Decorating Around Red- Historical Interior Design Ideas
Antique Vintage European Textiles On Ebay
House Beautiful Magazine featured the top favorite red colors from the most famous interior designers. Here are my favorite 9 red shades of paint from their selection of 24
TOP ROW:
1.”This is a really deep coral, kind of like a cheerful Chinese red. Pinks and reds to me are synonymous with frozen drinks and relaxing.” –Richard Mishaan Pictured, Benjamin Moore‘s Chili Pepper 2004-20
2.”When I look for red, I want a pure, true red, like the color in the American flag. Ralph Lauren does absolutely the best. It’s the essence of red. It makes me think of boating or polo.” –Suzanne Kasler Pictured, Ralph Lauren Paint‘s Dressage Red TH41
3. “Red never goes out of style. It’s full of life — always fresh, always fun to wake up to. We go for reds with less blue in them and more orange because they’re happier to live with.” –William Diamond and Anthony Baratta Pictured, Ralph Lauren Paint‘s Lattice Red IB57
MIDDLE ROW:
4. “It’s a true, deep red. I like the temperature of it: it’s a bit cooler. But a little red goes a long way. It’s good in areas where you don’t spend much time or in boring areas that need a strong burst of color.” –Roderick Shade Pictured, Benjamin Moore‘s Million Dollar Red 2003-10
5. Benjamin Moore‘s Redstone was used in Eldon Wong’s cupboard.
6. “All my life I’ve pursued the perfect red. I can never get painters to mix it for me. It’s exactly as if I’d said “I want Rococo with a spot of Gothic in it and a bit of Buddhist temple” — they have no idea what I’m talking about.” –Diana Vreeland Pictured, Benjamin Moore‘s Red 2000-10
BOTTOM ROW:
7. “Red is the color of excitement, and I tend to go for corally orange reds. With red, you know you’ve arrived and you glance in the mirror and realize how great you look and breeze right in.” –Keith Irvine Pictured, Benjamin Moore‘s Salsa 2009-20
8.”I prefer the warm, vibrant reds to the historic reds, which are beautiful but sedate. This is a daring red, a real fire engine red. It has a playfulness that reminds me of a little red schoolhouse.” –Ruthie Sommers Pictured, Fine Paints of Europe‘s Dutchlac Brilliant Tulip Red W1001B-M
9.”Lately I’m on this anti-completely-neutral kick. You have to have some seasoning in your rooms. Sangria is good, universal-donor red — not too blue, not too orange, not too dark.” –Elissa Cullman Pictured, Benjamin Moore‘s Sangria 2006-20
Frijsenborg Castle
House Beautiful Color Celerie Kemble’s Advice
1760 Swedish Rococo Period Painted Commode thehighboy.com
Unknown Library Painted In Red
Photography By Simon Upton
Favorite Red Paint Colors Seen In House Beautiful Magazine
Hartwell House in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
Halmstad Slott, Halland, Sweden- 2013-02-10 by Giåm on Flickr (cc)
Beautiful Red Textiles Found on bohemianwornest.tumblr.com
Gustavian armchairs signed Jacob Malmsten ( master in handcraft Stockholm 1780- 1788) from Bukowskis Classical auction 26-27 of May godsochgardar.se
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Grandfather Clock from Stjernsund Castle. The clock face is signed by Daniel Frång from Stjernsund. The inside of the clock case has preserved newspaper articles from the auction at Stjernsund Castle as well as information about important Swedish antiques clocks.- Scandinavian Antiques
Rembrandt Paintings Seen On Habitually Chic Blog
Early Gustavian chest of drawers, Sweden circa 1780, in secondary red paint. Chamfered corners, shaped bracket base, and faux marbled top. Cupboards & Roses
Gustavian Fabrics – Seen Pictured is Kristianstad Rose In Cranberry Red
New Research Suggests Swedish Furniture In The 1700’s May Have Had Strong Colors
The computer-generated image shows how Gottlieb Iwerssons bureau was color set from the beginning with stained inlays.
Furniture with inlay from the 1700s tend to be in a moderate brown color scale. But new research suggests that Gottlieb Iwerssons and the other Masters furniture had strong colors when they were new.
Elise Andersson at Carl Malmsten Furniture Studies presented his essay in Varying Shades of Brown where she runs the thesis that several of the 1700s masterful intarsiamöbler had a rich and expressive colors.
It is exciting to imagine how old things looked like when they were new, says Elise.
After a symposium in the Netherlands on stained wood Elise was inspired to investigate a bureau of master carpenter Gottlieb Iwersson (1750-1813). The bureau was a gift to King Gustav III and is currently banked in the Royal Collections.
Elise has looked closely at the paint residue on the furniture, studied the original drawing, examined sekretärens surface with UV light and read old beet recipes.
Emerges is a picture of a piece of furniture where the motifs were originally colored in blue, green, red and yellow against a light gray background – all framed by rosewood and amaranth, two popular woods for furniture production in the late 1700s.
Read More Of This Article At godsochgardar.se
Swedish Tripod Tilt-Top Candle Stand Tables
Tea tables were originally designed to serve tea. Some were designed to tilt like the pie table which could then be folded up and stored away.
Dutch painters were known to decorate the tops of these tables with landscapes starting in the late 17th century, and this following survived well into the 19th century. In the late 18th century the English style became extremely fashionable, and this style of table became extremely popular.
