Rebecca Lawson - Scandi Rustic Style

SCANDI RUSTIC

SCANDI RUSTIC

CREATING A COZY & HAPPY HOME

REBECCA LAWSON & REENA SIMON

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BENJAMIN EDWARDS

Art director Leslie Harrington

Senior designer Megan Smith

Senior commissioning editor Annabel Morgan

Location research Jess Walton

Head of production Patricia Harrington

Editorial director Julia Charles

Publisher Cindy Richards

Indexer Hilary Bird

First published in 2020 by

Ryland Peters & Small

2021 Jockeys Fields,

London WC1R 4BW

and

341 E 116th St

New York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

Text Rebecca Lawson and Reena Simon 2020

Design and photographs Ryland Peters & Small 2020

ISBN 978-1-78879-246-2

E-ISBN 978-1-78879-315-5

Printed and bound in China

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library. US Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.

Contents

AT ONE WITH NATURE

Creating a strong connection with nature and opting for simple, pared-down designs are two key elements of Scandinavian interiors. The home of Mette and Masahiro, nestled in the Danish countryside, showcases this understated approach perfectly.

Introduction

Some friends meet at school, others at university or through mutual friends. However, it was Instagram that brought us together in 2016. We were both on maternity leave at the time while renovating our first family homes (in London and Cardiff) and we quickly discovered a shared love of Scandinavian design and living.

Over the last four years, we have carved out careers as award-winning bloggers and social media content creators with a love of rustic, Scandinavian-style interiors with a cozy feel. Our focus is on creating a home that contains the traditional, pared-back elements of Scandinavian design alongside plenty of rustic natural materials and textures for an end result thats homely, relaxed and inviting.

When writing this book, we wanted to share the Scandi Rustic style that we love, so we visited homes across Scandinavia and the UK that reflect this style in subtly different ways. What each of the homes shares is a feeling of coziness and warmth that nurtures a sense of wellbeing and contentment. And now more than ever our homes are our sanctuaries the places we retreat to for comfort and calm.

We hope you enjoy coming on this journey with us. The experience has truly inspired us both as we prepare to embark on our next renovation projects.

Reena and Rebecca

SHINE A LIGHT

Light both natural and artificial has a starring role to play in Scandi-style interiors. Here, the setting sun casts soft shadows in the hallway of Lisa Brasss home on the West Sussex coast.

Scandinavian inspirations

Creating a cozy home

The Danish concept of hygge translates as finding coziness and contentment through the simple things in life. Many Scandinavians treat their homes as a hygge retreat and would rather spend time at home than anywhere else. Embracing the simple pleasures in life, as our Scandinavian friends do, is to feel happy. Creating a cozy living environment is centred around establishing a connection with your home and everything in it, creating a warm atmosphere and experience that you can enjoy with friends and family.

When we travelled to Scandinavia to photograph the homes featured in this book, we were struck by the feeling of intimacy and comfort that the homeowners had created. On the following pages, we share tips and ideas that will help you to create Scandi Rustic style in your own home. Well walk you through the key elements of the look, from choosing a colour palette and the right lighting to adding in textiles and other textures, as well as finding the finishing touches that will bring interest to your home while reflecting your own personality and interests. After that, join us as we visit an array of beautiful Scandi Rustic homes we are sure that they will inspire you just as they have inspired us.

A HAPPY HOME

Every home needs a hygge spot for comfort and relaxation. Plan a snug nook where you can grab a cup of coffee and escape for five minutes peace (this page and opposite), or a deep sofa where you can put your feet up in front of the wood-burning stove with family and friends (right).

SCANDI RUSTIC

Elements

COLOUR

The colours we surround ourselves with in our homes can have a powerful impact on our state of mind. Colour, and the way that we experience it, can subtly alter our moods both positively and negatively. A carefully chosen palette can have a beneficial effect on our health and happiness, evoking feelings of contentment and creating calm.

Scandinavian interiors are synonymous with neutral colour schemes and minimalist, monochrome decor. However, this is just one aspect of Scandinavian design, and the homes we have featured in this book demonstrate the breadth of colours and tones that can be used to create a cozy Nordic-inspired home. In these homes, the owners have made subtly different colour choices, each drawing upon hues that create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Calming shades of white and grey, natural hues such as blush, terracotta and linen and darker, earthier tones including green, blue and rust are all suited to a Scandi Rustic home. The key is to understand how these different colours make you feel, then to match those feelings to the different spaces in your home.