn’t easily fit into many people’s décor it signifies the desire for experimentation and non-conformity with our interior tastes. It draws upon the increasing popularity of bold jewel tones and sits nicely with greens, teals and metallic elements.
It’s certainly a colour that makes you think outside the box. We expect to see more of it towards the end of the year when darker coloured home accessories and décor arrive in time for the cold winter months.
Image source: Pinterest
Styling Tip: The rich tone of ultra violet provides a beautiful backdrop for silver or gold elements. Metallic lamps or home accessories break up the colour preventing it from becoming overwhelming. Alternatively, use it on soft furnishings like cushions, bedding or even rugs to make a space feel cosy and inspiring.
Four very different colour themes are set to emerge this year: warm neutrals, terracotta tones, colour blocking, and vibrant ultra violet. We may not know what is heading our way in 2018 but one thing is for sure – it’s set to be a colourful one.
Some design trends are fleeting, others stand the test of time. When it comes to colour, Teal is a trend with staying power. Whether it’s incorporated into table lamps or living room chairs, teal is a bold, inviting and elegant colour to work into your home for 2018.
If you’re looking for teal décor ideas for your bedroom or living room, here are our favourite ways to bring this vibrant hue into your home.
Teal colour combinations
Teal is a statement colour which is often combined with neutral shades, but it also works well with many other palettes, from metallic tones to complementary blue hues. Consider the following to enhance the style and impact of teal in your space:
Teal living room furniture & accessories
When it comes to furniture, it’s easiest to inject colour via seating. A large sofa is a great way to incorporate teal into your living area, as it sits happily alongside smaller furniture pieces in more muted tones. Enticing and bold, the magnificent blue-green Hepburn Sofa makes a perfect statement piece for any living room.
The vivacious shade adds personality and character at any time of the day, without becoming overwhelming. It’s versatile and can be partnered with an array of colours, including shades of mid-blue.
Hepburn Teal Sofa
To create a living area with texture, add a pop of teal alongside accessories made from natural materials. Here, a wooden coffee table and copper floor lamp add a sense of sophistication to a stand-out sofa. Colour can also evoke moods and deep, cool colours project calmness and serenity.
Since monochromatic schemes make maximum use of one colour, all blue or all green rooms are great for places to hunker down and relax. For a truly striking colour pairing, combine teal seating with a dark wall.
A Richmond Sofa against a dark teal background can instantly transform your space. With its meld of forest green and soothing blue hues, this sumptuous velvet piece brings a sense of drama to your living area.
Teal sofas can also be decorated with patterned and burnt orange cushions to add a contrasting pop of colour and break up monochromatic schemes. An industrial-style black floor lamp is a perfect piece to enhance a modern setting.
Richmond Teal Sofa
Layering teal with similar blues, greens and purples build a painterly palette. Other jewel tones like midnight blue, scarlet red and aubergine purple can match teal’s intensity, while different prints and textures such as organic sheepskin throws and faux-fur cushions are used to add even more depth.
When considering teal dining room ideas, experiment with different colours. Dining room chairs are a great way to include a combination of hues. When tamed by natural textures, three or four vibrant colours can work well together.
Here, oceanic and chartreuse chairs bring colour and richness to the space, while the wooden dining room table ensures the contrasting shades don’t become overpowering.
Ercol All-Purpose Teal Chair
Teal bedroom & home accessories
This season’s home accessories ooze opulence with metallic lustres and moody, jewel-like tones. Draw on deep midnight blues, strong ochre and rich scarlet to create a jewel-like colour palette. Home accessories are a great way to add bursts of teal into a room.
Splash a teal blanket or throw over your bed or sofa, especially in a room with a neutral palette.
Choose luxurious materials like velvet and cashmere to match the luxury of your chosen hue. Or, for the perfect natural accessory, opt for a splendidly soft woven Alpaca wool throw from Peru. It’s an easy way to incorporate a touch of teal into your interior while offering a cosy look and feel.
Teal Bedroom
To take teal into the bedroom consider a velvet eiderdown. It’s perfect for layering up and giving your bedroom a luxurious feel. Let the smooth rich tones relax you while enjoying the quality comfort of the eiderdown.
Lighting is a great way to effortlessly incorporate teal into your home. Mid-blue lighting creates an attractive ambience that stirs the senses for a luxurious yet tranquil look.
The Cohen pendant light is a simple yet stylish light with its contemporary shape, palette and finish that suits both roomy and spacious interiors. When sticking to a teal colour scheme, it’s a good idea to mix textures for a variance.
Why not consider a curvaceous blue ridged vase with a glossy finish to add a sleek contrast to your living room? You can also brighten up your table setting with teal dinnerware. Choose a subtle light shade like this one from South African studio Mervyn Gers, with a unique natural glaze.
