Decorating Around Red- Historical Interior Design Ideas

Antique Vintage European Textiles On Ebay

Home-Beautiful-Red-Colors

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

Frijsenborg Castle

Celerie Kembles Advice House-Beautiful-House Beautiful Color Celerie Kemble’s Advice

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Florence De Dampierre Comments On Nordic Furniture In Sweden And Denmark

Swedish Clock made about 1765 by Nils Berg

Chinoiserie found another outlet in the rare longcase clock at the right, made about 1765 by
Nils Berg, whose signature appears on the case.

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre, presents the tradition of painted furniture as it developed in Europe and the United States.

Dampierre, owns a New York gallery which features painted furniture, and specializes in tracing the art form in Italy, Spain, Portugal, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and America.  She features French and Italian examples to simpler, more provincial American and northern European folk-art pieces. She talks about how art influenced furniture across Europe, as craftsmen adapted ideas and techniques. Various chapters discuss furniture embellishments and treatments from high art elegance to folk art simplicity.

Here are her comments on Sweden and Denmark:

Two important traditions of painted furniture developed in Sweden: the high-style aristocratic furniture that evolved from the international taste for oriental lacquer beginning in the seventeenth century- and the rural folk tradition, which grew up both in the manors of landowners (where it attempted to imitate its elegant counterpart) and in humble peasant dwellings. As late as the seventeenth century the great houses of Sweden were still closed fortresses—large rectangular structures furnished with imposing, simple chairs and tables. Tastes began to change by the end of the century when the architects Nicodemus Tessin and his son Nicodemus traveled to Italy, where they eagerly embraced the refined luxury of Italian and French styles. As the designers of Drottningholm Castle and the grand castle at Stockholm, the Tessins did much to spread the appreciation of sumptuous high Baroque decoration among the Swedish nobility.

Skane, the southern region of Sweden had painted furniture traditions of it own. Largely
derived from those of Denmark, since it was a Danish province until 1658. Southern pieces, primarily blanket chests and armoires, featured Rococo and Baroque decoration with rose bushes heavily laden with bloom. The Erik Eliasson style of painting spread from Dalecarlia to Skane at the end of the eighteenth century, intermingling with the
southern style.

Other regions invented their own designs. Painters from Delsbo or Jarvsd, in the Dellen Lake district, notably Gustavus Reuter, originated a version of Baroque style painting that was free of influence from other areas. In Jamtlancl (bordering Norway), the armoires, in typically Rococo style, were particularly interesting. In some areas along the seacoast, such as Blekinge, painted furniture was a rarity.

Florence de Dampierre | Facebook

Buy this book from Amazon for as little as $3.99

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre 2

Swedish Painted Mora Clock- Swedish Decorating 

 

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre

Close up faux painted detail of the clock

Swedish Handpainted Cabinet Sold through UmbrellaSwedish Hand painted Cabinet Sold through Umbrella Home Decor

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre 2

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre 1

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre

A Swedish, Rococo Chest of Drawers Seller Dawn Hill Antiques

A Swedish, Rococo Chest of Drawers Seller Dawn Hill Antiques

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre 2

This table was seen in Liselund castle- made in 1795

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre 3

Stool in the neoclassical style seen at Liselund Castle

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre

The Best Of Painted Furniture By Florence De Dampierre

Swedish Gustavian Console Table, C. 1810

Swedish Gustavian Console Table, C. 1810 , D.Larsson Swedish Antiques

Gård & Torp Photo Karin Foberg

Gård & Torp Photo Karin Foberg

Swedish Country Folk Inspiration

“Story Time” (portrait of the artist’s father and daughter) by Knut Ekwall (1843 – 1912, Swedish)

“Hårnäver” a headdress from Norra Ny in Värmland! (Sweden)Her hair is tied up in a red ribbon and she is wearing a hårnäver. This is a kind of diadem that is used as a hair band to keep the hair high up on the fore head. A hårnäver is made from two pieces of birch-bark that are sewn together with long stitches on the back. They are decoratively painted in red or reddish-brown. Matte paint is used to cover the hårnäver and patterns are painted on free-hand. Bark is collected from the birch trees – Found on folkthings.tumblr.com

Nordic Style Website

Furniture From Nordic Style

Home of Lisa Larsson- Seen On jessimfine.se

Home of Lisa Larsson- Seen On jessimfine.se

Svindersvik -Stockholms läns Museum

Svindersvik –Stockholms läns Museum

Svindersvik -Stockholms läns Museum

Svindersvik –Stockholms läns Museum

Folk art trunk made by Stenström, from the south of Sweden, 1819. Bukowskis Market

Folk art trunk made by Stenström, from the south of Sweden, 1819. Bukowskis Market.com

Swedish wedding chest with domed top dated 1809 via Liveauctioneers

Swedish wedding chest with domed top dated 1809 Liveauctioneers

Blue and White Porcelain Room

Wall MirrorsDecorative Victorian Style Finial Accented Distressed Wall Mirror On Amazon

Sköna hem Magazine

Sköna hem Magazine

Swedish Country Decorating Seen At Country Living Magazine

Holiday Decorating in a Swedish Home Country Living Magazine

Van Breems joins sons Lars and Martin in the kitchen for an afternoon of cookie-baking.

