What’s Your Style: The New Scandinavian Style is More Than White
One of the most popular interior design types in Singapore is one that is loosely described as ‘Scandinavian’ style
Scandinavian style in Singapore has come to mean clean lines, lots of white and a fair bit of blonde (or pale) wood furniture. The true definition of Scandinavian design is based on a movement featuring simplicity, minimalism and functionality in the 1950s from the five Nordic countries of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark.
Jas Jhol from interior design firm Sugarbakers doesn’t think that Scandinavian style as it is used in Singapore now works particularly well.
“As clean as a look it may be, I feel it is cold and rather lazy,” explains Jas. “The Nordic concept is one of the most popular choices amongst Singaporean HDB flat owners because of Ikea.
“Its ‘modernist’ lines will always be safe with Singaporeans because much of the furniture can be bought rather cheaply.”
“As clean as a look it may be, I feel it is cold and rather lazy,” explains Jas. “The Nordic concept is one of the most popular choices amongst Singaporean HDB flat owners because of Ikea.
“Its ‘modernist’ lines will always be safe with Singaporeans because much of the furniture can be bought rather cheaply.”
If you want a Scandinavian inspired interior but don’t want to be ‘safe’, then try one of these three lesser known styles: Finnish, Icelandic or the Amsterdam aesthetic from the Netherlands.
1. Finnish finishes are fine
Finnish interior design is a mix of functional, streamlined wooden furniture and bold graphic prints and bright colours. Think of Finland’s iconic brand Marimekko for example; simple shapes but stunning patterns. The Finns have long been known for organic yet minimal shapes created by design superstar Alvar Alto, an architect, industrial designer and interior designer. His designs for glassware brand Iittala are classics, as is his three-legged stool.
Finnish interior design is a mix of functional, streamlined wooden furniture and bold graphic prints and bright colours. Think of Finland’s iconic brand Marimekko for example; simple shapes but stunning patterns. The Finns have long been known for organic yet minimal shapes created by design superstar Alvar Alto, an architect, industrial designer and interior designer. His designs for glassware brand Iittala are classics, as is his three-legged stool.
Add colour and texture
Looking at the image of brightly painted timber homes, you can see that the underlying design is similar to other Scandinavian countries, but the colour and decorative trims are the features that stand out.
The homes are called ‘Frontliner’ houses and were named after the returning soldiers they were built for in the 1940s. This vernacular Finish residential architecture continued to be built into the 1950s with the decorative carving and strong colours creating a personalised identity on kit-built homes.
Image: pxhere
Looking at the image of brightly painted timber homes, you can see that the underlying design is similar to other Scandinavian countries, but the colour and decorative trims are the features that stand out.
The homes are called ‘Frontliner’ houses and were named after the returning soldiers they were built for in the 1940s. This vernacular Finish residential architecture continued to be built into the 1950s with the decorative carving and strong colours creating a personalised identity on kit-built homes.
Image: pxhere
Get the look:
Prints are hugely important in Finnish design.
There are the quirky, slightly organic versions in bright colours from brands like Marimekko; or more traditional patterns based off either knits or the wooden fretwork seen on older houses. Woodcarving continues to be a strong tradition in Finland.
Prints are hugely important in Finnish design.
There are the quirky, slightly organic versions in bright colours from brands like Marimekko; or more traditional patterns based off either knits or the wooden fretwork seen on older houses. Woodcarving continues to be a strong tradition in Finland.
Get the look:
Finnish interior design features lots of wood, often unpainted so that the textures can be seen. In Finland, a land of snow and ice, you’ll always find an open fireplace, and almost every home has its own sauna.
You can achieve a similar look and feel by adding wood panelling to the walls, and picking up some Marimekko bedlinen.
Finnish interior design features lots of wood, often unpainted so that the textures can be seen. In Finland, a land of snow and ice, you’ll always find an open fireplace, and almost every home has its own sauna.
You can achieve a similar look and feel by adding wood panelling to the walls, and picking up some Marimekko bedlinen.
2. Amsterdam aesthetic
There is a particular look that I’ve recently started tracking on my Instagram: it’s a unique mix of what could be considered two very different design aesthetics – industrial and a stripped-back Georgian.
It’s the juxtaposition of Georgian detailing and period furniture with the accoutrements of a modern lifestyle that really appeals to me. The Georgian period in the United Kingdom ran from 1714 to 1830 under the reign of four kings, George I to IV. It’s renowned for its elegance and symmetry of lines due to the resurgence of classical architecture.
There is a particular look that I’ve recently started tracking on my Instagram: it’s a unique mix of what could be considered two very different design aesthetics – industrial and a stripped-back Georgian.
It’s the juxtaposition of Georgian detailing and period furniture with the accoutrements of a modern lifestyle that really appeals to me. The Georgian period in the United Kingdom ran from 1714 to 1830 under the reign of four kings, George I to IV. It’s renowned for its elegance and symmetry of lines due to the resurgence of classical architecture.
The link to Holland and this new Scandinavian style comes from the Canal Houses of Amsterdam.
Although the bones of these houses are from the 1600s, the current iterations are from the late Georgian period and show the same symmetry of design. And the houses’ historical use as warehousing is how the Industrial style came into the picture.
