Simply Scandinavian

by Magnus Englund

Scandinavian interior design is admired the world over for its unpretentious simplicity and understated elegance. Homes are enviably relaxed and welcoming, filled with furniture and objects that are practical, functional, and beautiful―it’s a style that is totally in tune with today’s wish for calm, uncluttered spaces that are great to live in. Simply Scandinavian offers an in-depth visual survey of 20 outstanding homes in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, ranging from tiny cabins to smart apartments. Each residence is represented as a case study, in chapters covering Elegant Simplicity, Pared-down Modern, Contemporary Rustic, and Vintage-inspired. Featured locations include homes belonging to renowned Finnish chef Aki Wahlmann and Swedish glass and ceramics designer Ingegerd Råman, along with fashion and jewelry designers, craftsmen, and antiques dealers. The accompanying text provides a fascinating insight into each home, describing its design, planning, and evolution and offers inspiring ideas for how to find and put together furniture and accessories to create a similar look in your home.
• An easy-to-achieve, beautiful look for anyone who loves the fresh, light elegance of contemporary Scandinavian style.
• Features 20 inspirational homes in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, ranging from tiny cabins to elegant apartments.
• From the publisher of Scandinavian Modern , over 88,000 copies sold.

Genres: Interior Design, Nonfiction, Design, Architecture

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've died and gone to Valhalla.

This is such a gorgeous book. This is me reading this book: Oh, I want to live there. (flip) NO! I want to live THERE! (flip) OMGosh NO I want to live THERE!!!), and so on...

Not only is the photography outstanding, but the text is also rich and interesting. Can something be stylized, detailed AND minimal? YES, and this book is the proof. And even though these homes and designs are amazing and often times luxurious (even if it's a cabin in the woods...), there is so much in this book that is usable and inspiring, even to me, a gal who lives in a 950 square foot New England cape built in 1940 (for those of you unfamiliar with this, that means NO CLOSETS. and I have three children. sigh...).

I loooooooved this book sooooo much. It's a library book, and I've maxed out my renewals so it has to go back this week (another big sigh...). BUT it's going on the wish list because truly this is a calgon-take-me-away type of book. Oh Simply Scandinavian, absence will only make the heart grow fonder and we will be together again. xoxoxoxoxoxo

[Lo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comfort book of elegant simplicity. The book is a book of interior design with lots of photos and write-ups of the homes displayed. Examples of elegant simplicity, vintage-inspired, pared-down modern (minimalist and clean) and contemporary rustic.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of pictures. I found a few ideas that I really liked.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basically, I want to crawl inside this book and live there.

I want an alder plank-lined cocoon with a PH5 lamp over my Ikea dining table and a Marimekko table runner and some paper birch trees outside my triple glazed windows. I want a modern industrial facade on my 1800s converted barn, guilt-free sheepskin throws on every streamlined, wool-covered neutral couch, handmade tiles from portugal on my kitchen backsplash, a compact suspended toilet in my perfectly white tiled bathroom, and 100 miles of crisp white and gray walls. I want to recycle 100 year old roof tiles for my roof, use gray grout in my kitchen and have shabby shutters for every window. It's not too much to ask, is it?

I'm so glad my public library had this book to fulfill my Scandinavian fantasies. The only bad thing about this book is that it's not four times as long. I hope they write Simply Scandinavian II and III, Simply Scandinavian Textiles, Simply Scandinavian Kids and Simply Scandinavian Gardens.

[PoligirlReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should probably be called "Simply Wealthy Scandinavian." Is it Scandinavian design? Yes. But it's a bit like looking at an Elegant Homes magazine and thinking that's what regular American homes look like. Having spent a not inconsiderable amount of time in Scandinavia, and having a love of Swedish home goods (Hemtex 4 Evah!), this is a pretty unrealistic portrayal of modern homes. I give it two stars for the pictures inside, but that's about it. I certainly wouldn't use it for home decorating inspiration.

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally like Scandinavian style, but this book didn't do it for me. Was it a more modern version of Scandinavian style? I don't know, but I didn't love it.

Updated 6/30/2015
I so much didn't love it that I forgot I had read it. Still didn't love it. Too spare, I think.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Or, How To Maximize The Light In Your Home Beautifully And With A Vintage/Modern Flair.

[Tien Tran · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok