Go Bold With Red- Nordic Country Interiors
To start thinking about how you would like to include red in your home, here are a couple questions you must ask yourself:
- Into which room do you want to add red? kitchen, living, bath or entryway?
- How prominent do you want the color to be? All over color or an accent pieces in red?
- How much daylight is in the room? morning, afternoon, or both?
House Beauiful compiled 24 of the best reds from the top leading 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, 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 , 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Benjamin Moore’s Sangria 2006-20
Get samples of your chosen color, and paint a large section of your wall to determine what color looks best through out the day. Some colors will appear more grayed, while others may appear more saturated.
4. Paint Your Furniture Red Than The Walls
If you want an all-white based room, consider painting larger furniture pieces in red. In this post we show you a red provincial chest in a country style.
For a rustic country look, start by striping your furniture of it’s prior paint and urethane. I find using a heat gun the best way to strip furniture without using chemicals. Ideally you want the wood to soak in the paint, which will allow you to distress it better, when it is dry. I find even if I paint a piece of furniture that has urethane on top, the sanding doesn’t look as great compared to wood that is raw. Use a flat or satin red paint on the piece. Distressing is the key to this look. Later, adding brown glaze to the top of the paint, which you can either paint on, or wipe off will blend the wood and paint color together to give you that aged look. These three steps have allowed me the best results to achieving an old world antique painted furniture looks. Don’t be afraid of going crazy with the distressing. You cannot go wrong with over distressing, expecially when you start with raw wood. You can always go back, touch up the areas that have too little paint, and distress again to blend the areas together.
5. Combine Red With Natural Wood or Black Painted Furniture
The picture below shows a Scandinavian entry way in a traditional red, featured in Lars Bolander’s Book- Scandinavian Design, this entryway is furnished like a real room instead of a transit area. A black painted rococo side chair with gold details contrasts nicely against the red painted plank walls.
- If you choose to paint your walls red, such as the room below, consider placing furniture that is painted and heavily detailed. White, black or natural wood furniture looks the best against saturated colored walls such as the picture below. Find furniture with some detailing. Perhaps a solid wood unfinished chest with gold detailing. Another way to go in the picture below is a wood chest with black detailing.
- Staffan Johansson From Palm Beach Daily News
- Lars Bolander’s Book- Scandinavian Design
- D.LARSSON Interiör & Antikhandel
- Louise Bourgeois exhibition at the Nordic Watercolour museum-Camillaengman.blog
- Distressed Red Chest From Gruvgatan13 Blog
- House To Home
- Swedish-style Dining Room – House to Home Magazine
- Varke magazine at scandinaviankitchens.com
- Combine Red and Gray Together-Næslund Antikviteter
- Mora clock from Lone Ranger Antiques
Swedish Baroque Captain’s Arm Chair c. 1750
Beautiful 18th Century Swedish Chair. Painted black with intricate gold-leaf detail.
This lovely grandfather clock boasts the traditional curves of the Swedish Mora design. The original black paint is accented with gold flourish detail, while the bottom has a lovely pastoral scene with lake and swan in forefront.
2012 Swedish Winter Photo from Fantastic Frank
Period Gustavian two over two chest of drawers in red paint. Egg and dart molding at the top, with fluting and carved rosettes on the chamfered sides. Cupboards & Roses
Swedish Cupboard Bed From Moon To Moon Blog
Classic Swedish rocking chair with unusual paint. These chairs were usually painted black.
The wood grain and floral finish is rare. This six legged style was made between 1830 and 1850, after that the 4 legged version took over.
18th C. Swedish Rococo black painted chest with rare brass hardware decorated with crown and cross, circa 1760.
Swedish at Tone on Tone Antiques
Swedish Gustavian Bench, 18th century, with traditional “Falu” red paint
Antique Vintage French Fabric ~ Project Bundle From Loody Lady on EBAY
With its simplified lines and absence of ornament, our classic Gustavian Chest captures the rustic charm that is an essential element of Provincial home decor. The warmth and beauty of bleached reclaimed elm sets off its casual design and fine craftsmanship, as well as providing a lived-in authenticity. Harrowset Hall Furniture
A Close up of the chair
The French Elle Decor December 2008 issue
A Bleached/Painted Gustavian Commode with Reeded Front- $5,500
Baroque Commode Germany circa 1760
Swedish Antique Mirrors
Period 18th Century Danish or Swedish Mid-18th Century Pier Mirror
A small Swedish Gustavian giltwood mirror, Late 18th Century
Swedish mirrors have undergone a number of styles since they were introduced in the country in the 1600s.
