Our love of Scandi interiors shows no sign of waning - but that doesn't mean you can't update the theme. Gabrielle Fagan turns to home style blogger and author Niki Brantmark for inspiration

IT'S HARD to escape Scandinavia's influence on our lives - and it's in our living rooms that it's really made its mark. That uber-cool blend of clean lines, simple shapes and beautifully-designed functional furniture adds up to a sophisticated, elegant look that's proved irresistible here in the UK.

But just as the Scandi buzzword-of-the-moment has moved on from the Danish 'hygge' to the Swedish 'lagom' - which means 'just the right amount' - the vibe in interiors has evolved too, making way for more balanced, pared-back style, where comfort and quality reign supreme.

That 'less is more' vision is perfectly understood by Niki Brantmark, a Londoner who moved to Sweden more than a decade ago. The move inspired her blog, My Scandinavian Home - and now her new book, The Scandinavian Home, opens the door to a host of distinctive spaces, including dreamy log cabins.

"Scandinavian homes are renowned for their clean lines and muted colours and there's a wonderful ease in the way they create them and apply their innate sense of style," Brantmark enthuses.

"In general, they believe it's better to take time layering their homes with items that tell a story and have a sense of purpose. It all helps to make their settings unique and filled with personality and beauty."

The huge popularity of the Scandi look means it can be created quickly and affordably - think Ikea - or you can follow a more measured approach, and take your time collecting one-off finds and heirloom pieces.

 

SCANDI STYLE RULES

Follow Niki Brantmark's guide to creating Scandi-style decor...

:: Keep the look clean and fuss-free, focusing on straight lines and simple shapes. "In many homes, whether urban, country or rural dwellings, you will find only a few beautifully crafted, high-quality iconic design pieces, alongside antiques and flea market finds, all made from natural, sustainable sources."

:: Stick to light, muted colours, such as white, light grey and blue, for a calm look and feel. "The preference is for light wood floors and white walls and ceilings which reflect the light."

:: Leave windows as unobscured as possible to allow natural light to fill the room. "Scandinavians are inspired by light, having an abundance of it in summer, but so little of it in winter, so house design tends to maximise the natural light flow with large windows."

:: Create interest using different textures, such as marble, wood and stone. "Nature and weather are major influences, as homes have to be made warm and cosy, not simply with log burning stoves, but also through incorporating earthy colour tones and natural materials from wood to leather, to soften the clean lines of the architecture."

:: Add layers of soft materials such as cotton, linen and sheepskin, for a warm and inviting space. Forgo wall-to-wall carpets for wood flooring and a selection of small rugs. As a final finishing touch, bring nature indoors with plants and flowers, as well as other items found on your doorstep.

 

GET THE LOOK

WALLS

"Nordic principles are largely to do with quiet, understated aesthetics and surroundings," says Kasia Wiktorowicz, at paint specialists, Valspar (www.valsparpaint.co.uk). "Muted mid-tones, like shades of grey, caramel or soft blue, are restful yet interesting, and help create a clean and balanced design. Chalky whites also blend quietly with these colours, so you are left with a calming interior that will rejuvenate your mind after a busy day."

Consider Grey Callisto or Welcoming White, from the Valspar Premium Blend v700 Walls & Ceilings range, £28 for 2.5L, available in store at B&Q (www.diy.com). Allow stone to star on a feature wall or chimney breast by tiling with Tile Giant's Oyster Slate Split Face Mosaic Wall Tiles, currently reduced to £46.95 from £55.28 per square metre (www.tilegiant.co.uk)

Somerset County Gazette: Nordic Maple wood effect tiles, £26.95 (reduced from £49.45) per square metre, Walls & Floors (www.wallsandfloors.co.uk). Picture: PA Photo

ABOVE: Nordic Maple wood effect tiles, £26.95 (reduced from £49.45) per square metre, Walls & Floors (www.wallsandfloors.co.uk). Picture: PA Photo

FLOORS

"Choose a soft neutral shade for your flooring, which could be wood flooring or tile," says Jemma Dayman, assistant buyer, Carpetright. "It's all about introducing different tones of colour, and sheepskins or wool rugs are perfect for this look, which could be in pale hues or, for more practicality but still appropriate, earthy shades."

Aspect 2 Strip Limed Oak Wood Flooring, £54.99 per square metre, Carpetright (www.carpetright.co.uk). Replicate those Norwegian pale blonde floors with wood-effect Nordic Maple Tiles, currently reduced to £26.95 from £49.45 per square metre, Walls & Floors (www.wallsandfloors.co.uk).

LIGHTS

Statement lights are a feature in a pared back setting, and a selection of pendant lights hung over a table, unified by colour, attract the eye upwards and define a dining area. Lighting specialist Original BTC has a black Drop One Pendant Light, £149 (www.originalbtc.com); Rume's Gubi G-10 Pendant Light, £319, is a classic onion shape (www.rume.co.uk), and Dar Lighting has a handsome Toronto Pendant in Matt Black & Copper, £118.80 (www.darlighting.co.uk).

Somerset County Gazette: Drop One pendant light, black, £149, Original BTC (www.uk.orginalbtc.com); Rume's Gubi G-10 pendant light, £319, (www.rume.co.uk); Dar Lighting: Toronto pendant matt black and copper, £118.80 (www.darlighting.co.uk). Picture: PA Photo

ABOVE: Drop One pendant light, black, £149, Original BTC (www.uk.orginalbtc.com); Rume's Gubi G-10 pendant light, £319, (www.rume.co.uk); Dar Lighting: Toronto pendant matt black and copper, £118.80 (www.darlighting.co.uk). Picture: PA Photo

FURNITURE

Cloudberry Living (www.cloudberryliving.co.uk) is one of a host of online companies specialising in Scandinavian style, with furniture and sheepskin rugs, such as this light grey Natures Collection New Zealand Sheepskin Rug, £127.50. Holloways Of Ludlow also has a collection of pieces from Design House Stockholm; Tablo Tray Table, £230 (www.hollowaysofludlow.com). Alternatively, be inspired by Ikea's new Stockholm collection which is full of covetable pieces, including a Sandbacka Dark Blue Two-Seat Sofa, £895 (www.ikea.com).

 

ACCESSORIES

Just a few small details can evoke a sense of this style. Nordic House has an Ivory Curly Sheepskin Pouf, £350, and a Luxurious Tibetan Sheepskin Cushion, £95. Holloways Of Ludlow's sleek copper-handled Lotus Lantern, from £96, would be a great fit (www.hollowaysofludlow.com).

:: The Scandinavian Home by Niki Brantmark, photography by James Gardiner, is published by Cico Books, priced £19.99.