- Swedish Tea Tripod Tables- trouvais.com
- Swedish Painted Tilt Top Candle Stand From Eleish Van Breems Antiques
- Swedish Tilt Top Table Seen at Puckhaber Decorative Antiques
- London-Townhouse By designer Katrin Cargill
- Swedish Tripod Table Seen At Max Rollitt
- Swedish Tilt Top Table Seen at Puckhaber Decorative Antiques
- 19th Century Swedish Tilt-top Table- Lorfords Antiques
- 19th century Swedish tilt-top table –Lorfords Antiques, 19th Century Swedish Birch Square Tilt Top Table, Debenham Antiques Ltd
- Swedish Late Gustavian Alder Root Table D Larsson Interior.com
Swedish/English Painted Birch Round Tilt-top Tripod Table $295- Eron Johnson Antiques.com
Decorating With Swedish Country Antiques- Darlene Peterson Buchanan
Swedish Country Plates Sold Through Food52. Visit Swedish Country.com For A Look At The Whole Rosemaling Collection
America is a land of many immigrants. As many as 1.4 million Swedes immigrated to America between 1840 and 1930. As the descendants of these immigrants and others seek to decorate their homes, it is not surprising that Swedes and non-Swedes alike are looking to Swedish country décor. It offers a colorful Carl Larsson look or the light and airy Gustavian look.
The Swedish people are lovers of color and light. They use all aspects of nature relating to light and its effect in a room. The color and light play off the walls, furnishings and accessories. This decorating style blends perfectly with the Gustavian look of old Sweden or the peasant look depicted by Carl Larsson. By placing a lovely old Swedish antique in a room bathed with light and having the traditional white and blue colors, you can capture the desired Swedish look.
Carl Larsson was a very famous painter in Sweden. He captured the daily life of old Sweden on canvas, and his home is now a museum. It bursts with color, design, shapes, art, creativity and representations of the simple life in Sweden at the turn of the century. This style is very popular and has created a high demand for Swedish antiques in this country.
Read more of this article by Darlene Peterson Buchanan at go-star.com
Swedish Decorating Inspirations In Yellow, Ivory And Beige- 50+ Pictures
Decorating in the Swedish Style: Light, Function, and Timeless Beauty
The Swedish style of decorating is defined by light, simplicity, and a sense of calm. For centuries, Nordic interiors have embraced pale colors and restrained design to create peaceful, livable homes. Light-painted walls, softly finished furniture, and bedding in whites or gentle pastels were not only aesthetic choices, but practical ones—designed to maximize brightness during Sweden’s long, dark winters. The result is an interior style that feels serene, welcoming, and enduring.
1. Light-Painted Walls Give You Greater Design Freedom
A Swedish-inspired interior often begins with light-colored walls. Soft gray, pale green, muted blue, or warm creamy white create a gentle backdrop that allows furnishings and accessories to shine. Neutral tones such as ivory, beige, or light gray offer flexibility, making it easy to layer in warmer accents like soft yellow or subtle gold.
For added character, consider decorative wall details such as stenciled ribbons, scrolls, or wheat motifs in soft pinks or deeper reds—elements historically seen in Gustavian interiors.
Floors should remain just as light and airy. Blonde woods, pale finishes, or lightly painted floors help reflect natural light and open up a space. For added charm, subtle stenciling or painted designs can bring interest without overwhelming the room.
Floor coverings also play an important role. Natural fiber rugs—such as jute, sisal, or berber—offer a neutral foundation that complements nearly any palette while adding warmth and texture.
Wallpaper is another beautiful option. Look for neoclassical patterns with soft colors on white backgrounds. Florals, swags, ribbons, and bows are common motifs, often accented with a touch of gold for elegance and refinement.
2. Add a Settee to One Side of the Dining Table
If space allows, a settee placed along one side of a dining table creates a relaxed, European feel. This seating style has deep roots in Swedish design. The traditional köksoffa, or kitchen sofa, dates back to the 1700s and was designed as a multifunctional piece—used for seating during the day and as a sleeping surface at night. Painted finishes and aged patina are common, reflecting both practicality and charm.
3. Rotate Collections Throughout the Year
Nordic interiors often lean toward minimalism, emphasizing thoughtful display over excess. Invest in furniture that doubles as storage, allowing you to tuck away everyday items while showcasing your favorite pieces.
Leave armoire doors open to display collections, and consider painting the interior a contrasting shade for visual interest. Cabinet interiors, drawers, and bookcases can also be painted in warm tones—buff, vanilla, apricot, or saffron—to add depth against creamy exteriors.
Rotate decorative objects seasonally, keeping displays fresh and intentional. Mount collections on the wall and use lighting to highlight special pieces. Edit frequently—keep only what you truly love and allow each item room to breathe.
Group decorative objects in pairs or curated collections. Use matching frames for artwork and keep images cohesive by working in black-and-white or sepia tones. Shelving, cabinets, and bookcases elevate collections when styled with restraint.
Storage boxes can also become part of the décor. Painted boxes, neatly stacked on shelves, add structure and sophistication while keeping clutter hidden.
4. Push Chairs and Side Tables Against the Walls
A classic Swedish layout places chairs and side tables along the walls, opening up the center of the room. This arrangement creates a sense of spaciousness and was common in historic Nordic homes. Position furniture in small groupings or allow a single chair to stand alone for a simple, balanced look.
5. Rethink Your Closet Space
Closets offer an opportunity to bring both beauty and order into everyday life. Adding painted wood shelving instantly elevates a space and makes storage feel intentional. Use wall space all the way up to the ceiling and consider incorporating double hanging rods to maximize functionality.
Organize clothing by color, and display special pieces rather than hiding them away. Closets can be both practical and visually pleasing when designed with care.
Closets can also be repurposed as display spaces. Painting the interior a darker shade, such as gray, allows collections—like tableware or glass—to stand out while remaining neatly contained.
6. Use Neoclassical Lamps and Wall Sconces
Lighting plays a crucial role in Swedish interiors. Wall sconces add romance and ambiance while freeing up table space. Candles mounted on walls create a warm glow and are often safer than tabletop arrangements.
Choose sconces that suit your style—simple or ornate—and place them in pairs on either side of mirrors or artwork for balance. Table lamps can be elevated by recovering plain shades with upholstery fabric that coordinates with accent chairs or slipcovers.
