The book “Scandinavia Dreaming: Nordic Homes, Interiors and Design: Scandinavian Design, Interiors and Living: Volume 2” illustrates today’s evolving story of Nordic design: one that is equal parts elegance, function, and tradition. Read more about the book Scandinavian Dreaming, published by Gestalten.
“The book explores everything I love about Scandinavian design: dazzling interiors, architecture, and products that show the richness, variety, and intensity of contemporary Nordic spaces,” says author Angel Trinidad.
What is Scandinavian design, and why is it everywhere?
In Scandinavia Dreaming Angel Trinidad claims that Nordic design has two personalities. On one side, there sits the open, light, friendly, and democratic constituent. And, on the other hand, is its moody counterpart: sleek and sophisticated; timeless and traditional; and deeply rooted in the sensations and juxtapositions of nature.
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Scandinavia Dreaming
“I enjoyed every moment working on the book: doing research, looking for the most inspiring projects and images, and writing the words to tell the story,” says Trinidad.
The easiest way to understand why it seems that every perfectly appointed home and cool office features sleek yet classic, unassuming furniture, or an aesthetic that is at once mindful of natural materials and poignantly sophisticated, is to simply have a look into this book. Within the lines of tile-covered roofs born from the existence of nearby clay deposits and large windows that let in light during the shorter winter days, insight into this special thread of skilled craftsmanship awaits.
A tie that binds the Nordic countries together
“Delving into this exquisite world characteristic of gorgeous aesthetics, warm materials, a gentle co-existence with nature, and that one-of-a-kind Nordic light made me remember all the special things about the region, and why I love it so much in the first place,” explains the author.
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Though it may seem unfair to lump the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden into “one big, blond-wood pile,” as the introduction notes, there’s still an undeniable tie that binds them together. The book presents dazzling interiors, architecture, and products that show the richness, variety, and intensity of contemporary Nordic spaces.
A Dream come true
“As most of you already know, Scandinavia was/is my greatest dream – it was my goal in life to live in Sweden (which I did!) – and of course, the design aesthetic of the region is one of the things that inspired me the most. So, this book is like coming full circle, a dream come true; literally Scandinavia Dreaming,” says Trinidad.
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Nordic design is a result of the harsh weather and the even more severe terrains, but also of optimism, and of entrepreneurship coexisting harmoniously within a welfare state. There’s the element of fairytale and furry animals: of elves and trolls as well as polar bears and reindeer. Artisans fresh from design school have brought new life into the wonted usage of tile, wood, glass, ceramics, and other customarily Nordic materials.
An evolving story
Nordic design has an evolving story: one that is equal parts elegance, function, and tradition. There is something truly special and specific about design in the North – the love for light, airy spaces, which are not just limited to minimal and whitewashed designs, but is truly creative and dynamic.
Mostly, though, it’s the spirit of cooperation and harmony—whether with the environment or an object—that makes Scandinavian design work for a wide swath of people, no matter where they’re form.
Scandinavian Dreaming, written by Tor Kjolberg