Two chairs, a coffee table, a vase with twigs strewn with berries… Scandinavian design is an enduring cliché of the 20th century and a true love of the whole world. It is the Scandinavians, restrained, but sensitive to the beauty of nature, who know how to find the perfect balance for an ideal home.
In 2018, the interest in Scandinavian design will be fueled by the anniversary of Alvar Aalto. Museums, design communities, magazines and true fashionistas are celebrating the 120th birthday of the celebrated Finnish architect and designer. On the wave – reflections on the concept of sisu, which is considered the basis of the Finnish national character. “Sisu” is a combination of courage, stamina and endurance: ” What must be done will be done, no matter what.”
There are nuances in the general Scandinavian trend. The idea of comfort in Danish hygge or “hygge” for fans of northern design has been replaced by the Swedish concept of lagom – more rational and pragmatic. Minimalism and new poverty, no extreme and excess, life without haste. In everyday behavior, lagom lies in the paradoxical desire to be an individualist, without really standing out: taking care of oneself, but at the same time social responsibility. It is a freedom that ends where the freedom of another begins. We can say that lagom in this case is part of a whole ethical system.
At the same time, there are many adherents of the Norwegian philosophy friluftsliv – freedom, nature and life. Nature is a comfortable environment in which it is easy to live and think. And, of course, it should be constantly present in the interior.
So, in general, Scandinavians appreciate simple, durable and elegant things, light wood, soft diffused light. We always welcome vintage items and textiles with a touch of twenty years ago. Scandinavians teach us to value personal memories. They are inspired by the principle of “do it yourself” (DIT, d0 it yourself). These principles, just like fifty years ago, when the whole world fell in love with Scandinavian design, are liked by people in different parts of the world, everyone who decorates rooms and puts them in order, guided by the advice of video bloggers, everyone who is sensitive to discreet but sophisticated palettes, who carefully checks the place of each thing.
The Scandinavians are sure that in “a healthy body, a healthy mind” and put practical and aesthetic order at the forefront. And they believe that those who are determined not to buy too much, hone their ability to choose. The ideal home is neat but not empty.
Personal belongings, authentic materials and economical design create a sense of comfort. Of course, the main countries offering this kind of design are the Danes, Swedes and Finns. Danish Fritz Hansen , Carl Hansen&Son, Hay, &tradition , Gubi , Fredericia , Muuto, Woud are leading among the companies.
Swedish design house Stockholm and String bring Scandinavian simplicity to homes, Finnish Artek develops 20th-century classics, and Woodnotes offers home textiles. However, factories from other countries have successfully mastered the Scandinavian style formula. In particular, interior brands in the Benelux, Germany, France and Spain are developing designs that are well suited to the new need for a simple yet high-quality environment. At every international design fair today, you can see the debuts of several interesting players in the field of northern design, and it is not at all necessary that they come from the Scandinavian Peninsula.
Scandic Chic has long ceased to be a purely Scandinavian phenomenon. For example, the French Ligne Roset and the German Freistil present collections and individual projects that fit well with the Scandinavian lifestyle. And the Parisian gallery owner Maria Wettergren, Galerie Maria Wettergren, a specialist in contemporary Scandinavian designers, has expanded her collection with new poetic opuses.
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