Modern Home Decorating

“Every human needs a certain degree of sentimentality to feel free.” ~ Josef Frank

Scandinavian design is a great decorating theme to use in an apartment as it uses a functional yet minimalist look.

Josef Frank was an Austrian/Swedish architect of Jewish ancestry. “Scandinavian design” best describes the style of the Swedish designer who contributed much to home decorating and interior design.

He worked with Oskar Strnad, (another Austrian architect, sculptor, designer and set designer for films and theatres), and was linked to the Vienna Circle.

He moved to Sweden in 1933 and worked for the Svenskt Tenn design company, producing over 200 designs between 1909 and 1950.

He also won the Grand Austrian State Prize for architecture in 1965, a decoration given annually by Austria to an artist for exceptional work for literature, music, visual art, or architecture.

Oskar Strnad also designed interiors for the lavish masterpieces of the “Wiener Film” such as Maskerade (1934) and Episode (1935).

Scandinavian Materials and Fabrics

Furniture pieces and accessories are made of woods such as teak, beech, pine and ash.

Scandinavian design enforces a contemporary concept, so aluminum, chrome and steel are used too. Furnishings made of pressed wood or particle board are also often incorporated into this type of decor.

Organic linen and cotton as well as leather are used in upholstering chairs and couches.

Scandinavian Colors

Scandinavian design makes use of neutral colours such white or beige with black or bright, vibrant accent colors such as red, royal blue, pine green or yellow.

Colors work with neutrals to provide interest but are not employed to predominate a color scheme.

Scandinavian Furnishings

Scandinavian furnishings focus on functionality and simplicity.

A representative living room arrangement might include a coffee table made of an aluminum frame and tempered glass tabletop combined with a warm tan sofa and accompanying swivel chair upholstered in the same leather material as the couch.

A modern look might comine a chair made with a zebra print or a swan chair in orange.

Elaborate or ornate furnishings would not fit in with the focus on functionality and the basic, streamlined look.

Adding a bookcase headboard, for instance, made of beech or ash or include a pine table and chairs styled with angular lines to grace your dining room.

Scandinavian Accessories and Lighting

When accessorizing your apartment in the Scandinavian style, stay away from any added amenities and make sure the accessories are utilitarian and tie in well with the decor.

Choose window treatments with straight lines in neutral shades. Use lighting, such as recessed lighting, that emphasizes the simplicity of the styling. Also track lighting is useful in this type of theme. Make use of chrome, aluminum, steel, glass or wood for side tables and coffee tables and choose shelves made of inexpensive materials such as particle board to complete the look.

Rugs can be used to highlight neutral wood floors or wood-look laminates. Select a simple tan shag or a flokati rug colored in blue or red for an interesting splash of color. However, make sure you don’t use more than two accent colors if you want to maintain the proper effect.

Prominent Scandinavian design and retail companies include:

• Arabia – Finland
• Bang & Olufsen – Denmark
• Design House Stockholm – Sweden
• Ekovaruhuset Organic Fashion
• Electrolux – Sweden
• George Jensen – Denmark
• Iittala – Finland
• IKEA – Sweden
• Kvadrat
• Ordning & Reda – Sweden
• Orrefors
• Royal Copenhagen – Denmark

Scandinavian fashion: H&M, Marimekko, Filippa K, Acne Jeans, Cheap Monday, Nudie Jeans, Gudrun Sjödén, J.Lindeberg.

Scandinavian design is a practical and straightforward style and is also a good choice for anyone who appreciates a contemporary decor. If you like an uncomplicated approach to decorating, it’s the perfect style for you.

“The home does not have to be planned out in detail, just put together by pieces its inhabitants love.” ~ Josef Frank

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Name: Josef Frank
Born: July 15, 1885, Baden bei Wien
Died: January 8, 1967, Stockholm

references:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Frank_(architect)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Strnad

http://www.scandinaviandesign.com/josefFrank/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Austrian_State_Prize

http://ohmyapt.apartmentratings.com/interior-decorating-ideas-scandinavian-design-basics.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_design

http://www.trendey.com/tag/colours

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