Try Scandinavian style in your home this spring
Scandinavian style is casual and easy, with playful touches and a simple yet refined vibe.
If all that sounds appealing as you shake off winter’s gloom, you’ll find many pretty, Scandinavian-inspired decor options for spring.
Scandinavian style is typically anchored by whites and creams, which provide a light-filled canvas on which berry red, sky blue, forest green and ochre offer pops of cheerful color. Black sometimes provides a dramatic canvas, especially on a rug. But there also are soothing faded pinks, soft stone grays and dusky purples in the palette.
This spring, Ikea honors its Scandinavian roots with an extensive collection including designer Eva Lundgreen’s Akerkulla floral motif curtains and rug. The Hemnes furniture collection really nails the Swedish look with a linen cabinet in a deep red, a bed frame in gray and a shelving unit in blue. (ikea.com)
At The Company Store, there’s the cottage charm of the Carrie comforter cover in an orange crewelwork floral motif on earthy chambray cotton. The tailored yet elegant Hampton table comes in gentle shades of tarragon, ash and tan. (thecompany store.com)
Anthropologie’s got the Amora bedding set with a colorful graphic on snowy white. While South American in origin, the folk pattern is similar enough to those of northern design that it reads Scandinavian. (anthropologie.com)
Burke D?or has a charming teapot sprinkled with playful tulips and blossoms, designed by Swedish ceramicist Camilla Engdahl. (burkedecor.com)
This undated publicity photo provided by Clarkson Potter shows the cover of Clotilde Dusoulier’s “The French Market Cookbook,” to be published by Clarkson Potter on July 2, 2013. (AP Photo/Clarkson Potter)
This undated publicity photo provided by Chronicle Books shows the cover of Deborah Morgan’s cookbook, “Roots: The Definitive Compendium with More than 225 Recipes,” published by Chronicle Books (2012). (AP Photo/Chronicle Books, Antonis Achilleos)
In this publicity product photo provided by Ikea (www.ikea.com), an Emile Rosa gingham duvet cover epitomizes a Swedish graphic. (AP Photo/Ikea, Merete Karlsson)
This undated publicity photo provided by FinnStyle.com shows Oiva Toikka?s charming little glass bird, Mediator Dove, manufactured by iittala, the famed Finnish glass house (www.finnstyle.com). (AP Photo/FinnStyle.com)
In this undated publicity photo provided by Anthropologie.com, the Speckled Blooms curtain has a repeat of hyacinth flowers, perfect for early spring. Pair it with a couple of painted furniture pieces and a rag rug for a fresh Scandinavian look. (AP Photo/Anthropologie.com)
In this undated publicity photo provided by FinnStyle.com, Marimekko?s Keisarinna fabric pattern, of magnolia blossoms on a soft dove grey background, would be a pretty way to introduce Scandinavian design for spring (www.finnstyle.com). (AP Photo/FinnStyle.com)
This undated publicity photo provided by FinnStyle.com shows Oiva Toikka?s charming little glass bird, Sooty Owl, manufactured by iittala, the famed Finnish glass house (www.finnstyle.com). (AP Photo/FinnStyle.com)
In this publicity product photo provided by Ikea (www.ikea.com), a gray-brown bed frame with subtle hues evokes the dusk and dawn of Scandinavian days. (AP Photo/Ikea, Johan Ryd?)
In this undated publicity photo released by Anthropologie.com, an Amora duvet cover features a South American decorative motif that echoes those of Scandinavian country design. The bright colors of the embroidery are appealing, and the white background is typical of Scandesign. (AP Photo/Anthropologie.com)
In this publicity product photo provided by Ikea (www.ikea.com) the Hemnes cabinet in red is a good example of simple Swedish furniture design rendered in an organic hue. (AP Photo/Ikea)
In this publicity product photo provided by Ikea (www.ikea.com), Eva Lundgreen?s Akerkulla design on a curtain is a pretty way to introduce Swedish influence in room d?or. (AP Photo/Ikea)
In this undated publicity photo released by Anthropologie.com, a Fesi pillow features a Moroccan design that echoes Scandinavian snowflake motifs. Pillows are a quick and easy way to introduce Scandinavian design elements. (AP Photo/Anthropologie.com)
This undated publicity photo provided by FinnStyle.com shows Oiva Toikka?s charming little glass bird Mistle Thrush manufactured by iittala, the famed Finnish glass house (www.finnstyle.com). (AP Photo/FinnStyle.com)
This undated publicity photo provided by FinnStyle.com shows Oiva Toikka’s charming little glass bird, Orange Kuulas, manufactured by iittala, the famed Finnish glass house (www.finnstyle.com). (AP Photo/FinnStyle.com)
This publicity product photo provided by Ikea (www.ikea.com) shows a blue isala table. When King Gustav III visited France he brought back impressions of Neoclassical style. This Isala table is an example of how the style was interpreted with elegant restraint. (AP Photo/Ikea)