There’s a reason that Scandinavian interiors have caught the eye of design enthusiasts around the globe. The modernist principles developed by Nordic architects and designers nearly 100 years ago in the early 20th century have stood the test of time. That’s because Scandinavian interiors intentionally look beyond contemporary fashion or trends and focus on humanism, functionality, and simplicity. We’ve identified six key design principles that will help you bring the beauty of Scandinavian modern design into any space.

Work With Raw, Natural Materials

Natural materiality is a crucial component of Scandinavian interiors. Designing without artificial colors or textures ensures a timeless and authentic space.

[From: Simo Design]

In this kitchen by Simo Design, natural wood cabinetry is used to bring a sense of warmth and richness to the space. This is contrasted by the white marble countertop and backsplash. Neither the cabinetry or the backsplash use excessive ornamentation, but rather let the quality materials speak for themselves. A timeless look is achieved by not altering these elements and simply celebrating their natural character.

[From: Jessica Helgerson and Emily Knudsen Leland]

In this Portland home, restored hemlock wood is introduced on the walls of the living room. The wall brings both warmth and interest to the room, without distracting from the rest of the space. An excellent example of utilizing the authentic qualities of a material to highlight a design element, the natural grain of the wood brings a vertical interest, emphasizing the expansive height of the ceilings.

[From: Taylor & Taylor]

Before this basement kitchen renovation, this board-formed concrete was hidden behind drywall. When the designers exposed this material, rather than re-covering the wall, they decided to use the authentic texture as a design feature. The result is a beautiful contrast between the simplistic, custom-made cabinetry and the raw board-formed concrete.

Utilize A Neutral Palette

Similar to the concept of designing with natural materials, using a neutral color palette encourages a clean and classic look.

[From: Rust Architects]

This modern Tel Aviv apartment proves that you don’t necessarily need color for a room to be beautiful. By selecting black and white colors to complement the wood tones in this dining room, the design team at RUST has highlighted the modern simplicity and functionality of the space.

[From: JDP Interiors]

With this living room, JDP Interiors has proven that neutral doesn’t have to mean boring at all. By designing the room around three bold, black and white paintings, they’ve created a space that’s dramatic and eye-catching, without introducing unnecessary color.

[From: Robson Rak and Made by Cohen]

This kitchen will capture the heart of any Scandinavian design lover. Sticking with a nearly entirely white color palette, the texture of the materials is really what steals the show. Notice the glossiness of the tile backsplash contrasted by the matte finish of the cabinetry. Without saturated colors, a level of sophistication is felt in this space.

Focus On Functional Furniture

With Scandinavian furniture, form always follows function. You’ll notice that these modern pieces are always thoughtfully designed to support comfort while maintaining minimalism.

[From: Norm Architects]

In this classically Scandinavian interior, the Copenhagen-based designers at Norm Architects in collaboration with Keiji Ashizawa selected a beautifully modern sofa to be the main feature of this space. The sofa’s shape and materiality embrace comfort without sacrificing modern clean lines.

[From: Bolia – Chicago Dining Set]

The furniture from Bolia never disappoints us Scandinavian enthusiasts. Here, the Chicago dining set is shown in all its beauty. The form of the chairs is carefully and intentionally designed to support human comfort while the leather upholstered seats and the lacquered oak structure will beautifully blend into any Scandinavian interior.

[From: HAY – About a Chair]

The built-to-last furniture and decor from HAY are go-to products for all Scandinavian spaces. Specifically, the “About A Chair” collection is a wonderful example of functional, minimal design. The shape and upholstery of this lounge chair is warm and inviting without any unnecessary ornament.

Introduce Greenery

Nordic interiors often incorporate indoor plants into their spaces. The greenery is sure to complement the natural materials while simultaneously bringing life and texture into the space.

[From: dSpace Studio]

This bright and airy home designed by dSpace Studio is centered around a row of natural bamboo. Sunlight from the atrium is used not only to create a bright interior, but also as an opportunity to use plants as “natural art.” The greenery offers interest, color, and texture in what would otherwise be an empty space.

[From: Coco Lapine Design]

Here, greenery is used to really complete an interior. This living room designed by Coco Lapine uses a massive potted plant as the main feature of the space. The tree’s height and organic shape beautifully complements the rest of the design elements.

[From: Biasol]

A simply stunning Scandinavian interior designed by Biasol uses greenery for points of interest in otherwise minimal spaces. Here, the corner of the dining room is occupied by a simple indoor plant that emphasizes a feeling of freshness in the home.

Embrace Hygge With Your Decor

“Hygge” is the famous concept behind Scandinavian design in all forms. Roughly translated from Norwegian and Danish to mean something like “coziness” with feelings of wellness and contentment, it’s part of what sets Scandinavian interiors apart from other modernist movements. By keeping Hygge in mind when it comes to décor, your space will surely express Scandinavian design.

