Category: DIY – Do It Yourself Swedish Home

7 Places To Find Swedish Design For Toddlers

 

75 Pieces Wooden Castle BlocksAmazon 

Children are gifts that need to be pampered every time. When you are expectant and planning to prepare your nursery, there are things that you always want. You keep looking for concrete furniture for children, you want a particular design, or mainly you are looking for décor that will meet your satisfaction. If your taste is the modern Nordic style, then the feeling gets more complicated. Scandinavian style has the best décor for a child’s bedroom, and it has its unique simplicity. However, the big question is where I get specific things for my kid’s bedroom. Take a look at some of the top shops around with furniture toys and interior accessories for children.

  1.    Nubie

Nubie is among the best shops in the UK for children’s interior. The shop has a great selection of the Scandinavian design and brands. If you want to decorate your child’s room with wardrobes and beds from the Oliver furniture Danish brands, this is the place to shop. It’s your one stop shop that has a wide selection for the entire family too. There are lots of toys for the nursery decoration, plenty of eating room accessories and of course the sleeping area. Once you are here, you don’t need to go somewhere else.

 

Picture Credit –Flickriver

  1. 2.    Lullabuy

Nursery room has so much than any other room. Therefore, while decorating the room, you must ensure you find the best items from a trusted brand. At Lullabuy, this should not be your fear. They stock the best accessories and decoration kits for the kid’s room. They have shared the best Danish brands to solve your numerous storage problems for your child. The shop has the best wallpapers, beddings, decorative wall display, Lamps, and cushions.

  1.    Molly-Meg

Unlike all the other stores, Molly-Meg is specifically designed for children selection. The shop is stocked with home decorations, toys, and edited selection of furniture and course gifts for the new family member. However, the designs for most of the items here are not Scandinavian but have the same functional, simple and modern design aesthetics, which is a traditional model for the Nordic decorations.

  1. 4.    Skandium

Although the shop only stocks a few selections for children furniture, it has the best and durable items. Rather than preparing the nursery for sleeping purposes only, here, you will have a selection of junior size design chairs to keep your child active with a matching tableware and lots of gifts for the child. Skandium provides you an assurance that your Nordic style of a modern home is complemented with some of the best brands.

  1. 5.    Kidsen

Kidsen is the place with all the small room decorations design furniture and toys. Here you will shop for everything made of the top Scandinavian brands. Mini, Rodini, ferm living, Brio, Isak, and many more. At Kidsen, you will find everything stocked just for you from toys, furniture, clothes and all other necessities for nursery decoration.

  1.    Lo and Behold store

Your child’s room needs to be colorful, decorative and attractive for the child to find quick rest and fun. At Lo and Behold Store, there is all this in place just for you. Talk of cool posters, beautiful bedding from Ferm living and Danish brands, furniture and all other accessories for interior design.  The shop ensures you get all you need to keep your child healthy active and physically fit.

  1.    Mood

Want to nurture your child’s in a design atmosphere, the mood is the right place to shop. Here there is an appreciation of the direct role of design in your toddler’s development. The store is carefully curated with all the latest and high-end brands from trusted designers to ensure you get the best items. It’s the only store you will find Leander in stock. It’s all about interior décor for the child and a modern family. Mood guarantees you perfection in every item you buy.

  1.    Smallable

Looking for Convertible toddler beds, shelves, cots, wardrobes, baby essentials chairs, furniture and baby desks, smallable has it all. The shop gives you a full selection of baby valuables for perfect decoration including night lighting, poster, lamps, rugs, garlands, mobiles, and bedding. The shop is divided into sections to ensure you shop faster. The beddings have designer fabrics prints for longevity and quality. This is the only shop with specified design to meet your toddler needs and save you cost and the hustle of moving from shop to shop.

Conclusion

With such shops in your mind, it’s therefore easy for you to decorate the nursery for your toddler and it the best crib. Additionally, you can make the best selections to ensure that the room is still right for your child when s/he turns teen.

Mix Old and New Like the Scandinavians Do- Chloe Taylor

Co-Op Cotton and Linen Upholstered Balloon Chair – Amazon

 Guest Post -Chloe Taylor

Scandinavian interior design has been on the very top when it comes to décor trends for years now, but this style, as we know it, is reflected in modern furniture, clean lines, functionality and minimalism; all of which are features ideal for a bedroom.

Has this design style always been like this?

Of course not.

Although it has always been characterized with light colors and natural elements, it hasn’t always been so clean-lined and minimalistic. The old Nordic pieces are equally as appealing as the new ones, and it would be a shame not to get the best of both worlds and times when decorating with this approach. Here are some things that will help you combine something old and something new, the Scandinavian way.

1. Know Both Styles.

To be able to truly know how to fit in two different design epochs, you need to be familiarized with both of them. Modern Scandinavian design is represented by light colors (usually white and grey), use of pale wood, clean lines, functional pieces and metallic accents.

