What is the Gustavian style?
The Gustavian style takes its name from Gustav III, King of Sweden in the 17e century. While visiting Versailles, he fell in love with the Louis XVI style, which he decided to import into his country. However, it imprints on it what is already the signature of the Swedish style: simplicity. Silk thus gives way to cotton fabrics, while gilding and bright colors are abandoned in favor of light colors and natural shades.
White, the flagship color of the Gustavian interior
To adopt the Gustavian style, as always, we focus on color. White can be an option, especially in a small room.
In the Gustavian interior, violent contrasts are avoided. We therefore make sure to choose the right shade of white, by opting for example for the color linen, or to opt for a very luminous neutral, such as the color ecru. For an atmosphere imbued with maximum softness, prefer a very light pearl grey.
An ancestor of the modern Scandinavian style, the Gustavian style is also characterized by soft colors: powder pink, ice blue, green or pastel yellow. To succeed, however, avoid mixing colors in a room, and prefer a monochrome decoration.
To energize the Gustavian style interior, we put on the wallpaper. Favor patterns inspired by cotton fabrics from the 17e century, like toile de Jouy, or a country print: flowers, branches, birds…
Stripes are another iconic motif of the Gustavian interior. To adopt it, pay particular attention to the choice of colors, favoring a smooth contrast.
Furniture, the key element of the Gustavian style interior
Furniture is of particular importance in the Gustavian style interior. The trick to not miss it is to favor period furniture.
Around the dining room table, facing the dressing table or the desk or, quite simply, on a landing: the medallion chair is one of the most emblematic pieces of the Gustavian style. We choose it of course patinated or ceruse in a bright color. The good idea is to fall for a cane model, one of the flagship materials of the 17e century.
The chest of drawers and the wardrobe are among the typical pieces of furniture in the Gustavian style interior. To bring a little contemporary twist to the decor, opt for a two-tone model, combining natural wood and patina or white lead.
The console is another icon of the Gustavian interior. If you have beautiful volumes, dare the draper console. Originally, this very large model was a craft piece of furniture, allowing large pieces of canvas to be exhibited. In a Gustavian decoration, we install the mirror, or its most beautiful decorative objects. In a small space, we opt for an equally iconic variant of the time: the half-moon console.
The trumeau mirror is a typical piece of the 17e century. Intended to be installed between two windows, it is characterized by its dimensions as much as by its imposing decorative frame, generally made of wood. This mirror is a “must have” of the Gustavian interior. To adopt it, be sure to choose a model that is well proportioned with the dimensions of the room. If you benefit from beautiful volumes, associate it with a console or chest of drawers. Otherwise, simply put it on the ground.
A little DIY session does not scare you? Failing to renew your furniture, revamp your wooden furniture by using an iconic color of the Gustavian style!
The Gustavian interior willingly flirts with the shabby chic style. So you can fall for the decorative panel or for the aged look door!
Afraid of doing too much in the living room? Adopt a linen sofa with a sleek design. This contemporary piece fits perfectly into a Gustavian-style decor, to which it brings a touch of modernity.
The materials: the charming asset of the Gustavian style interior
Furniture and design: the Gustavian style borrows a lot of elements from the Louis XVI style. It deviates from it, however, by the choice of colors, but also of the materials.
In Gustavian style decor, gold and silver are used sparingly. They are reserved for candlesticks and small decorative objects, favoring an aged finish.
Curtains and privacy screens add the final touch to the Gustavian-style interior. We love the linen curtains enhanced with pretty embroidery, which we preferably choose in a natural colour.
The small detail that brings more authenticity to a Gustavian interior is the amphorae vases inspired by the large models that adorned the gardens of the 17e century. Opt for raw materials such as stone, metal or terracotta, and for an aged finish.
Victorian furniture is usually made of solid wood. Although their light colored patina gives them a certain lightness, the choice of caning makes them even more ethereal!