Chandeliers and lamps enhance the natural brightness of a room, while mirrors amplify light and create the illusion of more space. Finish the look with reflective accents such as blue-and-white china, silver, and glass for subtle shine and timeless elegance.
Picture Credits –
- D.Larsson Swedish Antiques
- French Wall Sconces On Ebay
- Huge Gustavian Hutch Desk , Sweden C. 1800 From Galerie Half
- Farrow & Ball Decorating with Colour- Buy This Book On Amazon
- A gorgeous tablescape. Photography by sandrafazzino.com, Planning by italyinstyletrave… & myspecialguest.co…,
- Floral & Event Design by foodartgroup.it
- 18th century Swedish Secretaire Appley Hoare
- Chelsea Textiles
- Eleish Van Breems Antiques
- Atelier de Campagne
- Augustus Brandt Antiques
- Gustavian Secretary From Lief
- Gustavian Secretary From Lief
- Ironstone Molds Seen On Cote de Texas Blog
- Ralph Lauren Home 18th-century Swedish-Inspired Design
- Carol Raley Interiors
- Stadsauktion Auction Catalogue #59
- UK magazine Livingetc. From Auction Decorating Blog
- Vicki from French Essence
- 19th Century French Woman on Canvas
- Lars Sjoberg- The Style Saloniste
- Court Mantua Kensington Palace 1750-1760 From ArtFund
- Vintage Views Consigment is selling a very attractive pair of gilded bronze sconces
- Manor of Skogaholms- Stockholm Town Blog
- Kristinehovs Malmgård – Söder – Stockholm, Sweden- skarn.se
- Hoby-Kulle Manor, near Ronneby, Seen At En.konstantik.se
- Swedish Gustavian Swedish Decorating Ideas
- Collecting White Dinnerware Haute Design By Sarah Klassen
Sampler, 1804, Country Living.com
A Swedish Rococo Chest Rococo Period 1750-1775 A beautiful Rococo chest of drawers with amazing inlays and construction. All original hardware and locks, Laserow Antiques
Swedish Rococo Armchair from the Rococo period 1750-1775 A Swedish Rococo armchair with cabriole legs and curved armrests and back. Laserow Antiques, Armchair Rococo period 1750-1775– A lovely armchair from the Rococo period with amazing carvings and curved shapes. Frieze and back splat is decorated with carved flowers and leaves. The scrolled legs and armrests are typical for the Rococo period featured at Laserow Antiques
Mora Clock, from Real Gustavian and the Creamy White Mora Clock with orange detailing is from The Nordic Place.
Pair of Bombe Swedish Commodes 102-4870 Greenwich Living Ebay
A Gustavian late 18th century longcase clock From Bukowskis, A Swedish Mora Clock From 1820-40, from Lauritz
Nordic Style Furniture Collections
Swedish Interior Seen On Inredningshjälpen Blog
Drink Cabinet $807.75 From Guild Master On Amazon
Pair Of Gustavian Side Tables- Cupboards & Roses Antiques
The Best Designer Paint Suggestions Seen In House Beautiful Magazine
Antique Swedish canape – Augustus Brandt
Found on augustus-brandt-antiques.co.uk
A Passion for Collecting: Decorating with Your Favorite Objects- Caroline Clifton Mogg
We are all born collectors. In childhood we hoard all manner of knick-knacks-marbles, ribbons, toy soldiers-and experience an instinctive thrill in finding the next and even better one. This book explores the ways in which collectibles as diverse as antique maps, ceramics, and seashells can be used in interior design. With lavish illustrations of interiors that make wonderful decorative use of collections, A PASSION FOR COLLECTING reveals the secrets for display that can make an incredible visual impact on the décor of any collector’s home.
Decorating With China and Glass By Caroline Clifton-Mogg
Caroline Clifton-Mogg is a writer and journalist who specializes in interior design and gardens. She is a contributing editor to both Harpers & Queen and Christie’s Magazine and also contributes regularly to magazines and newspapers such as House & Garden, Country Life, and The Financial Times. Her many books include Textile Style (Bulfinch, 2000), The Curtain Book (Bulfinch, 1998), Decorating with Antiques (Bulfinch, 1999), Passion For Collecting (Bulfinch, 2002) and The Bedroom Book (Bulfinch, 2003).
The Best Designer Paint Suggestions Seen In House Beautiful Magazine
Graham and Green’s Vienna Petite Four Drawer Chest, mango wood chest of drawers with brass accessories and a putty grey wash finish.
Graham and Green opened their first shop in Notting Hill in 1974, and since then Graham and Green has expanded from humble beginnings to a delightfully identifiable, British establishment. Today, Graham and Green have 2 beautiful shops, four catalogues each year and their online store.
Pair of carved wood Swedish stools. Upholstered in Rubelli silk. Eighteenth Century.
An Old House in Whitechapel | Spitalfields Life
Swedish Panel – Giannetti Home Visit Providence lt Ddesign
61 Leather Bound Decorative Swedish Books, Debenham Antiques EBAY
70 Swedish Books, Debenham Antiques EBAY
Via Svenska Flicka (Swedish Girl)
Tussah Flower wallpaper from Zoffany
The Best Designer Paint Suggestions Seen In House Beautiful Magazine
Royal Palace, Stockholm. Chimneypiece graces the Blue cabinet in Queen Louisa Ulrika’s study.