Svindersvik, Stockholm, Sweden- Wikimedia.org

Svindersvik, Stockholm, Sweden- Wikimedia.org

Anders Zorn’s studio in Mora

Anders Zorn’s Studio in Mora

Swedish Painted Trunk Seen At Country Gallery

Swedish Painted Trunk Seen At Country Gallery.com

Swedish Country Folk Art Painting

Country Painted Chest At Milord Antiques.com

Överkalix Painting, See More At kurbits.nu

Egeskov Castle In Denmark

Egeskov Castle In Denmark- www.skyscrapercity.com

Swedish Mora Clock From Cupboards And Roses

Swedish Mora Clock From Cupboards And Roses

Found on cupboardsandroses.com

Swedish Door Detail Seen At KML Design

Swedish Door Detail – KML Design.dk

THIS is not an ordinary Mora clock - this is the rare Ångermanland Bride! The cases were made by local carpenters around 1820-1840.

This is not an ordinary Mora clock – this is the rare Ångermanland Bride! The cases were made by local carpenters around 1820-1840. – Found on epokantik.com

Egeskov Castle In Denmark

Egeskov Castle In Denmark- www.skyscrapercity.com

Quenselska gården, Åbo, Finland. At that time Finland still was a part of the kingdom of Sweden.

Quenselska gården, Åbo, Finland. At that time Finland still was a part of the kingdom of Sweden. Found on sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net

Ornak, A Folk Art Style Villa - See more of this property at Archdeco.org Ornak, A Folk Art Style Villa - See more of this property at Archdeco.org 3 Ornak, A Folk Art Style Villa - See more of this property at Archdeco.org (2)

Ornak, A Folk Art Style Villa – See more of this property at Archdeco.org

Original Painted Swedish Trunk, Dated 1843 Scandinavian Antiques

Original Painted Swedish Trunk, Dated 1843 Scandinavian Antiques

Antique Original Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1842 Scandinavian Antiques

Mora Grandfather Clock, circa 1842 Scandinavian Antiques

Skona Hem Magazine

Sköna hem Magazine

Light Green Painted Swedish Mora Clock Cote Jardin Antiques

Light Green Painted Swedish Mora Clock Cote Jardin Antiques

Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland - Life Beyond Tourism

Decorated Farmhouses of Hälsingland – Life Beyond Tourism

Fjällbacka, Sweden

Fjällbacka, Sweden

Louis XVI Style Carved & Painted Cane Fauteuils Quality Is Key Ebay

Louis XVI Style Carved & Painted Cane Fauteuils

Seen On Quality Is Key On Ebay

12 Designers Pick Their Favorite Paint Colors – House Beautiful

House Beautiful Paint Color Experts- 12 Swedish Gustavian Paint Colors - Designers Picks

House Beautiful often features the best designers with their favorite go-to paint colors. Sometimes having the just-right color can make a tremendous difference in a room, or on a piece of furniture.  Here are some of my favorites that work with the classic Gustavian/ Swedish interior design themes.

1. Ann WisniewskiSherwin-Williams Emerald Fawn Brindle SW 7640,

2. Cathy Kincaid – Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion Pale Powder 204

3. Kerry JoyceBenjamin Moore Natura St. Johns Bay  584

House Beautiful Paint Color Experts- 12 Swedish Gustavian Paint Colors - Designers Picks

1.  Lisa McDennon – Sherwin-Williams Harmony Conservative Gray SW 6183

2. Whitney StewartC2 LUXE Seedling C2-188

3. Allison CaccomaBenjamin Moore Regal Harbor Haze 2136-60

House Beautiful Paint Color Experts- 12 Swedish Gustavian Paint Colors - Designers Picks

1. Paul CorrieBenjamin Moore Regal Select Blue Lace 1625

2. Ashley Whittaker –  Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell Pink Ground 202

3. Mara MillerRalph Lauren Paint Willow RLVM270

House Beautiful Paint Color Experts- 12 Swedish Gustavian Paint Colors - Designers Picks

1. Kevin Isbell – Benjamin Moore Aura Buttered Yam  AF-230

2. Lynn Morgan  – Benjamin Moore Advance Nosegay 1401

3. Deborah Walker Sherwin-Williams Duration Gray Screen SW 7071

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques19th Century Swedish Birch Neo Classical Sofa US $5,540.37 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Early 19th Century Painted Gustavian Sofa -US $4,477.83 Beautifully carved, re-upholstered with fitted cushions- On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesPair of 19th Century Carved wood French Armchairs US $3,718.88 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

19th Century Massive Extending Swedish Painted Dining Table US $12,702.51 On Ebay

This table has been adapted to form many scenarios of use and size. Can be used as a round dining table, and comes complete with varying bearers to allow housing of 5 leaves. Fully extended at 167″ in length which is just short of 14FT.  Could also be used as a pair of demi lune side tables when not in use for dining.  

