Summary of Scandinavian modern (c.1930s to present)
Scandinavian modern
(c.1930s to present)
Also know as Swedish modern, this style emerged at the same time as modernism in the 1930s. It was interrupted by the Depression and World War II, and then finally reached its height in the 1950s.
It took the basic concept of modernism and fused it with traditional materials. The result is beautifully made furniture in organic shapes chiefly fashioned from wood, which is in abundance in Scandinavia. Its basic philosophy ‘beauty for all’ has arguably been continued into the present day with the Swedish phenomenon of IKEA.
Style
- white
- accents of colour
- blonde wood
- natural materials
- well designed, functional furniture
Get the look
- Flooring - floors should be wooden but using good quality wood with the grain showing through. This has developed into laminated floorboards.
- Colour schemes - colours are white, white and more white.
- Accessories - add dashes of colour in the form of paintings and modern art.
- Furniture - look for furniture in blonde wood in curvy, organic shapes often teamed with tubular steel and leather.
- Flowers - flowers should be in stark, architectural shapes such as lilies, orchids; or cacti.