| The Scandinavian look is a bright, airy style that | | | | your furniture uncomplicated and clean for the |
| makes you feel like you can breathe easier just | | | | Scandinavian style. Curvilinear designs reign in |
| by stepping into it. This look is carefully | | | | blonde woods like birch, beech, and alder and may |
| constructed to give the illusion of light and sprang | | | | come painted white. Legs are often tapered or |
| from Sweden's harsh, long winter evenings. The | | | | fluted and tables sometimes bear scrolled borders |
| overall look is homey and inviting.Color here is | | | | for extra style. For the bedroom, opt for |
| viewed as an opportunity to create the brightness | | | | upholstered head and footboards, or go for basic |
| of a summer sky with marshmallow clouds and | | | | wood in a canopy bed, trundle or daybed style. |
| its cheerful vibes. For your base, you'll want | | | | Keep in mind there should be nothing imposing or |
| something like white, cream or sky blue, | | | | ostentatious about Scandinavian furniture, |
| complemented with touches of warm yellow and | | | | considering it takes its cues from country and folk |
| gold, baby pink and bold red, gray and light green. | | | | styles. For ideas, browse GREENCulture's large |
| Use these colors to stencil hearts, ribbons, scrolls | | | | furniture site. |
| and gatherings of wheat upon walls. | | | | If you want to dress up walls, keep things |
| Like your walls and draperies, keep your floors | | | | uncomplicated. You can use moldings, some |
| light and bright! Consider blonde or pale woods, or | | | | restrained stenciling and uncluttered floral patterns |
| a light hued paint for your floors. If you want to | | | | on your walls. Match any florals you do use to |
| jazz things up, stencil or paint pale designs (like | | | | freshly cut flowers displayed in pitchers, vases or |
| stripes and diamonds) on the floor's surface. And | | | | on wreathes for windows and bookcases. Flowers |
| don't forget your floor coverings! In this case, pick | | | | that match the Scandinavian color scheme include |
| up an eco-friendly sisal rug, like the kind found | | | | yellow daisies, pink roses and white flowers. |
| here, for a natural, attractive covering that | | | | Lastly, don't feel the need to fill up every space |
| protects your floors and family's feet. | | | | with knick-knacks and accessories, as it can work |
| Wall sconces are the key to your success with | | | | to undermine the light, airy feel you've worked to |
| this look. Choose relatively simple, small sconces | | | | create. Use mirrors to create the illusion of even |
| with a tin, gold or brass finish and place them in | | | | more open space and to reflect light, and use light |
| sets along your wall for artful framing and light | | | | colored accents like blue and white china, silver |
| play. Plain table lamps and unfussy chandeliers also | | | | and glass to add shine and style. |
| help add light to an already bright interior. Keep | | | | |