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques19th Century Painted Pine Bookcase Cabinet US $6,151.53 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Circa 1880. Fine piece of Swedish rustic furniture which could lend itself to many uses such as a desk, kitchen table or dining table

Rustic 19th Century Pine Table From Debenham Antiques US $1,510.32 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Early 20th Century Birch Root Swedish Bombe Chest Of Drawers- US $2,796.15 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

19th Century Swedish Elm Secretaire Chest Of Drawers- US $2,504.55 On Ebay
Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Massive 19th Century Biedermeier Birch Sofa Settee, US $5,236.79 -Length: 108 3/4″, On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

19th Century Inlaid Swedish Kingwood Commode US $2,959.92 On Ebay

Profusely inlaid and decorated with various woods such as satinwood and walnut. Detachable marble top with ormolu handles and decoration. 3 drawers which open on the key- circa 1870

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques19th Century Mahogany and Satinwood Inlaid Desk $4,477.83 On Ebay

Early 20th Century Mahogany Inlaid Commode- US $3,718.88 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesPair of 18th Century Louis XV French Gilt Fauteuil Armchairs By Michard US $7,513.65 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

19th Century Antique Swedish Carved Wood Gilt Pier Mirror -US $3,718.88 On Ebay

19th Century Painted Swedish Day Bed Sofa

19th Century Painted Swedish Day Bed Sofa, US $3,263.51- On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

19th Century Antique Biedermeier Birch Commode Chest of Drawers -US $2,504.55, On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesPair of 19th Century French Empire Mahogany Armchairs US $3,718.88 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Early 19th Century Antique Carved Scandinavian Mahogany Sofa US $3,415.30 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Massive Mahogany Cherrywood Gateleg Table Seats 16- Can be made up to 18 feet, 9FT 6INCH X 8 FT On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques

Pair of 19th Century Painted Pine Swedish Armchairs- US $1,510.32, On Ebay

Swedish arts and crafts influenced.  Made from pine, painted with floral decoration to the back, gold lining to the seat, continued with painted elements to the freize and turned legs

Swedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesSwedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesEarly 19th Century Swedish Occasional Side Table US $1,176.38 On Ebay

Early 19th Century Biedermeirer Birch Drum Table US $4,326.04, On Ebay

19th Century Swedish Birch Square Tilt Top Table – US $1,897.39 On Ebay

19th Century Painted Gothic Swedish Cabinet US $6,311.31 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham Antiques19TH Century Swedish Painted Pine Bookcase- US $3,507.17 On Ebay

Swedish Antiques From Debenham AntiquesRare set of 12 -19TH Century Queen Anne Influenced Painted Swedish Dining Chairs US $12,702.51 On Ebay

5 Faux Wall Painting Techniques That Are Easier Than You Think

Lars Sjoeberg The Swedish Room Photo credit Ingalill Snitt Source

Lars Sjoeberg  The Swedish Room  Photo Credit Ingalill Snitt 

If you are wanting depth to your walls, here are some of the very simple faux finishes you can do yourself.

Start by selecting a color theme for your room.  In this post you will see a variety of color examples from pale blue, to lighter warm yellows and lighter greens.

Working with glaze, crackle finishes, and distressing techniques can make your furniture appear older than it is.  Likewise, layering paint on your walls will also create depth and give you that old world look we all have fallen in love with.  Here is how to do it…..

1. Ragged Finishes

Color washes are finishes that are produced with rags and paint.

Color washing is usually is achieved by a using rags which attach to a roller.

The trick to achieving this finish is to work with translucent glaze. Don’t attempt this finish with solid paint.  Using a glaze mixture of (half glaze, half paint), paint is applied over a previously painted wall.  The effect it produces a subtle textured finish.

Ralph Lauren Ragging

A Primitive Effect Using Green, seen on www.ralphlaurenhome.com

Notice the whole wall isn’t ragged, just a small portion of it. Also painted furniture in the same tones are paired in this room to join together the various looks.

Keep All Tones In The Same Color Family

  • One tip that I have learned through ragging finishes is to have the glaze mixture matched to be a few shades darker or lighter than the wall color.  If you decide to do three colors, keep the tones quite close in color.  The overall effect will be soft, and subtle.

Glaze + Paint For A Final Top Coat

  • Another trick I have learned is to go over your entire project with a layer or two of glaze mixed in with a small amount of paint.  The entire effect of the tinted glaze dulls the look slightly, and hides the roller effects. The idea behind this is to make your work appear subtle. You want to keep people guessing as to what you used to complete the finish.

2. Dry Brushing

Brushed finishes, is an effect which is achieved by dipping your brush into paint, and then removing most of the paint, on a rag.  The small amount of paint allows you to add a very soft effect over a previous layer of paint.

The effect depends much on the brush you use.  If you use a badger softening brush which tends to be very large and soft, it will produces a soft effect with paint.

I have used this effect with an old broom handle.  The bristles are thicker, and harder, and produces lines than a soft shading.

Again, mixing together paint + glaze will allow you to get the look of an additional layer with a faux effect, and you may not have to wipe off the excess paint.

