In Denmark, hygge means creating a pleasing, cozy, and warm atmosphere, enjoying the good things that life has to offer in the company of cherished people. To some, hygge might appear as an art form, but in essence, it is truly a simple concept.

Nature

Nordic design is a discipline that draws from many elements. Nature is a great influencer, where long winters and fewer hours of sunlight are the inspiration behind homey and thoughtfully designed interiors.

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Fjord. Image © 2016 SKANDINAVISK.

Skog (forest). Image © 2016 SKANDINAVISK.

Off the beaten track, deep in the wooded Swedish countryside, lies the Vipp Shelter. This smart and compact home is the perfect Nordic lakeside getaway. Image © 2016 Vipp.

A Homey Atmosphere

Nordic interiors often appear effortless, having a clear expression of form. Nordic design emphasises simplicity, elegance and practicality, in a manner that is rarely ostentatious. A homey candle can be used to create a perfect everyday moment of intimacy, where the simple gesture of lighting a wick engenders a feeling of calm and tranquility.

Iittala X Issey Miyake ‘Pause For Harmony’ collection. This collaboration pairs the intricate and curious worlds of Finnish and Japanese design, bringing a sense of harmony to the home. Image © Fiskars Finland.

Kaasa Tealight candleholders by Ilkka Suppanen for Iittala. Image © Fiskars Finland.

The Arabia Moomin winter season mug and bowl (2016) features Moomintroll, Hemulen, Sorry-oo and the Snowhorse from the book Moominland Midwinter. Image © Fiskars Finland.

The Art of Hygge

In Denmark, ‘hygge’ is about sharing comfort and warmth with friends and family. In fact, it is said that “Hygge is as Danish as pork roast and cold beer and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul.” (Source: VisitDenmark) This beautiful Danish concept is about cosiness and togetherness, typically in relation to one’s home and in small everyday moments. In English, hygge is enunciated as ‘hooga’: forming your mouth for ‘ee’ while saying ‘oo’.  Ilse Crawford, the much admired British designer, gives shape to the idea of hygge throughout her work. In an interview with Onoffice magazine, Ilse (whose mother was Danish) discusses hygge as: “[the] idea that you can bring people together [and] that space is a dynamic sociable thing… [something] that was very much practiced in our family.” (Source: Onoffice)

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Using natural materials, layers of textile and sumptuous furniture, Ilse Crawford’s Studioilse created this cosy chalet deep in the Swiss Alps. Image courtesy of Studioilse.

Swiss chalet by Studioilse. Image courtesy of Studioilse.

SKANDINAVISK, a Copehagen-based company making artisanal candles, designed a candle that represents hygge, whose scent is imbued with a cosy, snuggly and happy Scandinavian feeling.

Hygge scented candles and diffuser. Image © 2016 SKANDINAVISK.

Deep Glow Hygge candles. Image © 2016 SKANDINAVISK.

Hygge comes from comfort, security and warmth, and is found in honest materials, playful details and aesthetic qualities. For example, one might find hygge in a handmade kilim, a tactile throw, a soft glowing light and an absorbing read. Hygge as cosiness is difficult to quantify; however we choose to define or express it, there is no denying its power to improve our quality of life. Denmark is after all the world’s happiest nation, ranked No. 1 in the United Nation’s World Happiness Report. (Source: VisitDenmark)

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Find more hygge in coffee, food and the finest Danish design:

Find hygge in coffee. Served here in the 24h Avec Purple range by Heikki Orvola for Arabia. Colour and pattern by Kati Tuominen-Niittylä. Image © Fiskars Finland.

Find hygge in a Karelian pie from Nordic Bakery in London. A delicious rye-crusted savoury snack, the Karelian pie is made with rice or potato mash filling and served with egg-butter spread. Image courtesy of Nordic Bakery.

Find a superlative level of hygge in Hans J. Wegner’s CH07 Shell Chair and CH008 coffee table. According to Carl Hansen & Søn, ‘Hyggehjørne’ is that cosy corner of your favourite space. It’s where you feel most at home and where furniture pieces are quintessential elements of everyday life and lifestyle. Image courtesy of Carl Hansen & Søn.

Find hygge in the Vipp Shelter. Image © 2016 Vipp.

