Scandinavian Furniture

Create the perfect setting for your Norwegian Blue. With the combination of countries that make up Scandinavia you can expect an eclectic mix of different styles, but the paired down, clean and fresh, typically termed Swedish look is my choice.

Why? Because it is versatile, simple to achieve and easy to live with - all welcome attributes in anyone's book.

Think rustic wood. Think simple printed cottons. Think fresh blues or muted reds and you are looking along the right lines. More importantly, this style calls for a mix of old and new so it doesn't need to cost a fortune to achieve the look.

FIRST CHOICE FABRICS

One of the most important elements of Swedish style is the use of material. You can happily introduce check, stripe, print and patchwork all in the same room, as long as the colours match of course. A quilt with plaids in navy, red and white is the perfect piece to use as a starting point for your room. Pick out a coral colour from one square and paint a wooden chair to match. Find a blue that you like amidst the checks and use a plain fabric in the same shade to make curtains or a blind. There is a place for delicate sprigged florals, traditional gingham and even classic ticking in this room.

SOFAS AND SEATS

The finely turned legs and elegantly carved backs that are synonymous with this style owe their genesis to a prince. Back in the eighteenth century when Gustav returned to Sweden (to become King Gustav III) after living it up in the Court of Louis XVI, he brought back the classical form of furniture that he had seen in France.

History lesson aside, that's not to say that you have to invest in stacks of expensive antique furniture. You'll find many furniture companies make designs along Gustavian lines that you can paint yourself. But you can also look out in junk shops or reclamation yards for any sofas or chairs that have simple, clean lines, straight backs and legs that taper to the foot. Give them a coat of clean white paint, reupholster in a pink or blue check or add throw and cushions, and you've got a piece that cheats the look. If your sofa is the wrong colour, you can get away with using a tie-on loose cover in cream or white for this style.

ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS

Wood panelling figures large. Add MDF pieces to dado level or try tongue and groove up to picture rail height. If you are designing a small room, use high-level flat skirting so that you don't shrink the space too much. All mouldings should be simple in style; avoid anything that is curly or looks too ornate. Stripped or painted wooden boards are the flooring of choice. But you can afford to put down simple runners or rugs to break up a large expanse of floor space. If you love rooms with a very clear style, this look offers an easy to achieve finish.


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