  • In this picture, this effect can be achieved by using a dark brown artists oil paint. Most of the paint must be removed from your brush to achieve this look. This look can be achieved using brown artists oil paint over a muted orange base coat, slightly brushing the which highlights some of the raised details.
  • Achieve depth to your furniture by applying a lighter coat over top of a painted finish. As you can see with this look, a lighter shade of green-gray is applied over a darker shade of green. This look could be achieved by dry brushing.

3.  Sponge Finishes

Sponged faux finishes are those which a paint mixture is applied with a sea sponge.

Sponge painting is still the best and most frequently used mediums when it comes to classic faux finish painting.

Using a sponge, you can use multiple glazes layered over solid paint which gives the illusion of great depth.

Ideally, like most finishes, you want to start with a base coat, and build on it using a glaze mixture. The overall effect should be soft and serene.

Sponging can also be used on furniture to give an old world Swedish look.

In the past, I would use a base coat of brown, and then after it was dry, I would apply a base of oil paint in butter yellow and use a rag, or a textured paper towel to remove the paint.  Within just a few minutes of applying the paint, I would remove it, and the oil paint which was wiped off on the  rag I would then slightly dab here and there, on the furniture to create a very soft effect, making it seem as there was more layers to the paint finish.  After it was dry, dry brushing with the same oil paint was used to blend in the textured effects.

4. Faux Leather

Terrific faux effects can be produced using a very heavy garage bag. Again working with a wall that has been painted, apply a layer of a glaze mixture on the wall. More than half glaze to paint.

Tape the wall in rectangular sections and apply the glaze in the taped area.

Next apply a heavy weight garbage bag to the wall allowing the folds to be pressed into the wall using your arms and hands.

Take the garbage bag off, and the folds of the bag produces a beautiful faux finish.

This is a very easy way to create a classy effect on the walls.

– Great Article- How To Faux Paint

5. Stenciling

Stenciling can be very powerful if it is done right.

Create your own stencils using a stencil cutter which is a fine heated tip that cuts through the plastic blank stencils with precision. Lay a piece of glass in between the stencil and the pattern, and cut away.

17th and 18th Century stenciling has always been the very best model of inspiration.

Here are a few very well done Swedish stenciled homes:

– Book Review: Jocasta Innes Scandinavian Painted Furniture

Ted and Lillian Williams chateau in Normandy, France

-Neoclassical White Stenciled Walls-Petit Trianon

-Antique Original Red Hand Painted Trunk with Rosemaling Floral Motif

-This photo shows a great example of wall framing simply made by stencils and paint

-Here we see a stunning Rococo design stenciled, or hand painted on the walls for a distinct Swedish look.

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200 Gustavian Pictures Ideas For Your Swedish Home

Gustavian Pictures

Elements of the 18th century Gustavian style still find their way into our decorating magazines some 200 years later, and have been said to be the most beautiful interior design period throughout time.  Interiors were designed around light, colors were muted, pastels were at their height in art, and the furniture was drop dead gorgeous.  White painted furniture is still the most popular trend in home decor.  So where did this all start?

Gustavian style was named after King Gustav III, whose design style was inspired by the neoclassical designs he saw in France.  Gustav traveled to France as a young man before he became king, and spent many years at the French court where he observed a lifestyle of richness beyond comprehension.  At the time, Versailles was one of the largest palaces in the world.  France was determined to make a statement of it’s wealth without saying a word.  The best furniture, drapery, upholstery and architecture was bought and displayed, and Gustav found himself captivated by the  grandeur associated with the court.

Gustav III came into power after the death of his father and ruled in Sweden from 1772 to 1792. While 20 years doesn’t seem like a significant period of time, this king left an artistic mark in Sweden that hasn’t ever been forgotten.  While Sweden couldn’t compete with the vast wealth of France, they adopted many of the styles seen in France in their own way.  Wood was plentiful in Sweden, and woodworkers were able to reproduce much of the fashionable furniture seen in France.   Other decor elements such as marble were costly, so faux painting produced these same looks for less.  Natural fabrics such as linen were used for upholstery instead of silk.  Lighter woods were used instead of mahogany and painted.

Early Gustavian styles were clearly inspired by the French Rococo movement.   The floral fabrics, and the bombe chests, and Louis XV rounded back chairs were marks of the Rococo styles found in Louis XV’s reign.  The neoclassical design which moved in after were seen through Louis XVI’s reign.  He adopted some of the same ornamental designs seen in furniture, yet changed the overall frame to ones that were square or rectangular.  Later with the excavations at Pompeii, classical design further left it’s mark on this style. In Italy they had unearthed the ancient cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, and a interest in art and design spread like wildfire through Europe.  Gustaf III himself visited the ruins in 1783-84, near Naples.   The late Gustavian style was heavily influenced by the English models clearly seen inspired from the chippendale chests and hepplewhite tables.  A combination of all three of these design styles can be classified as Gustavian, and are seen all mixed together much like our modern homes today.

