Things You'll Need:
- Paints and accessories in pale blues and greens, creamy whites and lavenders.
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Step 1
The first thing you must understand about Swedish decorating is that the colors of the room need to be pale. Also, minimally dressed windows are part of the design scheme. Shop for paints in creamy whites and pale light blues. Accessories such as rugs could be light lavender and or a pale light green with hints of light yellow and moderate rose hues.
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Step 2
Walls should be painted white. Stairways and stairwells as well as moldings do well painted in light blue. Moldings also benefit when painted a light lavender.
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Step 3
Faux finishes were very popular during the 1800's in Scandinavia. An adjoining lavender wall may be another consideration in your decorating scheme. Just remember to keep the palette light. When shopping, floors need to be light. An example of this may be distressed floor boards. The floors, for the most part, should be unadorned of any rugs. Book shelves and furnishing of such nature would do well to be presented in a white-washed presentation. A minimal amount of dark pieces are acceptable in at least one of your rooms. Two pieces of darker wood would be the maximum, such as a table and chair in a library room. The table would look best adorned with a light-colored sculpture or decorative art.
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Step 4
Selecting 19th-century Scandinavian antiques or reproductions can be a real joy, as the antiques blend enormously well with other types of antiques. Try accessorizing with a 19th-century Scandinavian grandfather clock. The clock stands tall and is especially eye-appealing for those individuals who live in residences with very high ceilings. Another interesting point about this antique is that the clock offers no pendulum to watch sway back and forth as is apparent with other clocks of this nature.
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Step 5
Select a few dark pieces to add to your decorating scheme. In example, a dark round table and chair in an otherwise pale white setting in one of your rooms. This decorating idea is standard in many Scandinavian homes.
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Step 6
Accessorize white-washed bookshelves and an antique secretary with books and collectibles, respectively.
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Step 7
Try placing an antique or antique-reproduction treasure box in a strategic location in the bedroom. Place a delicate floral or embroidered handkerchief next to it.
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Step 8
Faux frames were most popular during the 1800's as part of Swedish design. Here I am referring to a frame that was painted on the wall. Should your home have a fireplace, this decorative Swedish favorite of the early 1800's will be a nice inclusion within your design scheme.
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Step 9
A light blue in your entry way in coordination with white walls may be a good choice. Ligher lavender on moldings along with white walls may also be a complimentary 'duo' in your overall design.
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Step 10
Windows should be unadorned or coverings should be minimal such as strips of vintage white muslin.
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Step 11
Other accessories may include antique Danish chests painted in gray and blue and authentically distressed; or an 1820's side table of white and gold.
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Step 12
Bedrooms need to be minimally furnished. A suggestion is an antique iron canopy bed or reproduction with clean lines adorned appropriately with a creamy white quilt and corresponding pillow shams. White vintage muslin curtains could drape the windows and a white antique night stand could set along side the bed.
