It’s no secret that Mad About The House has a bit of crush on all things Scandinavian and the latest arrival to the party is good old BHS. The high street store has produced a large collection of items, including the lights above, many of which are large and sculptural and in a mix of wood, metal and soft neutral tones.
Suzanne Beechey, Divisional Buying Manager at BHS, says: ” With many homes now influenced by the pared back Scandinavian aesthetic, oversized lighting is key to adding warmth and depth to your interior.”
In addition to lighting, there are lots of accessories, including cushions, candle holders and and ornaments. The colours are muted shades of navy blue and soft reds, both of which are typically Swedish in style and form part of the Gustavian palette. In the 1700s, following a visit to France, King Gustav of Sweden thought he would give the Palace of Versailles a run for its money and brought the flamboyant style back home. But over time it became more simplified and less frilly (for want of a better word) and the colours more muted with soft blues and green, yellows and reds.
Chantal Coady, of Roccoco Chocolates is a huge fan of the Gustavian colour palette. Indeed not only are her shops painted in that distinctive blue (it’s Hague Blue by Farrow and Ball if you’re interested) with a gorgeous yellow contrast (Farrow and Ball Citron since you ask) but she has also incorporated a lot of those colours in her home, including painting her window frames Hague Blue.
Clockwise from top left: Large Owl mug £2.50, tea light holders £15 for three, red flower mug £2.50, wooden elephant £14, fern in a slate tank £20, red apple mug £2.50, Erika pendant £130.