The Best Designer Paint Suggestions Seen In House Beautiful Magazine
Swedish Medallion Seen In Veranda 2011
Gustavian Mirror, 1, 2 – Auction Catalogue From Live Auctioneers
More Pictures – Credits In The Article
Decorating Around The Color Green – Swedish Style
House Beautiful- 26 Designers Share Their Favorite Grays
House Beautiful Designer Grays 3: Top Row, 1-Pratt Lamberts Argent 1322, 2-Farrow Balls Light Blue 22, 3- Farrow Balls Green Blue 84 Middle Row, 1- Benjamin Moores Cedar Grove 444, 2-Ralph Lauren Paints Blue-Green GH81, 3-Benjamin Moores Colony Green Bottom Row, 1-Benjamin Moores Heavenly Blue, 2-Benjamin Moores Palladian Blue HC-144, 3-Benjamin Moores Sage Tint
House Beautiful- 26 Designers Share Their Favorite Grays
Benjamin Moore’s Colony Green, Ralph Lauren’s Blue-Green GH81, Benjamin Moore’s Cedar Grove 444
Rifle Paper Co On Wayfair
Tricia Foley {staircase} by recent settlers on Flickr
Designer Paint Color Picks Seen At House Beautiful
A Swedish 18th Century Writing Desk From French Country Living Antiques, UK,
A Swedish campaign secretary filled with white pottery- Henhurst Blog
Judy Frankel Antiques, House Beautiful Paint Colors
Designer Paint Color Picks Seen At House Beautiful
Better Homes and Gardens – Painted Potting Bench
Designer Paint Color Picks Seen At House Beautiful
Rifle Paper Co On Wayfair
Swedish Mora Seen At Weranda.pl
Antique Original Green Painted Swedish Bench, circa 1840-60 – Scandinavian Antiques
Reproduction Distressed Furniture And Home Decor From Bliss Studio
Lindome Swag Table, H:34″ D:24″ W:36″
Lindome Console Table -H:34″ D:16″ W:62″
If you love furniture with layers of paint, distressed detail, old hardware, and unique looking features, you could spend months searching for that hand scraped finish and texture to fit perfectly in your bedroom or living room.
Consider looking though Bliss Studio’s line which features really old looks, layered rich paint finishes often admired in the really high end antique dealers across Europe.
Their range of furniture is designed around the classic antique looking furniture that have been popular through the centuries.
Bliss Studio produces fine collections of historically inspired items including furniture such as console tables, accent chairs, dining room tables, decorative accent tables, lighting, and a range of chippy accessories.
Marvel at the paint finishes, as I have, and consider picking up a piece for your home.
- Shop through their furniture and accessories at their website- www.blissstudio.com
- Find Bliss Studio On Amazon
Below are my favorite pieces that would be an ideal fit for a Nordic styled home.
Padua Wall Plaque
Laudere Hall Table
Vanika Settee- H:33.5″ D:32″ W:79.75″
Tosca Chest, H:40.5″ D:18″ W:44″
Moorish Dining Table
Oval Frame Mirror $645 On Amazon
Candlesticks From Bliss Studio
Italian Serpentine Commode, H:34.5″ D:25″ W:60″
Honore Mirror $940 On Amazon
Foscari Console Chest- H:38.5″ D:16.5″ W:63.5″
Philippe Bench- H:26″ D:19″ W:48.75″
Belgian Commode- H:38″ D:23″ W:62″
Gallia Bench, Antwerp Armchair, Aimee Side Chair,
Perugia Chair, Winshire Accent Table, Clara Accent Table,
Rustic Pedestal Table, Carnavale Pedestal Table
Swedish Kids Rooms: 6 Ideas To Get The Look
Creative Co-op Vintage Metal Laundry Basket $70 Amazon
Crocheted Girl Shaped Pot Holder with Flower, – Amazon
Add a little Nordic flavor to your child’s room, and make it unique. Here are a couple tips to pull it off:
1. Buy A Day Bed- The Swedish Kitchen Sofa is an example of practical Swedish design that originates from the 1700’s. Houses were small, so the furniture also had to be mult-functional. These sofas could be used during the day and then pulled out at night to be used as a bed. Sofas were painted white or different colors. Not all Swedish Kitchen sofas / köksoffas were used as sofas, some were strictly used as beds. Borrow this classic look, and opt for a day bed, instead of a regular bed.
2. Frame Folk Art Prints– Go for framed embroidery, or vintage tourist prints to hang on the wall. Loose Petals on etsy sells art poster prints that combine lots of color with a vintage flare. For a boys room, consider a gallery wall of printed maps, such as the ones sold through O Maps. Vintage Masters also sells a variety of vintage travel prints that are enticing.
3. Include Antiques– Go for something really unique to showcase on a dresser, wall or on the floor. I once saw an antique rocking cradle used as a storage box for a bunch of vintage dolls. Go for an old school desk, which could also function as an area to draw or practice their writing skills. Create a series of frames which a pairs of antique children’s shoes are framed. Create an open shelving wall where vintage children’s books can be displayed.
4. Paint A Chest In The Classic Rosemailing Technique– Search through google to determine which look you are most attracted to. There are a handful of books on Amazon which also teach this classic Swedish painting. Pinterest also has a ton of pictures of this style.
5. Consider Storage Furniture– Consider installing floor to ceiling bookshelves with doors that that can house their endless toys, clothing and knick knacks. Here you can see Christina Aguileras shoe closet that extends from the floor to the ceiling, making the best use of the wall space. Painting the shelves and the walls all one color will allow the bookshelves to appear built in. A nice light blue would be very Swedish. Place their bed right in front of the shelves as if it was a wall. Build gigantic closet doors from plywood to conceal their toys and clutter.
And Finally…………
6. Don’t Get To Serious- Children’s rooms are a time to break out of your gray obsession and go for color. Hang unique toys from the ceiling and make it an area that will get their imagination going.
Additional Articles:
Swedish Kids Room Ideas – Visit hviturlakkris.blogspot.com
Found on atimeforeverythingjournal.blogspot.com
Plan Toys Victorian Dollhouse – Seen on Amazon UK
Create a calm corner with an antique Gustavian daybed and canopy.