Gustavian interior designs in Sweden were practical, yet pretty even in the tightest of spaces.  Swedes needed to bring in as much light as possible, as the winters seemed long and dark.  Lighter paint colors were seen inside, with bleached out wood floors. Pullout sofas functioned as a place to sit in the day and as a sofa and a bed at night.   Round demi lune tables were pushed against the wall through the day, and assembled together when needed.  Beds were built in the wall, much like an over-sized closet with a curtain which could be pulled across for privacy.

Get the Swedish Look For Yourself- Here Is How:

– Furnish your home with straight legged furniture.  Consider bleached wood, or white, or light gray painted furniture.

-Exchange out your silk fabrics for something more lived-in and natural.  Linen, raw silk, simple checked cotton, or natural duck canvas are great choices for drapery and upholstery.   The use of floral patterns were also quite popular in the Gustavian / Swedish style.

-Gustavian style is marked by gray painted furniture, pastel colors and lots of whites and creamed painted interiors.  Consider painted furniture with clean simple lines and fabulous lighting.

– Remove the clutter, less is always more with the Gustavian styles.  Showcase collections in a simplistic manner.

 

Decorating Secrets- 60 Quotes From The Best Experts In Design

Gustavian Antiques

Swedish winters are long, dark and dreary, so historically Swedes have always turned to lighter interiors.  Swedish style isn’t all about the gray and the white interiors they are famous for, but many homes  feature brighter, richer colors to decorate around.

There are so many shades and tones of paint, that it can be impossible to decide on one color.  Buy sample-size colors to help you make the perfect selection.   A color can look quite different at night than the day.  We recently painted the outside of our home, and the color which looked to be a creamy yellow at night, turned green in the day.  Be sure to try your selected colors on a few different walls to determine what suits which room.  You’ll thank yourself for making this extra effort before spending $$$ on the wrong shade.

Don’t judge the room until the paint is in place, and accessories and furniture are placed.  A color which may seem to bright can be toned down by wall accessories, coordinating drapes, and art work.  Consider working with the off shades of the primary colors.  Intead of purple, consider lilac, or a raspberry tint.

Consider whether you are a warm or cool person.  I once was asked this by a hairdresser, looking to choose a shade of blonde.  I never gave it much thought before, but knowing which color you lean towards can certainly make picking colors a lot easier.  Earthy reds, dusty warm plums, and rusty golds are in the warm color range.   Silver blues, mint, and lavenders are colors which are cooler.

Advice From Pros

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works” Steve Jobs

“Green pigment was expensive in the 18th century, making it a status symbol. So it would have been appropriate for the royal governor’s house. I’ve been a curator at Colonial Williamsburg for 20 years, and when my husband and I lived in a historic house, we had similar green woodwork. It worked with every fabric I wanted to use, and it’s a great mood enhancer—chlorophyll for the spirit!” —Liza Gusler

“People think that they need to use small furniture and light colors to make a small room look big, but that’s not the case at all. Dark colors and just a few pieces of large-scale furniture, with the appropriate lighting and accessories, can give a room a larger, more luxurious feel.” —Mona Hajj

“Everything else in my house is off-white and grey, and I just had to have a break from that. I was looking at my pond, which is this murky shade of acid green, and I thought, ‘I’ll do that in high gloss to make it even more watery and translucent.’ It’s strange, but I love it.” —Stephen Sills

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” – Coco Chanel

“While looking at one of my first New York apartments, David Hicks told me diplomatically,’Dear boy, if you’re going to paint the walls white, you need art.'” Peter Dunham

“The only time white curtain lining should be used is with white curtains- J Randall Powers

“Use the precious for everyday purposes. We’ll rummage through clients closets and find loads of precious hand-me-downs like porcelain vases and crystal that are a bit out of vogue. We’ll use them for completely ordinary purposes – a case becomes a chic pencil holder, a crystal bowl holds makeup brushes. Turn the ordinary into a special moment” Benjamin Dhong

“I learned that passion about objects and furnishings makes for fearless decorators—and that if you are comfortable in your home, everyone else will be too. That sense of authenticity is what gives a home its soul.”- Courtnay Daniels Haden

“The most elegant interiors are just slightly tatty.” – David Netto

“Playing it safe. Instead, put a large-scale printed fabric or wallpaper on the walls and even the ceiling. It’s easier, safer, and less expensive to be dramatic in a small space. You might get tired of a bold print in the main living area, but it can make a smaller, less-used room an exciting space to spend time.” —Victoria Neale

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Breathtaking Weathered Dining Tables You Can Buy Online

French Louis XVI Directoire Provincial Walnut Dining Table- Quality Is Key On Ebay $765

French Louis XVI Style Drape & Bow Carved Painted Dining Chairs $1436 Quality Is Key On Ebay

Vtg White Furniture French Directoire Style Oval Dining Room Table $775 Quality Is Key On Ebay

Maison Dining Table Solid Oak Weathered Grey Oval Table

Consider this stunning Maison table available from World Bazaar Exotics on ebay, listed at $1,188 for your Swedish Gustavian styled home. 

Dimensions: 48″ Version:  48W X 47D X 31H, 68W with leaf,  72″ Version:  72W X 47D X 31H, 92W with leaf

This outstanding table with timeless 18th century style is crafted out of solid oak with aged finishing techniques that will surely impress you and all your guests.  This deep grey finish will work quite perfectly in a Gustavian styled home.  This table includes one 20″ drop-in leaf extension.