[From: Hay Flare Candleholders]

A huge part of embracing Hygge is centered around incorporating soft, warm lighting. These Flare Candleholders from HAY will help you do just that. As a bonus, they’ll introduce just a small touch of desaturated color into your space while continuing to be completely Scandinavian modern.

[From: The Cozie Shop – The Hygge Blanket]

Perhaps the epitome of Hygge is a cozy, soft, knitted blanket. One from The Cozie Shop is the perfect throw to cozy up with and read a good book. On top of that, it will bring a beautiful layer of texture into your space while complementing any Scandinavian piece you display it on.

Finally, a key piece to support both physical and acoustic comfort in your space is a well-designed rug. Any piece from the Hygge collection from Loloi will bring a warmth to your home and truly enhance the coziness necessary to complete a modern Scandinavian interior.

You're reading Stylish Ways To Incorporate Scandinavian Design In Your Home, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Seattle-based Coates Design Architects recently completed a unique project for a musician client, who tasked the firm with creating a special place where the music from her baby grand piano could resonate throughout the entire home. Coates Design, which offers architecture, programming and planning, interior design, and sustainability services, gladly took on the challenge.

[Coates Design Architects]

The client was interested in a home built using shipping containers. To accomplish this and make use of the natural structural integrity of containers, Coates Design searched for ways to integrate them with as little alteration as possible. After considerable research, however, the most cost-effective solution to incorporating intact containers would be to use a traditional wood framing technique.

[Coates Design Architects]

[Coates Design Architects]

This presented the challenge of capturing the aesthetic of a shipping container while providing an open and spacious interior with good acoustics for the piano. To resolve this, the container stacks were widened somewhat, but the final design still reflects the original concept. The look is accentuated with industrial corrugated metal that will naturally rust over time.

Tall, exposed wood ceilings and trim complement the industrial nature of the containers, while bright splashes of color throughout the home further personalize the space.

[Coates Design Architects]

The baby grand piano will soon be placed in its custom-designed space where it can fill the home with beautiful music. Come back to Decoist for updated photos of the Musician Home once the piano is moved in.

[Coates Design Architects]

[Coates Design Architects]

You're reading Seattle-Area Architectural Firm Designs One-Of-A-Kind Container Home For Musician, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Adding textural beauty to the bathroom is a task that is often accomplished with tiles that are a touch different from the cultured modern finishes all around. The modern choice in the last few years has been wood with durable finishes making their way into the moisture-rich environment. But that does not mean you undervalue the power of stone and all it can do in the bathroom. With spa-styled bathrooms becoming a hit in contemporary residences, natural stone has once again gained relevance thanks to both its aesthetic and functional value. At its polished best, stone also ushers in an air of luxury and sophistication!

Bathroom stone vanities do not come more natural than this stunning piece that complements the bathtub [From: Nickson and Burke]

Blocks of natural stone are often used for accents walls in the shower area or it comes in the form of vanity countertops that are otherwise built in wood. But today we take a look at bathroom vanities that are all about stone at its unbridled best! Be it marble, granite or even onyx with its pattern-filled brilliance; best stone vanities blend in with the style of the bathroom even as they deliver that ‘something different’ in an eye-catching fashion. From the dramatic to the understated, this is a look at the best ideas around –

Textural Beauty in the Contemporary Bathroom

Stone might not seem as apparently ‘different’ from other curated finishes in the modern bathroom like wood, but it still brings a different visual appeal thanks to its natural pattern. Each stone is different from the other and while marble in white is a classic that leaves the neutral color palette undisturbed, one in black can become the iconic focal point in the bathroom. A vanity entirely crafted in stone needs special care when it is being fitted and one that floats above ground requires even more care. Coupled this with wooden countertop or just a simple bowl sink and you have a dashing and space-savvy vanity.

Fabulous marble vanity for the chic contemporary bathroom that features hexagonal floor tiles [From: Johnathan Mitchell Photography / Singlepoint Design Build]

Floating stone vanity in the small and light-filled bathroom of Chicago apartment

Brass fixtures add metallic glitter to the custom stone vanity in the sophisticated bathroom

What Works in your Bathroom!

Different stone bathrooms work in various bathrooms with each stone offering something unique. Marble bathroom vanities are perfect for minimal, contemporary and modern bathrooms while those in granite work with a variety of styles ranging from rustic and farmhouse to coastal and shabby chic. Choices that are rarer like a vanity in Onyx is ideal for exotic bathroom styles like Mediterranean where the splash of opulence and warmth feels perfectly at home. Adding the right lighting next to the stone vanity is essential to accentuate its overall impact.