As for the old style, its most prominent representative is Gustavian style, influenced by Neoclassical style, and it is characterized by white-washed or grey furniture, and pastel and golden accents.

2.  Choose 1 Dominant 

You can’t just put bell-shaped matte black pendant lamps above each side of the bed, and then install a Gustavian-style crystal chandelier in the center of the room.

You must choose a style you consider to be dominant (old or new), and complement it with accents from the other one. For example, if the bed, nightstands and the dresser are of clean lines made of pale unpainted wood, you can score some oldie but goodie points with a crystal chandelier.

3.  Pair Them Up

If you want to make sure that the piece you’ve included isn’t standing out too much you can always use two pieces and group them together or put them opposite to each other. Also, some more subtle pieces can be joined with an entirely different style.

Bed is the focal point of every bedroom, and as such, it will draw all eyes, which means that it should be greeted with both styles in an appropriate measure. If you decide on an antique bed, you might have some problems with finding the right mattress, but the offer of various mattresses online is so extensive that you’re bound to find the perfect one. Make a style contrast on an antique bed with zig-zag patterned throw pillows, and other modern details.

4.  Focus On A Single Color Palette

Whenever you want to fit in different styles into a single room, you should focus on what they have in common and which colors can be associated with them. Fortunately, regardless of the epoch, Scandinavian style is all about light neutrals, enriched with just a bit of pastels, and metallic shades. Matte black is the modern addition that goes well with everything. Choosing the same tonal family for the walls and the furniture will produce a soothing effect and make various different style statements whisper instead of scream.

5.  Catch The Eye With A Statement Object

So, what can be a statement object in a bedroom? Well, everything, ranging from an area rug to the bed. You’ll want it to be instantly identifiable with one of the two styles you are mixing. Choose a gigantic crystal chandelier, a big white-washed dresser, a cowhide rug, a salvaged-planks headboard, metallic nightstand lamp, etc.

Make sure you go full-Scandi and introduce at least one houseplant in your bedroom. Kill two birds with one stone, and choose plants that will help you sleep better such as Parlor palm, Snake plant, Moth orchid, Pothos and Cast-iron plant.

Mixing old and new design styles can be really difficult. In this case you have the mitigating factor of both styles being part of one unique design evolution, so they can be connected on some basic levels, such as color palette. If you find the harmony between the two, you will have the perfectly decorated bedroom that would put some of the most famous interior designers to shame.

Swedish Furniture Design – What Makes The 1800’s So Obsessive

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Guest Post – Jason Phillips

The Scandinavians are known around the world for creating simple, stylish and functional furniture; its style reflects its origins, furniture and décor which maximized the available light and space. The look is minimal, yet honest with an earthy flavor. It is the perfect style to use when you are looking to revitalize an old, gloomy house and create a contemporary yet practical flare. To really get the 1800s Swedish feel in your home you will need to follow these tips:

 1. Wooden Flooring 

The flooring should be light and preferably wood, although a laminate will have the same effect. This allows the sunlight entering the house to bounce around the room and help to create a feeling of space, warmth and light. The bathroom is the only exception to this rule as a darker, warmer color will make the room feel more inviting.

2.  Color Palettes Of Brown and Gray

The original Scandinavian design would be for white walls and a pale grey or light blue; either as a feature wall or as part of the design; the color of the furniture or the accessories. However, there have been several other influences in the Scandinavian scene and it is possible to introduce some bright colors through the accessories or even the flowers in the room. These will draw the eye and make the room feel friendly and inviting. It is also possible to opt for wood on one of the walls; it is a natural material and adds a layer of warmth to the property. If the wood is too yellow for your taste than it can be white washed or you can use grey oil to dilute the color.

3.  Furniture Lines

The handmade designer furniture you use in your Scandinavian room must have clean lines. The majority of Swedish furniture elements will already have the lines you require. This simplistic approach will provide a calm, tranquil room in which to relax.

4.  Functional Furniture

The Swedish pride themselves on providing stylish yet functional furniture. Every piece has a specific purpose and it is well designed for that purpose. This ethic should apply across the entire house; it avoids unnecessary clutter and encourages the simple, minimalistic style. Furniture may have been designed recently or may be genuine antique pieces. Either will work as the elements of design have stayed true throughout time; every Swedish piece has a classic beauty in its simplicity and will sit perfectly in a room today. The way this furniture has been designed allows it to blend with any room, creating a stylish, yet practical living area.

5.  Corner Fire 

Swedish winters are generally much colder than those in many other parts of the world. A fire is an essential part of surviving these winters. However, they are not the feature point of the room; they are seen as another piece of furniture. Swedish fires are often tiled and sit in the corner of the room. They are usually very simple in design and may hardly even be noticed with their doors closed. The corner approach also allows the heat to radiate out across the room effectively.

6.  The Environment

The Swedish are well known for adding environmentally friendly features to their houses. This can be as simply as embracing the energy efficient light bulbs, to adding solar panels or a ground source heat pump. Insulation and triple glazing are also standard on new builds and help to create the warm, inviting interior of a Swedish house.

