Scandinavian design has been popular for many decades. Yet it has experienced a real revival in the last ten or fifteen years
The hallmarks of Scandinavian design are functionality, versatility, simplicity, practicality and affordability. Functionality has always been the Scandinavian code word since the 1950s.
Minimalist, clean lines, thoughtful and unobtrusive, Scandinavian design has become synonymous with functional design and mass production – or what is known as democratic design.
An overview of Scandinavian design and its history reveals the common thread of functionalism in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Danish Design, the four countries that fall under the Scandinavian umbrella. The tendency to use only what is necessary and to have natural materials on hand is deeply embedded in Scandinavian cultures. Modernism sprang up throughout Europe at the end of the 19th century. The designers strived to unite art and craft. Inspired by natural shapes and motifs, that originated in botanical and nature studies, designers created many designs.
Today, Finnish design is exported in large quantities: glass, clothing, furniture, fixtures and accessories.
This style is characterized by a traditional approach, striving for harmony, respect for the material, minimalism and simplicity. This makes it timeless and fits into any interior. This style has its origins in the slow economic development of the region. This was responded to by paying extra care and attention to what was available. As a result, traditional craftsmanship was further developed: designing and manufacturing with care and attention to people, materials and the environment. As a contribution to a beautiful, peaceful and harmonious everyday life.
Sources
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Scandinavian Design: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavian_design
https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/finland-design-centenary/index.html
Thanks to Wikimedia Commons: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License
Further Reading: https://www.designforum.fi/en/about-us/historia/