Image: pxhere
Although the bones of these houses are from the 1600s, the current iterations are from the late Georgian period and show the same symmetry of design. And the houses’ historical use as warehousing is how the Industrial style came into the picture.
Image: pxhere
These were the first ‘lofts’ and the large open spaces that retain period features alongside the odd industrial fitting is what makes this new look so interesting right now.
There’s also a connection to the trendy Wabi Sabi style that celebrates imperfection and age.
There’s also a connection to the trendy Wabi Sabi style that celebrates imperfection and age.
Get the look:
Dutch design is known for its mix of minimalist, experimental, innovative and quirky aesthetic.
Dutch design is known for its mix of minimalist, experimental, innovative and quirky aesthetic.
Get the look:
According to Jas Jhol, “Scandinavian style in Singapore has been confused with industrial style”. “Industrial style, however, pertains to the mass production of furniture as opposed to the hand crafted,” he explains.
This means more than just exposed brick walls. Look for furniture and fittings that have an actual industrial background – factory lights, old metal work benches for your kitchen and old office filing cabinets for storage.
According to Jas Jhol, “Scandinavian style in Singapore has been confused with industrial style”. “Industrial style, however, pertains to the mass production of furniture as opposed to the hand crafted,” he explains.
This means more than just exposed brick walls. Look for furniture and fittings that have an actual industrial background – factory lights, old metal work benches for your kitchen and old office filing cabinets for storage.
Get the look:
Strong, rich but muted colours combined with a lot of grey look best with the Amsterdam aesthetic. Continue the juxtaposition by going for dark walls with light coloured furniture, or the other way around, richly coloured furniture against pale grey walls.
Strong, rich but muted colours combined with a lot of grey look best with the Amsterdam aesthetic. Continue the juxtaposition by going for dark walls with light coloured furniture, or the other way around, richly coloured furniture against pale grey walls.
Get the look:
My personal preference is to mix jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red and purple with shades of grey. I’m especially taken by the use of Georgian wainscoting and panelling that’s been ‘painted back’ to the wall colour so that you only notice it as a shadowy detail on the wall.
How to use wall panelling
My personal preference is to mix jewel tones like sapphire blue, emerald green, ruby red and purple with shades of grey. I’m especially taken by the use of Georgian wainscoting and panelling that’s been ‘painted back’ to the wall colour so that you only notice it as a shadowy detail on the wall.
How to use wall panelling
Get the look:
When it comes bathrooms, I love the idea of using an old reclaimed dresser as the vanity, topped with marble.
Although subway tiles came decades after the Georgian period, they do look great here juxtaposed below a dado rail and against a strong wall colour and antique fittings.
When it comes bathrooms, I love the idea of using an old reclaimed dresser as the vanity, topped with marble.
Although subway tiles came decades after the Georgian period, they do look great here juxtaposed below a dado rail and against a strong wall colour and antique fittings.
3. Icelandic iconoclasts
If you really want to go super minimalist but with a nature bent, Icelandic style could be for you.
An ‘iconoclast’ is someone who destroys images – particularly religious ones – and this pure simplicity is what sets Icelandic design apart.
There is a reliance on natural materials in their bare form, combined with a Shaker-like simplicity of design and lack of detailing.
If you really want to go super minimalist but with a nature bent, Icelandic style could be for you.
An ‘iconoclast’ is someone who destroys images – particularly religious ones – and this pure simplicity is what sets Icelandic design apart.
There is a reliance on natural materials in their bare form, combined with a Shaker-like simplicity of design and lack of detailing.
In Iceland, this extreme minimalism acts as a way to frame the stunning landscape; the simplicity is a reflection of the environment, framing it and turning it into a feature.
The Shakers can be viewed as the original minimalists. This American religious group in the 1800s lived a life of self-sufficiency and built their homes and made their furniture by hand. Time was spent in contemplation, not adding decorative touches.
Get the look:
The simpler, the better is the motto for Icelandic interiors. Look for minimal timber furniture in the Shaker style and paint the walls white.
A great way to get a similar look is to add timber paneling and then paint in a neutral white.
8 white paints that show which white is right
The simpler, the better is the motto for Icelandic interiors. Look for minimal timber furniture in the Shaker style and paint the walls white.
A great way to get a similar look is to add timber paneling and then paint in a neutral white.
8 white paints that show which white is right
Get the look:
When is comes to adding colour to your Icelandic style, stick to pale or washed-out versions of primary colours like blue, red and green.
You can use chalk paint to get a worn, country look on your furniture.
When is comes to adding colour to your Icelandic style, stick to pale or washed-out versions of primary colours like blue, red and green.
You can use chalk paint to get a worn, country look on your furniture.
Get the look:
Add warm wood flooring and look for areas where you can expose brick or add panelling to get the wooden wall effect.
Add warm wood flooring and look for areas where you can expose brick or add panelling to get the wooden wall effect.
This is possibly the most perfect Icelandic style wardrobe. It’s simple, comprising a length of timber set in a white and grey room.
It’s probably not all that practical, but it does give you the right ‘feel’ for the Icelandic style.
It’s probably not all that practical, but it does give you the right ‘feel’ for the Icelandic style.
TELL US
What’s your new Scandinavian style? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Authentic Scandi-Style Decoded
What’s your new Scandinavian style? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
MORE
Authentic Scandi-Style Decoded
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