5 Decorating Mistakes Not To Make – By Gabrielle Savoie
1. Being Afraid Of Contrast
“People with great style have a natural understanding of scale and proportion,” New York-based interior designer Alyssa Kapito chimes in. “Having everything in a room at the same height and scale is a rookie mistake — it’s the contrast that makes things interesting. Try oversize artwork next to a pair of petite lamps or incorporating height into your room with sky-high curtains.”
2. Focusing On The Television
“A lot of people decorate their apartments surrounding their television, but your TV does not have to be the central focal point of your room,” says Babba Canales, a N.Y.-based Swedish It girl and brand marketing professional.
Read More – ajc.com
Traditional Fabric Tufted Upholstered Loveseat, – $540 – Amazon
Designer Marshall Watson’s Scandinavian Newport Beach Home
This beautiful home is decorated around pops of lemon yellow. Swedish antiques can be seen through out this home, with the classic creamy, distressed finishes. This look is pulled together with checked fabrics, stripes and delicate prints. Photographs were taken by Lisa Romerin. Find designer Marshall Watson here
See more of this project at incollect.com
Designer Marshall Watson’s Scandinavian Summer House
In the Swedish archipelago, designer Marshall Watson let the landscape guide his palette. The result is a serene summer house that’s the essence of Scandinavian style.
This story originally appeared in the March 2016 issue of House Beautiful – See the original post here
More pictures can be seen at incollect.com
Swedish Inspired Kids Bedrooms
Embroidered Pillow, – Amazon
Decorating a Child’s Room in the Gustavian Swedish Style
A Guide for Parents Who Value Calm, History, and Timeless Beauty
1. Begin With the Gustavian Philosophy
The Gustavian style, born in late 18th-century Sweden during the reign of Gustav III, was rooted in simplicity, light, and restraint. For a child’s room, this philosophy encourages calm surroundings that nurture imagination rather than overstimulation.
2. Prioritize Light Above All
Swedish interiors evolved in response to long, dark winters. A child’s Gustavian room should feel airy and luminous, relying on pale tones, reflective finishes, and uncluttered surfaces to maximize natural light.
3. Choose a Historical Color Palette
Authentic Gustavian colors are muted and mineral-based. Ideal hues for a child’s room include:
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Soft dove gray
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Pale blue-gray
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Chalky white
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Faded sage
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Warm stone
These colors age beautifully and create a peaceful environment.
4. Avoid Modern Brights
Skip saturated primaries and bold contrasts. Historically, pigments were limited, resulting in dusty, softened tones that feel gentle and grounding—perfect for a child’s nervous system.
5. Invest in a Gustavian-Style Bed
A painted wood bed with simple carving, tapered legs, and a distressed finish is a cornerstone piece. Look for beds in pale gray or antique white, ideally with subtle wear that suggests age.
6. Opt for Painted Wood Furniture
Must-buy pieces include:
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A small Gustavian chest of drawers
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A writing desk with straight lines
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A painted armoire or cupboard
Painted finishes were common in Sweden due to the scarcity of expensive hardwoods.
7. Embrace Gentle Patina
Furniture should never look factory-perfect. Soft distressing, rubbed edges, and uneven paint application echo the handcrafted nature of 18th-century interiors.
8. Use Natural Materials
Choose linen, cotton, wool, and untreated wood. These materials not only reflect history but also feel comforting and tactile for children.
9. Keep Patterns Minimal
If introducing pattern, favor:
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Fine stripes
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Small florals
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Simple checks
All patterns should feel faded and understated, never bold or graphic.
10. Select Linen Bedding in Muted Tones
Linen bedding in pale gray, flax, or washed blue provides breathability and texture. Layer simply—one quilt, one blanket, one pillow—avoiding excess.
11. Add a Painted Wooden Chair
A small Gustavian chair or stool is both functional and decorative. Painted chairs were common in Swedish homes and offer charm without clutter.
12. Introduce Antique or Reproduction Storage
Baskets, small chests, or wooden boxes help keep toys contained. Storage should feel intentional and beautiful, not plastic or brightly colored.
