Scandiluxe: How to Create Contemporary Scandinavian Style
With its clean lines and focus on warm, natural materials, the Scandinavian look has taken Australia by storm over the last few years.
READ ARTICLEInterior Style - Nordic Essence
Kick back, relax and bask in true Scandi style with our Nordic Essence theme. A look that’s centred around natural materials, fuss-free furniture, and lashings of light, it’s the ultimate backdrop for an easy-going lifestyle – and one that Australians can’t seem to get enough of.
Start your journey towards Nordic style with comfortable seating, blonde timber touches, and a colour palette inspired by the cool Scandinavian skies, such as white, soft grey, greige and blush. And when it comes to styling, resist the urge to overdo it – the idea is to make spaces feel open, inviting and easy to move through.
“Nordic style whispers elegance, with its tranquil hues, warm natural materials, and focus on light and openness – it’s a look you’ll never tire of.”
INTERIOR DESIGN MANAGER, JESSICA HODGES
Create the look
Exterior colours
Let the muted tones and textures in nature inspire your Nordic façade. You might, for example, layer pale grey or beige render, with mid-tone grey brickwork, and creamy tiles on your feature front pier, combined with a timber garage door and roof detailing. Add a crisp, modern edge with charcoal window frames and roof tiles in a rich, stormy shade.
Interior flooring
Ground your interior with blonde oak floorboards or tiles that mimic the look of marble or limestone, topped with simple flat-weave rugs in tones of beige or pale grey for cosiness underfoot. Create a snug feel in quiet spots, such as bedrooms and studies, with wall-to-wall carpet in a gentle, neutral tone.
Feature lighting
Illuminate your interior with simple pendants in timber, glass, or matt white or black metal, in sculptural dome, conical, teardrop or folded shapes. To create a sense of intimacy, choose styles that emit a warm, diffuse glow similar to candlelight. Consider the area you choose to add feature lighting as it will ground and accentuate the spot in a subtle way.
Kitchen styling
Give your kitchen a light and airy feel by choosing a neutral palette – whites, greys, and natural timber tones. Keen to break up all those soft tones? Add a pop of charcoal to your stool space or upper cabinets.
Opt for simple, flat-fronted joinery, with push-catch mechanisms on overhead cabinets for a clean, minimal look. When it comes to seating, think rustic wooden bar stools for a clutter-free look. Round out the space with clean-lined tapware in polished chrome, matt black or white, and sleek handles on lower cabinets.
Bathroom bliss
Set a serene tone with streamlined, practical joinery, such a minimalist oak vanity that includes a mix of drawers and open sections for towels and bathroom paraphernalia, and simple chrome or matt black tapware. Add softness with a basin with rounded edges, and pale greige or beige tiles on the floor and walls that match or harmonise with the colour of flooring in the adjoining room.
See the Nordic Essence look on display at these locations:
Scarborough Grand 40
Smiths Lane Estate, Clyde North
Piermont 29
Attwell Estate, Deanside
Illawarra Grand Deluxe 45
Meridian Estate, Clyde North
Matera 29
Botanical Estate, Mickleham
View the Nordic Essence gallery
Master Suite as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Activity as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Walk-In-Robe as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Meals as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Master Suite as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Activity as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Walk-In-Robe as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Meals as seen in our Illawarra Grand Deluxe at Meridian Display Centre
Furniture & Styling
While Scandinavian style is known for its minimalism, it’s anything but stark – infuse warmth into your living areas and bedrooms with layers of soft textiles, such as mohair, sheepskin and wool. Emphasise the gently cocooning feel with textured and patterned wallpaper in muted, natural tones of honey, blush or soft green.
Choose quality furniture in simple shapes that serves a practical purpose, such as generous sofas in hardy materials such as corduroy and cotton, a sturdy wooden dining table for everyday family meals, stackable stools that double as side tables, and storage ottomans that give you somewhere to tuck away toys in a flash.
Here are the shopping destinations our interior designers recommend:
Learn more about creating the Nordic Essence look
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