How to apply a dark Scandinavian Interior design style to an airy and light apartment

When interior designer Simone Elderot of Stockhomed started to work for the Bostonian couple it was clear from the beginning to add Scandinavian Interior design style to the bright apartment “it was a new fresh building and the apartment, with gorgeous views over Boston's downtown, a clean slate made it possible for us to start from scratch” Simone says. The daily sunshine streaming from the expansive windows, combined with the couple's interior design style, with both Scandinavian and Ethiopian influences, made this apartment get into a dark Scandinavian interior design style, by adding darker tones and add a lot of personal influences to the space.

Unlike modern interior design, Scandinavian interior design has its roots in its northern heritage, airy and natural light are the key - combined as minimal, clutter-free with clean lines. The northern heritage emphasized in Scandinavian interior design references nordic history, a cultivating life focusing on clutter-free and highly functional use of space. Organic shapes and natural materials are hallmarks of Scandinavian interior design. The Scandinavian design style we know today stems from a culture of living in small rural communities, requiring reliance on natural materials that were functional and reliable.

The natural light in the apartment is its real star, “we studied the home’s exposure to natural light” says Interior designer Simone. Strong and direct sunlight in the living room and guestroom during the daytime, while the entire apartment, including the main bedroom, has a gorgeous golden hour and sunset. “We spent a lot of time thinking about how the light and shadows would change over the course of the day,” says Simone

Simone dwells on the idea of design as wellnes and contentment, and as a swede, “Hemma” or “Homed” in English is what Stockhomed leaves with all their clients after an interior design project. Simone A self-taught designer and co-founder of Stockhomed got her start in Real Estate before embarking on a career in design, Simone is known for interiors that are drenched in functionality, are sustainable, with a rich texture, always with a distinct selection of indoor plants. In fact, she lived in Stockholm, Sweden where she found an arsenal of inspiration for various design projects. She describes the neutral-toned apartment as an exercise in precision and restraint. “For me, this is minimal,” she quips. Simone grew up in the countryside during the summers and holidays, where she developed Scandinavian country traditional Scandinavian interior design, and in the big city on weekdays where it became more modern Scandinavian interior design.

For the Boston project, Scandinavian interior design was in focus, and together with the clients, they landed on a two-tone palette in subtle variations of white, gray, and black. “There’s a beautiful dustiness to all the tones,” Simone says of the hues, which have the muted quality of a vintage photograph. Considering the apartment’s clear aesthetic, Simone knew the choice of furniture had to be equally subdued. “I don’t like for there to be a centerpiece in the room,” she explains. “Instead, I’m considering, where do I want your eye to stop? On the gorgeous view, traveling around? Or see through this space?

This couple has relied on dark Scandinavian interior design, as to dim down the apartment from the marvelous natural light, and to incorporate their heritage. Upon entering the apartment, the long, sleek hallway invites you to sit down on a sheepskin stool, while enjoying pictures of red-coated Swedish villas and lush greenery throughout the built-in shelves. The space opens up in a 180-degree view after leaving the hallway, making your eye wonder and want to explore the different elements of Scandinavian interior design. Simone came up with a series of carefully balanced interior design styles, by mixing eclectic antiques with contemporary pieces. In the kitchen, for instance, she chose a collection of soft and round midcentury Scandinavian barstools, which she joined with a sharp-edged contemporary travertine coffee table for the open space living area.