Visit pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com
Carl Larsson Children Featured In Art Work
Dala Hast (swedish wooden horse) by Hart Interior photo on Flickr
Artwork In All Black Frames
Kay Nielsen Fairy Tale Lithographs 1983 In by PetitPoulailler
12 Outdoor Pieces Worthy of Bringing Inside Visit casasugar.com
Vintage Baby Carriage- Found on midnightpoem.tumblr.com
Swedish folk art painted chest 1837 Lauritz.com
Childrens Room Decorated In Neoclassical Style From Anne Sage Blog
Vintage Swedish Poster Design From Kate Davies Designs
Create Cut Outs For The Walls – Visit bluevelvetchair.blogspot.se
Antique tricycles are worth looking out for. Every once in a while ebay sellers will list antique or vintage reproductions for great deals.
Consider tricycles that may even need a new paint job. Paint and a little faux work can make anything look antique.
Shannon Bowers Swedish Nursery
Many of us were wowed when Veranda magazine featured the home of Dallas designer Shannon Bowers a couple of years ago, so it may come to you as a surprise that she had it listed to be sold on the market.
“If I have antiques in the living room, I think they should appear in the children’s spaces, too,” Bowers says. “I would like for my children to develop an appreciation for them just as I have as the daughter of an interior designer. Sometimes the value of a home in our lives is underestimated. Home is where your children’s memories are made. I want it to look beautiful, but more important, I believe it should be a warm and comfortable place.”
I have always been attracted to the cover of Childrens Spaces From Zero To Ten as the space showed a rustic appeal based around white. You have a stunning farmhouse tabe painted in white with reclaimed wood, and naturally distressed appeal.
A long lenthy wall bench is also painted in white and made from clap board. Above the very adorable children is an oversized distressed wall mirror. Beige linen accompanies the bench and the children are dressed in blue. With a cover like this, it is no wonder it has sold 100,000 copies sold in hardcover.
Judith Wilson, mother of two, shows how homes can be adapted for children without surrendering order and good taste while also ensuring that children have their own wonderful spaces to enjoy.
This is a truly beautiful book. No more circus animals painted on walls and other run of the mill decorating ideas. These are beautiful – modern ideas for creating spaces for children. Look out Martha Stewart.
Any girl would be so blessed to have a desk like this in her bedroom. A desk like this is a timeless piece that could be purchased for a young girl and be sophisticated enough to be taken with her as she moves out and on her own for college. This desk sells for $319 and comes in white, a natural cherry wood, green and the blue you see above. If you decided to order blue fabric, and want to match the desk up with the fabric, all you need to do is paint over the manufactures blue to match up with your fabric swatch.
If you decide to do any other Swedish color such as Scandinavian orange, yellow, green or red, order the desk in cherry which allows you to distress down to the wood having a neutral color show through your distressed finish.
This picture shows that you can create the ornate patterned Gustavian wall finishes easy and inexpensively with over sized wall stencils. All you need is paint! The best thing about stencils, is they can customized from room to room. Use a light tone of blue and white for your childs room, and white based backgrounds in your main living areas. Stencils can be customized from one room to the next, and any color combinations can be used.
Swedish Gustavian Wall Stencils
Guidecraft kids furniture is great looking wood furniture that you should consider for your child’s room. They sell beautiful solid oak furniture that is beautiful all on it’s own, as well as painted furniture that has a whimsical nature. Guidecraft prides itself on fourty years of manufacturing quality products that put children first. They design their products with kids in mind and continually test their products to meet or exceed mandatory safety standards. They also batch test their paints prior to production for the presence of heavy metals through independent US based third party testing laboratories. They uphold these quality standards to provide you with a safe, durable, and lasting product that will bring years of enjoyment.
- Guidecraft has a long history of receiving Toy Awards for their product’s innovation, creativity, and adaptability.
- Guidecraft Block Cart $62
- Hideaway 4-Section School Locker $450
- Guidecraft Classroom Unit Blocks – 170 Piece, Classroom Unit Blocks – 170 Piece
- Guidecraft Double-Sided Book Browser $170
- Guidecraft Easy – View Storage Bench $260
- Guidecraft Stacking Bookshelf $80
Toy Storage – Big Book Storage Box – Guidecraft – $73 - Guidecraft Mission Baskets – Set of 5 $34
- Audio Center Chairs Set of 2 $80
- Guidecraft Single-Sided Book Browser $139
- Guidecraft SOUND BOX Games $36
- Guidecraft WEIGHT BOX Games $44
D Is For Dala Horse– Illustrated by Renée Graef. Beautiful pictures of scenes from Scandinavian countries for every letter of the alphabet. The rhyming text makes the alphabet recital pleasant and additional information on the featured word is also presented.
The Dala Horse was first produced in Sweden in the 1700’s (or so), and has become Sweden’s most recognizable symbol. The original Dala Horse (Dalahäst) has been around for many centuries, and probably was created by Swedish woodcutters.
During the long winters, woodcutters would pass the time by carving little toys for their children. These carved wooden toys, made from the scraps of the men’s wood were mostly horses. The most enduring of the little creatures remains the Dala Horse.
The bright, happy little animal as we now know the Dala Horse probably originated in the 1700’s. The carving of the stocky little tailless horses had become a well-established tradition, but up until this time they had been unpainted.
Legend has it that in the winter of 1716, while King Charles XII of Sweden waged war throughout most of Europe, many soldiers were quartered in private homes. Because of the severe winter and the war, all suffered from lack of food and warmth. Tradition has it that one such soldier, carved a Dala Horse from some scrap wood in the home where he was staying. Before presenting it to the child of the home as a gift, he painted it a bright red, a color readily available from the copper mine at the nearby community of Falun.
He also decorated the horse with kurbit painting for the harness and saddle. In return for this bright toy, the woman of the house gave the soldier a bowl of soup. He made another horse and received another bowl of soup. When word o his success in bartering for food reached the other soldiers, they too began carving and painting horses in exchange for food. Thus the Dala Horse is credited in part with the army’s surviving the cruel winter.