7.  Less Is More

Scandinavian design does not incorporate an abundance of ornaments and accessories. The approach is minimalistic in order to keep the clean lines and bright spaces that they desire. Among the few accessories will usually be a plant or bunch of flowers to add a touch of the outside to the décor. Blend your minimalistic approach with natural materials and you will have a beautiful house that you can
actually live in!

Embrace the Swedish home design and transform your home into a welcoming, truly inviting living nest. Choose a dominant color that best lives up to your expectations, and don’t be afraid to improvise. Oversized throw pillows, flower pots with seasonal flowers and custom-made furniture items are everything you need for a Swedish-inspired home.

Impressive History Of Fine Swedish Table Linen

Guest Post, Jason Phillips

Linen has been a part of humanity for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians used it to dress and as cloths. Pieces of linen have been found which date back to 4,200 BC although there are not many which have survived!  Swedish linen today is made in a very similar way to those original processes. During the 1500’s tablecloths were used by the wealthy, the cloths were made from damask linen which was imported by Flanders and Holland. The cloths were ornate and decorative; it wasn’t until the 1800’s that the use of tablecloths became a common item in many homes.

Linens In The 18th Century

In 1730 a man called Stephen Bennet set up a linen factory in Sweden; the business had approximately eighty looms and produced some of the best quality damask of the period.  The factory was operated until 1845 when it, unfortunately, closed down. During this time Sweden was building a reputation for producing high quality flax and linen; this is the origins of the fine quality Swedish table linen available today.

The Production Process

Men were generally responsible for the heavier work; this mainly involved the carrying and lifting of the heavy materials involved in the production process. Women and children were used to create the actual linen. This was generally split between the ones who had a high degree of manual dexterity; these were the ones who made the fine quality table linen and used one of the looms. The less able children and women dealt with the more mundane work; which was essential to ensure the production was successful.

It was the women who were usually responsible for coloring the flax. This could be a time consuming and awkward job as the majority of the dyes were not colorfast. Most of the dyes were created from natural materials such as leaves, lichens, moss and bark.

A Sound Reputation

The process of weaving fine table linen may have been complicated but its quality was becoming known in many places around Europe. There are many stories of satisfied customers. One particular example which has been told many times over the generations is in regard to a gentleman called Calle Redhe who owned one of the weaveries in Sweden. He used to personally take some of his linens to Norway and the story tells of the summer he went to Norway and met an elderly lady.

The lady knew who he was and, upon confirming his identity, immediately asked for some napkins to go with a tablecloth which she had purchased nearly sixty years before. The tablecloth had been made by Calle’s father and was produced on the same loom; something which delighted the elderly women and ensured she told everyone she knew.

Modern Productions

The high quality linen produced today in many of the factories across Sweden utilizes the same methods as were used so many years ago. The overshot weave cloth is still patterned and is made to at least the same quality standards as the original pieces. The production methods may be ancient but they have stood the test of time and many people are able to purchase elaborate, ornate pieces of linen which look and feel like they should belong to royalty.  The industry today is proud of its heritage and works hard to produce items which will also stand the test of time and inspire those in the future.

Just as you can buy something today which will match something your grandmother bought; so too will your children or even grandchildren be able to match your purchase.  As long as linen making is a part of the Swedish culture it will be possible to purchase your own piece of history!

Whether you’re hunting for table linens or bed sheets, it is important to focus on quality. The best fabrics are Egyptian cotton and silk. While it’s true that these are more expensive than polyester or cotton blends, they last longer. They’re hypo-allergenic and they have a functional purpose too. Good quality cotton traps moisture and it protects your furniture. Used in the kitchen or dining room, luxury linen fabrics prevent dust from settling and they have an appealing design too; just make sure the set chosen for your bedroom matches with the overall appeal of your room.

Picture Credits, Volga Linen Styling by Simon Kämpfer, Photography: Yuki Sugiura

 

Buy The Swedish Style For Less

Extra Links

 

 

Gustavian Furniture Seen In French Elle Decor

-Martha Stewart Larsson Desk in Black, $399

-Martha Stewart Living Larsson Cabinet $199

Martha Stewart Living Desk- $399- Amazon

Creative Co-op Table Cloths

Red Striped Cotton Linen Table Cloth By Creative- Co-op

Antique Accessories

3 Pcs Round Bowl with Fleet – Antique Silver Finish, $12.95 + $10.49 shipping Amazon

Uttermost 13918 Castelvetere Mirror

Uttermost 13918 Castelvetere Mirror $653 From Bling And Company On Ebay

Reproduction Doll Clothes From Mostly Dolls On Ebay

Reproduction Dolls and Doll Clothes From Mostly Dolls $44 On Ebay

Furniture Appliques From England

Swedish Looking Furniture Appliques On Ebay UK

French Iron and Wood Chandeliers On Ebay

French Wood and Iron Chandeliers On Ebay

Antique Accessories

Symphony Crystal Footed Centerpiece Bowl $30+ $8 Shipping Amazon

Antique Accessories

Symphony 11″ Crystal Footed Bowl $24+$8 Shipping Amazon

 

75 Swedish Nordic Pinterest Pages! Oh Yes…More Eye Candy!

 

Cannot get enough of gray furniture, Nordic style decorating and the lush interiors of Gustav III?  Pinterest can be your best friend when it comes to ideas for re-decorating, painting, and inspiration to get your creative juices flowing in the morning.  There are hundreds of pages that have to do with themes of the Nordic Heritage.  From decorating, to cultural costumes, to travel ideas; pinterest is rich with ideas.