German glass makers helped to lead the way, and they created mirrors in the baroque style of their home country. This included carved frames and a single pane of glass. Carvings could be simple or ornate, and frames could be square or rectangle, as seen in this mirror From Cupboards and Roses
Mirrors could also be made more ornate by hanging a curtain over them. This added a bit of flair and formality to the mirror.
A century or so later, more people began acquiring mirrors and the style switched to that of Swedish Rococo. This style featured carvings of shells or arabesques, and the frames were gilded and asymmetrical.
Shortly thereafter, another style evolved. The Gustavian style saw mirrors that were influenced by neoclassical aesthetics. Frames were richly carved and featured intricate leaves, ribbons and crests.
These neoclassical mirrors feature a pair of sphinxes on each mirror on either side of a fruit-bearing
pedestal.
By the early 19th century, the aesthetic was changing again. Roman and Egyptian influences made themselves known, and mirrors featured carvings of things such as lions, sphinxes, and griffins. The frames also took on a distinctive shape, with semi-circular domes at the top and straight edges along the bottom.
This Swedish pier mirror, shows neoclassical details inspired by Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign.
By the middle of the century, mirrors became much more common in everyday households, and production methods became more base. Decoupaged frames became common, or they were veneered.
The style evolution of Swedish antique furniture mirrors was influenced by a number of factors, and it produced some gorgeous mirrors that make excellent collector’s items now.
What is your favorite style of Swedish antique furniture mirror? Share your thoughts or your finds in the comments!
About the Author:
Alexis Bonari writes for one of the largest open databases of college funding opportunities. Specific topics like scholarships for cosmetology school are described in detail to provide multiple resources for students.
Swedish Transition Rococo/ Gustavian Mirror
Turn Of The Century Apartment In Sweden- Interior Design Files
This fine Swedish Adolf Fredrik period rococo gilt wood mirror has carved C-scrolls and foliate motifs.
Swedish Rococo Mirror with gold leaf on wood carved frame and a mirrored
inner frame. Stamped NM (Niklas Meunier), active between 1754-1797.
Parlor Table Gustavian Style
Wedding at Trollenas Castle (Trollenäs Slott) in southern Sweden
Swedish neoclassic console and mirror. The console having a veined white marble top above a frieze with carved foliate motifs and a central medallion, sitting on tapered fluted legs.The rectangular mirror having a plate within a robed border surmounting a rectangular top crest and medallion within foliate ribbon.
de Gournay Wallpaper
Danish Rococo Mirror 1750– Dietrich Schäffer, born 1730 in Keyla, Thuringia – died 1778, was a German Royal Court carpenter employed at the Danish Court in Copenhagen in the 18th Century. He was one of the main Rococo furniture artists of the time.
Lars Sjöberg and his Swedish manor Ekensberg- World Of Interiors Fall 2008
A Swedish Rococo gitwood mirror, Third Quarter 18th Century, the divided mirror plate surrounded by a molded giltwood frame with a beveled glass panel, surmounted with a pierced shell, foliate and scrolled crest, the lower section with similar carving.
A Superb Swedish Rococo Gold Gilt Mirror circa 1760
Swedish Interiors- Originally Uploaded From Kristin Fägerskjöld on Pinterest
French Directoire Period Giltwood Trumeau Mirror-A petit French Directoire period giltwood trumeau mirror with sheath of wheat cartouche and other neoclassical detailing (Circa 1790). Nice old mercury glass.
Petit Louis XVI Period Giltwood Trumeau Mirror-A petit French Louis XVI period giltwood mirror with a pair of doves and wreath cartouche, laurel leaves and other neoclassical detailing, and nice old mercury glass (“trumeau de marriage”) (Circa 1780).
Swedish Interiors- Originally Uploaded From Kristin Fägerskjöld on Pinterest
Gustaviansk crested with wheat signed Johan Åkerblad, Stockholm circa 1760- Gustavian Mirrors
How To Decorate A Child’s Room In The Swedish Style
Children dream in vivid color, and anything is possible to them, so why not create a room fit just for their personalities? When it comes to decorating your child’s room, you simply cannot go wrong, because almost anything is pleasing to them. Even if you try to create something special, they are overjoyed at your choices! Children love rooms where they can express themselves, and be creative. Imagination and playtime, – think of those two concepts while you are gathering ideas for their room, and you will do well with an overall theme…..
Most parents feel they can go a bit more daring in a child’s bedroom than what they would do for the rest of the house, which is why it is so darn fun to design kids rooms- you can be a bit crazy and get away with it.
Here are a couple tips to getting a great look for your kids room decor……
1. Invest In A Few Key Pieces- Don’t be afraid of buying an expensive piece of furniture for your kids room. A great chest, or genuine chair can stay in their room for years, and stay in the guest room when they move out and get married.
