The Emergence and Progression of Scandinavian Design
There is a je ne sais quois about the principles within Scandinavian Design that make it rather contagious
There is a certain je ne sais quois about the principles of Scandinavian design that make it rather contagious. Though the look of minimalism isn’t for everyone, something larger is happening within Scandi-style that make it worth noting. It is reflected in most parts of the world, and it may be safe to say that its biggest supporter is none other than home retailer, Ikea. At the core, a Scandinavian home reflects practicality in a way that doesn’t come across as a bore, which can sometimes be a quality of a stripped back environment.
The History Behind..
Scandinavian Design is an eclectic mix of its history and its surroundings.
Before Scandinavian design spread globally, it’s emergence was formed through various art movements that were taking precedence in the decade leading up. As a result of World War I and World War II, functionalism and simplicity were key design elements in interior design because objects needed to be cost-efficient and guaranteed to just get the job done. In 1919, Bauhaus, German College of Fine Arts opened its doors. This highly influential school based around craft and technology, perpetuated functionalism to international reach and therefore after, global recognition. The Nordic countries which is referred to as the home of Scandinavian design principles, adopted functionalism as the core of any direction Scandinavian design takes. It also takes influence from its natural surroundings. This is why significant art movements like Dadaism, Futurism and Modernism all seep its way into Scandinavian artists approaches, as the movement begins to think about a persons emotions, rather than solely focusing on industrial and functional concepts.
Scandinavian Design Today
It’s the end of 2018, and other art movements that are more vibrant and decadent than Scandinavian design are prevalent in the way new companies choose to design their spaces, and are sometimes favoured by contemporary interior designers. The beauty is that Scandinavian principles are a glue that keep all function and form present in any art direction, regardless of other artistic impressions that may form a single project.
The two spaces above show the direct execution of what a Scandinavian interior would look like at its core, today.
Three main colours make up the entire palette. Black, white and a shade of brown. Wooden floors and fixtures are key signifiers of this art style, so we will always be working within the beautiful constraints of this tradition. The long slab of black and white marble brings a fresh and elevated addition. What you will always note is that it will be extremely hard to find anything you simply don’t need- resonating with Scandinavian Style’s history and its always functional approach.
Life can’t always be black and white with some grey. We’ve found that it is worthwhile becoming familiarized with the fresh takes designers have on using Scandinavian style in more colourful and dynamic ways. The above image maintains a wooden palette and functional pieces like the double tuck table, a large cozy grey couch and iconic nordic chairs, but mixes in bohemian prints and large pops of bold colours. It also maintains an industrial feel with the glass sliding doors and wire light fixtures.
The same goes for this beautifully simplistic kitchen. It doesn’t hide its Scandinavian influence with the industrial light fixture, wooden doors and exposed shelving. In the same breath, it fuses the style with a lively addition of a printed rug and gold trimmed stove.
Because of its overwhelming contribution to design, there is a long list of topics to be covered about Scandinavian style that will help you make savvy, effective, design-focused choices when curating spaces.
Furthermore, Scandinavian fashion shares overwhelming similarities with the interior design ethos, and for that, you can be sure to read upon more Nordic focused pieces from us.
Until next time.
A Floral Experience And It's Physiological Effects
Although our contemporary world celebrates many triumphs of positive progression, we will never be free of events that make it feel as though we have mournfully taken ten steps back.
Although our contemporary world celebrates many triumphs of positive progression, we will never be free of events that make it feel as though we have mournfully taken ten steps back. C’est la vie, one would say. While we have to accept that circumstances stemming from a bad day to a world tragedy will always exist — we don’t have to accept an environment that reflects these fixed realities.
Through colour, texture, form and fixture, florals have been an ancient and scientifically proven force of creating a positive atmosphere. Flowers frequent so many places that we rarely spot them or slow down to take in their beauty. Whether on the table at a restaurant or the front desk of an office, scattered effectively throughout a friends home or sprawling down a gorgeous metropolitan street, the notion of recreating our own sense of beauty with florals is embedded in how we have been curating spaces for thousands of years.
Two Peonies is bringing positive floral effects to the forefront of your mind so that you can truly capture the experience, and use it to your mental advantage. For that reason, we have researched how florals and their qualities can shift your mood, engage your creativity and positively reinforce your productivity.
The Science
According to online academic directory Science Direct, the rose (just like other florals) has significant physiological effects.
To paint a picture of a flowers sensory experience, let’s take a look at the passionate rose. It is the colour of love, it’s petals soft to the touch, and thorns that can prick and sting. It was perfectly fitting that the rose was taken under the wings of the grunge scene in the 90’s. It became a staple for that idea of ‘hopeless love’, and resiliency, that although it may hurt sometimes, love is worth the pain. This perpetuation of the rose dates back to Shakespeare’s 1455 script “War of the Roses”, all the way to the title of rock band “Guns N’ Roses”. It may be safe to attest for its impact when thinking about how a rose is possibly the most popular tattoo choice, ever.
“Currently, more than half of the global population lives in an urban environment and is constantly exposed to stressors. As a result of these stressful situations in modern society, relaxation effects via exposure to natural stimuli are receiving increasing attention. Recent research has demonstrated that the natural environment plays an important role in health promotion, and that there is a positive relationship between nature-derived stimuli and human health.” - Theories of Medicine (2017)
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By measuring our heart rate variability (HRV), and oxyhemoglobin concentration, scientists were able to draw results about effects on our autonomic nervous and prefrontal cortex activity. Results showed insightful findings that have the potential to advance a new type of complementary therapy under the category of herbalism. After the study, the rose was said to have reduced HRV which is associated with sympathetic nervous activity. There was also a “significant increase in perceptions in feeling ‘comfortable’, ‘relaxed’, and ‘natural’.
“Because our modern lifestyle offers limited opportunities for contact with the natural environment, there is a growing interest in the effect of nature-derived stimuli that can be used daily on stress relief and relaxation. A representative method of achieving contact with nature in an indoor setting is exposure to foliage plants or fresh flowers, which are commonly used to decorate homes or offices.”
Sarah Camaano shot on film by Kadeem Johnson.
The physiological effects of florals doesn’t stop at the rose, rather, things get more exciting. Two Peonies would like to formally invite you to celebrate positive human health in a naturalistic, educational and design-focused setting.