Design and Travel Inspiration Near and Far: Norway
Ariel photo of Ålesund, Norway
NORWAY
Note: Beginning with this blog, from time to time I’ll be sharing my design and travel inspiration. This will include forays close to home as well as far away, and how these trips have sparked my curiosity and creativity.
See the beautiful image above? It's one of my favorite places in the world: Ålesund, Norway. Most known for its Art Nouveau architecture and incredible views of surrounding mountains and fjords, I know it as one of the most welcoming places on earth. My husband Steve’s parents hail from Ålesund and a town just across the fjord, Langevåg, and we’ve spent many glorious summers in Ålesund, Langevåg, and other Norwegian locales, surrounded by family. With each trip to Norway, I come home refreshed and newly inspired.
A cousin’s home in Langevåg, with a Hans Christian Bjerknes painting from a distance
Travel Inspiration #1: Local Artwork
The first time I saw artist and painter Hans Christian Bjerknes’ artwork was during a summer evening in Steve’s cousin’s home in Langevåg. The home, which overlooks the fjord and Ålesund across the way, was filled with natural light, soothing muted colors and organic materials. It served as the perfect backdrop for Bjerknes’ dramatic painting.
The Bjerknes’ painting, close up
The abstract canvas saturated with thick oil paints in warm and cool colors hinted at the stormy North Sea with incredible light coming through the clouds.
It was love at first sight.
Bjerknes working in his studio
I was lucky enough to meet Bjerknes a few days later and eventually secure my own painting that recalls the beautiful Norwegian landscape.
My painting by Hans Christian Bjerknes
My Bjerknes painting in our home’s sunroom
Photo credit: Robert Radifera for Stylish Productions
This piece ultimately became the focal point of my home’s sunroom. Each time I look at the painting, it feels like a form of emotional time travel as it allows me to relive that moment when I first encountered Bjerknes’ work that summer in Norway. What I love even more is that his piece is often admired by visitors in our home which ignites storytelling and invites conversation, reflection, and connection as layers of personal experience unfold through the art.
A cousin’s tranquil guest room in Northern Norway
Travel Inspiration #2: Norway’s “Quiet Interiors”
There’s so much psychology behind interior design. I’m sure you’ve heard that color can affect your mood. I remember when I was a student at Vanderbilt University, everyone would go to the psychology building to stare up at the blue painted ceiling because we were told it was “calming”.
A home in Northern Virginia
Design by Casa Millie; Photo credit: Jenn Verrier Photo
“Calming” is one of my favorite design aesthetics, and if I had to guess, I think I’m largely influenced by my husband’s family. When you enter most Norwegian homes and you’ll find spaces filled with organic materials (think light wood, linen and wool), natural textures, muted earthy tones, layered lighting, and views of nature. These “quiet interiors” are perfect in providing a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors (more on that below), but mostly they are wonderful at providing the mental space we need in this fast-paced world.
The intimate dining room space, with muted tones, in a cousin’s hytte (cabin) features an ornate chandelier
One more benefit of these “koselig” (cozy in Norwegian) interiors: they provide the perfect foundation to spice things up with more saturated accent colors (something that my side of the family in Texas and beyond loves!), or even the unexpected fancy chandelier in a more rustic setting.
A daytime and (just below) evening view of a cozy patio and its nearby hearth at a cousin’s summer hytte
Travel Inspiration #3: Norway’s Indoor-Outdoor Connection
One of the first things I noticed when we started visiting Norway in the summer months in the early 2000s was how important homes’ outdoor spaces were. No matter the season or temperature, Norwegians search for moments to be out in the open air, and work to create inviting spaces that effortlessly transition you from the inside to the outside throughout the year.
Norwegians were blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living long before it became trendy in the U.S. By using natural color palettes, like soft blues, greens and browns - colors found in Norway’s famous fjords and landscape - organic materials, and expansive windows, the visual transition between indoors and outdoors is seamless.
My trips to Norway reminded me early on to never underestimate the outdoors. I’ve worked with clients to create these inviting, smooth-transition spaces, and even created a beautiful outdoor patio “living area” for my own family that spills off from our indoor living room.
An outdoor patio and its color palette softly transition to the living room beyond the glass wall.
Photo credit: Robert Radifera for Stylish Productions
My travels to Norway have inspired me to always remember the beauty in simplicity, the tranquility of palettes and materials inspired by nature, the joy in outdoor living, and as always, the importance of functionality in any space. Norwegian’s timeless, clean approach to design, lighting and embracing the outdoors is always top of mind as I develop designs. Without a doubt, it creates the perfect foundation for a multitude of projects and it still gives me space to add in bright color and highlight special pieces - including memorable artwork.
If you're ready to infuse your passions, travels, and personality into your home, we are only a phone call away. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Until next time,
Andrea
