Japandi Kitchen: Scandinavian Design Ideas — Nordiska Kök (2024)

Together with renowned interior designer Alexandra Ogonowski, we have created an elegant kitchen in a lush apartment in central Stockholm. The kitchen combines stripped-down Scandinavian interior tradition with traditional Japanese design. In the meeting between these two styles, a harmony between colors, shapes and materials arises that creates a wonderful atmosphere.

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Alexandra Ogonowski's trademark is to use powdery warm tones and contrast this with clean and stylish details that breathe Italian and Danish design. She then adds her own personal finds and accessories to soften the rooms expression.

By being inspired by different cultures and interior design traditions, Alexandra's project gets that little extra and feels unique. She describes herself as a bohemian with a style where she loves to combine old with new and exciting details from different cultures.

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The elegant herringbone parquet is stained in the same tone as the kitchen to create a uniform impression and tie the spaces together. The mix between the warm wood, the straight lines and the textured curtains around the kitchen's large windows, let a magnificent elegance emerge that feels both modern and clean.

The home is located in a house from the turn of the century, something Alexandra wanted to have reflected in the kitchen design, without letting it take over or feel too classic. She decided to go for shaker-inspired design for the upper cabinets, which are then paired with lower cabinets in stained oak. The soft, warm grain in the wood is contrasted with the upper cabinets and take the kitchen into the 21st century while the home's architecture still shine through in the design.

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Since the kitchen is spacious, we chose to build the cabinets extra deep, this so that the proportions in the large room would be right. If standard dimensions had been used, the room would have easily felt unbalanced.

The combination of oak and limestone takes you on a trip to Japan and traditional Japanese decor, where natural materials and serene beauty are at the core. Nothing has been left to chance and no unnecessary nonsense interferes with the calm and quiet impression in this kitchen. The cabinets is combined with a warm beige Jura limestone that is also used to clad the walls between the worktop and the top cabinets for an extra luxurious feel.

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Above the warm natural stone, we have placed the shaker inspired cabinets with thin frames, lacquered in a cold beige tone and fitted with neat grips in chrome. The stucco of the ceiling and the beautiful parquet then tie everything together and make the kitchen breathe history and elegance.

The apartment is located in a turn-of-the-century house, and I am often inspired by the architecture you are in. But what I'm trying to do is pick it up in a way that doesn't feel dated or imitated but create a contemporary modern version that is still timeless. Says Alexandra, referring to the meeting between Scandinavian shaker design and the Japanese-inspired lower cabinets in dark oak and kitchen island designed with teppanyaki hobs as inspiration.

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The upper and the lower cabinets are a reference to the stripped-down Japanese and the sweltering French but performed in a Scandinavian modern way. By picking a few discrete details from different cultures, you can get a unique feeling without diverging too much from the home's original architecture.

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The owner of the home loves to cook and enjoy spending many hours preparing home cooked meals for friends and family. The kitchen also invites to socialize around the kitchen island where several people can sit at the lower level and eat, work or drink a glass of wine while the upper level is used for cooking or baking. The level difference allows you to opt out of the often uncomfortable bar stools and instead have comfortable dining chairs that are also suitable for children. These three chairs were found by Alexandra at the Lauritz Auction House and then she had them renovated and re-dressed.

A lot of my work is to find the right furniture. Instead of just buying classics, I try to find old furniture with beautiful shapes which gives the home that personal touch," says Alexandra.

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Since the dining room is decorated with a large dining table, it is perfect to have a smaller seating area by the kitchen island for simpler meals or and early breakfast with the newspaper of the day. Above the kitchen island hang two beautiful Bai MaMa lamps from Parachilna which bring to mind a modern version of a Chinese light lantern.

The Fridge and freezer are hidden behind the shaker doors and the oven is placed in the kitchen island to keep the overall impression of the kitchen clean and polished. These details allows the kitchen to feel simple and elegant and create a serene calm that makes us want to spend a lot of time in this kitchen.

Photo: Erik Lefvander

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Japandi Kitchen: Scandinavian Design Ideas — Nordiska Kök (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Japandi and Scandinavian interior design? ›

In Scandinavian kitchens, this often takes the form of minimalist cabinetry and open shelving, while in Japandi kitchens, traditional Japanese storage solutions such as open shelving and sliding doors may be used. Overall, both styles aim to create a bright, airy space that is both functional and inviting.

What are the colors of Scandinavian kitchens? ›

Opt for a neutral yet welcoming colour palette

Tash suggests: 'For a Scandi colour palette, I'd always suggest a light colour scheme, such as soft beiges, whites and subtle greens.