Here are 75 Pinerest pages that have to do with all things Nordic.  Follow these pinterest pages I have listed, and if YOU have a page that fits with the Nordic theme that we haven’t listed, PLEASE leave a comment below in the facebook comments section, or regular comments section with a link to your page.  Share the love people!  You might discover a new friend.

So here we go:

1. Furniture: Gustavian – Meranda Devan here

2. Interior Design: Nordic – Meranda Devan – here

3. Interior Design: Swedish Meranda Devan –here

4. Poutres Blanches- Anne Magnier – Here

5. Jeanne d’Arc Living Magazine Photos- Here

6. Swede Blog- Swedish Antiques- Here

7.  Nordic Style From White Lace Cottage- Here

8. Gustavian Style and Inspiration Kristin Fägerskjöld- Here

9. How Swede I am- Judy English- Here

10 Sweden – WP- Daily Themes Group Board- Here

11.  Beautiful Pins From antiqbr.blogspot.com here

12 Marie Antoinette Vanna H- Here

13 Day Bed Love Jane Love Here

14 French & Belgian- Anna Tausend- Here

15. Swedens Red Houses Kristin Fägerskjöld- Here

16 Scandinavian Themes -Susanna Nykänen Here

17. Interiors Gustavian Cornélie Polderman –Here

18. Norwegian heritage, foods, crafts Bette Calderone Here

19. Mäster Henriks Blog Kristin Fägerskjöld- Here

20. La Maison de Mes Rêves- Hanna H Here

 

21. Scandinavian Inspiration Laura Landrum Here

22. Scandinavian Dreams Leslie Strovas Here

23 Swedish History By Sara – Here

24 Euro Treasures Sweden- Here

25. Swedish Walls and Furniture Lorraine Casinghino Here

26. Swedish Gustavian Style – Paula’s Page Lily Oake- Here

27 Paula Arndt’s Page:

– Blue & White Home 1-here

-Blue and White Home 2-here

-Blue and White Home 3 –here

-Blue and White Table – here

-Red and White Home- here

28. Scandinavian Winter, and Scandinavian Summer – Lara Dennehy Horsting

29. Guest Room ~ Swedish Gustavian- Lara Dennehy Horsting here

30. Violet Hoarder’s Pinterest Page

– Gustavian Style 1 –here

– Gustavian Style 1 –here

– Gustavian Style 1 –here

– Gustavian Style 1 –here

– Norway -Violet Hoarder here

31. Style Gustavien- Les marottes de la marmotte here

32. All things Swedish SwedishCornerDownUnder here

33. Scandinavian Country -Brooke Decker here

34. Country style :: Scandinavian – Apples and Pears here

35.Tile Stoves “Kakel Ugn” Frankie Black – here

36. Cottage & Swedish Style Fleaing France-Brocante Society –here

37: Swedish: Gracefully Vintage –here

38: NORDIC INNOCENT Jane von Rathsach – here

39: Scandinavian Style- Carol Bender –here

40: Swedish Style Nora Eva Lovgren here

41: Swedish Chic Lauren Howley – here

42: 18th c. Swedish Interiors Elin Hansdotter  here

43: Swedish Carla Slayden here

44: Swedish Clocks Cheryl Figliola here

45: Swedish: Denise –here

46: Nordisk Shabby Chick- Nana Sörensen –here

47: Swedish Sensations -Lynn Burgoyne -here

48: Swedish -Christin Holt- here

49: Swedish Heritage Ingrid Achamizo here

50: Swedish Folklore- Carina Jones here

51: Scandinavian Sandi Haynes here

52: Sanna’s Homeland- Donnetta Murray here

53: Swedish Love Michaela Martens here

54: Scandinavia.Love – Rallief v.Venus here

55: Norway Norge J. Jensen here

56: Norway Inez Nordahl here

57: My Norwegian Heritage Lois Forde here

58: Norwegian Favorites Martha Schoffmann here

59: Scandinavie si jolie ! Agnes Casas here

60: NORWEGIAN AND SWEDISH STYLE Cecilia Vinueza here

61: eEverything Svensk -Synia Anderson here

62: Sweden & Scandinavia Deborah Browning here

63: Sweden Deborah Browning here

64: Smallish Houses Robert Hudson here

65: Välkommen Kaye Kraus here

66: Swedish Style Theresa Hardy here

67: Swedish Style Ingrid Olson Margason here

68: Swedish Style Andrea Smolensky here

69: Swedish Gustavian Darlene Bowes here

70:  Swedish Bridgett Conway Mason here

71: Svenska Flicka here

72: Swedish Lilian Shines here

73: Swedish SKK3 here

74: Swedish White Camilla Svensson Burns here

75:  Swedish Houses Sweet Stuga here

 