Teal Tableware by Mervyn Gers
Teal is a classic that works with nearly every style. Its adaptable undertones allow the colour to be both hard-hitting and brash or muted and subdued, depending on what is required of it. Whether you add the blueish-green hue as a statement feature or ease it into your interior with accessories it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Scandi style is characterised by simplicity, clean lines, functionality and natural light.
It looks to white and timber for inspiration and uses texture and textiles to create warmth and cosiness. As a culture, Scandinavians embrace the notion of ‘hygge’, which can be loosely translated into English as the sensation of being comfortable and feeling cosy in one’s surroundings.
Using organic, raw materials, including ceramic clay, wood, linen, wool, felt and fur, allows Scandi spaces to stay warm and comfortable over the long winter months. This Nordic design aesthetic can be applied to many different rooms in a home. Here’s how you can create Scandinavian style in each room of your house.
The Scandinavian living room
A Scandinavian living room boasts pale neutral tones, which are usually complemented by a fun pop of colour for effect. Colours such as yellow, purple and green are often used to accent against white, blacks, greys and natural wood.
For sofa inspiration, use a contemporary soft leather sofa, such as the Matera, to give your space a real Scandi feel. This sofa (with armchair available) features all the hallmarks of Scandi style – clean lines, comfortable cushions and classic aesthetic.
Matera comes in an array of soft neutral colours that are sure to bring warmth and comfort to a modern city-based living space. Complete the look by decorating your sofa with vibrant yellow cushions. In a Scandinavian style home, wood is a must and should be incorporated into every room possible.
To create a nature-inspired interior, consider having a wooden coffee table centrepiece or a practical modern, wooden AV unit in your living room. To enhance the interior of your Scandi living room, it’s a great idea to have a mix of natural materials and textures in the same space. For example, use a large, cosy wool rug with a brushed brass floor lamp to complement.
The Scandi Style Bedroom
As Northern Europeans experience nine months of winter during a year, it’s imperative that homes - especially bedrooms - are kept warm, intimate and lit by natural light. You can achieve an organic feel with white walls and linen, featured in an open plan floor space. For a minimalist Scandinavian bedroom, be sure to keep things uncluttered and simple, using a few key accessories.
To bring warmth to a Scandi bedroom, use comfortable textiles, fabrics and wood. Use luxurious sheepskin rugs, and natural throws and blankets to give it a natural-cosy feel. For Scandinavian wooden bedroom furniture ideas, consider timber side tables, beds, chest of drawers or a blanket box.
Don’t be afraid to hang perfectly framed wall art, pictures or graphics on the walls of your Scandi style bedroom. But remember to use everything in moderation.
The Scandi Style kitchen
When looking for Scandinavian kitchen ideas, using white correctly can make your space appear brighter, bigger and more sophisticated. To create a true Scandinavian style kitchen, opt for all-white units and décor. This will give your kitchen a modern feel, more storage space and the illusion of a larger area. T
he right lighting will cast an elegant ambience over your kitchen work surface or table. Choose low pendant lights to add character and charm to your Nordic kitchen design.
Image Source: Stadshem
If you have a truly Scandinavian all-white themed kitchen, it’s a good idea to incorporate a splash of colour with the use of contemporary kitchen accessories. Decorate the space with a large colourful fruit bowl, jug or even houseplants.
The Scandi Style Dining Room
In Nordic countries, the dining room is considered the heart of a home. It’s where family and friends gather to socialise over a delicious meal. From authentic country charm to streamlined modern minimalism, rustic tables and chairs are suited to all Scandi inspired designs. It’s practical, easy to maintain and creates a calming atmosphere.
As with the rest of the rooms, a Scandinavian dining room is usually white. For dinnerware and accessories, make use of eclectic dining sets, while sticking to a neutral, earthy colour palette. To complete an inviting Scandi look in your living room, suspend statement pendant lighting over the dining table. It instantly draws the entire space in, while adding an edge of modernity to your interior.
Tom Dixon’s copper pendants lights are guaranteed show-stoppers, combining iconic design with the finest quality materials. Place three in a row to create a contemporary-chic touch to your Scandi inspired home.
The Scandi Style Bathroom
A Scandinavian bathroom features the same elements that apply to every room in a Nordic home: clean lines, calm neutral tones, natural lighting and beautiful hardwood floors.
A simple way to achieve a minimalist look is to boast a white bathroom suite, which includes a toilet, basin and bath. For wooden bathroom accessories, explore functional mirrored cabinets, wall-hung towel rails and sustainable bamboo caddies that are suitable for any Scandinavian bathroom design.
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