13. Choose Subtle Wall Treatments
Walls may be:
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Limewashed
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Painted in matte finishes
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Finished with restrained Gustavian wallpaper featuring delicate neoclassical motifs
14. Display Art Sparingly
Frame a few carefully chosen pieces:
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Botanical prints
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Animal engravings
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Classical sketches
Avoid character art or trend-driven imagery.
15. Use Soft, Diffused Lighting
Opt for:
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Fabric-shaded table lamps
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Wall sconces with warm bulbs
Lighting should feel golden and gentle, never harsh or overly bright.
16. Avoid Excess Decoration
The Gustavian style values negative space. Leave room for the eye to rest and for the child’s imagination to fill the space.
17. Incorporate Heirloom Elements
A handed-down quilt, a wooden toy, or an antique book adds soul. Swedish interiors often blended practicality with sentimental value.
18. Choose Wooden Toys Over Plastic
Classic wooden toys align beautifully with the aesthetic and reinforce the room’s quiet, timeless character.
19. Let the Room Grow With the Child
A Gustavian room is not themed or age-specific. Its neutrality allows it to evolve naturally from toddler years into adolescence without redesign.
20. Remember: Calm Is the Luxury
Above all, the Gustavian child’s room should feel safe, serene, and enduring. It is a space shaped by history, light, and thoughtful restraint—where a child can grow surrounded by beauty rather than noise.
This room was designed by the ladies of Madre in Dallas. Seen at Mollyculverblog.com
Chelsea School Hand-Painted and Gilt Bisque Porcelain Bust – Ebay
Isabella Bed Twin Redford House Cane Wood 25 Cottage Paints Stains- Coachery Barn
A custom canopy with pink trim – skonahem.com
LA Home –House Beautiful Magazine
Safari Nursery Art Prints Set of 6 – Amazon
Ethan Allen | Disney Hyperion Double Dresser, Mouse Grey – $1200
Embroidered Tiger and Flowers Cotton Slub Pillow, – Amazon
5 Kitchen Design Lessons You Can Learn from Scandinavian Interiors
Picture Credit – ladyinspirationsblogg.se
Guest Post – Jason Phillips
Elegance and style along with a sense of simplicity and functionality, those are the words that describe the Scandinavian interior designs. More and more modern homes are seen to adopt this minimalist European design style mainly because of its modern and neutral appeal.
If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen or overall house, then choosing Scandinavian designs could offer you a vast and eclectic taste of design movement, unique, and minimalistic designs in your home.
Picture 1 – godsochgardar.se
Picture 2 – lovelylife.se
Picture 3 – antikochauktion.se
Picture 4 – antikochauktion.se
Maintaining the natural light is very important
Being in the far north, the Scandinavian designs tend to flood the interiors with light. This determined the Scandinavians to enjoy, cherish, and appreciate the important factor of natural daylight in their life. Light is very important for our well-being which is why being illuminated by the environment tend to create more positivity in your life.
To adapt to this design, during the winter season you can get rid of the heavy curtains or throw away the silly ornaments that block the light. If privacy is the main reason for those covers, you might consider using wooden shutters or sheer fabric on windows in your kitchen or any rooms in your house.
Additionally, Scandinavian designs are mostly focused on white, clean, simple, and pure color. This is because the color reflects light and encourages it to bounce around the kitchen spaces and brightens them. You should also add mirrors in your kitchen in order to let the light to stay.
Picture 1 – mydesignchic.com
Picture 2 – lantliv.com
Cosiness and warmth
As you can see in the different Scandinavian designs, coziness and warmth are important. To adapt this, you should add more natural wood into your home, whether on furniture, floor, or wall panels or kitchen backsplash. Wood offers a welcoming feel and adds more coziness to the kitchen.
You could also add candles to produces the Scandinavian feeling of warmth and coziness. As fire is the natural source of light, placing simple stick candles on the tea holders around your kitchen or even in the living room will create a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Picture 1- seventeendoors.blogspot.se
Picture 2 – feasthome.com
Picture 3 – snickeritallkotten.se
Picture 4 – linaostling.se
Lifestyle nature
Scandinavian designs also focus on nature as it is the heart of the design. Living the life with a healthy attitude is being cherished and practiced so to adopt this, you can add greenery and plants into your home to add more environment and natural feel. Plants are known to provide fresh air and it makes us feel better and beat the winter blues.
