Swedish Gustavian Style & Why It’s So Relevant Today
Today I want to introduce an au courant design style to you, that is Swedish Gustavian style. I’m seeing iconic Gustavian style furniture featured more and more in popular design magazines, and even whole homes dedicated to this style. So why is this style so hot right now, even hundreds of years later?
Let’s start with the who and the why of how Gustavian style came to be, and then we’ll dive into what makes Swedish Gustavian style furniture and design so relevant to us today.
Designer Suzanne Kasler’s home, featuring antique Swedish Gustavian Style Chairs; Image via One Kings Lane
King Gustav III of Sweden
So what is Swedish Gustavian Syle? I’m so glad that you asked! Swedish Gustavian style is named for King Gustav III of Sweden, a ruler who is best known for being shot during a masked ball at the Stockholm Opera House, and dying 13 days later. In fact, Gustav’s tragic tale is the topic of an 1859 opera by Giuseppe Verdi (A Masked Ball). However, it is because of King Gustav’s contributions to the arts, that his reign (1771-92) is referred to as the Swedish Enlightenment or the Gustavian Enlightenment. Interestingly, Gustav was also the first neutral head of state to recognize the United States as it warred for independence against Great Britain.
During his young life, Gustav visited Paris where he observed the French Neoclassical style. Gustav admired life in the French court (we all love Paris, don’t we?) and was particularly taken with the elegance and opulence of Versailles. When Gustav ascended to the throne, he brought many ideas and design influences back from Paris, and sought to make Stockholm “the Paris of the North”.
Gustavian style furniture in a Connecticut home designed by Gianetti Home; Image via Gianetti Home
Hallmarks of the Swedish Gustavian Interior Design Style
Just like any other design style, be it craftsmen, mid-century modern, or American Federal Style, there are a few elements that help us quickly identify a space or a piece of furniture as distinctly Gustavian style.
Soft Color Palette - Swedish Gustavian style interiors have a soft and muted color palette, primarily comprised of chalky whites, tones of grey, and soft blues. You can attribute the color palette to the long and dark winters in Sweden, where a light and bright interior would be a welcome retreat.
Elegant & Restrained – Swedish Gustavian style was partly inspired by the French Neoclassical style, and shares many common elements. Most of the furniture of this style has straight, fluted legs, often with a dentil style detail (all of Neoclassical influence). However, Gustavian style exhibits more restraint than French Neoclassical and other styles of this era.
Iconic Furniture Items – Another key indicator is to look for iconic furniture items from this era, such as the Mora clock, Swedish Gustavian Barrel Back chairs, and carved wooden settees or sofa benches, often painted in a signature chalky white or grey paint.
A New Orleans home featuring several Gustavian style furniture items; Image via Veranda Magazine
SWEDISH Mora Clocks: An Icon
The signature icon of the Swedish Gustavian interior design style is the Mora clock, a beautiful time piece indigenous to the Dalarna region of Sweden, and specifically to the town of Mora. The Mora clock is often one of the first pieces of Gustavian style furniture that a person may purchase, and it’s one of my particular favorites as well. In fact, I visited Sweden in 2013, long before I knew a thing about Mora clocks or Gustavian style furniture, and spent a week in a town just outside of Mora. I absolutely fell in love with this little corner of the world, and promised myself I’d return to the area and bring my husband, and one day own a home there too (we’ll see about that last bit).
For now that’s enough on the Mora clock, but we’ll revisit the topic again soon.
A Mora clock in a Connecticut home designed by Gianetti Home; Image via Gianetti Home
Mora Clock featured in House Beautiful Magazine
What makes Swedish Gustavian Style So Relevant Today?
Perhaps the most important part of this post, is why are we still talking about Gustavian style decorating today? What makes it relevant when we have so many other styles and options to choose from?
In short, the bright, fresh, color palette that captivated the people of 18th century Sweden, is the same palette that we love today: whites and ivories, beige, blue, grays and greens. Have a look at the Gustavian inspired interiors from some of the top designers out there. These spaces look very now, don’t they?
I also find that Gustavian style furniture easily blends into a home. Most Gustavian style pieces are painted, and there are similarities to other popular design styles, from French and French Country inspired interiors, to the ubiquitous Farmhouse Style that we’re seeing everywhere right now. As I mentioned before, Gustavian style was inspired by the French Neoclassical style, so of course we can draw parallels between the two.
When I look at Gustavian style decorating, the words that come to mind are: fresh, clean, elegant, natural, crafted, European, and cozy. These are some of the same concepts behind both French Country and Farmhouse Style (though maybe not the European part). It becomes quite plain to see how all of these styles could work together in a home.
GUSTAVIAN STYLE ANTIQUES:
Modern Pieces In the Gustavian Style:
I hope that this has given you an overview of an elegant and timeless style that’s still so prevalent today. Are you a fan of the Gustavian style? What Gustavian style furniture items are at the top of your wish list? As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback in the comments below. Until next time!