What is Japandi style kitchen? ›

Japandi is a fusion of Japanese and Scandinavian interior design styles; it combines the minimalism, clean lines and zen-like tranquillity of Japanese design with the warmth and the cosy textiles of Scandinavian hygge to create a design style that's simple, elegant and undeniably beautiful.

What is a Swedish kitchen? ›

Scandinavian-style kitchens are known for their neutral palettes, clean lines, less-is-more minimalist aesthetics, wood furniture and finishes, and eccentric touches. Modern Scandinavian kitchens tend to be uncluttered and to feature simple flat-front cabinetry.

What is Scandinavian design often confused with? ›

The terms “Scandinavian design” and “Nordic design” are often used interchangeably—until you're talking to someone from Finland or Iceland, that is. Here, we dig into the subtle differences between these two geographic terms and the design ethos that applies to each—and both.

Is Nordic and Scandinavian style the same thing? ›

Understanding the differences can help you curate your ideal living space. Scandi design emphasizes minimalism and functionality. Nordic design embraces handcrafted tradition and coziness. Their origins and cultural influences shape their unique characteristics.

What is the most timeless color kitchen? ›

Light and white kitchens are timeless. They are here forever,” says Andi Morse, of Morse Design in Atlanta, Georgia. “If you go back in time you will see that white kitchens existed in the 1920s, 1950s, and up to now.”

What kitchen design is timeless? ›

Shaker-style cabinetry is a dependable classic

Kitchen cabinet trends come and go, but the real hallmarks of classic kitchen design always remain. Traditional shaker kitchen ideas, whether painted or left as unpainted kitchen cabinets, are always going to be a timeless choice for your cupboard doors.

What colour kitchens are timeless? ›

Bright white, classic grey, natural wood, and navy blue are timeless kitchen cabinet colors. Consider the existing architecture of your home to select a timeless color and combine modern hardware with traditional elements for balance.

What are the colors for Japandi style? ›

It draws inspiration from the natural world, incorporating shades of beige, gray, brown, and green. These colors create a calming and soothing environment, reflecting the simplicity and tranquility of both Japanese and Scandinavian design. Whites, browns, blacks, greys, beiges, taupes, and surrounding variations.

What style is similar to Japandi? ›

Although Japandi style and Scandinavian style share many similarities, such as their focus on minimalism and use of natural materials, they also have some key differences in their aesthetics.

What is the difference between Japandi style and Wabi Sabi? ›

Both styles prioritize clean lines, neutral colors, and the use of organic materials. Wabi Sabi embraces Japanese design philosophy, while Japandi combines Japanese and Scandinavian elements. Integrating these design styles can create a serene and cozy atmosphere in any home.

What is a Nordic kitchen? ›

Spaces designed with the Nordic Kitchen are based on increasing the amount of natural light, the use of organic materials of natural origin, sustainability and respecting the environment, accents of color, and supporting features infused with personality and style.

What is Nordic style kitchen? ›

Scandi kitchens often favour a light colour palette. Choose bright whites, soft greys, and stone shades to achieve the ultimate minimalist look. These lighter hues are often contrasted with deep charcoal shades to add depth and interest to your kitchen design.

What does a Swedish kitchen look like? ›

Simple forms, functionality and minimal design, characterize Scandinavian kitchens. They feature clean lines, natural materials, such as wood, and neutral color palettes. Additionally, they often incorporate plenty of natural light, sleek and modern appliances, and minimal decor.

What is Scandinavian style interior? ›

Scandinavian design expresses its beauty in a simple, functional and warm decorating style, which mixes whites, neutral colours, and natural woods. Simple lines are combined with a clean and fresh aesthetic to create cosy and light interiors.

What is considered Scandinavian decor? ›

Scandinavian style embraces simple white walls, large mirrors and cozy textiles that give off a relaxing and inviting vibe. For a Scandinavian-style interior, “hygge” is the word — layered fabrics, glass furniture, clean lines and textures create the perfect cozy Scandinavian look.

What is considered Scandinavian design? ›

Scandinavian design is a design movement characterized by simplicity, minimalism and functionality that emerged in the early 20th century, and subsequently flourished in the 1950s throughout the five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland.

What does Scandinavian mean in interior? ›

What Is Scandinavian Design? Scandinavian interior design is a minimalistic style using a blend of textures and soft hues to make sleek, modern décor feel warm and inviting. It emphasizes clean lines, utility, and simple furnishings that are functional, beautiful, and cozy.

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