Rustic wood grain and interior plants and flowers is a great way to make the space more relaxing and vibrant. Remember, incorporating live elements into your kitchen space will make the interior look modern and fresh.
Picture 1 – detvitadarhuset.blogspot.com
Picture 2 – myscandinavianhome.com
Picture 3 – bloglovin.com
Picture 4 – lady-gray-dreams.tumblr.com
White wood floors
As mentioned earlier, the Scandinavian design focuses on white and pure colors from floor to ceiling. So, if you want to adopt this style, renovating your kitchen floor and change it with white wood floors can make the room seem open, clean, and airy. Grey color and wood (pine or birch) are also alternative choices for keeping the interior flooring design simple yet elegant-looking.
Simplistic yet artful Scandinavian kitchen furniture
Aforementioned, Scandinavian design focuses on the minimalist designs in both exteriors and interiors of the home. Modern furniture took advantage of the innovative textiles which can be seen via antiques and current designs. Amazing craftsmanship with the use of high-quality materials will always be seen in the Scandinavian furniture designs. It is well seen and being adapted by the different kitchen designs throughout the world.
Choosing simple yet detailed and artful kitchen cabinets or countertops based on the Scandinavian design is a perfect way to adapt to this European modern design style. Adding antique components or materials with clear smooth lines and organic shapes can defy a simple and minimal design which could also add an aesthetic look to your home.
It is no wonder why more and more modern houses adapt the Scandinavian interior design because of its simplicity, functionality, minimalism, love of nature, and elegance. So, if you’re planning to renovate your kitchen, living room, or any area of your home seek for professional home renovator’s help to do this.
Jenny’s DIY Wide-Plank Plywood Flooring Studio Renovation
Check out these absolutely beautiful pictures of Jenny’s studio space made over with plywood cut into planks:
I found the plywood I wanted, took a photo of the price tag, and walked up to the customer service desk. I placed an order for 25 sheets and I asked for each sheet to be cut down into 8″ planks, lengthwise (which meant there was no waste – exactly six planks from each sheet). I’ll admit that I did get a few funny looks, but for the most part everyone at Home Depot was incredibly nice and accommodating, given the huge ask. I was more than prepared to pay 10 or even 25 cents per cut, like one of the guys in the lumber department suggested they might charge me at the order desk. I think I paid for cuts when I did the wall planking project in our mudroom, but this time there was no charge for all those cuts! I’m pretty sure it was because I was really flexible on timing and let them take as long as they wanted to get the order finished. And even then, it was less than 24 hours before they called to tell me my planks were ready to be picked up.
Once we had all the carpet removed and all the wood planks upstairs to the back porch, it was time to start the only tedious part of this project: all the sanding. It was actually pretty easy work, but it just took some time (actually about a minute and a half or two per plank, which really adds up). I asked Heather to sand while I was installing the planks, and usually the timing worked out well and we were able to keep a good pace.
Read more at littlegreennotebook.com
Decor Mistakes All 20-Somethings Make
Can you see yourself in some of these? Vogue pulls together 12 pieces of advice from design experts showing common mistakes young designers make. See if you think they are correct:
“Horrible throw pillows. I don’t even know where people get some of these. The ones I see are often flat and limp and look like something I’d use as a dog bed.”
—Amanda Gorski, Gimme Shelter Designs
“Twenty-somethings don’t realize the power of framing artwork. Posters taped or pinned on the walls can look crazy unless you have that artistic eye.”
—Danielle Arps, Dani Arps
“Oftentimes, 20-somethings will either try too hard to be cool (with black pleather furniture, neon beer signs, and shag carpet) or just follow the trends. For example, the zigzag pattern is everywhere—on rugs, towels, and sheets. This design is what the younger generation gravitates toward because it’s what they see everywhere, but I prefer more classic patterns that will stand the test of time.”
—Ashley Darryl, interior designer
Read more at Vogue.com
Can I Stain Over Paint To Produce A Patina?