A great vintage reproduction play table would be a great focal point in a child’s room. Functional pieces that are also visually attractive should be the goal. This Louis XVI Child’s chair would match the Swedish styles quite well. Consider upholstering it with material that matches your child’s drapes and bedspread. This play-table would be great in a little boys room where red, and dark blue would say “I am a Boy“.
Get the general look of the Swedish style, by re-purposeing furniture. Change the hardware, paint furniture, and use a lot of distressing techniques to get the old appeal into the overall look. Buy transfer-ware tea sets for your little girl, and use a vintage french provincial end table, and re-purpose it with child’s chairs. Add wheels to the bottom of the end table to lift the table higher to give your children’s legs room to stretch out. French style play tables aren’t so common, so get the look using a vintage french end table.
Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. Look out for vintage toys at your local flea markets, antique stores and thrift stores for great looking toys to decorate with. Wood has always been a signature style of the Swedish look. Melissa & Doug have great faux food which will make you want to join in for “tea time”
2. Decorate With Vintage Toys- Antique wood furniture can be painted, and roughed up unlike plastic. Greenleaf Doll Houses come in kits which you can set up, and paint. A vintage nightstand from ebay or craigslist might be a perfect match for a dollhouse. Customize the table to match the dollhouse.
Buy a wood rocking horse, and paint it yourself. You CAN get these horses for less than $1800! On ebay some of the vintage horses sell for $150 or so, which would allow you to customize it yourself. Kids are pretty rough on furniture, so putting genuine antiques in their room, isn’t the best of ideas. Buy something that looks great, but also something that if it gets damaged, you won’t be bent out of shape over. Invest in a few key pieces for their room, such as a bed, or a chest. The bigger pieces will set the theme, rather than the smaller items.
3. Invest In Storage Furniture– Kids have a heck of a lot of toys, and spending money on decorating a kids room does no good if there is no place to house their endless play toys. Ikea has a number of shelving which can be stacked and customized. The Expedit series has worked well for organizing kids toy collections. Organize your kids toy collections with shoe boxes. Buy matching bookshelves which you can devote an entire wall to. Back your child’s bed up to the bookshelves, which costs you only a couple of inches of space, but also save you from walking all over their toys.
For more ideas check out my pinterest page devoted to Children’s rooms……
Children Looking Into A Swedish Antique Shop- Credit
This boy is sitting by a lovely Gustavian childs table. The table has hand carved fleur medallions and a hand carved pearl bead border. The small Gustavian childs chair has the same hand carved pearl bead border. –blog.dnevnik.hr
Childrens Room With Swedish Bench
3D wallpaper from an installation by Swedish Deisgn Front Group
This beautiful old house was built in Sweden in 1972 and then renovated with elements of the Gustavian style. Shades of ivory and white make the interior look light and airy. Restored wooden floors, painted beams and old furniture in combination with white create a simple and elegant atmosphere. To see the rest of this renovated 1972 Swedish farmhouse, read the story on the Inspiring Interiors blog.
Wooden Antique Horse – patmonroeantiques.com
Bedsteads were up in the 19th century used a lot, especially in the rural areas in farms . One of the advantages of a bedstead was that through daytime use, the curtains or doors could be closed, making thius style of furniture open to being in the living room in smaller homes. Bedsteads also took on the appearance of a closet, where behind closed doors a bed would funtion through the night, while the day time, a working area with table and chairs, sofas could allow a person functional living. Another advantage was that a bedstead retained heat well. The small space, or closet locked in the body heat of the sleepers.
Kids Photography by Nina Say Cheese
Swedish Gustavian Louis XVI period painted chest of drawers with raised
reeded detail , three drawers and dental molding around the top.- Berkshire Home & Antiques
French Commodes – Available Through Cote France
Photo credit: Marie Claire Maison
Gustavian period – Neo-Classical bench seat,Sweden, end of the 18th century.
A hard and softwood bench later partly painted in white, with openwork decoration in the form of acanthus leaves, painted with gold. Dorotheum
25 Ideas Of How To Incorporate Orange, Pink and Coral Into Your Home- French Provincial Furniture
Domino Magazine
Commode Gabriel- Available Through Cote France
Get Some Ideas From These Colorful Gustavian Chairs sold through Brownrigg
A fine set of six, early 19th century, painted Gustavian dining chairs, retaining the original paint, and been recently reupholstered by us in a vintage linen hand dyed in pink, with a double piping contrast vintage linen, again hand dyed in yellow. Sweden Circa 1800
Karin Laserow Antiques –Gods & Gårdar
Sasha Waddell -Homes & Antiques September 2010
Katie Ridder Rooms Available through Amazon- Seen On Peak Of Chic Blog
Swedish Folk Art hung on the wall can add whimsy to a room.
