After all the excess from holiday decorating is put away, things look
almost bare. It takes a few days to adjust to the way it used to be, and then I
find myself loving the less is more look for the winter.
I love the simplicity in our dining room. It follows the principles of Gustavian decor.
Recently after a dinner party, the room had a quiet sparkle.
The mix was enchanting to me.
Comprised of gilded ballroom chairs for extra seating with the silver leaf cane back
chairs and lots of antique candlesticks, sconces and a big chandelier.
Gustavian style comes from King Gustav III of Sweden, who copied elements
from France's Versailles for his palace after being blown away by the beauty.
This style is very French but with some distinctions.
On the Gustavian Style must have list:
Color palette to include pastel blue, grey, white, cream,
beautiful chandeliers and sconces,
and French style painted furniture with touches of gilt and silver leaf.
This palace sized dining room was designed by King Gustav III.
I hope to one day visit this beautiful pavilion in Sweden.
Since the winter months are long in Sweden,
their color palette of grey and creamy whites serves to keep interiors bright.
The elegant light fixtures added sparkle and drama.
Grey, white and pastels with a touch of gilt surround the star
of this room, my old Gustavian settee, set in our guest room,
and where I work on my current obsession, the French Dollhouse.
Lots of Swedish touches are found around our home, starting with the paint colors.
To me they are equally wonderful in both spring and winter months.
Its a style I love, and its easy to obtain.
The addition of rustic accessories and furniture pieces
make it more of a Swedish Country look.
Either way, I am a big fan of the French and Swedish decorating style.
How about you?
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteYour home is just beautiful and I am always inspired when I pop over to your lovely blog. I too have a French/Gustavian aesthetic with a mix of shabby chic. While I at one time embraced all white furnishings, I have found myself painting my tables a soft pale grey. I do love of course Annie Sloan Pure white and Paris Gray and have recently learned that the European Paris Gray is quite different. One of my stockists now carries this and I am excited to see how a side table comes out in the European Paris Gray. I love my slip-covered white chairs and couch and find incorporating grays into the mix not only adds interest but really freshens my style without having to change everything! And of course, I love a bit of bling and gilding. Your dollhouse is coming along just beautifully....some lucky doll is going to have a fabulous home :) Thank you also for the low carb insight....I have picked up some great pointers from you. Happy New Year!
Laura
Hi Laura, That is so interesting that you mention Annie Sloans paints from Europe being different than the paint she once had made in the US. As a stockist a few years back, we knew this, but I never tried most of her European made paints. Now all her paint is made in Europe and shipped to the US, so we can all have the original recipe paint that she is famous for. She is coming out with a new grey color called Chicago Grey, and a new blue which is Svenska Blue, a green toned blue that was a color inspired by Swedish homes in the 17 and 18th centuries. I can't wait to try it! I think you have discovered the adding grey to your all white scheme has made your home more sophisticated because of the slight differences in neutrality. It sounds just beautiful!
DeleteIt all looks so pretty. I wonder what the story is on your piano? It is unusual. I am big fan of both Gustavian and French in a country, relaxed elegant style.
ReplyDeleteI painted the old Victorian piano Old White (Annie Sloan) and then decorated it with toile stamps by Iron Orchid Designs using my blue wall paint. Inside I painted a pastoral scene when the lid is raised.
DeleteThat's so neat! It looks really pretty, and perfect in your home. I was wondering, because some piano makers made one of kinds. xo Su
DeleteOh it is indeed lovely, very soft almost ethereal. Growing up in Skagit Valley, North of Seattle, if your name didn't end with a son or sen-Norwegian, you were considered rather exotic! During Christmas the barrels of dried lutefisk were found out the front doors of many grocery stores! Not anymore, sad to say. Lots and lots of Lutherans. In fact that was the first question I was asked when I was in the 5th grade, having moved from the 'big' city of Sspokane! I wasn't! But you know it was a great place to grow up and had lots of friends. And later after DNA test, lo and behold there is some Danish there. Love the Scandinavian Style. And having our adopted daughters, from Russia, there DNA had tons of Finnish blood! Here's to the Scandinavians!!xx
ReplyDeleteHI Mary Anne! I found this so interesting to read, particularly because my husband and I both just got our DNA results well. How fun to discover your children have Finnish blood!! And what a lovely story of where you grew up, and the heavy presence of Scandinavian culture. My husband's grandparents came over from Sweden only two generations ago, and their family tree goes back hundreds of years in Goteburg Sweden. My mother in law is the picture of a perfect Swede, with her square face and blonde hair and perfectionism!! My family has no Scandinavian links. I will be posting on the DNA thing soon here on the blog. Such a fun thing to discover and explore one's heritage.
DeleteHi Amy...I am excited to see what Chicago Grey and Svenska Blue is all about! If you paint with it...please share your pictures!
ReplyDeleteYour home is lovely as ever, Amy. The dining room has always captured my heart.
ReplyDeletexo