6 Pictures – Animal Cushions Visit meetmeatmikes.blogspot.com
Wooden horse on a painted wooden chest Visit lucasantiques.blogspot.com
All White Kids Rooms Visit desdemventana.blogspot.nl
– Old Wooden Cubes Game- Found on mademoiselle-patine.com
Mother Goose. Found on skinnerinc.com
– Devonshire Villas Antique Doll House- Found on collections.vam.ac.uk
-Late 19th C tin toy Found on morphyauctions.auctionflex.co
1890 German Twin Horse Pull Toy w/ Iron Wheels- Found on ebay.com
Antique Dolls – Found on ullam.typepad.com
Vintage Dolls Found on sweeteyecandycreations.typepad.com
Child’s Rattle and Teether, Silver and Coral, Birmingham, England, 1835-36 Found on metmuseum.org
A Steiff Early Velvet Elephant Skittle – Found on christies.com
Blue and White Kids Rooms Stenciled Walls
English Victorian misc. furniture baby carriage/crib/cradle pine – Found on newel.com
Antique Childrens Books Found on etsy.com
Antique Victorian French ivory and silver baby rattle whistle Found on ebay.com
3 Rustic Scandinavian Country Homes – Borrow Ideas From Norway and Denmark
Inspiring Interiors Blog posted some terrific pictures of a barn styled home with a Scandinavian styled interior. If you are looking for a country styled look, consider how this home is set up.
Start With A Gray Palette
Starting out with gray through out your house can be a really simple way to decorate the rest of your home. To make it interesting, choose several shades of gray which you can work through your home.
For my own home, I decided that lighter colors worked well in larger rooms, while the more saturated shades could punch things up in the closets, the bathrooms, and smaller rooms.
Using gray through out your home allows your home to flow nicer than having one bright bold color in each room of the house. Later if you want to add color, simply attach a chair rail, and paint the upper half of the wall. You can add depth with accessories and wall art.
Work With Muted Shades For Country Styles
The wood walls in this home look very primitive with a gray wash. Some walls are left natural while others are painted. In one of the rooms, dried floral wreaths add a rustic touch to the walls. Here is an example of a captivating look that is inexpensive.
Helichrysum Strawflowers are one of my favorite florals. Pick flowers for drying when they are open, but not fully mature. Hang the stems upside down in a cool-well ventilated spot to dry. Avoid over-watering during the growing season, and these florals will look spectacular dried in a vase or a floral wreath.
Incorporate Red And Rust…….
Red is a classic country color that is commonly seen in the countryside of Sweden. Barns and countryside homes are painted rich reds, making it a very classic color to work with. Painting a chest of drawers or an accent chair in Falu red can really bring out the country side of Scandinavian decorating. Pair together rusty metal urns, and accessories like natural straw, hay, wicker, baskets for that country feel.
The house below was originally an eighteenth century barn which was converted into a guest house. This lovely barn is located in the village of Saint-Hilaire-sur-Helpe, in France, and pairs together both the Swedish and French rustic styles.
Photography by Corinne Schanté-Angel, All images from here.
Early 19th Century Female Portrait –Maison Maison
Swedish Rococo Chest-A. Tyner Antiques
Home 2, This comes from the blog browni.net, a home which was featured on Gods and Gardar.
Here are a couple things we see that really work in this home:
Use A Saturated Shade On The Walls
A saturated shade of mustard is applied to the walls, and followed up with layering of black based tapestry. Centered is a large scale wooden horse sitting on a antique chest. If you notice, the colors from the tapestry, and the wall color are opposite on the color wheel causing both elements to stand out nicely. The white paint in the horse tends to capture the eye against the bold color of the wall, and print in the tapestry.
Set your Furniture On A Slant
As you can see here, it works. Corner cabinets and cupboards off set the rest of the furniture in the room. Chairs are placed at a diagonal, and not everything is symmetrical. Common shades such as green, mustard and blue are used through out the house to keep the palette, exciting but toned down.
Work With Black and White To Balance Things Out.
Upholstered Swedish chairs in a neutral fabric really add balance to this home. The home is bright, but one can still find peace and serenity due to the furniture colors. Looking closely at the chairs, you can see they picked a linen, with a gray white painted frame. The creamy white allows everything to blend nicely together, without being overdone.
Picture Credits
- Swedish Antiques D Larsson Interior
- Jesse Breytenbach Tulip Pattern- Found on jessebreytenbach.co.za
- Found on ana-rosa.tumblr.com
- A Casa di Ro
- Danish Decorating Ideas via Indenfor and Udenfor
House 3, Originally shown in Sköna hem, this house has a powdery color and the country style atmosphere. Again we see saturated shades on the wall, balanced by gray white toned furniture. One way to surely give the rustic country feel is to choose something with a chippy finish. The armoire may have seen better days, but that is part of the romance.
Adding a few delicate features such as floral print fabric, or a worn childs doll can add the country charm to your home. Johan KalÃn for Sköna hem
Swedish Folk Art Home Johan KalÃn for Sköna Hem
The same home featured on Home And Delicious Blog, seen in House and Garden 2006
Swedish Folk Art Home Johan KalÃn for Sköna Hem
Home And Delicious Blog, seen in House and Garden 2006
Swedish Folk Art Home Johan KalÃn for Sköna Hem
Home And Delicious Blog, seen in House and Garden 2006
Home And Delicious Blog, seen in House and Garden 2006
Bergere Chairs Maison Maison
Eidsborg Museum in Telemark, Norway
Blue cupboard Visit skonahem.com
Swedish Furniture Decorating Ideas Gypsy Purple BlogCountry Nordic Styled Home in Drobak,
NorwayCountry Nordic Styled Home in Drobak, Norway
Slant Front Writing Desk in Blue Paint– Sweden Circa 1820
Swedish writing desk, circa 1820, with four graduated drawers under the slant-front. The interior features a central cupboard with lozenge trim and two banks of three drawers on either side. Great patina on the secondary blue paint.