19th century Swedish Mora clock - Visit nordouestantiquites.com

19th century Swedish Mora clock – Visit nordouestantiquites.com

Wood stove by the style files on Flickr

Gustavian Antiques –Visit atelierdecampagne.webs.com

Visit suzannerheinstein.com

18th Century Swedish Painted Clock –Jacqueline Adams Antiques

Clocks Stellan Herner Seen On Skarp dot se

Le Grillon voyageur Brocante Collection 2012 – Visit legrillonvoyageur.com

Distressed Wood Cabinetry Visit zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com

Classic Swedish Interiors Buy it On Amazon For $33

Reflections on Swedish Interiors: Rhonda Eleish, Edie Van Breems – Buy it on Amazon

Washed Wood Panel Wall gardenhomeandparty.com

Photo by Dan Mayers Seen On Barbara Jacksier Blog

David Fuller AntiquesVisit thefullerview.tumblr.com

Frederick VI of DenmarkFrederick VI of Denmark

Swedish Seals A Tyner Antiques

Swedish Seals A Tyner Antiques

Reflections on Swedish Interiors: Rhonda Eleish, Edie Van Breems – Buy it on Amazon

Swedish Nordic Gustavian Pictures

Visitmatildeco.se, Visit thefullerview.tumblr.com, Nordic Dresser, Pinterest

 Swedish Antiques, Midnight Sun, Ltd.

Interiors By Min HoggBuy it On Amazon

Swedish Nordic Gustavian Pictures

Visit alexandrafrenchantiques.com, Visit tidningenlantliv.se

Wooden horse on a painted wooden chest Visit lucasantiques.blogspot.com

Plaza Interior Visit plazainterior.se

Country Houses of Sweden by author Angelika Taschen- Buy it On Amazon

Floor Candle HolderCandle HolderFloor Candle Holder- Buy it here

Visit chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com

Antique Swedish Mora Clock Paint – Swedish Interior Design



5 Ways To Add Life Into Worn-Out Furniture

Furniture ages just like everything else…and like with most other things, you don’t notice the small changes that happen to your furniture until one day, a few years (or maybe even a decade or more) down the line, you stop and say, “When did my furniture develop this natural patina?”

Obviously you love your furniture — you wouldn’t have kept it for so long if you didn’t — but loving your furniture doesn’t mean you can’t update it or dress it up a little. What’s more, you can make your updates and do your dressing up for very little cost (which should be a relief since it’s doubtful you’ve got a Steve Wynn-sized bank account to fund these projects).

Here are a few cost-effective ways to do just that.

1. Put on New Hardware

Consider adding a little bit of bling to that old chest that you want to fall back in love with.  Putting on new hardware is a great way to dress up old cabinetry and furniture. For example, maybe instead of having handles on the dresser drawers, you can put pulls on instead. New hardware can completely change (and update) the look of a piece and costs way less than buying a whole new item.

2. Refinish It

That chest sitting in the back of the garage may look nice in it’s all natural elements.  Consider sanding off the old layers of varnish and finish.  Maybe this time you can choose a different paint color, or maybe you’ll leave it all-natural.

Refinishing vintage furniture helps get rid of layers of gunk and grime. It can also remove dings and scratches that might have dampened the appearance of the piece. While it won’t often make the piece look brand new, it can help it look re-energized.

3. Paint

As someone who is undoubtedly into the purity of his or her furniture, the idea of painting over the current finish, stain, or varnish probably turns your stomach. Before you hurl, though, know that light paint colors are very “in” right now (and has been for a while). You don’t have to paint the furniture a garish color if you don’t want to. In fact, one of the best things you can do is paint it white. A coat of white paint helps it keep its integrity while also updating its look.

4. Reupholster It

The simple fact of the matter is that over time, fabric (in spite of your good intentions and good care) starts to rot. Cushions (even with minimal pressure) lose their strength. Reupholstering the seat, sofa, or stool helps maintain its beauty and structural integrity. You can even find antique-looking fabrics fairly cheaply online. Even better — upholstery is something you can easily do yourself, which saves you even more money!

Whatever you choose to do, know this: Updating is not the same as replacing. You can keep the same furniture for decades if you treat it well and give it a facelift now and then!