Adding stain over paint on furniture, or exterior wood surfaces such as siding or a deck can give furniture and any other project a new lease on life. Clear or semi-clear stains can provide a distressed appearance and add patina. They highlight those areas where the paint has worn away or where the paint color varies. Solid-color stains, on the other hand, generally coat well and provide a durable finish to a variety of projects. Consumers must sand, clean and dust surfaces before staining them. You want a good wood base from which to coat your stain, and you should set aside a few hours to get the job done.
Using Stain to Add Patina
Patina describes the look of something that appears aged, delivering a gloss or sheen. Interior decorators often use this term to describe distress, or the aged look of furniture, where paint has faded or colors have lost some of their brightness. While a patina also can refer to metals such as bronze, it’s used in this case to refer to wood furniture. Staining is one option available to add patina to furniture that already has a coat of paint on top. A clear or lightly colored stain adds the best effect to most wood surfaces, and is a great option for those who don’t want a messy painting project.
Applying Clear Stain for Patina
Consumers who want to apply clear or lightly colored stain to add a distressed look or a patina must first prepare the surface of the project by using sandpaper to remove any debris and previous painting imperfections, then wiping the surface with a clean, dry cloth to remove any dust.
Decorators should coat the surface, applying the stain with a rag in small sections. It should dry completely; after a short amount of time, wipe it away with a clean rag. If the stain looks uneven, sand it down and apply another coat.
Read more about how you can work with stains at Ebay
Single French Louis XV Style Painted Beech Wood Fauteuil Armchair, 1920s- Ebay
Hand Painted French Writing Desk Drop Down Lid- Ebay
French Louis XVI Style Parcel Gilded White Painted Arm Chair Fauteuil circa 1940- Ebay
Q&A With Swedish Designers Edie Van Breems and Rhonda Eleish
Q: Clearly, you are scholars on Scandinavian style. For you, what is the essence of it?
A: Recognition of the importance of nature and the impact it has on interiors and overall lifestyles. Light, colors, and the functionality of daily living also play a huge role. In Sweden there is a wordbruskonst, which loosely translates to “useful art.” This respect for economy and intimacy with nature is an integral part of Scandinavia’s design psyche.
Q: Scandinavian antiques are usually made of humble materials, but painted to look like marbles, gilt, and fine woods. How do you make them work in modern spaces?
A: Antique pieces, by virtue of their patina and imperfections, add a depth and soulfulness to rooms that could otherwise be one-note and cold. A rough-hewn, rustic, painted farm table, for example, is going to look amazing with contemporary metal chairs or formal, tailored, upholstered dining chairs by sheer virtue of the contrast. An 18th-century Gustavian chandelier in a barn room or a rustic, painted farm chair in a severe, all-glass or marble contemporary bathroom becomes almost sculptural.
Read more at deringhall.com
How To Avoid Yellowed White Painted Furniture With General Finishes Products
Christine AdamsWood Finishing Technical Writer at General Finishes
A TUTORIAL ON WATER BASED TOP COATS YELLOWING OVER BRIGHT WHITE PAINT
Many you may have noticed that the labels on our bright white paints, Snow White Milk Paint and Chalk White Chalk Style Paint now carry a warning label regarding the yellowing of topcoats. All bright white paint will yellow slightly with time, with or without topcoat. Water-based topcoat is reactive and more likely to draw out substances in the wood such as tannins or unknown substances in existing finishes causing the topcoat to yellow. This is an industry-wide issue. Don’t carry the cost of white paint yourself– pass the cost on to the consumer who wants it with a fair upcharge. White paints, even if they did not yellow, require more coats to achieve coverage.
General Finishes background was originally on the professional side, and the incidences of yellowing topcoat over white paint were almost nil, and when our sprayable professional finish, Enduro White Poly, is used, there have been no incidences. But as the use of our paints has increased in the up-cycling and furniture refresh markets, we have heard more reports of our topcoat yellowing. Our response was to teach about prepping, testing you finish schedule and finally creating Stain Blocker, our stain blocking primer, but this is not enough. Just as we advocate prepping all finishes, we are now advocating NOT using a clear water base topcoat over BRIGHT WHITE paint.
