Interiors

How To Embrace Artful, Lived-In Interiors With Modern Scandi Style

Interior designer Leigh Ellwood has a knack for creating modern interiors that don’t feel too contrived or ‘new’.

She channels the principles of ‘modern Scandi style’ in her projects; mixing old and new, championing natural materials and nailing the balance between ‘things’ and ‘space’.

Below, she shares her top tips for embracing this style, plus how to re-create this look at home.

Written
by
Leigh Ellwood

Interior designer, Leigh Ellwood in her dreamy beach house. Photo – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

 

6286 Dining Table by Fredericia from Cult Design. Custom made banquette seat. Akari Pendant Light from Finnish Design Shop. Ceiling stained with Porter’s Paints Watermark. Photo – Nikole Ramsay for The Design Files. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

‘Scandi style understands the art of understatement. Your room can really breathe when there’s quiet moments in-between key pieces.’

- Leigh Ellwood

The circular dining table is 50 years old. Translucent wall constructed from polycarbonate. Natural items collected by Grant & Mary over decades: rocks, bark, nests, grasses, shells, feathers, seeds, leaves. Photo – Amelia Stanwix.

IKEA dining table with Laminex Olympia Yellow tabletop. Juno dining chairs from Stylecraft. Minni dining chair by Halifax. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Vitsœ storage. Ptolomeo bookcase. Painting on right by Heather B. Swann from Station Gallery. Painting in shelves by Lewis Miller. Artek bed. Loom rug. Photo – Eve Wilson. Editorial styling – Annie Portelli

Writer
Leigh Ellwood
11th of January 2024

Search Pinterest or Instagram and you’re guaranteed to find all manner of inspiration for Scandinavian interior style. It’s a trend that never really went ‘out of fashion’, but rather, continued to iterate.

Where Scandi style might’ve once suggested black, white and grey, modern Scandi style enjoys pops of bold colour. Although, the key principles remain mostly the same; clean lines, natural materials, light timber and understated design.

Here are my rules for embracing modern Scandi style at home:

Mix it up! A combination of vintage and new pieces will help a space from looking too ‘samey’. Rome wasn’t built in a day… so remember it’s okay to add slowly, find pieces you like and gradually add them overtime.

Save up for that dream piece, and never ever buy a replica.

Less is more. Scandi style understands the art of understatement. Your room can really breathe when there’s quiet moments in-between key pieces.

Pick your moment. It could be a fabulous artwork or a pop of bold colour. Usually we want to feel relaxed at home, so lean into learning restraint.

Natural materials feel better. Think about your timber floor finish.  Natural finishes feel better underfoot and are healthier too. Look at WOCA Denmark or Dinesen. I love Lye and Soap finishes, as they are an absolute dream to walk on… and, yes, it does need some maintenance but that’s also part of the process of regular deep cleaning. Proper Hygge right there!

Additional credits for moodboard (from left): Ceramic vessel by Tessy King. ’After Cezanne’s L’orgie Ou Le Banquet’ artwork by Eleanor Louise Butt. Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey from Finnish Design Shop. Yuro Cuchor ceramic jug in rust from Pepite. Kenny Yong-soo Son Tin Plated Brass Vase I from Craft Vic. 

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