Consider hanging a colorful handmade quilt on the wall.
Photo Credit- Project Nursery
Swedish Slipcover Ideas From In My Carport Blog
Norwegian Corner Chair With Salmon Background- Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques
Nordic Style Bedside Cabinet – Nordin Farm Blog- Orginally Featured at Ville Kulla
A canopy bed by Anthropologie is draped with a Pierre Frey cotton; the side table is by Kartell.
A Perfect Boys Bedroom With Classic Swedish Check By Bibelotte
The Norwegian paint company Jotun has created a catalog of inspiring children’s environments to show exactly how best to use their paints
The Norwegian paint company Jotun
French Commodes – Available Through Cote France
Milk Magazine -Norway Photographed by Sandie Carol Dougnac
Use Vintage Cabinets and Dressers and Make Your Own Standing Dollhouse
The Country Side Of Sweden- An All White Based Home
Wood has always played an integral part in the Swedish home life. Beech, birch and pine are the most popular woods in the Nordic region. Hardwoods such as mahogany were rarely used in Sweden as they would have to be imported, as well as the blonder woods were native to the land making it practical to make everything out of wood other than the kitchen sink. Swedish design is known for their use of pale wood, paneling, and solid wood furniture. Furniture was often elaborately painted, or left bare. In this country home we see this very design; shades of white, minimal design, and outstanding Swedish wood furniture.
Tips From This Interior To Your Home:
1. Add Interest- This Swedish interior is based around whites. They add an interesting floor mat to spice things up. A guitar hangs on the wall, which adds a stamp of personality into the home. Make your textiles count in a minimal home. Consider fabrics that have a Swedish styled patterns. Look for upholstery fabric, slipcovers, tablecloths with a distinct Swedish design.
2. Skip Painting Some Pieces. If you are hoping to decorate around white, add in plenty of untouched wood pieces to the overall scheme. Raw wood furniture can be very beautiful. This directoire style chest is washed with solid paint in a unique way that shows off the wood, but at the same time presents a very rustic edge to the style. Use the paint technique for your own wood pieces. Give a Swedish touch to these raw pieces by adding a oil rubbed hardware…. The rustic details won’t be overlooked.
3. Hang Swedish Styled Art- Look around for one of a kind art for your walls. Find a local artist who can create dimensional embroidery for your walls. Pick up 9 identical frames, and have the artist create a story or pattern that can be told through the embroidery. Add color into your home through the thread. Opt for brighter reds, yellow or blues.
The Romantic Baroque Style: Part 5 Add Color
The Dienst’s home is an excellent example of a home decorated around the Baroque themes with a distinct Scandinavian design. The Baroque styles originate in Italy so most commonly we see examples of this style from that region, but rarely from the north or the south or any other region for that matter. In addition, the Dienst’s home is designed around some of the very best Swedish antiques making their home inspirational to all who are hoping to project this style for their own homes.
With so many modern variations of this style, there is no right or wrong when it comes to decorating and color. In fact, you may find that many top designers tend to embrace color to an extreme when working with the Gothic / Renaissance interiors. Many modern professional styled homes set around the Baroque period style tend to favor brighter colored interiors which do give the really primitive styled furniture a modern, updated look. Hot pinks, cobalt blues, reds and bright yellows mixed with the Baroque antiques give rooms a very premium designer feel.
You’ll also find that Baroque furniture is also painted in a plethora of colors. Painted furniture in hues of purples, blues, greens, reds, yellows, oranges can then be matched up with paint colors that work with the original paint on the antiques.
Fresco wall painting can also capture the picturesque look into a room. Stuccoing it can add that castle appeal that are seen in the ancient stone buildings. Many of the Swedish Baroque castles featured elaboate walls covered in wallpaper. Choose wallpaper with a colorful, detailed, motif pattern can still fit into the Baroque schemes.
While many people like to keep the windows rather minimal, study the designs to see what appeals to you best. Windows have been known to be one of the main characteristics of Baroque designs. Consider buying heavier draperies made from velvet, damask or silk which can be hung in a modern way. With this approch, your home can look updated using the right styles of fabrics without it looking like a museum.
Flooring, can truly make a break a room all on its own. Paint can transform a room without much cost, so I always suggest that any budget should be spent on flooring, and a few carefully chosen period antiques. Sweden has been known for its vast forests, so it made sense that flooring was made from wood. You simply cannot go wrong with pine flooring. Pine flooring also allows you to get away with vibrant paint shades on the wall, and almost any wallpaper pattern.
