I read an article about Art Deco making a comeback. Is this trend also happening in the Philippines? Judging from the home groups in social media, Filipino homeowners are so in love with the fresh, light, white, natural look of Scandi (Scandinavian) interior design that many have chosen this as the preferred design for their homes. Stores, both online and brick-and-mortar, are carrying the Scandi look. Even if the products are knock-offs, products get snapped up quickly. The arrival of Ikea in Manila is going to tip the scale in Scandi’s favor so do expect to see more of this interior style in the years to come.

The Cool Scandi Design

Scandinavian interior design is minimalistic and functional. It boasts of simple lines, muted colors, no clutter, and the use of light wood.

Most homeowners see the Scandi designs on the internet and social media channels, and they ooh and aah about the trendy look. They jump on the bandwagon and buy things that will get them that look. Budol to the max. This is not surprising, Scandi is modern, convenient, and cozy. Remember the hygge trend? Soon, there will be many homes that would look similar.

If you want your home to stand out, here are a few tips.

White Walls with a Matte Finish

 

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Usually, Scandi uses white walls and we’ve got the perfect paint color for you—Boysen Tulle White.

White is a color that reflects light and with Scandinavia’s short winter days, painting their walls white made for cozy and bright homes. White is also the perfect canvas for light wooden elements and shows off the clean lines of the interiors and the furnishings. It is also a good color for a drama-free look (actually having a predominantly white interior IS the drama). It is also a “safe” color so bringing any other color into the space could be relatively easy.

Tip: Use a matte finish for your walls for a chic, modern look.

Muted Color Palette

 

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A neutral-heavy palette with wood accents gives that elegantly minimalistic aesthetic that Scandi is famous for. With your white walls as the canvas, use muted colors to finish your interiors. You can also go monochromatic, or get the black and white Scandi look. See how these different looks can be achieved by reading #TeamPuti: Boysen Whites for Interiors.

Tip: Refreshing the look of your home is easy to do if most of your walls and big furniture pieces are neutrals. Gray is a color favored by Scandi enthusiasts, if you don’t want a white sofa. You can just swap throw pillow covers or your wall art. Don’t put too many accessories though. Remember, Scandi is a no-fuss design style.

Clutter Free Space

Open, flexible, practical spaces and clutter free interiors are the hallmarks of Scandi interior design.

Try to restrain yourself from buying all those white and wooden home accessories or wall art, and liberally peppering your space with them. For example, try not to make a full-blown coffee corner at home with all the labelled jars, mugs, and cutesy words or phrases on the wall that say, “coffee” or “coffee corner” or “coffee corner, enjoy yourself”. Uhm, surely with the coffee machine on display, there shouldn’t be any doubt as to what that place is for.

Tip: Don’t display so many things out in the open. Put them in your sleek cabinets instead.

Midcentury Modern Furniture

Midcentury modern furniture are known for their simple and clean lines, and their mix of organic and geometric shapes. They look “light” which makes them perfect for small spaces like a shoebox condo. The use of warm wood tones and materials like cane and rattan give furniture the organic look that is much favored nowadays. In the Philippines, we have local manufacturers who make beautiful furniture with the midcentury modern design look.

Tip: Let the clean lines of your midcentury modern furniture show their elegance by not hiding them behind all kinds of stuff.

Add Natural Elements and Textures

In the photo above, you have some woven elements like the pendant lamp and the baskets on top of the cabinet. If you want to be true to the Scandi design, you will keep your decorations to a minimum to keep the space clutter free. Sorry for being so repetitive, but this reminder is important for a culture that loves abubot. Instead of knick-knacks, you can add interest by using different textures to your space. Using weaves or organic materials provides those tactile moments that keep the space interesting and give it depth.

Tip: Anchor your living room furniture with a natural-colored sisal or abaca rug or a banig, also from Filipino suppliers. Try to put at least the two front legs of your sofa and chairs on your rug. If your rug is two small, you can always layer two or three rugs.

What is Art Deco?

I wrote about Art Deco in December last year. It’s a beautiful style that exudes glamor, ostentation, and luxury. Watch the video below. It’s a good starting point to understand what Art Deco is.

So, back to the question, is the Art Deco interior design style making a comeback in the Philippines? I have not seen much evidence of this style in the country.

There is not much Art Deco architecture in the Philippines. What few buildings we have are being demolished to make way for more modern structures. Thank God, the Manila Metropolitan Theater designed by Architect Juan M. Arellano has been spared and restored, supposedly to open in December of this year.

If you go Art Deco, then your home will definitely stand out because it is a beautiful style and one doesn’t see much of the Art Deco aesthetic in this country. This style has a graceful and elegant air of old-world luxury.

If you know of any residential property that has this style, do tell us because we would love to feature it.

Looking for design inspirations? Visit this link.

Author

Annie is the Managing Editor of Let it B | MyBoysen Blog. An unrepentant workaholic, she runs this blog and her own company Talking Lions (https://talkinglions.com). She thrives on collaborating with people who are good at what they do, and working together with them to create something special. Annie learned interior styling while managing her own wholesale business in the Netherlands, importing high-end, handmade home furnishings to stock four outlets and a showroom in the country.

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