Decorating & Design
This Cozy Bungalow Pays Homage To Scandinavian Style
Published on April 13, 2020
For one Seattle dad, there had always been something magical about childhood weekends spent at his Scandinavian grandparents’ cabin. It was warm, welcoming, cozy: a big hug of a place. But it was oh-so stylish, too, with its simplicity, spare hand and abundance of light. So, when it came to overhauling his mid-century modern bungalow into a new home for himself and his two young children, it made sense to take his design cues from there. He shared his vision with local designer Heidi Caillier, who is known for her love of vintage and expertise in mixing styles.
In this 1,300-square-foot house, the Scandi-chic appeal is referenced in light tones, minimal or no window coverings and a mix of warm, natural hues and materials. It had to feel right for the house’s age and not overly cottagey; a nod here and there was perfect. “We wanted to keep the palette soft and neutral — nothing that pops too much,” says Heidi. The only touch of drama comes from the bold black light fixtures and accents. “The Scandinavian palette drove the whole plan.”
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For Heidi, the Scandinavian aesthetic represents a unique take on modern style. “There’s something about it that feels a bit masculine, which was nice for this project,” she says. “We just went with it; it’s simple but thoughtful.”
The masculine vibe of the home resonates in the living room, where textural earth tones on boxy custom sofas ground the space. A cozy vintage Moroccan rug is the height of hygge.
“In this house, you walk straight into the living room, which is tricky because it’s small and narrow,” says Heidi. To remedy this, she played with various layouts to find the most natural one. “I wanted to create a conversation area that also felt loungey.”
A photograph of Point Reyes, California, mirrors the palette of the dining room. The mid-century modern vibe reflects the house’s age. “We went with a mix of pieces that felt collected combined with a large photograph by local artist Paul Edmondson,” says Heidi.
Natural materials and vintage-look art give the eat-in area the feeling of being collected over time.
To create a sense of calm and continuity, the cabinets and wall panelling are painted in the same soft gray.
Grass-green walls energize the powder room. A brass mirror hung gallery-style and a vintage sink and faucet are bold but simple choices that create a cottage look.
With Carrara marble on all four walls and a double vanity, the principal bathroom is an homage to polished simplicity and natural texture. Heidi stole space from an adjacent closet to enlarge this main-floor bath.
The vintage clawfoot tub was painted a custom Farrow & Ball blue-green hue. Raw linen drapes and a simple wood stool warm up the marble tile.
Haris Kenjar
House & Home March 2020
Heidi Caillier