Baroque styled interiors rarely used rugs or carpeting. Rooms in the Baroque era usually used geometrical-patterned wood flooring. Besides parquet flooring, you can also use marble and stone floor tiles that were also used during that period. Make your own stone for the floor or walls using concrete molds. There are a variety of shapes and styles making period stone features inexpensive to produce at home.
Baroque furniture is typically large and heavy. With the modern bedrooms being much smaller in size, plan the furniture out before purchasing to make sure everything will fit to the bedroom. Consider investing your bedroom budget on a bed. A canopy bed with ornate carving and tall posts from which you can hang drapery would be an ideal choice.
Upholstered chairs are an easy way to match up patterns that match the drapery, bed canopy and the color of the wall. The bedding should match the theme of the drapery, wallpaper, upholstery, and the bed canopy. Ikat patterns have become tremendously popular in the last several years. There are so many different versions of this ethnic, bold weaving style that is likely one of the oldest patterns in existence. Get some examples from Kelli Ford & Kristen Fitzgibbons. Look for combinations of colors paired with white. Indigo and ocher and vibrant contrasting colors would be a great choice for a Baroque interior.
Period styled decor will also strengthen the overall design. Consider a combination of candlesticks and lamps. Choose a heavy crystal chandelier with both brass and glass to enhance the Baroque feeling. Add ceramic vases and bowls with floral oriental patterns to enhance a room that has color, or lack of color. Invest in large scale paintings or very heavy mirrors with ornate gilded frames.
In the two pink rooms, Dienst’s small parlor off the entry features an early-baroque spark screen. The mirror is Danish rococo, and the crystal chandelier it reflects is Gustavian. Brass propellers complete the look. Gray wainscoting and bare floors soften the vivid color of the walls, which are adorned with an array of small paintings, sea fans, and a framed collection of starfish. The Gustavian settee is upholstered in linen, the stool is from the mid-nineteenth century, and the side chair is baroque. A mid-twentieth-century Danish lamp stands on the floor by the settee.
Reclaimed Wood Dining Table From A Tyner Antiques
A.Pair of Swedish Baroque Commodes
B. A late-18th-century Baroque Swedish table with center drawer. Original red paint.
A black painted baroque Swedish desk sits in a guest bedroom.
The small side cabinet is rococo, and
the lamp is Danish.
Swedish Baroque Table From the 18th Century
Beautiful Swedish Baroque cabinet in original blue paint
Landscapes on wood panel decorate the entry at Sandemar Manor in Sweden.
National Museum Stockholm’s Flicker
Picture Credit Home Beautiful Magazine , A. Tyner Antiques
Designer Miles Redd, Using Yellow In A Baroque Styled Room
4 Resources For Swedish Decorating
Swedish furniture has been sensationally popular the last 10 years as a style that is fresh for decorating the upscale home. Gustavian style has appeared in some of the more prominent decorating magazines in the US such as Veranda, Architectural Digest, World of Interiors and even more frequent in European magazines such as Campagne Decoration.
The casual appearance of lighter colored painted furniture has been popular for centuries. France was credited with the influence of the Swedish furniture in the 17th and 18th century. Many of the formal pieces found in the palace of Versailles were made over in the same shape and form, but painted instead of stained wood. The decadence of the French furniture couldn’t be copied because it was too costly for Sweden at the time, as well as Sweden has their own taste in mind.
In France, side tables were constructed from the most costliest woods, with decoration that took hours if not weeks to complete. French cabinet makers through the 17th century used techniques such as inlay, (pictures cut from ivory or wood, and set into wood), or marquetry, ( veneer composed of numerous woods, and stained which produced a pictorial mosaic), lacquering and japanning, (the application of numerous layers of varnish) were all costly, and time consuming.
While France had the best of the best, some say Sweden did a better job of re-interpreting the design elements seen in France such as the furniture by scaling down the formality. Linen was used instead of silk, paint was used instead of the stained wood, and faux painting replaced marble walls.
Borrow Interior Design Elements From Sweden For Your Own Home
Marks Of The Swedish Style
1. The Use of Paneled Walls (But In A Different Way)
The French were known for their paneled walls. Paneled walls are well known to be the most expensive and rich form of all wall treatments. Originally they were hand carved out of wood, as labor was inexpensive in the 1700′s. Today much of the decorative baroque looking ornaments are made from plaster. Wood panels once served to insulate a room from the cold stone frame of a building. It is also quite apparent that paneling was installed for decorative purposes as well.
Boiserie is the term used to define ornate and intricately carved wood panelling seen in some of the well-to-do French estates. The earliest known examples of boiseries were unpainted, but later the raised mouldings were often painted or gilded. For a great example of painted paneled walls, look at Charles Spada’s Country Home, which gives some great examples of 18th century color combinations. Martha Stewart shows a wonderful example in a green palette. A very formal dining room is done up in blue, and arches painted in oranges and pastel blush tones.
