blog.coldwellbankerluxury.com
Did
you know that Denmark was the second-happiest country on the planet last year,
as named by the 2017 World Happiness Report?
If
you’re wondering why this would be important to you (unless you’re about to
relocate or take a vacation to the Nordic country), consider this: Hygge came
in with its cozy outlook in 2016 and, despite multiple efforts among lifestyle
experts, editors, and even other countries to dethrone it, hygge remains the
predominant lifestyle trend of the day.
So
ingrained is hygge in popular culture around the world that it has spawned
countless books and interior design collections, and its usage even prompted
inclusion in Collins Dictionary “along with Brexit and Trumpism,” said
the New Yorker. “Collins describes it as: the
practice of creating cozy, congenial environments that promote emotional
well-being.”
So,
if you haven’t yet learned how to pronounce it (hoo-ga), or integrate the
concept into your home, it might just be time for both.
The Next Big Thing?
The
Scandinavians don’t have a monopoly on lifestyle trends. Many think that the
pervasive popularity of hygge was an overcorrection to the much stricter
practice of KonMari, the Japanese concept of hyper-organization and minimalism.
Vogue all but proclaimed 2017 the
year that lagom, “the Swedish concept of ‘not too much, not too little,’ would
overtake hygge as the predominant lifestyle trend. “Unlike hygge, which aims to
capture a feeling, lagom is an ethos of moderation,” they said. “If you need
proof that lagom’s moment is imminent, look no further than England. The
epicenter of the hygge trend is turning its attention to this Swedish way of
living.”
Scotland
rode into 2018 with what they claim is the new Hygge: Còsagach, which,
honestly, sounds awfully similar to hygge. “It means ‘snug, sheltered or
cozy,’” said The Guardian.
Principles of Hygge
According
to Amara,
hygge was “originally a Norwegian term for wellbeing. Developed into a concept
and way of living by the Danish in the 18th century when it first appeared in
writings of the time, the country hasn’t looked back since.”
Color
The
colors of the year are bold and bright (Hello, Pantone’s deep purple Ultra
Violet and Benjamin Moore’s fiery red Caliente). But, hygge calls for softer
neutrals. “Paint walls a soft shade of grey, white or cream and keep colors
throughout the house earthy to create a sense of calm,” said Huffington Post.
Furniture
Less
is more when it comes to the overall feel of hygge, and that goes for your
furniture pieces, too. Keep your lines clean or gently curved and your cushions
plush to achieve the right look.
In
describing hygge, Christopher Mount, Scandinavian Design expert, told Pamono:
“The best description I can think of is the warm and cozy feeling you would
have while lounging on a comfortable couch, reading a good book, and drinking a
hot beverage, snuggled with a loved one on a wet, cold day. It means to be
contentedly cozy, in a kind of simple and romantic way. All of the classic,
midcentury Danish furniture—by Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Børge Mogensen, Arne
Jacobsen, and Nanna Ditzel—has a kind of warm, soft, and ‘hyggely’ quality.”
Textiles
We’re
talking rugs, blankets and pillows—both in and out of the bedroom—and lots of
them, at that. Anything that can make a space feel more cozy is hygge-approved,
so look for textiles that are soft and soothing.
“One
of the easiest ways to make any space feel instantly cozy? Plenty of soft
blankets and rugs to add a layer of physical warmth,” said Graham &
Brown. “To create a look that’ll appeal to all your senses, try
mixing different fabrics and textures to give your space a unique style that’s
all its own.”
The U.K-based wallpaper
and home decor brand has an entire collection devoted to the Danish
concept, complete with wallpaper depicting overlapping slats of distressed wood
and a comforting grey and neutral taupe color palette touched with glimmers of
warm metallic. Their cozy hygge faux fur throw, for instance, “will bring
a sumptuous touch to your home,” they said. “Created with a thick soft faux fur
and lined in luxurious silky satin, this piece is perfect for snuggling into on
those dark evenings.”
Lighting
The
right lighting is key to achieving hygge, which makes sense considering Denmark
has such limited sunlight. You don’t want anything harsh; instead, go for a
soft, warm glow. Lumens recommends “warm-white LED and incandescent lights,”
which can “create a soft look when installed with a dimmer.”
Mitzi,
a newly introduced offshoot brand of Hudson Valley Lighting®, designs products
“with thoughtful simplicity,” they said, which is “precisely why they work well
in any minimalist design scheme. Marnie casts just the right amount of light
from underneath its metal shade and is “a delightful example of how simple
shapes can produce interesting results.”
So, go on and get cozy
this spring!
No comments:
Post a Comment