Gustavian style commode with two over two drawers, Sweden circa 1910, in
secondary blue paint. Canted and fluted corners with applied rosettes and shaped
top. Square tapering legs. Original brass hardware.
Chest of three drawers, Denmark circa 1750, with serpentine drawer fronts,
shaped top, and bracket base. The hardware and painted surface are original
INTERIOR & STILL LIFE – Agent Bauer
Rustic Nordic Furniture From Am
Traditional beds in the kitchen of an old Swedish farm house Uploaded To Pinterest
Wouldn’t this be a wonderful stencil pattern for the walls? Found on stylecourt.blogspot.com
Spring Summer Checks and Florals For The Swedish Home
PÄRLVIVA Cushion Cover From Ikea
One of the easiest ways to decorate in the flavor of the Swedish style is through the use of fabrics.
My husband and I took a trip up to Canada a few weeks ago, and I had the chance to visit one of my favorite stores, Ikea. We got to Ikea around 7pm, so we didn’t have a lot of time to shop before the store closed up. I missed a few items on my list, but thankfully, most of their new and old collections are available on ebay.
In my early 20’s I had the chance to work at Ikea as a short term job though the summer, and I loved it. When I go to Ikea, I tend to look for the classic accessories that would fit into a home designed around the antique styles. Their linens, wood mirrors, bowls, glass accessories, and throw rugs are the best products at Ikea.
Their drapery, bedsheets, comforters, and pillows are always great buys. They have wonderful selection of pillow covers from year to year, which allow you to exchange out patterns in your home without having to sew, cut and assemble it yourself.
Adding florals in your home is one way to bring the garden inside. Ikea often keeps their florals and stripe fabric from year to year, giving you a really classic pattern to work with for your Swedish inspired interior. They also have a friendly mix of new updated modern looks that fit into the Swedish styled looks as well.
Quick Updates For The Summer
Change Up Your Bedroom
If you are looking to update your bedroom for the summer, buy a duvet set. If you can handle a sewing machine, buy a second set of the same pattern and add make slipcovers for your chairs or lamp shades. You could have a summer and winter look for your bedroom without spending a ton of money.
In the book “In Bringing It Home – Sweden” Author Cheryl MacLachlan gives us some really easy tips for pulling together the Swedish look in your bedroom.
– She says that the classic Swedish fabrics belong to three families: Stripes, Checks and Motifs inspired by nature. You cannot go wrong with any of these three choices.
– In the finest homes, the bedrooms were fitted with hand carved poster beds or gracious carved bed-crowns. Consider buying a canopy bed, or replicate the look by hanging drapery from the ceiling using rod holders made for the ceiling.
– If you prefer the 17th and 18th century romantic bed looks, consider making your own bed crown out of wood, upholstering it, and attaching it to the wall. Match your bed linens to the fabric draperies hung from the crown to create a dramatic look for your bedroom.
– Swedish beds were distinguished by the treatment of the wood frame. The bed frames were usually carved and painted in a pale gray, or an “English red” the name for a reddish brown color.
– Select bed linens in pale shades of soft sky blues, pale yellows and grays.
-If you have an antique wood bed, consider sanding it down to it’s raw pine state. Raw pine wood is beautiful without paint.
Update Your Living Room
-A very easy way to update your living room for the spring and summer season is to purchase throw pillows. Ikea has throw pillow covers for as little as 7 dollars.
– Exchange out the heavier blankets used in the winter for lighter throws. Go for color, and pattern on your sofa.
– Don’t be afraid of colors such as pink and light blue. Pink can be pretty on a chair, or consider a print on the wall in the color tones of pink and green. Botanical prints featuring flowers can be a nice way of updating your walls in the summer. Go for a pretty pink slipcover, or bed linens.
– A nice floral centerpiece can be really captivating for the summer. I am always surprised at the quality of the florals at Michael’s crafts. Go for a large floral mix, in the colors you dream about, and build your room around it.
– Pick up a set of summer dinner plates. Adding some color to your table can really lift the spirit.
– Go flea market shopping and pick up something really bright for your interior. Consider painting a side table, or a wood accessory. A pop of color can go a long way. Go for something that really is fun, and exciting!
“ Bringing It Home – Sweden” Author Cheryl MacLachlan
In Bringing It Home – Sweden, Cheryl MacLachlan
Another look at this room from Cheryl’s book…..
NYPONROS – Queen Size Duvet Set $39 at Ikea
Swedish Checks For The Summer Found on housetohome.co.uk
Large Scale Checked Fabric- BERTA RUTA From Ikea
Finding heavy weight blue and white fabric for upholstery can be difficult. After shopping at some of the largest fabric stores, I have found Ikea to have some of the best heavy weight fabrics at reasonable price points.
After ordering several check prints on ebay and amazon, I found the number one problem, is the size of the box print to be very small, or 2, the fabric is so paper thin, that it would be difficult to upholster with. Ikea’s fabric section is limited, I find their fabrics are heavier, and cost less than most fabric stores. I have used the Berta Ruta pattern in my home for my upholstered pieces. Use some of their lighter fabrics for making slipcovers.
Find Berta Ruta in Red, Navy, Black and Beige – At Ikea
EMMIE RUTA Duvet cover and pillowcase(s), pink, white $39 From Ikea
“The Chinese room at Värmlands Säby. Completed in 1774 by master carpenter Johan Georg Reincke” Kristinehamn. Found on tdclassicist.blogspot.com
Summer Time – Go Pink! Found on c-home.com
Found on zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com
AINA Drapery From Ikea
Cushion Covers From Ikea
In Bringing It Home – Sweden, Cheryl MacLachlan
Hervé Pierre, the creative director of Carolina Herrera, is a man with an utterly romantic eighteenth-century sensibility. His lower Fifth Avenue condo has been transformed into home thrown back in time. “I am in New York during business hours,” Pierre explains, “but at home I need to be in Paris.”