Boiseries were popular in seventeenth and eighteenth century French interior design and the Palace of Versailles. The panels not only appeared on the walls, but were also used to decorate doors, frames, cupboards and armoires as well. Often pictures would be set into the boiseries, the carving framing the picture rather like a conventional frame.
Decorating With Paint -Get This Look For Less….
Many of the wealthier Swedish people borrowed this look for their estate homes. Costly wood paneled walls were a far stretch for many of the Swedish people in that day, as it is for many people today. Paneled walls can cost thousands, and be tremendously time consuming.
Why not fake it with paint?
The Belvedere in the park of the Petit Trianon shows a fine example of what a person could do with paint to simulate the heavy ornamented look of the French style.
In Lars Sjoberg’s house featured in Country Style by Judith and Martin Miller featured walls with blue frames around them. Using two painted frames simulates the look of framed walls. Further in the post, you can see many more frames painted on the wall which do a beautiful job of showcasing furniture placed in front of it.
Picture Featured in Campagne Décoration
In the USA we have a chain of stores called Habitat For Humanity – Re-stores which carry all sorts of architectural elements from wood screens, to paint, sinks, and so forth, which are heavily discounted.
Here we see the paneled wall idea made from doors which are positioned side buy side. Consider purchasing similar styled doors in sets of 3, 5, or 7 which can be linked together using door hinges. As you can see here, it works!
Picture Credits– A Special Thanks to Aged And Gilded Blog, TweedlandThe Gentlemans Club, And
Lars Sjoberg’s Book- Classic Swedish Interiors
Here are some companies to keep in mind:
1. Decorators Supply– They have over 13,000 designs in their carving library. For over 100 years they have specialized in creating finely detailed composite replicas of the hand carved wood ornaments found in the most extravagant homes.
2. Bailey Interiors.com – Decorative Plaster Ornaments and Claws
3. Beaux-Artes offer decorative wall panels which can be used on walls and ceilings. Their products are cast from historic ornamentation and are available in over 20 different Finishes.
4. Victoria Larsen offers a number of ornamental frame molds which allow you to make dozens of your own molds in the privacy of your home. She also offers raised plaster stencils for the wall in a variety of patterns.
Consider a yearly subscription to Veranda, Architectural Digest, World of Interiors and Campagne Decoration.
We will be discussing accent furniture in Part 2, and Swedish painting techniques in Part 3
Check out Classic Swedish Interiors for more photos to get a better view of the far room
How Important Are Accent Pieces In A Swedish Home?
As we discussed in Part 1, Paneled walls can bring the Swedish flavor into your home and give you the Gustavian appeal you are after.
Another element that we see in Swedish historical homes are sitting areas using what we call today as “accent furniture”. It was common to find a number of sitting areas around the home using accent chairs, and tea tables.
2. Accent Furniture
Today accent furniture has become more popular again. We have been used to over-sized sofas, and forgotten what side chairs and tables can do for a room.
Swedish design is based around symmetrical looks. In the living room above, we see two white painted chairs in a Gustavian buffalo check paired with a black painted Swedish bench. In other photos of this room the black bench is paired with a Rococo table and the furniture seen in the rest of the home is moved around. Here we see a round white painted tripod tea table. Using accent furniture allows you to move the furniture around the house like they have done with Barbro’s home.
Smaller accent furniture became popular in France in the 17th & 18th centuries, and caught on in Sweden. The Accordion Side Table is one example of smaller scale furniture that existed in France. The accordion table itself wasn’t something seen in Sweden, but the idea of smaller tables became popular, or functional at the time.
Tables didn’t just look pretty, they served a purpose in the home. Side tables were practical for playing cards, having tea, and doing fine needlework. Writing tables were one of the most common uses for tables in this time. Tables with folding leaves were extremely popular in Sweden. Tables were pushed against the wall, and were then brought out for dinners, crafts, and schooling.
Sofa tables were designed to appear before sofas. These tables were long and narrow, and often had folding leaves which enabled the person to sit at the sofa and use the surface of the table without having to move the table closer to them. Consider adding a table paired with a sofa instead of a modern day lower “coffee table” that is seen in most homes. Or add a set of upholstered benches in front of your sofa to tie in matching upholstery.
