Scandinavian Color Inspiration - Color on a White Background

Ever since we've the Scandinavian invasion from Ikea and H&M,

many of us can't seem to get enough of it.  While pure Scandinavian

design isn't for everyone, there are many elements of it that anyone

can incorporate into their own modern designs.  One thing ths
Scandinavians do very well with is being able to use color

dramatically on a blank white canvas.

Or a black one...

Here we have white walls with pickled floor boards (great

Swedish floor treatment) with really vivid pops of yellow,

chartreuse and green.  It's just fantastic!

A closer look at those fantastic throw pillows.

Wall stencils make a really great statement - they're especially

great for people like me who can only draw stick figures...

Another example of putting color on a

blank canvas.  Very simple yet interesting.

If you don't want to deal with stencils, how about wall decals!

Love the pink bamboo rug, but love the brightly colored nook

for storage space even more.

Just place them where you want it, stick and unpeel.

Love the color of the towels.

Hope this post has given you some ideas

on how to brighten your white walls.

Photos by Thomas Dahl and from Bolig Magasinet (magazine)

Another Fabulous Scandinavian Home

Carsten Seidel is a pretty fabulous Scandinavian photographer

and his photos of this modern home are no different. I absolutely
adore the ultra long bookshelf across the length of the wall behind
the rectangular dining table.

The bookshelf actually makes the room look longer.

Isn't that such a cool kitchen floor?

The black counters give a nice
juxtaposition of color against the white.


Isn't this such a funky pattern? You'll notice the
stripes are not even but a little wavy. You can
very easily paint your walls this way. This is a
great little nook for guests to hang up their coats
and accessories.

The perfect area for a mudroom complete with
space for shoes, a bench, lockers for bags and
accessories, coats and last but not least -- a
hamper.

At times, you can get away with layering pattern on
pattern as with this striped wall and striped curtains.

It's great to throw in a piece of vintage
colored glass. I, myself am a glass fiend.

Matching the bedding and curtains in a room can really
help give a simple room a more cohesive look.

I love the geometric pattern in this valance.

Scandinavian Country

Scandinavian Country style is like no
other country style you know. The
Scandinavians seem to be able to do
almost all of their decor in a modern
look.

What do you think of Scandinavian style?
Perfect for contemporary times? Overrated?
Only for college students? Or a good balance?

All photographs by Carsten Seidel.

Ikea Inspiration: A Scandinavian Abode - Modern, Colorful, Simple

I'm telling you, the Scandinavians really have the right idea

when it comes to affordable design whether it be furnishings
or fashion (hello Ikea and H&M.) Their just in time model of
manufacturing is second to none in the world. Can you believe
that H&M can take a design from paper to the actual stores
in less than a month? Anyways, Trudi of The Deco Detective
has really got me hooked on some of these Scandinavian homes
and publications.

I totally Adore the home and space above. Anyone could so
design a home like the above with just Ikea and some creative
ideas. The space above is a bit odd but the open plan really
makes up for it.

I love the way the Scandinavians juxtapose modern touches
with wood and organic elements like the pickled floor.

A nice little space for a coat room.

Notice the rustic beams at the top of the vaulted ceiling.

The glas sliding doors really brighten
up the kitchen and dining space.

Pops of color in all the right places can really
make a difference.

Isn't the back splash design fun?

What a fun pattern for a sofa.

A Japanese tea set with different colored tea.

And at the end of a long day, what could be
better than a bath?

I hope this home has given you more inspiration
that it's totally possible to have a chic place to live
solely with furniture from Ikea and thrift shops.

All photos by Per-Magnus Persson from Bolig Magasinet