 

18th century Swedish painted Rococo chest of drawers. Mid 18th century.
Custom paint finish. A Tyner Antiques $9,750

Swedish Rococo Grey Painted Commode -19th Centuty Grey Painted Rococo Commode,Three Drawers Cote Jardin Antiques $8,900

Swedish Chest With Desk- Circa 1790 Swedish Two Door Chest with Drop Down Desk, Original Paint, Original Hardware A Tyner Antiques $4,870

Swedish Chest of Drawers, Dated 1737 Sweden. The chest features all original paint and hardware, three drawers, cabriole legs on squared feet. Provenance on top drawer dates piece to 1737. Susanne Hollis $13,200

White Painted Swedish Furniture

Swedish Gustavian Style Decorating From Eleish and Van Breems Featured on Color Outside The Lines Blog

Swedish Dining Table From The Right Bank Blog

A Swedish Stove Stands Next To Papier Mache Columns- Kay O’Toole Featured on Cote De Texas Blog

18th Century Swedish Giltwood Cartel Clock with Lyre,

Wheat Sheaves, and Classical Drapery. One of a kind clock

Beautiful Primitive Wall Plate Display From Belgian Pearls Blog

Gustavian, White Painted Furniture, Gustavian Furniture, Swedish Furniture, Updating Furniture, Swedish Decorating Ideas

Swedish Decorating Gustavian Styles –

Book- The Swedish Room By Lars Sjöberg, Ursula Sjöberg, Ingalill Snitt

Featured on shabbyechic.blogspot.com

Book – Perfect Country Rooms Emma-Louise O’Reilly- Buy it on Amazon For $1

This beautifully illustrated book casts a fresh look at the new country style, which combines time-honored objects and traditional styles with a new versatility and natural look. This style of decorating is easily adapted to any house, rural or urban–it’s just a matter of focusing on comfort, conviviality, and a combination of traditional, personal, and at times eclectic objects. 175 full-color illustrations
Kennedy-Home-From-Velvet-and-Linens-Flicker-Stream White Painted Furniture, Gustavian Furniture, Swedish Furniture, Updating Furniture, Swedish Decorating Ideas

Kennedy Home From Velvet and Linen’s Flicker Stream

Dawn Hill Antiques

A blue painted, Rococo Period Chest of Drawers with a faux marble
top and elegant curved drawer front. Later paint surface and drawer pulls..
Sweden, circa 1750.

 

 

Get The Swedish Look By Installing Tongue And Groove Paneling

 

This wonderful picture was taken From House to Home

Tongue and groove paneling is a great alternative to drywall for a home which is decorated around the Scandinavian style.  These wood panels are inexpensive, and easy to install. All that is needed is a good nailing gun, wood glue, and a good miter saw, and this weekend project can radically transform any room in your home.  These planks of wood are quite thin, making them lightweight, practical solution for walls and ceilings.

The tongue and groove features of the wood make it really easy to put together, and with a surprisingly quick turn around time. The installation of tongue and groove paneling, compared to drywall, (which requires taping, mudding and sanding) is easier, cleaner and takes less time.

Installation Steps

1. Calculate How Much Wood You Will Need

Calculate the amount of paneling that you need. Amazon offers free shipping right to your door, making it easier if you don’t have a truck to transport the wood.

Determine if you want to do the whole wall, or half the wall.  Consider changing up your trim.  You can add layer on your trim to make it appear more bulky and architectural.  In the House to Home picture above, you can see the floor trim is built up giving it more of a presence in this room.  Calculate the amount of wood by simply measuring the length and height of each wall, and multiply the height times length to get square footage.

Tools and Wood

-Allwood V-Groove Knotty Pine Planking, 70 SQF Thickness: 5/16″, Width: 3-1/2″, Length: 96″ Package: 70 SQF (5 mini bundles x 14SQF) $110 + Free Shipping on Amazon

– Optional Buy For Walls of Half Pine Planking and half wallpaper – Allwood Wainscot Base and Chair Moulding, Thickness: 9/16″, Width: 2-5/8″, Length: 96″ $13.60 + Free Shipping on Amazon

-Henkel Power Grab All-Purpose Construction Adhesive (Recommended for molding, paneling, chair rails, plaster, concrete) $17 +$7 Shipping Amazon,or add on item for $4 with Free Shipping

– A Miter Saw – Buy re-conditioned saws on Amazon from $45 dollars

– A Nailing Gun and Compressor Combo.  Money worth spent.

– Senco PC0947 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Compressor Combo Kit $179 +Free Shipping Amazon

– Porter-Cable 6-Gal. Portable Electric Air Compressor and Finish Nailer $199 + Free Shipping Home Depot

2.  Remove The Existing Trim

-Before you start installing the wood paneling to the wall, remove the existing trim by using a hammer or pry bar. Be careful with your trim, so you can put it back into place once your wood paneling is up on the walls.

-Locating the wall studs and ceiling joists is a good starting point.  Mark them out on the wall using a stud finder.  This can be a tricky part of the job, but well worth your time. Decide how you would like to install the paneling. You can either run the planks vertically or horizontal to the wall.  As you put up the wood planks, nail them right into the 2 x 4 studs.