Picture Credits– A Special Thanks to Campagne Decoration Magazine, Photos featured on Aged And Gilded Blog & Master Henry Blog
Swedish Mora Floor Clocks
Mora Clock in Salmon Paint Sweden, Circa 1820, Tall case clock signed “Matts Jonson/Mora”, Sweden circa 1820. Wonderful salmon paint with gilded detail, all having an exceptional patina. Original clockworks have been newly cleaned and adjusted
Swedish Mora Clock Painted In A Soft Blue With Cream Painted Carved Accents From A Tyner Antiques
Sweden Circa 1790 Early Mora clock, Sweden circa 1790, in original pale salmon paint. The bonnet features beaded detail around the face and the crown, as well as oval glass panels on either side for viewing the clockworks. Both the bonnet and case retain their early, rounded glass. All original with newly cleaned and regulated clockworks Cupboards and Roses
Below:
1. Swedish Painted Pine Tall Case Clock, C. 1780, of the Rococo Style with carved and polychromed case detail. Mora movement and original paint decoration – Lillian August Designs
2. A Swedish tall clock in a rare pillar design with and original faux painting resembling marble. The face is an unusual combination of metal exterior with a gilded center echoing the gilt paint on the feet. The clock is in working order with the added feature of a calendar. Sweden, circa 1800. Dawn Hill Antiques
3. Swedish tall case clock, c.1780-1800, of the Gustavian period, the rococo case carved with neoclassic gilded motifs and retaining traces or its original paint. Mora movement. Lillian August Designs
Below:
1. Mora clock, Sweden circa 1820, with dial signed “P. Svensson / Rageröd.” Scandinavian pine case with reeded panels and dentil molding under the bonnet. The original clockworks have been newly cleaned and regulated. Sold By Cupboards & Roses
2.Sweden Circa 1848 “Mora” clock, Sweden dated 1848, with a beautifully carved case retaining its original painted decoration including the two sets of initials commemorating a marriage. Inside the case is a record of the clock’s provenance which reads,”Carl Nilsson, 1786-1850. Worked as a clockmaker in Northern Slätthult, Jönköping County. Buried in the cemetery of Villstad. This clock was purchased June 13, 1964 by Emil Johansson.” Sold By Cupboards & Roses
3.Antique Black Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1850, Antique Swedish Black Painted Grandfather Clock. The lovely curves of this clock are typical of the Mora grandfather clocks, famous from Sweden. Sold by Scandinavian Antiques
Swedish Mora Clock From swedishinteriordesign.co.uk
Swedish Mora Clocks From swedish-clocks.com, rlgoins.com, Swedish Interior Design
Shannon Bowers Home, Swedish Design- Painted Blue Mora Clock
Swedish Painted Pine Tall Case Clock, C. 1780 Lillian August Designs, Swedish Interior Design
5 Space Saving Pieces For The Swedish Home
One of the things I enjoy the most about Swedish furniture is its clean lines and compact nature. Bessie of the housing crunch and the typically small living quarters in that area of the world, the furniture they make is ideal for tight living. If you have a small apartment or home, then Swedish furniture may be a great type of furnishings for you to use. Here are some good space-saving ideas:
1. No arms – Chairs and couches with no arms or every low arms opens up a room and make it more comfortable visually. The lack of arms on chairs also makes them easier to slide under a table or get out of the way when you need extra room.
2. Multipurpose – There are many pieces of multipurpose furnishings that are unique to Swedish furniture. Many times you will see things like a loft bed with a desk underneath or a couch that doubles as a bed. These ways of making furniture more useful are great ideas in a small home.
3. Storage – Storage is also a big issue. Many Swedish homes do not have closets or they have very little space in them. That is why storage is so important. Bringing back the idea of multipurpose use, you will find that many Swedish designed benches also raise up so that you can store things inside them. Footstools do the same thing in the living area, as do coffee tables. Anything that can hold something will. They even put storage drawers under the beds.
4. Clean lines – Clean, uncomplicated lines mean that the room looks bigger than it really is. You do not want a lot of heavy furnishings taking up the space. Instead, think thin and organic with unvarnished wood and exposed metal fittings.
5. Easy to assemble – The trials and tribulations of living in a small space is that when you have to move you have to get everything as compact as possible. That is where easy to assemble and disassemble furniture comes in hands. If you can move something in a box instead of trying to heft it down a flight or two of stairs it is much more convenient.
As you can see, Swedish furniture is ideal for tight living. If you have a small home and want to make it feel like a larger space, Swedish furniture might be your answer.
Author Bio:
Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare through “babysittingjobs.com/”.
Swedish Tables and Console Ideas From Victoria Magazine 2001
Gustavian Style Dining Chairs Seller Cupboards & Roses
Photos: Enrique Menossi Para Antiq
Living With Light:The Scandinavian Way
The colours used in many Scandinavian homes are whites, neutrals and the tones and hues of nature – the grey blues of a northern lake at dawn or the cool vanilla light of the midnight sun.