General Finishes is in the process of developing a brushable version of our professional Enduro White Poly (available only in gallons), but that will take some time and rigorous testing before we can release the product. Here is what you should know to protect yourself and also some immediate suggestions to decrease chances of yellowing.
There is no way to reliably predict yellowing ahead of time. Sometimes yellowing occurs, sometimes it does not. Every existing finish is different and we rarely know the finishing provenance on an existing piece. Every tree is different and every piece of wood is unique. Wood can bleed tannins immediately after the topcoat dries or months later with a change in temperature that comes with a change in seasons. Oak, pine, mahogany, and Douglass Fur are particularly prone to bleed-through.
As is true of most “water-white” topcoats, our High Performance Water-Based topcoat is a clear drying finish over a non-reactive substrate such as plastic. When paint is used over something as unpredictable as wood, all bets are off. Yellowing can be caused by the top coat activating the tannins in raw wood or aniline dyes, stains or contaminants in a pre-existing finish. This is most evident when using BRIGHT WHITE paint and most prevalent in the sculpted details of furniture, where the topcoat can collect, intensifying the color change to an unacceptable level.
To add to this issue, all bright white paint will yellow slightly with time, with or without topcoat. You have probably tried to touch up white woodwork in your home after several and noticed that the new paint is brighter.
Summary:
• Whites have a lower “hide” quality and are more transparent than most other colors. Most bright whites require additional coats to achieve the desired color and minimize color variation. This can increase cost of paint finishing. Always include a clause in your contracts addressing the need for additional coats to achieve coverage.
• Bright white paints can yellow over time with or without topcoat.
• The underlying finish or wood species can affect the final color of light paint.
• Details and inside corners are difficult to cover with any paint color, but this property tends to be more noticeable with whites. This is a naturally occurring phenomenon in paint application and does not necessarily constitute a defect in the paint finish or your technique.
TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOURSELF AND PREVENTING YELLOWING
1. Use a disclaimer in your contracts or recommend a softer white such as Antique White or Linen. Upcharge for the extra coats needed and ever guarantee a white finish over a piece that you cannot trace the provenance on. Here is a suggestion: Terms of Agreement and Warranties: ________ (Initials) I have been informed that more coats are required when painting with bright whites, reds, greens or yellow. I understand that white paint can yellow over time and that water based topcoats can occasionally react with the substrate or existing finish under white paints causing yellowing, even is a stain blocking primer is used.
2. If it is a low use project, use a premium white paint that is self-sealing and does not require a topcoat. A clear top coat is not required on our Milk Paint for increased durability, as it is a self-sealing, exterior rated coating with very high durability and performance properties. However, top coats provide a smoother surface that is easier to clean and boost durability for high use projects such as table tops and kitchen cabinets.
3. Get a spray gun and use a professional “white coat” such as our Enduro White Poly. It is a white paint with “increased topcoat properties”, is a stand-alone finish when 3 coats are applied and does not require sealing with a topcoat.
4. If you are still brushing, try adding 10-15% of the paint you are using to the first or second application of topcoat. The last layer of topcoat should not have paint in it, to maintain durability. We have had good reports of this technique from customers but have not tested in the lab over a long period of time.
5. Always test your project’s entire finishing schedule (from cleaning to topcoat) on an inside door or a more hidden area of the piece. This does not help if the yellowing occurs later but you will at least know if there is an immediate problem.
6. Always apply a stain blocking primer under white or light-colored paint such GF Stain Blocker or a shellac based primer. Always let any primer dry overnight. Some of the primers we have seen suggest a 3 hour dry time and that is not enough.
7. If you are working on period pieces such as a 1940’s serpentine mahogany desk which were often finished in stain containing aniline dyes that cast a pinkish bleed through under light paint, stay away from light colors. Not every piece of furniture is suitable for up-cycling with a light paint color. Pine, Mahogany, and furniture of the 1940’s and 50’s are a red flag.
8. Last, not all manufacturer’s topcoats are compatible with other finishes and may react with a color change. Always follow best practices by not rushing, and testing to your satisfaction first.
Hope this helps and wish us luck on our next paint endeavor- Chris