How to get the Scandi look for the 21st century: smooth design and sleek technology

Last week I was invited by Currys to join a panel of experts for a day all about Scandinavian living. With the lure of Michelin star Danish chef Christoffer Hruskova and Master of Wine Peter Richards to ply me with tasty treats, and Marcus Fairs, editor of Dezeen, hosting the event I couldn’t say no…

Images clipped from thisislondon.co.uk and winchesterwineschool.com

A lot of preparation went into the launch event of Sandstrøm, Currys’ new sleek and sophisticated own-brand of electrical appliances. Not only was an amazing open-plan apartment hired to showcase iconic chairs by renowned Scandinavian designers Arne Jacobsen and Verner Panton, but make-up artists were on-hand, lighting technicians and cameramen, plus, of course, my presentation of Scandi design in the home.

For the photoshoot, my make-up needed to be ‘natural’. That’s easy, I thought, because my dusting of foundation had come off anyway – from the rain which followed me from the bus stop to the location in Clerkwenwell, London’s super-cool design-district. And, needless to say, stopped as soon as I reached the front door.

How wrong I was. ‘Natural’ meant at least ten layers of paint and powder applied by a glamorous make-up artist for 25 minutes while I asked ‘what you doin’ now? What’s that for? And that? And that?’ – trying to glean some tips for my life-long battle against rosacea.

Then the photoshoot atop a Saarinen Tulip chair: ‘Oh you’re so stiff’, said the photographer! I’d like to see her try to laugh gregariously at nothing but a flashing camera lens. It was good fun though, and if I was a foot taller and changed the Janet Jackson nose I’d be tempted to change careers.

The whole event was really enjoyable. The other Sandstrøm ambassadors presented various areas important to a Scandinavian lifestyle: Marcus Fairs kicked things off by showcasing the many features of architecture, design and food that are heavily influenced and Scandi-fied; Amanda Lamb focused on Scandi dining and creating the look; Chris cooked everyone some gorgeous Scandinavian nibbles, including bone marrow (I only realised this after stuffing my mouth with the huge canape, but found it to be the most delicious treat on his menu); and Peter gave us some top tips to get the full flavour of each accompanying wine. Needless to say, everyone was fairly tiddly by this point, swishing and sniffing their drinks and chucking it back amid mutterings of ‘mmm blackberry’. Right on cue for my presentation…

Image clipped from intoxicatingprose.com

Following on the heels of delicious (free) food and wine was always going to be a hard act to follow. Luckily (or not) I hadn’t known this beforehand and – with no guest appearance by Cecilie Manz to whip up, or ‘Comfiest Scandi Chair’ competition up my sleeve – I had no alternative but to forge ahead with my powerpoint display…

…which actually went down a storm (thanks to Peter’s wine!). Below is a rundown of the design tips I gave, and also a few 3D rooms and moodboards created by the mydeco community which I felt did the Scandi-look justice:

 My top tips to create a Scandi-style home

Typically, Scandinavian design evokes images of warm woods and red and white, Rob Ryan-esque prints and snowflake-etched trinkets. Now, there’s a modern infusion of clean, calm and streamlined space – the more of it, the merrier – with ultra-modern designer furnishings, sleek appliances, smooth symmetrical shapes, an injection of effeminate greys and wools, and splashes of citrus colour to add personality and cosiness.

Scandinavian design focuses on a few basic but important principles:

• Space
• Simplicity
• Functionality
• A white colour base
• Wooden flooring and furniture
• Accents of red, black and citrus colours
• Streamlined, smooth furnishings – the more curvaceous the better

These Scandinavian-inspired rooms give a visual example:

To get a modern look that is less ‘ski lodge in the Alps’ and more family-friendly try:

• Furniture upholstered in light grey which, along with light wood, warms a predominantly white interior
• Block colour in statement furnishings – think reds and yellows, with lime green or purple if you want to tone down the Scandi look. Arne Jacobsen’s famous red Egg Chair is an obvious choice.
• Chrome appliances add a contemporary feel while being simple and practical

You can go two ways with integrating appliances and technology in your home: Show or hide. In smaller spaces and with old appliances you want to hide them. Kitchen cabinet façades are an easy solution for dishwashers, mundane fridges and microwaves. However, if you have a spacious room, or if your appliances are modern and sleek, why not show them off? They can add to style and décor just as much as a sofa can.

mydeco user nenaa has captured the Scandi style perfectly with this photo showcasing contemporary Scandinavian interior design:

Image clipped from besthousedesign.com

See the speakers suspended subtly in the corners of the ceiling? Technology really complements Scandi design; they share a minimal, streamlined and functional approach to aesthetics.

