In the world of Scandinavian design, it was once dominated by all white interiors that embodied minimalism in every way… but things are beginning to change.
We all adore white interiors for obvious reasons – they feel bigger, brighter, more tranquil. However, of recent there is increasing use of colour in Scandinavian interiors, and it is in no way damaging the pure, minimalist style that we know and love.
In Nannestad, Norway lives Nina Johansen. By day, Nina works as a member of the SAS (Scandinavian airline) ground-staff; by night, she is mummy to 3 kids. Nina and her husband built their stunning house two years ago with the aim to create a family home that was cozy and child-friendly.
“All white has never been my thing,” Nina says, and as a result her home shows just how perfectly colour and minimalism can be combined. “I wanted it to be a modern home but child-friendly and a bit playful with colours.”
Deciding on the colours you introduce to your home is a task that takes time and care – colour can very much be a make or break aspect of an interior.”When you decide what you want then “try-paint” a small area because the colour on the test is never the same as it will be on the wall” Nina warns, having spent several months deciding on the walls, tiles, floors and wallpaper used in the children-rooms.
It’s also important to recognise that colour is a very personal thing. The colours that you adore in your home may be someone else’s worst nightmare. Nina found this when she decided on having a black kitchen. “Everybody said “No way” but I never regretted my choice in that.”
Whilst Scandi interiors are beginning to feature more colour, you’ll find that those who love Scandinavian design will still naturally gravitate towards cool tones or pastel shades, and Nina is no exception.
Her gorgeous living room features a cool dark blue statement wall, inspired by her childhood near the sea. “It reminds me where I come from and I love the contrast to the rest of the living room which is grey” she says.
That’s not to say that bright colour can’t be used in Scandi interiors, they just tend to be more subtle accents as opposed to big statements. You will notice pops of bright colour throughout Nina’s home in the form of artwork, plants, cushions and other home accessories.
It goes without saying that the colour and style of your interior is often very much an expression of your personality. Nina wanted her kids to enjoy the enjoy the experience of building their home along with her, so allowed them to pick their own wallpaper, meaning their bedrooms truly reflect themselves.
The result is each of the children’s rooms has a different fun and exciting colour scheme, yet all fit perfectly with Nina’s natural Scandi style. Her son opted for an aeroplane mural as a statement wall, which she describes as “probably a normal choice growing up with a pilot-dad and airport-mom”.
Often inspired by Bolia furniture – as you can see from the Coco Armchair, Quadro Shelf and Beaver Dining Chairs throughout her home – Nina is thrilled that designers are allowing more colour to enter the world of Scandinavian design.
“I really like the Scandinavian style in furniture and interior,” she says. “I’m very happy to see that furniture and interior-things also come in colours now, not only black or white.”
The beauty of using colour in the home is that it’s never permanent. In Nina’s own wise words: “Don’t be afraid to use colours, the worst that can happen is to paint over it again.”
To see more of Nina’s beautiful home, take a look at her Instagram @ninavj_81, and good luck adding colour to your own homes!
