Natural Nordic Style With Pale Neutrals

Natural Nordic Style With Pale Neutrals features light and white color palettes, unfussy informal design, natural materials and a bit of whimsy. It’s a look that may give up North cabin vibes, Scandi-bohemian feels, or even English country charm. While I don’t see this flavor of inspiration easily lending itself to “do this to get the look,” it may influence a particular contemplative, laid back rustic or even minimally monastic mood. These spaces refuse to take decorating or design rules seriously. Whimsy keeps an interior from veering into territory where it feels unapproachable, uptight, or sterile. Also see brilliant inspiration from Leanne Ford who understands the beauty of an underbaked, modern rustic, texturally rich and cool space.

Natural Nordic Style With Pale Neutrals

1. Round Wood Tray for Vignettes

Could it be as easy as giving yourself a warm wood “stage” to rotate seasonal decor on a cocktail ottoman or table?

It’s the simple things!

2. Natural Wood Islands

This bespoke kitchen’s bones are so beautiful without any finishing touches at all. But surely this wood island base with its glass front storage plays a starring role!

Cool whites, warm whites, and natural materials? It’s truly a trinity of loveliness.

3. A Delicious Dish Art Installation

Isn’t it fun to riff on an age old idea for a fresh take? This traditional decorating gesture of hanging treasured china patterns or decorative plates on the wall gets a fun twist here:

Don’t worry about making a mistake. Arrange plates on the floor first, but let your eye and intuition guide you to arrive on a graceful swag.

4. Organic Statement Branch

I know there are naysayers to this one since we often see dramatic branches in styled shoots for magazines and social media. But I have always casually brought in branches even when there isn’t a special occasion where guests are coming.

Why does it work? Whether the branches are everlasting or from the yard, they become a bold moment for nature to shine in a humble not fussy way.

5. Let Windows Stay Undressed

If privacy is not an issue, see how lightening up the room by removing window coverings works.

Another option is to only address coverings for the windows where needed:

I still haven’t covered our family room windows, and it feels airy, calm, and undone. I actually have Roman shades I intended to hang, but our view objects to being blocked at all!

6. Unfussy Old World

Old World style is suddenly trending everywhere, and moody colors are especially having a moment. But if you’re less comfy with dark or moody, let your heart be light.

Are you loving the tension created by fancy French ranges paired with more rustic Old World details?

What do you hide away in a kitchen, and what do you display? It’s a subjective matter, but if your kitchen feels buttoned up too tight or too serious, maybe bring a rustic or whimsical element out of hiding.

7. Open Those Doors for an Informal Look

Not every kitchen lends itself to this idea, but if you have a vintage space where the door fronts are not doing the space any favors, maybe they can disappear.

As far as dusting the contents of the cupboards? See how it goes. I can also imagine a linen curtain casually hiding clutter while adding softness. Another idea for corralling things on shelves and inside open cabinets? Woven baskets:

8. Flowers & Plants in Unfussy Receptacles

Whether it is pretty garden roses or common houseplants, choosing a more rustic urn or vase is a decorating move that can keep the mood less fussy.

If you ask me, Tracie of My Petite Maison is a genius with using unfussy, rustic containers as vases…

and creating elegant vignettes and interiors that feel humble and quietly rustic.

Similarly, Le Cultivateur has fun mixing and massing her treasures and beautiful things. I could stare and admire these marble lamps, each with a unique patina from the years, as if they are fine art.

9. Board & Batten With Subway Tile

It is becoming more common to take a kitchen backsplash to the ceiling, and the look can be stunning. However, sometimes the look can seem a bit too institutional or commercial. Look at what happens when a simple board and batten joins a little subway tile:

To me, board and batten always turns up cozy factor and informality.

10. Warm Wood Tones & a Sea of White

Such magic when the color palette is retrained!

Don’t you love the rustic wood pantry to the left of the Smeg? Unfitted and charming since it doesn’t match the balance of white Shaker cabinets.

11. Painted Wood Floors

Such a Scandinavian move to paint dark wood floors to create an airy spaciousness. This home may be in the English countryside, but it has Nordic qualities, yes?

Light grey floors are underrated!

We don’t often see wood floors in American bathrooms, but I have always dreamed of adding them.

And I find the addition of this salvaged wood as a bath tray is genius with the more elegant Venetian mirror below:

Nordic Natural Neutrals in the Cotswolds

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Resources in the Same Spirit

It can be nearly impossible to find a piece with simple, clean lines so it works with a variety of design styles. Here’s an exception:

Modern simplicity!

If you’re lucky enough to find vintage examples at the flea market, lucky you!

In the mean time, find a placeholder to add warmth with all the white.

While it isn’t rustic, a slope armed Belgian style accent or dining chair looks right at home with a rustic farm table.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

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