Scandinavia Dreaming: Nordic Homes, Interiors and Design

by Sven Ehmann (Editor), Robert Klanten (Editor), Angel Trinidad (Editor)

The nuanced realm of Nordic design has two personalities. On one side, there sits the open, light, friendly, and democratic constituent. And, on the other hand, is its moody counterpart: sleek and sophisticated; timeless and traditional; and deeply rooted in the sensations and juxtapositions of nature. Within the lines of tile-covered roofs born from the existence of nearby clay deposits and large windows that let in light during the shorter winter days, insight into this special thread of skilled craftsmanship awaits. Scandinavia Dreaming presents dazzling interiors, architecture, and products that show the richness, variety, and intensity of contemporary Nordic spaces.

Artisans fresh from design school breathe new life into the wonted usage of tile, wood, glass, ceramics, and other customarily Nordic materials. Profiles of brands and personalities that have influenced and, arguably, brought Nordic threads to the forefront of design conversations, tell an intriguing story: an aesthetic and historic journey through a vast world of style and heritage. Design firms such as Hay, Ferm Living, and Frama are highlighted and extolled for the new layer of warmth and energy that they bring to contemporary Danish design while honoring Scandinavian aesthetics and a space’s need to be both livable and logical. Finnish home textiles by Klaus Haapeniemi and Kustaa Saksi prove that the categories of art and décor are not mutually exclusive. Be it the painstaking searches of Copenhagen’s Gubi design house for neglected furniture that needs a well-honed touch before becoming pieces of the current design narrative or the tantalizing sculptures of Oslo-based designers Kneip that illustrate and investigate the phenomena of nature whilst reflecting the gentle coexistence of Nordic architecture with its surroundings, there exists a seamless pairing of the aesthetic and the historical within this iconic tale of design.

Genres: Design, Architecture

287 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[IE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a large book with a lot of text, so much text that I actually didn't read it all as it became tiring. The images are beautiful but really reminded me of an ad for Bo Concept... spaces featured are very show-room style and the photography is printed on matt paper. If you like Scandinavian or minimalist design you will like this book.

[Marius · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s only one in the world - Scandinavian design! And a book full of best examples from it. Worth to read and to take a small part of sca in wonderful pictures!