Restoration Hardware also sold a very comparable table inspired by 19th-century French Empire design.  RH’s table is also built from solid oak, and had a full skirt and slender tapered fluted legs. A weathered finish also lends itself to a look that has been aged for years.  RH’s price ranges from $695 – $1495

 

Restoration Hardware’s French Oval Table

Gustavian Oval Gate Leg Table

Gustavian furnishings have an uncanny ability to  express serious sophistication without ever veering into the indulgent,  foo-foo, or precious.  This oval dining room table is a classic example of serious form following the functionality that only a drop leaf surface can provide.  Whether placed in a loft of cottage, city apartment or large estate, this piece just works. 31 inches high x 63 inches wide x 77.5 inches long

 

Swedish Dining  From Traditional Home, April 2007

French Country Louis Dining Table $3,348

A graceful 18th century style piece reminiscent of the French country aesthetic, this generous dining table will please those devoted to beauty and simplicity.  Fashioned from solid oak and elm, the rounded edges and legs create a gentle, rustic effect. 

Beautiful White Rent Table – Seen In The Home of Shannon Bowers

Carl Larsson Table From The Gustavian Collection

Louis Extension Dining Table French White Solid Hardwood- Buy it on Ebay

The Napoleon collection faithfully captures the romantic feel of vintage, painted furniture from the French countryside. Featuring gently curved frames made of solid hardwood, brightly colored then rubbed down on the edges. Adds a soft splash of vibrance to any setting. $2,200.00  71″ to 91″ x 43″ x 30″, (91″ fully extended ) Oak wood

Harlequin Set of Twelve French Dining Chairs in Grey Linen Antony Tood

Linley Heavy Distress Farm House 14 Person Trestle Dining Table $3,938.00

The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well

Superior Reproduction Furniture From Sarreid Ltd


For more than 40 years interior designers throughout the United States and Canada, Sarreid Ltd has been known as being an innovator in the home furnishings field since 1967. After receiving many requests from customers to provide them with identical pieces of the best selling items, Sarreid Ltd finally decided to manufacture the best of their furnishings that could be then made available to the public on a wider scale.

Their goal was to make exact replicas of the original antique that they had in their possession, so they could produce quality pieces that look identical to the originals. Every item could be made using the original techniques seen on the pieces themselves by skilled craftsmen who restore Sarreid’s genuine antiques. Their reproductions look like thousand dollar 18th century antique furniture. This is partly due to the amazing skills of their craftsmen, (whom they recruit from all over the world), but also the steps they take to make the furniture look genuine. They start with reclaimed wood, and every item is hand finished by their team of antique restorers, replicating the finish of the original antique in every detail. The end result is that each replica is unique in its own way, just like the original. Expansion, shrinkage, small cracks, and wood imperfections are all inherent qualities of their product.

Some of their pieces come with a unique story.  The painted blue chest (above) was almost was lost….

“I will pay now and pick it up in an hour,” I said to Monsiuer Bersaut at the flea market in Lille. Someone must have overheard me because when I  returned the Louis XVI style French Bahut was already “collected”. Lille has one long street so I called two other dealers and started looking. An hour later we found the sideboard tucked behind a car. Since then I always leave a code name for the goods to be collected. We liked it so much we had our great craftsmen make an exact replica”

Sarreid sells exclusively to fine furniture stores and design galleries.


French Provincial Ebony Rub Oak Chest Dresser Sold By Marcia Treasures on Ebay

“Buying antiques in Sweden is a special job. Although I speak Dutch I still do not understand one word of what they say. The Dutch word tafel (table) is bord in Swedish, and bord in Dutch is a plate. A chest of drawers in Swedish is Byra, but if you order a Byra in Holland you get a nice cold Heineken. Anyway, I was very excited when I bought an early 19th century chest of drawers in Gustavian style. We liked it so much that we asked our craftsmen to make an exact replica.”

Gustavian Swedish Painted White Mora Clocks

Original Transition Mora Clock 1764 This clock has a beautiful face and has inscriptions “A. A. S.” (for Krång Anders Andersson (1727-1799) of Östnor,) and “Mora”. Finely chased bronze hands. The body is in the transition style (between Rococo and Gustavian) made of soft wood and has a cream and gold patina.

Antique Swedish Clock circa 1830- This early 19th century Swedish longcase clock has an off white finish with oriental style decorative elements to the case. The brass 8 day clock
workings are key wound with weights driving the time and strike trains. The dialis accessed through a glazed and hinged door at the top. Access may be gained tothe pendulam and weights through a point in the front of the case. Jefferson West Inc. $6,500
 
Paint and Parcel Gilt Mora Clock Sweden 1840– Paint and parcel gilt tall case clock, called a Mora clock in reference to the Swedish city of Mora where these clocks were
first designed and built in the 18th century. This particular clock was built during the second quarter of the 19th century. Garden Court Antiques

Monique Waqué’s 200 Year Old Farmhouse In Northern Germany

Swedish Dining Room ChairsPhotography by Andreas Von Einsiedel Picture Credit

Owner Monique Waqué discovered this 200 year old farmhouse located in northern Germany, and turned it into her dream home.  The house is decorated with Gustavian furniture in a Swedish country look.  You can get her style too with a few key furniture pieces.