Surfaces are painted pale, or emboldened with blocks of bright white. Windows, triple glazed to keep in the heat in winter, are dressed with fine, unlined fabrics to let in the maximum amount of light, and mirrors reflect every gleam of precious daylight or candlelight into nooks and niches.
The home of the artist/fashion designer J Morgan Puett
Swedish Dining Chairs From Circa Antiques on One Kings Lane
Late Rococo Chairs- Gronsoe Castle Sweden 1780- Lief Almont Antiques
Swedish Side Chairs- Laserow Antiques
Another Photo From Living With Light:The Scandinavian Way
I like to bring the same unstructured look to choosing furniture too, and this house in Sweden (see more like this in ‘Living With Light’) has the ideal combination of practicality and charm. The hand-woven rag rugs are traditional in Sweden, and are often handed down through the generations.- Gail Abbott – Drop Leaf Swedish Dining Table
Affordable Holiday Dining Décor That Looks Like It Was Done by the Pros- Grace Kelly
Decorating for the winter holidays does not have to be arduous or expensive. A professional look is easy by following even a few of the following hints. There are some simple rules of which to be aware before diving into the list of ideas.
First, one should work with the look that he already has in the dining room. For example, a rustic looking room could be decorated with an abundance of natural outdoor elements. On the other hand, a formal dining room may call for a more ornate look.
Second, one should always decorate in a way that feels comfortable to him. Most decorating can be done simply using items that the individual already has while obtaining a couple other pieces affordably. The key is to use the imagination to take indoor decorations, pieces from the outdoors and a few affordable add-ons to decorate just like the professionals.
Theme and Colors
The first step in decorating a dining room for the holidays is choosing a theme. A few options include rustic, elegant, country, modern or eclectic. In addition, the individual may choose to decorate around one or two simple items, such as snowflakes, pinecones, flowers or fruits. A good point to remember is that a theme does not have to be overdone to be meaningful. Professional decorators often prefer to use one or two main décor pieces that will catch the eye.
The second step is choosing a color scheme. Many prefer using a traditional palette of reds and greens. However, modern options would include shades of blue, shades of green, or an all white setting. A dining room will look quite elegant when outfitted in metallic colors.
Plants
Plants are the perfect way to enliven a room. They provide natural bursts of color and fresh scents. There are several ways to use fresh plants in a dining room.
§ Poinsettias are a staple for the holiday season. Because poinsettias come in varieties of reds and whites, they will match a variety of color schemes.
§ An environmentally friendly option is to place evergreen tree saplings on the table or the floor; in the spring, they can be planted outdoors.
The Table
The dining room table is the perfect place for creativity. The ideas for decorating here are as limitless as one’s imagination. First choose the color and design of the dishes, tablecloth and napkin.
§ Napkin rings are essential for a polished look. These can be store-bought or homemade using florist’s wire and greenery from a craft store.
§ Nametags make seating easy. The tags can be decorated with stamps, printed or hand-written on specialty paper, wired to sprigs of greenery or set in spray-painted pinecones.
§ Candles provide ambiance. Floating candles, set in short glass bowl filled with cranberries and water, will not block one’s view across the table. Pillar candles in varying widths and heights will look elegant when placed on glass pedestals.
§ A rustic look can be achieved with branches from evergreens or hardwoods placed in tall, straight glass vases. They will fit into a holiday theme when coated with metallic spray paint or fake snow, which can be found at craft stores.
§ Fruit always looks welcoming and can often be found on sale during this time of year. Citrus fruits provide bursts of color when placed in tall glass hurricane vases.
§ Those who have bulb ornaments left over after decorating can place these in glass bowls or vases for a festive centerpiece.
The Rest of the Room
After the table is decorated, one should not forget about the rest of the room. For a cohesive holiday look, doorways, windows and more can be decorated. For example, wreaths provide a cheery welcome when hung on windows. Fake or real evergreen branches can be placed around doorframes. Holly can be hung from a chandelier.
Holidays are the perfect time to get together with family and friends. Decorating the dining room for celebrations can be done affordably using many items one may already have around the home or yard. A professional look is simple to achieve with a simplistic, themed design.
Author Bio
Grace Kelly writes for Zintro, a marketplace of experts in various fields that helps connect investors, lawyers, analysts, designers, entrepreneurs, and more. Find an expert by discipline on Zintro.com consultant directory.
The main house dates from 1819. Stolper and gable boards are beautifully carved by Per Haugen from Lom, one of the masters in this demanding and traditional art© FOTO: Nils Petter Dale
EPOK Norge – Swedish Furniture
Swedish Gustavian Interiors From The Affari Catalogue
Country Swedish Style From The Affari Catalogue