Herve’s bedroom shows off a spectacular Louis XVI Lit de polonaise bed with blue and white fabrics that are used for the bed skirts, bed drapery, and wall curtains.
Hervé Pierre’s Blue and White Check Bedroom
Hervé Pierre’s Blue and White Check Bedroom
2. Go For Florals – The Emmie Blom Fabric From Ikea
The Emmie Blom duvet cover and pillow case set sells for $49. Buy another set to make slipcovers for a pair of chairs. The set comes with two prints. Simply flip the duvet cover over for a smaller rose print. The best thing about this print is the white background. The white gives the print a fresh spring and summer feel.
EMMIE BLOM From Ikea $49
EMMIE SOT, $49.99 for full/queen set
This ikea mirror looks just like the French Louis Philippe Mirrors-$99 At Ikea
EMMIE BLOM From Ikea $49
Other side of Emmie Blom Fabric, A Small Scale Floral
“Our EMMIE collection combines 19th century French floral patterns with stripes and checkers in delicate colors. Using mostly natural materials” www.ikea.com
HÅLLROT duvet cover and pillowcase(s) Ikea
Herve Pierre is featured in the identical bed, except a different pattern
3. For For Toile With The EMMIE LAND Print From Ikea
Toile is a very popular French choice for bed linens, drapery, and upholstery. Buy the duvet cover and pillow set from Ikea in Queen for only $20 dollars, and a King set for $29. Collect blue and white transferware for your walls instead of hanging wallpaper. Add in a antique wood chair which is not painted to offset the detailed pattern.
30 Inspirational Cobalt Blue Painted Furniture Ideas-Painted Furniture Online
The Emmie Land Print From Ikea Seen here
Decorate With blue and white transferware, and cobalt blue. Picture Credit pierwszykrokwchmurach.wordpress.com
4. Go For A Larger Blue Floral Print – ÄNGSÖRT From Ikea
I have looked at this print in person, and have to say it is impressive. The scale of the print is larger, and the white background makes this fabric bright and light in appearance.
The Queen sells for $79 which includes a duvet cover and pillow cases, and the king sells for $89.
ÄNGSÖRT From Ikea here
In Bringing It Home – Sweden, Cheryl MacLachlan reveals the secrets of Swedish decorating and entertaining and explains how to capture those charms anywhere.
After spending much time visiting homes and conversing with families in towns and cities throughout Sweden, she became familiar with the subtle but unmistakable qualities of Swedish life: how furniture is chosen for its pure, fine lines; how simple fabrics are used to great effect; how soft, delicate colors are layered to create rooms full of light and elegance.
Now in this book, she offers the essence of Swedish style, with an abundance of practical information, handy how-to projects, and colorful inspiration to enrich any home. From the finer points of Gustavian furniture (now available in reproduction everywhere) to the exquisite choices offered by Swedish crystal, from the secret to buying the perfect down comforter to the ultimate recipe for Swedish meatballs, the best of Sweden is shared with readers. Richly illustrated with more than two hundred color photographs by Ivan Terestchenko.
In Bringing It Home – Sweden, Cheryl MacLachlan
Classic Round Mirror From Ikea $50
Don’t you love the color?
Description: Set of Six Louis XVI Style Medallion Back Dining Chairs, early 20th c., upholstered in yellow fleur-de-lis fabric, on tapered reeded legs, now in white paint, H.- 38 1/8 in. www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com
Sweden Gripsholm Castle Hans Thorwid / Nationalmuseum
Here we see the interior from Gripsholm Castle. The Princess’s bedchamber
The Princess’s Apartments were fitted out at the beginning of the 1780s for Gustav III’s younger sister Sofia Albertina. At the end of the 17th century these apartments were lived in by Crown Prince Karl, who later became King Karl XII.
The interior decorations have remained virtually untouched ever since 1782. The painted Chinese silken wall-hangings, however, have faded considerably and the bed curtains have twice been replaced, most recently in the 1890s. The chest of drawers, made in about 1780, was originally purchased for Sofia Albertina and is typical of its maker, Jonas Hultsten. There were no portraits on the walls in Sofia Albertina’s days. Several of those to be seen here now are tapestries modeled on oil paintings.
Picture Credit Sätt slottsstilen i sommar – Sydsvenskan
The red room at the Chinese Pavilion of the Drottningholm Palace, Sweden. The Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family. The Chinese Pavilion was built in the middle of the 1700s, a period in European history when chinoiserie was the height of fashion. Today, the pavilion houses one of the finest remaining examples of such an interior.
Exotic Taste, Oriental Interiors by Emmanuelle Gaillard and Marc Walter features a whopping 236 pages of rich, luscious interiors, textiles and furniture from Japan, China, India and the Middle East. Pictures Seen on The Lonely Wife Project
Auvergne, France – AD DesignFile – Architectural Digest
Chinese Pavilion of the Drottningholm Palace, Sweden Fauxology
Chinese Pavilion Blue Salon Drottningholm Found on abebooks.com
Farrow & Ball Wallpaper The St Antoine Papers BP947- Buy It On EBAY For Less……
The Farrow & Ball St Antoine wallpapers are based on an 18th century French damask wallpaper originally produced in 1793 at St Antoine. This colourway is part of the F&B Special Edition I collection of contemporary adaptations of Farrow & Ball designs.
Farrow & Ball Wallpaper The St Antoine Papers
Farrow & Ball Wallpaper The St Antoine Papers nestnestnest.blogspot.com
Colefax and Fowler The Best in English Interior Decoration by Chester Jones- Amazon
Found on vibekedesign.blogspot.com
ÅKERKULLA Set From Ikea here
ÅKERKULLA Set From Ikea
ÅKERKULLA Collection From Ikea
