By Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems
ISBN: 1-4236-0024-X
10 x 12 inches, 192 pages
When we think of Swedish style, we often think of the familiar white- and blue-hued images of the Gustavian period. However, the range of Swedish design is vast, including the Baroque, Rococo, Karl Johan, Biedermeier, and Modernist periods. The secret to the Swedish aesthetic is having the confidence to mix old and new while maintaining a clean and simple balance. Swedish immigrants brought to America their customs as well as the decorative and architectural arts of their homeland. In this book, you will see the homes of contemporary Swedes, and those inspired by Sweden, who have melded the very best aspects of Swedish design and sensibility into their American homes. A New York City apartment mixes contemporary art and furnishings with period antiques, a Swedish immigrant's log cabin is restored to its original splendor while incorporating elements of the American West, and a Connecticut dairy barn is transformed into a spacious and light-filled home. Swedish Interiors represents the best of Swedish design in America.
Throughout these pages, you will be inspired as well as learn how to incorporate elements of Swedish design into your own interiors. Discover how to pickle hardwood floors, introduce crystal, mirrors, and lighter interior colors to your rooms, and create window treatments that allow for the maximum amount of light. Swedish design has a strong basis in functionality; its style is clean and uncluttered while still maintaining a level of intimate comfort and elegance. Whether you prefer a house in the country or a modern, urban apartment, Swedish design is a style that can be incorporated into any home. Authors Rhonda Eleish and Edie Bernhard van Breems are the owners of Eleish van Breems Antiques, the premier Swedish antique store in the United States. They bring to Swedish Interiors years of expertise, experience, and passion for creating the very best of Swedish-inspired interiors.