There are a number of Swedish dealers on 1st dibs that sell authentic Swedish Gustavian chairs just like what  Monique Waqué has in her home. Buying antiques from Sweden allows you to get genuine pieces that have been loved for years.  As you can see Monique Waqué has Gustavian country chairs at her dining table in a pale yellow.

This home certainly has a country flare.  All the choices are rustic, painted with country Swedish colors.  An oval tray sits on the coffee table.  Consider turning to a hand painted tole tray in the color scheme that you are basing everything around.  My favorites are the floral tole trays which have an elegant feminine country appeal.  Collect a color and consider painting your walls to match the tole trays.  The floral hand-painting gives a very distinct country look.

Getting this look doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either.  There are a number of chairs that have this same look for less.

Check out this post for lovely Linen Sofas–  I have collected several pages of  lovely linen sofas available on amazon.  (Located under the Skona Mag Picture- It takes 2 minutes to load the widget)

Set of six, 18th Century style, Gustavian chairs.Set of six, 18th Century style, Gustavian chairs. Beautiful scraped patina. Strong construction. Perfect set for dining chairs –the GARTEN Antiques and Garden Elements

Village Grigio Side Chair Crate And Barrel

Verona Dining Chair in Antique White Set of 2 $381

The Chestnut Hudson Dining Chair $199

5-Piece Shaker Dining Set, Black $299 Why not sell the table and keep the chairs?

Tapered Leg Table One that Could Be White Washed $270

Small Tapered Leg Table- Could be One in Front Of The Sofa Or an End Table $99

Perfect Bench For A Hallway or Dining Table, or Even As Patio Furniture $106

Lovely Tapered Leg Console Table $121.

Low Bowl Urn with Handles $29 Celery Green

Set of six painted Gustavian Style dining chairs

Set of six painted Gustavian Style dining chairs

Petricia Thompson Antiquites d’ Europe

Gustavian Dining Chairs

A Set of Six Matched Gustavian Dining Chairs –Cote Jardin Antiques

 

A Set of 8 Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Dining Chairs

A Set of 8 Antique Swedish Gustavian Style Dining Chairs www.georgialacey.co.uk

Gustavian Dining Chairs in the with a so called “humleqvist” carving.Gustavian Dining Chairs in the with a so called “humleqvist” carving.-lizalaserow.wordpress.com

Swedish ChairsA large set of 12 painted antique Swedish dining chairs of great design, retaining the original paint and horse hair, having been recently reupholstered by us in hessian.

This elegant set of twelve antique dining chairs, will work well in most settings. brownrigg-interiors.co.uk

A Set of Fourteen Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs circa 1780

A Set of Fourteen Swedish Gustavian Dining ChairsA Set of Fourteen Swedish Gustavian Dining Chairs Talisman

Gustavian Chair with Pancake CushionGustavian Chair with Pancake Cushion –Seen Here

Pair Of Wooden Gustavian Chairs Ca 1800

Pair Of Wooden Gustavian Chairs Ca 1800Pair Of Wooden Gustavian Chairs Ca 1800 – Galerie Half

Set Of Four Gustavian ChairsSet Of Four Gustavian Chairs A Tyner Antiques

Set of 3 Gustavian Side Chairs

Set of 3 Gustavian Side Chairs –Laserow Antiques

Monique WaquéMonique Waqué’s Bedroom

Hooker Melange Sofia Writing Desk sold by Hooker Furniture is an antique reproduction of the classic Louis XVI desk. This terrific desk features beautiful rounded hardware and pretty ribbon motif trim and the classic Louis XVI fluted leg. Can you believe a desk like this is only $627?

Painted Console Tables- Swedish Faux Finishes

Swedish Furniture Ideas- Suzanne Rheinstein November Elle Decor

Swedish Furniture Ideas- Suzanne Rheinstein November Elle Decor

This lovely photograph is from Suzanne Rheinstein’s archives.  A table such as this would often be seen originally gilded in a gold or painted gray.  Look how terrific it looks painted in muted blue with white accents!!  The paint appears to be on the chalky side, which is quite commonly found with Swedish antique painted furniture.

The dark gray stone top is a great match against the blue paint color.  White used as an accent paint color gives a refreshed appearance.

The combination of white, along side another color (gray, coral, blue or yellow) is often seen with painted Gustavian furniture.

Neoclassical Furniture - Mary Douglas Drysdale

 Here is another Swedish table painted in an off green pastel color with creamy white accents.  This piece looks as if it was glazed with brown paint to give an antique appearance.  Or….  it could be antique!  Mary Douglas Drysdale From William and Kate Blog

A Look Behind Svindersvik, A Farm Built In 1740s

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Svindersvik is a well-preserved summer residence from the mid-1700s. Svindersvik is located at Swine Flinders Bay south shore in Nacka , designed by architect Carl  Harleman for merchant Claes Grill.

