10 things our home editor loves about Nordic design
Emma Reddington recently visited Denmark, Sweden and Iceland and was inspired by their bold designs and beautiful craftsmanship.
By Emma Reddington
November 23, 2013
Photo by Emma Reddington
Emma home design Iceland Denmark Sweden
Repeat variations of the same colour
At Svenskt Tenn in Stockholm I spotted this green on green room. Tip: Don’t be afraid to choose one colour and stick with it! As you can see repeating different shades of one colour can be very impactful.
Photo by Emma Reddington
Bold wallpaper
Also at Svenskt Tenn I came across this bright red cabinet up against bold wallpaper. It took my breath away! A great idea to steal for a front entryway or at the top of a staircase. (Also notable is the leather wrapped handrail with brass accents.)
Photo by Emma Reddington
Copper accessories
Everywhere I went from Copenhagen to Stockholm I saw copper. It was featured in just about every design store I went into. Here you can see it used in wall lights at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art designed in 1958 proving that good design never goes out of style. Tip: Update your home with 1 to 2 copper accessories – think candlesticks, vases or lighting to stay on trend for 2014.
Photo by Emma Reddington
Grouped artwork
Also at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art I saw this collection of artworks beautifully framed in a tight grid. These could be works you do yourself or even drawings your children have made. Tip: Grouping objects together gives them more presence.
Photo by Emma Reddington
Low lights over a coffee table
This might be my favourite find. Hanging 1 to 2 pendant lights over a coffee table creates an intimate statement.
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Photo by Emma Reddington
Mix black, wood, and copper
As mentioned earlier, metallic elements like copper were everywhere. At Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen the front window was set up with a beautiful vignette completely decked out in black, wood, brass and copper accessories. Tip: Mix metallic elements like copper and brass with wood and black for a look that is warm and edgy.
Photo by Emma Reddington
Mixed styles
Inside the Illum Bolighus store I spotted this contemporary white fireplace softened with traditional brick. I though the combination was a great way to marry the two styles together. Tip: Soften the hard lines of contemporary design with more traditional elements like brick.
Photo by Emma Reddington
More green
If it wasn’t copper I was seeing everywhere it was large groupings of plants. From Svenskt Tenn to Hay House in Copenhagen (where this photo was taken) plants played a dominant design role. I love how they used old stools to display these potted plants. Tip: Adding some greenery brings a home to life and keeps it from being too sterile.
Photo by Emma Reddington
Door design
At Rosenberg Castle in Copenhagen I saw these chevron wood doors painted in a beautiful black-blue colour. How amazing would that be as your front door! Tip: Don’t forget your doors. Every element of your home is ripe for design. Try a black-blue paint, such as Benjamin Moore’s Soot, which looks great paired with traditional red brick!
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Photo by Emma Reddington
Two or more coffee tables
At Hay House I spotted smaller coffee tables at slightly different heights grouped in front of large sectionals. Tip: Use two or more coffee tables for large seating arrangements. It gives more flexibility (tables can me moved around) and saves you from having to install one super big clumsy table.
Photo by Emma Reddington
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