3.  When installing the paneling to the wall, leaving a gap of 1 /2″ at the edges for expansion.  Start installing the plank with groove closest to the wall, and secure the first row by nailing into the stud. Insert the nails into the tongue at an angle and use enough force to have the nail flush with the surface of the tongue. If this is done properly, the groove of the next board should slide easily over the nails on the tongue of your previous plank.

 

Install your next row by sliding together the grooved planks.  Since the groove side is now secured by the tongue of the first row, there is now no need to nail the board on the groove side, although if you do decide to nail on the surface of the plank, wood filler will fill in any holes resulting from the nail gun.  Continue to install rows and remember to leave a 1/2″ gap at all wall surfaces.

The space left at the last row usually will be narrower width of your plank. Measure for the width needed and cut along the length on the tongue.   Decide how you are going to finish your paneling. If you have taken your trim off, and have decided to paint your walls, consider painting the trim before hammering it back to the wall. Reinstall the trim, and additional trim pieces can be purchased to cover the gaps.

Lars Bolander

Lars BolanderLars Bolander

Canadian House and Home Magazine June 2013 Issue

Featuring Rick and Lorna’s Langley, BC home.

A Rustic farmhouse table, slip-covered wing back chairs, white painted furniture, and painted wood paneling give this room a classic Swedish appearance.  See more of this home by clicking on the images below.



216 Selections From Wallpaper Direct – Swedish Decorating

Duro Wallpaper From Sweden

Duro, for the first time is now offered in the USA.  Duro is a family-owned company and leading brand in Sweden, has been around since 1930, and is one of only 120 companies to be appointed to the Royal Court and has had this distinction since 1946.

The printing process used by Duro uses ten times the standard amount of ink to create a distinctive, rich look, similar to hand-printed papers. They also have started a green initiative during the 1960s and eliminated PVCs, developed their own water-based inks and uses only solvent free coatings.

Woodland Chorus by Sanderson

Ella by Arthouse

Cielo Panel by Designers Guild

Make Your Own Folding Screens With Wallaper and Wood

Gammalsvenska Collection By Duro 8Gammalsvenska Collection By Duro From Wallpaper Direct

Thibault Design

About Wallpaper Direct:

Wallpaper has been selling wallpaper online since 1999.  They carry over 4,000 different wallpaper patterns.  To understand the volume of their business, they have approximately 10,000 wallpaper samples on hand, and dispatch 40,000 samples per month through the mail.

Wallpaper Direct is a trading name of C. Brewer & Sons Ltd. and is part of the BREWERS group of companies. C. Brewer & Sons is one of the country’s oldest decorators’ merchants, established in 1904.  Brewers holds the Royal Warrant for the supply of decorating materials to The Queen.   Brewers is a family run business with more than 146 stores selling an extensive range of decorating materials.  Paint and wallpaper is what they specialize in.

Wallpaper Direct has two distinct websites.  One for their international clients, and another for the United States.  We’ve been supplying equally discerning customers in the USA from our UK site since we launched Wallpaper Direct online in 1999, and now we’re open for business with a new American company Wallpaper Direct Inc with a dedicated team in Tennessee.

Wallpaper Direct

www.wallpaperdirect.com/us

Call Toll Free on: 1-855-823-9754
Email: help@wallpaperdirect.com
Wallpaperdirect Inc.
PO Box 1258
155 D-2 Durham Drive
Maynardville
TN 37807

Uses For Wallpaper Other Than Walls:

Do you want to create a wow factor with wallpaper?  Here are a couple of tips how you can transform your home and simple every day objects with wallpaper:

1. Mod Podge Photo Mats With Wallpaper

Wallpaper can be used as Artwork. Frame pieces of wallpaper and group these frames together to create a miniature art gallery. OR, consider covering picture mats with wallpaper.  Simply use mod podge which can be applied to empty mats.

-Craig Frames Collage Frame- From $20 on Amazon

-Accent Design Framing Mat Double 5″x 7″Ivory/Gold- Amazon

-Accent Design Mat 8″x 10″  4 Openings- Amazon

– Accent Design Mat- 2 Openings, – Amazon

 2. Wallpaper Your Closets

Consider transforming your walk in closet, pantry or linen closet with a statement of yourself using wallpaper.  Wallpaper the walls, and consider buying storage boxes, which you can then cover with the wallpaper for a unifying effect.   Closets allow you to experiment with bold patterns, and outspoken colors.

– Darice 8/9/10-Inch Paper Mache Round Box- New From $6- Amazon

 

 

3.  Mod Podge Wallpaper To Furniture

One of the best artists to site, would be Bryonie Porter’s Wallpaper Furniture.  You can see how wallpaper can go a long way on furniture.  Transform a vintage chest with wallpaper, or consider adding interest to glass display cabinets.  Add wallpaper inside a chest of drawers,  or inside of a wardrobe. Apply two or three coats of clear polycrylic  (not polyurethane as it will yellow it) to protect the wallpaper, sanding gently with a very fine sandpaper between coats of varnish.  Use wallpaper as drawer liners.  Line the inside of a drawer with wallpaper cut to fit. Attach with double-stick tape so the lining won’t shift when you’re rummaging in the drawers.

