New Nordic Trends for 2019

When I was younger, probably in my late teens to my early 20s, I always dreamed of having a super minimal, white, Scandi-inspired home. I was convinced that this kind of interior would make me the happiest. But as I’ve gotten older, I quickly realised that I couldn’t live like that.

I do love Scandinavian interiors, characterised by simplicity, minimalism and functionality and you just need to take one look at my Pinterest account to see that. But I’ve always found them a little cold and a bit lacking in something although I was never quite sure what.

That is until a few months ago when I started to see beautiful images of Nordic and Scandi interiors that featured more colour. And then I realised that the large expanses of white, and more recently grey, that dominate Nordic interiors leave me feeling a bit empty and sterile.

As our colour confidence has grown over the past few years and we have moved away from white and grey interiors, we have seen a growing demand for what has come to be dubbed ‘The New Neutrals’. This new earthy colour palette includes nature inspired hues that bring a sense of warmth and calm into our homes.

Take a look at Dulux’s Colour of the Year for 2019, Spiced Honey, or Little Greene’s collaboration with The National Trust that resulted in 31 beautiful shades of green paint, for inspiration. There is also Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2019, which is Living Coral. Add to that Farrow & Ball’s new colours for 2019 including De Nimes and Sulking Room Pink, and you can see that 2019 is all about embracing a richer, more dramatic, more soothing and harmonious set of neutrals that cocoon us from the trials and tribulations of the outside world.

And this has already made it’s way into Scandi and Nordic interiors. Scandinavian designers are definitely adopting a much richer colour palette this year. The 2019 Lady Design colour range from Norwegian paint brand Jotun perfectly captures what the New Neutrals are all about.

The new Lady Identity colour chart presents 28 contemporary colours developed by global colour manager, Lisbeth Larsen in collaboration with photographer Line Thit Klein, and Jotun’s permanent and internationally recognized stylist-duo: Kråkvik & D´Orazio.

“The home is the story of who we are.
Told through the things we give room for and the colors we surround ourselves with.”

Lisbeth Larsen, GLOBAL COLOUR MANAGER, JOTUN

• 

• 

• 

So in this post I wanted to look at how the ways in which it is possible to use these new neutrals to warm up Nordic interiors and bring elements of the earth and outdoors into the comfort of our own home. 2019 will see us trying to reconnect with nature through natural wood, furniture and detailing. We’ll also be longing for more texture in the natural materials that we bring into our homes. Think sheep skin, worn leather, cow hide, wool, mohair, and there will be a lot of tactile ceramics for us to touch.

The images I’ve used in this post are from Novasolo, a Danish manufacturing company that specialises in the creation of wooden furniture. I really like the fact that these images feature a lot of the elements that I’m seeing come through in the New Nordic trend. There is a lot of texture in the wood panelling, the rugs are really tactile and I love the way they have been layered. The wicker furniture is definitely on trend and they have even used some of the new neutral colours on the walls.

So as you can see, it doesn’t take much to adapt a traditional minimal Nordic interior and turn it into an honest and authentic New Nordic oasis. Simply adding more earthy colours, more natural materials, and more tactile textures you can create a calming, harmonious timeless space with a tranquil atmosphere. New Nordic still focuses on simple Nordic minimalism, but contrast-rich materials and surfaces create fascinating combinations.

For many if us these days, particularly those of us who live an urban lifestyle, there is an increasing need to strengthen our connection to nature and to the down to earth and true. The warm earth tones and tactile textures allow us to do just that.  Colours and materials that are taken from nature always create good, honest homes. 

I’ve put together a little mood board here to show you how you can add colour and texture into a Nordic interior to bring more life into the space. I’ve taken inspiration from the Lady Identity colour palette and chosen products that reflect the honesty and authenticity of nature.

GET THE LOOK

1. Coral Stoneware Flowerpot – Beaumonde
2. Seamed Vase in Washed Terracotta Finish – Ian Snow
3. Decorative Crude Pot – Cult Furniture
4. Rug Joh – Rug Society
5. Graphic Pattern 1 Poster – Desenio
6. Muuto Unfold Nude Pendant Light – Rume
7. Villa Nova Kente Cushion in Pepper – Sweetpea & Willow
8. Sara Wool Blanket in Rust – Lapuan Kankurit
9. Large Open Weave Basket – Garden Trading
10. Ottoman Sofa in green – Ligne Roset

---

I would love to know what you guys make of the New Nordic trend? Are you happy to see Scandi minimalism warmed up with an earthy colour palette? Are you happy to see more tactile textures brought into our homes through natural materials?