The farm was built in the 1740s as a summer residence for the merchant Claes Grill and his family.  Carl Harleman managed to combine a mansion and a cottage in the same building. He had been inspired by French rococo,but adapted it to Swedish conditions.

Svindersvik consists of a small main building on two floors.  The building is strictly symmetrical form given, with a central axis through the entrance, dining room and balcony. To the left of this central axis is a big place, the right two smaller rooms, including one bedroom. The rooms are tiled and silk upholstered seating. The ground floor is a hallway with an oval ceiling opening through which the daylight from the top floor looking down. The upper floor dominates a large billiard room with pool table from the 1700s, which is well preserved.

Besides the main house is the kitchen wing, which is slightly younger than the main building. The kitchen wing is on an older foundation, probably from the 1500s. The kitchen was for the time very modern, with built-in cabinets, marble countertops and sink.

Most of the furniture in Svindersvik has stood there since the late 1700s. After the Grill family, the property had several different owners, until Knut Almgren , founder of KA Almgren Silk Weaving Mill, acquired the property in 1863. Svindersvik stayed in Almgren’s possession until 1949 when the Nordic Museum took over.  Information and Pictures From Wikipedia, and Nordiska Museet

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish DecoratingSwedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

A Swedish Wall Clock can really transform an ordinary room into a period style Gustavian home.

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating
Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish DecoratingSwedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Check out the primitive wall shelves in the kitchen of Svindersvik . The corners are rounded, and pots and kitchen utensils hang below.  If you like this look, consider the rack built by Shaker furniture.  They have adapted our Shaker Peg Shelf for use as a hanging quilt rack. Although it is designed for quilts, it can be used to hang utensils, or pots from like the picture above.

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

If you are looking for more of a genuine French Louis XVI antique like the table in Svindersvik, look at John Richard’s table in marquetry.  This table features the tapered table legs, and a marquetry finish applied by experts.  The top has brass details which make this table shine like the jewel it is.

Swedish Gustavian Furniture 18th Century Swedish Decorating

 

 

Stunning European Paint Colors For Painted Kitchen Cabinets

Farrow-and-Ball-Paints

The Beautiful colors found in the Farrow and Ball Paint Line

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK shows some beautiful kitchens painted in various blues.  The kitchen featured lovely English styled cabinetry with recessed cabinet doors.  Recessed doors allows the door to be painted as well as the capability to match wall colors because the cabinet face blends seamlessly with the overall cabinet design.

Consider painting your walls a shade darker or lighter than your kitchen cabinets.  In the pictures you can see out into another room which is within the same color groups.  The natural wood floors breaks up the use of blue in these rooms.  The color yellow is also very Swedish and plays off the blue quite nicely.  The brass hardware is a nice pop compared to silver which would blend into the blue tones.

Cover Stain in Oil has been my go-to-paint for several years now.  It is one of the best discoveries when I used to paint furniture as my full time hobby. Coverstain IS NOT your typical oil paint.  It goes on smoothly, than most other oil brands.  If the mixture is a bit thick, add a small amount of paint thinner to the paint.  The overall finish is levels out when it dries, and it dries to a flat finish which is incredibly unusual for a oil paint.

The best thing about this paint is you can get it tinted almost any lighter color.  I have been purchasing my paints at Ace Hardware as we live in a smaller town, and they have been able to tint the paint vibrant colors, and darker shades.  If I want something darker, I simply buy a quart size of satin oil paint at my local Sherwin & Williams and mix it in to darken it up.

In addition to the unusual features of this paint, it can be sanded down when it fully dries.  The paint dries to the touch within about 3 hours, but I wouldn’t suggest sanding it down.  I usually sand my furniture after day 3.  The next day you can sand it down, but I find I run through sand paper quickly because the paint is still not fully cured.  Because this paint dries flat, you can add any color over top of it, and it doesn’t have to be oil based.  What I would suggest is have Cover Stain tinted the color that is close to your ideal choice, and add your ideal color over top. If you do choose to spray this paint on to your cabinetry, PLEASE buy an industrial heavy mask with air filters.  I cannot  stress that point more.

 

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchens

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK www.remodelista.com

Plain English Kitchen

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK

Plain English Kitchen Designs in the UK www.remodelista.com

Butler sells a terrific butter yellow console table that gives a unique Swedish impression. The first time I saw this table, I got so excited as the color and style are so close to Swedish styled furnitre. The soft blue floral set on the butter yellow are both typical Swedish cloors. The Artist’s Originals line is sold through Butler and is a collection of highly desired fine furniture hand-painted by accomplished artists. This stunning table is made from wood construction and features a single drawer. This table is entirely hand painted, and measures 32” H x 35” W x 16” D.

Martha Stewart's Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

The console table would fit right into the Martha Stewart’s home in Connecticut. The butter yellow is very simular to historical paint colors.Martha Stewart's Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart’s Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart's Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey HillMartha Stewart’s Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart's Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart’s Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart's Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

Martha Stewart’s Previous Home In Connecticut , Turkey Hill

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