Additional Links:

 – Decoupage Is Simple! Update Your Kids Furniture- Kids Room Decor

– Decoupage Map Wallpaper Dressers & Kids Map Decor- Kids Room Decor

– 30 Mod Podge Project Ideas – The Painted Furniture

Previous Posts For Inspiration:

-Swedish Interiors: The Chinese Pavilion- here

-Swedish Styled Wallpaper- here

-How To Decoupage Furniture- here

Ben Dhong’s combined classic Swedish antiques in a residence for a finance executive in San Francisco’s Marina. Ben Dhong left the world of finance to intern with designer Martha Angus. He later launched his own design firm, Benjamin Dhong Interior Design, and today Ben works for clients around the country,and has his work published in House Beautiful.

 

The Gustavian Inspired Room:

This room is all about my love of contrasts and how to highlight what you love about something by pairing it with something that brings out that essence.”   The wallpaper sets an entirely different direction for the Swedish antiques placed in this room.  It goes to show you the power of wallpaper.

Combine the New with the Old:

The wallpaper’s field of gold blocks creates a modern backdrop.  The  plaster medallion of king Gustav pops like a piece of modern sculpture, and gives the room a focal point.  The polished silver Saarinen style base pops against the carpet, and the Louis XVI-style chairs bring in the rich flavor of Sweden into to the room.  Ben brings a very fresh approach to classical design.

1. Great Design Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive

I play a fun game with people and tell them that in this room is something from west elm, ikea, restoration hardware and marshalls and make them try to find it….it all proves that chic doesn’t have to be expensive.”

2. Elevate Your Overall Collections With A Few High End Pieces

I like creating confident rooms in which everything is not shouting at you “look at me”. It’s a low-keyed confidence. The ability to pair the precious with the humble. One of my joys is to elevate the humble and treat the valuable as an everyday object

3. Just Focus On What You Like Rather Than Just “Expensive”

For years I couldn’t figure out if I’m a traditionalist that likes modern things or a modernist that has a strong sense of history. I’m now comfortable with dropping the labels. Beautiful design is timeless.”

4.  Layer In Points Of Interest

I love layering textures in the same color tones. It brings a richness in a very understated way“.

I adore contrasts. There is a wonderful tension between the contrast of a rough linen with a rich velvet, or a distressed wood with a silver bowl. I find that tension exhilarating.”

5.  Choose Furniture That Has An Edge Of Beauty

Great thought goes into the combination of a room. Some pieces must speak, while others must be sotto voce. The addition of a new piece may very well require removing something to keep it balanced.”

I like my rooms to have a bit of intellectual heft…A sense of history and erudition but never pompous.”

Furniture Credits:

Dining chairs: Vintage Louis XVI Style chairs, Tara Shaw Antiques

Wallcovering: turquoise and gold geometric metallic pattern, “Margot,” by Sandberg

Dining table: Hammered nickel table base by Julian Chichester and vintage Knoll top from Converso

Chandelier: white plaster from Donzella Gallery.

Statue: “Attitude” by Paul van Lith, Erickson Fine Art Gallery.

Relief: Plaster Medallion of King Gustav from Real Gustavian.

Carpet: custom turquoise and cream diagonal stripe wool carpet, designed by Benjamin Dhong.



Les Indiennes Fabrics

Elle Decor April 11

Mary Mulcahy’s designs, first developed for her block-printed textiles, now grace the wall with the Les Indiennes collection by IVM Prints. The 12 hand-screened wallpapers include Rayure, left, and Veronique, both in indigo; additional colors are offered, Seen in Elle Decor April 2011

The company Les Indiennes is known for their beautiful hand-blocked textiles. Founder, Mary Mulcahy had a desire to find naturally dyed cotton, with large scale single colored motifs, but was unable to locate fabrics close to what she had in mind, so she created her own.   Her concept started to take form after running into a craftsman in southern India,  who knew exactly what she was after.  In fact, the craftsman was one of the very few artists who still practiced the ancient art of kalamkari, which was an extremely complex and rare method of printing on fabric.

The Kalamkari Process:

1.  Fabric Preparation- Cotton fabric is initially softened and bleached.  This process needs to be done before any printing takes place.  The process involves bales of organic cotton which are repeatedly rinsed and beaten against large rocks, then laid out on the grass to bleach in the sun.   These steps ensure that the fabric will feel soft and luxurious, and so that the color application remains bright and vibrant.

2. Block Printing- After the fabric has been softened and lightened, printing begins.  Craftsmen dip hand-carved wood blocks in dyes and presses them into the cotton.  The dyes are derived from plants, roots, earth, and rock.  One can only imagine the great care, and measurements taken to ensure the patterns are straight and line up with one another.  Today we take for granted large printing machinery, when at one time, much of this work was done by hand.  At Les Indiennes, the fabric is printed by hand, and hours go into each fabric panel.  After the patterns are applied, the printed fabric is air dried for at least two days.

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