Sandstrøm’s audio technology is perfect for a Scandi-inspired home. Their PC speakers and Hi-Fis are sleek and minimal in chrome or gun-metal grey – not ostentatious but far from boring. And they would look great in a more prominent position than the ceiling, such as a side table in the living room, or placed on step shelving in a bedroom.

Image credit: Sandstrom

Position is key when implementing potentially bulky appliances into Scandinavian décor. Each piece of furniture has a purpose, a function in a family home, and each adds to the décor respectively. TVs could sit on a low glass-topped coffee table or, as Sandstrøm suggest, a mantelpiece rather than TV cabinet. This draws the eye to the juxtaposed item and integrates them together. It’s also nice to have a dual focal point that isn’t just the TV. I’ve seen a house where the fireplace has been excavated and a TV sunken in, leaving the surround to act as a frame. This may be a bit too far for some people but it did look pretty cool, not to mention different.

The same applies for larger kitchen items such as the Sandstrøm wine cooler (see folder, above) and dishwasher. Many kitchen designers hide these bulky appliances behind a kitchen cabinet façade but a Sandstrøm integrated dishwasher is streamlined, having concealed the knobs and buttons, and is sleek in reflective stainless steel. Simple yet striking. The wine cooler is a must-have for either a modern family home or a bachelor pad. Display this loud and proud in your kitchen or dining room to create a cool statement appliance and to kick-start a competitive conversation about wine during your next dinner party.

Look at the use of chrome appliances and furnishings in this red and white modern Scandinavian kitchen, uploaded onto mydeco by nenaa:

Image clipped from besthousedesign.com

Sandstrøm’s kettles, toasters and radios have chamfered edges, which is an essential, authentic Scandinavian design trait. Think of Verner Panton’s S Chair, Carpet 6 Series and Flowerpot Table lamp, and Jacobsen’s Stelton coffee pot – they are all sinuous and curvaceous and the latter is an extremely sexy design. Sandstrøm implements all these traits into their own designs. And, because of this attention to form and aesthetic, their appliances are perfectly at ease in a Scandi-style home and they complement the décor naturally.

Image credit: Sandstrom

Unlike fleeting styles such as pop colour or Utilitarian, Scandi is hugely versatile and can accommodate different tastes, materials and that all-important factor, budget.

Accessorising with Marimekko modernises the white colour palette with pop-art flowers and circles in bright reds, yellows, oranges, blues and greens. The Marimekko Kivet design is identical to the circular pattern of Geometry 1 by Verner Panton – and goes some way to explain how the bright Japanese-anime designs of a Finnish company can complement the stark, clean and minimal palette Scandi decor typically evokes. Take a look at this colourful Marimekko moodboard but remember, less is more.

If you want your interiors to scream SCANDI invest in pieces by the legends of Scandinavian design: Verner Panton, Arne Jacobsen and Fritz Hansen. Take a look at this Scandinavian influence moodboard created by mydeco community member TiffanyH:

Moodboard created by TiffanyH

With statement walls imbibing its popularity, you can be creative with wallpaper and stickers. Think silhouettes of birds, trees and flowers in red, black or green. Ferm Living has an excellent range – as showcased in my Ferm Living Scandi moodboard:

As long as you keep the colour palette streamlined and subtle, and the furniture quirky and design-led yet functional too, you can recreate the Scandinavian look fairly easily. Just think carefully about what each item brings to the overall look. Every piece must have a part to play and complement the room’s aesthetic. And if something jars, then it isn’t Scandi enough to work in sync: If in doubt, chuck it out.