You're reading How To Incorporate The Danish Art of Hygge Into 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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Many of us might have predicted already that here would come a day when most of the world would work from the comfort of their homes. It only seemed obvious with the way technology has evolved in the last two decades. But none would have predicted that the situation would be forced upon us as early as 2020 by a raging global pandemic. A smart and functional home office is no longer optional. It is a ‘must have’ with all of us having to find stop-gap solutions for one before settling on more permanent options. As Holidays roll in and work takes bit of a backseat, now is the time to create that perfect home office which will serve you well for years to come. And Workspace from String Furniture offers the perfect solution in this regard!

Iconic and smart string shelves are an essential part of the new workspace compositions

String Furniture is renowned in the world of modular décor for decades now with the iconic and evergreen String System of shelves that make every room far more efficient and aesthetic. Incorporating this system into an office setting along with a fabulous, custom sit-stand desk that is adaptable, the new Workspace designed by Bjorn Dahlström and Anna von Schewen is an absolute showstopper. Design process of the system involved much more than mere aesthetics with long term health of those working 9 hours or more each day at a desk being considered.

Multiple configurations of the smart desk allow you to use the string workspace for different tasks at home

New String workspace fits into the tiniest of spaces with ease

Oak table and finishes add warmth to this contemporary home office setting from String

Perfect ergonomics meet Scandinavian simplicity with the String workspace

Smart modular String shelving system for better organization of the workspace

String workspace desk can be used in several different rooms with ease

Adaptable and modular home workspace from String Furniture

The sit-stand desk with its adjustable design turns the same table into a dining table, a table for small meetings, a family gathering spot and even a homework area for kids in absolutely no time. Ingenious and bespoke shelving system, storage on wheels and filing cabinets that are a part of the composition complete the Workspace with ease. With limitless possibilities and space-savvy credentials, this nifty system promises to turn even the tiniest corner into a productive home office.

Bjorn Dahlström and Anna von Schewen deigned the workspace around iconic String shelf

Compact and flexible string home office compositions fit in pretty much anywhere

Create your own, custom home office solution with the new String workspace

Easy-to-use sit-stand desks coupled with string shelving system create fabulous office space compositions

Ingenious String Workspace in black and ash

Innovative workspace solutions from String make a difference with their adaptable and ergonomic designs

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A weekend retreat that is ready to serve you anytime of the year, a wonderful second home or even a permanent residence that takes you away from constant urban rush; the Bowen Island House designed Office of Mcfarlane Biggar Architects + Designers can do it all and with sustainable style! This gorgeous home on the Bowen Island in BC, Canada is a modern cabin in the woods that is wrapped in cloak of green and black – the perfect cover that lets the home blend into the lush green forest all around it. Cantilevered above the rugged coastline, stretching into the canopy around it and offering majestic views of the ocean, distant mountains and the landscape beyond, this family escape has it all.

Mesmerizing views meet green design and contemporary comfort at the Bowen Island House

It is easy to miss this residence if you are not actually looking for it as the black stained cedar exterior along with the natural green roof provide perfect camouflage. Despite the private entry, the interior of the home with its expansive living area, dining space and kitchen on the top level completely opens up to the view outside. Large sliding glass doors, floor-to-ceiling glass walls and skylights connect the living areas with the world outside. Bedrooms and utility areas are neatly hidden on the level below.

Black stained cedar allows the lovely retreat to blend into the forest-scape after sunset with ease

Entry of the Bowen Island House cleverly conceals the spacious interior that lies on the other side

Cantilevered upper level of the house and deck take you above the forest canopy and provide captivating views

Ingenious island home leaves as little carbon footprint as possible

Passive heating and cooling techniques, the gorgeous green roof and renewable energy ensure that the house can function entirely off-grid. With minimal carbon footprint and astounding views that bring the outdoors inside, this is a picture-perfect lover for everyone looking to reconnect with nature! [Photography: Ema Peter Photography]

Minimal contemporary living area of the house with an open plan design

Skylight brings additional natural light into the kitchen of the island home

Sliding glass doors connect the interior with the natural wooden deck

The succinct spatial sequence through the house orchestrates a path from the forest floor to floating above the rugged shore. Connecting the architecture and nature, windows offer intimate views differing distinctively from the expansive views of the ocean; minimal frames help dematerialize the building skin while maximizing views and daylight. The children’s bedrooms and kitchen enjoy framed views of the rocky cove to the west

Floor-to-ceiling glass walls open up the bedroom to the stunning ocean view and beyond

Gorgeous green roof of the island home gives it an impressive eco-friendly edge

Design plan of the Bowen Island House in Canada

You're reading Ocean, Mountains and Forest Canopy Comes Indoors at this Island House, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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