In recent years, minimal and Scandinavian interior styles have taken a dramatic shift and they’ve redefined our notion of a "clean" space by daring to add color, texture and rawness to what we thought should be "clean-lined", white and straight-forward. The lack of sunlight in the Nordic regions (about 1,000 hours short of the amount of sunlight enjoyed in Sydney) is believed to be the foundation for the trend of bright and simple Scandinavian homes–a natural consequence to the color-charged past of the 60’s 70’s 80’s and 90’s.
What Scandinavian interior design is shaping up to create is a middle ground between the over-colorful past and the white-washed millennium. The transition was clear a couple of years back, when the fashion industry decided to bring back an array of strong colors mixed with a nude color palette–pulling back from an all black and white narrative.
Although many people are mentally prepared to accept new trends and change, I might be one to always stay on the more neutral side. That’s why I fell in loved with this apartment featured via Fantastic Frank. It’s living proof that we CAN have it all. It’s the softness of the walls, the functionality of the space and the boldness of an unexpected emerald green as the accent color.
The mention of having color in a home doesn’t necessarily have to make you cringe. Although I'm very indecisive when it comes to picking paint colors for my apartment, I do very well picking decoration items and furniture that might scare any hardcore minimalist...
I believe that’s because I share one thing with the Scandinavians (maybe it's because I spend most of my time cooped up indoors): their appreciation for nature. Not only that they have plants around their homes; but also that their passion for the outdoors is responsible for many of their trends–the colors in their designs, the materials they use, the art on their walls–it all adds to their sensorial experience.
So if you are also afraid to introduce color into your home, this beautiful open-concept apartment is the perfect example of how. Design, function and style. The clear floors, open space and use of natural material like rattan chairs and plants create a perfect harmony between the old and new trends.
Two words: Green. Marble.
Yes, the sadly overdone traditional white marble has finally taken a back seat to make way for a refreshing and envelope-pushing wave of stones. The Bursa Beige and Pink Onyx are the most used by the romantic "Soft Minimalists"–and thought I find any type of stone beautiful, this one here hit me right in the heart.
The peaceful and clean feel of this home isn’t affected by the mix of textures, bold colors, materials and preconceived notions of what minimalism should be. In fact, this is one place that can easily debunk the myth of a white-only Scandinavian design.
Don’t you think?