Slim stone vanities in gray are perfect for this contemporary bathroom [From: Associated Design]

Black slate is used to shape both the backsplash and the vanity in this small modern bathroom [From: Candent Design]

Corner stone vanity for the tiny bathroom that has wallpapered backdrop [From: Gemma Parker Design]

Stone with Other Materials

Even if you are not always committed to stone, you can get a similar look in the bathroom with a vanity in concrete that mimics stone with ease. Combine different materials with the stone vanity makes them even more alluring and you can start off with something as simple as brass fittings for the exquisite vanity. Mirror above the vanity with a similar metallic frame and colorful pendant lights turn the boring bathroom into a smart setting full of life. Wooden accents and a touch of greenery with indoor plants complete these dream bathrooms where stone demands attention!

Stone vanities do not come simpler or classier than this! [From: The SawHorse Company]

Concrete vanity in the bathroom offers a cool alternative to stone vanities [From: VC Décor]

Granite countertop functions here as the minimal vanity in the bathroom with matching style [From: World of apaiser]

You're reading Stylish Stone Vanity Ideas: Iconic Trend that Brings Glamour to the Bathroom, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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We are always on the lookout for ideas that maximize space and this often means going beyond just the usual ideas and making most of the vertical space on offer. Thinking vertical is the perfect way to create shelf space in small urban homes where every inch matters. Today we turn our attention to that forgotten area around the lovely doorway – a space that is often blank and white. You would be surprised to know that even this little area can be used beautifully by placing shelves that can provide some much needed storage area along with creating cool displays. This is a look at the best built-in shelves wrapped around the doorway.

Custom built-in bookshelves around the bedroom doorway make a big visual impact [From: KK Design Koncepts]

Shelves around the doorway offer much more than just functionality. They can create cool focal points and turn any room into a small library of sorts that helps store your budding book collection. From those in the kitchen and dining room to ones in the home office and bedroom, here are 20 best rooms with shelves around the doorway and tips on how you can embrace the look.

Shelves that Create a Contrast

You can use the shelves around the doorway to do much more than just add additional storage and display space. Using shelves in color that is different from the colors of the wall in the room can turn the doorway into an eye-catching focal point and give it a distinct identity. In a room with white walls, it is black that is often the most preferred choice while colors like blue and pastel green are also a popular choice in modern and contemporary spaces. Shelves often extend all the way up to the ceiling in here unless you have vaulted ceilings where shelves can level out well below.

French walnut shelves around the doorway along with red walls shape a classic reading room

Modern industrial style kitchen with large glass doors and bookshelves in black around it [From: clé tile]

Modern living room with vaulted ceiling and bookshelves in black

Modern Mediterranean interior with a hint of color and gorgeous decorative pieces

Dark and dashing doorway created using black open shelves wrapped around it [From: Blakes London]

Doorway with built-in shelves around it delineates the kitchen and the doorway

Custom Solutions for Every Room

Open plan living spaces are increasingly becoming the norm in homes across the globe and shelves around the doorway are a great way to delineate spaces while adding functionality. In some rooms you can place shelves on a larger scale fashion because of the available space while in other areas narrow shelves that can hold decorative pieces are the ideal option. You can also combine shelves on the upper level with cabinets below to usher in best of both worlds!

Finding space around the doorway for gorgeous shelving along with fabulous lighting

Integrating the shelves around the doorway into the overall design of the room [From: Blakes London]

Multi-level living room library wall in white steals the show in this house

Music room of the house with smart and simple shelves that wrap themselves around the doorway [From: Your Favorite Room By Cathy Zaeske]

Slim and open shelves around the doorway in the kitchen offer some much needed storage space [From: Lauren Rubin Architecture]

Bookshelf that wraps itself around the doorway helps create a lovely wall of books in the living room with ample natural light [From: MMM Architects]

Bookshelves around the doorway work well in the classic living room as well

Create a Library Anywhere

Shelves around the doorway are the easiest way to shape a home library of sorts without committing to the idea fully. Even in the home office, a wall of shelves gives you all the space needed to place the many files and accessories that you have all around. Any room from the living room to the kitchen, the bedroom to the home office can be turned into a library setting suing this innovative idea. Pick shelves that meet your specific needs and do not go overboard by filling the entire wall with shelving that is not going to be put to use.

Combining the open white shelves with closed cabinets around the doorway in the home office [From: Pure Interior Design by Stine Hollesen]

Let the shelves around the doorway extend to other walls in the open family room with fireplace [From: Crisp Architects]

Shelves wrapped around the doorway are a smart and space-savvy idea in the modern home office [From: Colin Smith Architecture]

White and wood home office with bookshelf wrapped around the doorway

Bookshelves add ombre style to the beautiful dining room and kitchen

Colorful eclectic living room of New York home with shelves wrapped around the doorway

You're reading Maximizing Space in Eye-Catching Style: 20 Smart Built-In Shelves Around Doorway, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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