Customer Reviews

Swedish Interiors

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Wendy Moonan
Published: May 4, 2007 in The New York Times


Swedish Simplicity

"American interest in Swedish antiques is just exploding now," said Jill Dienst, who owns Dienst & Dotter in Sag Harbor, N.Y., a shop that specializes in Swedish antiques and accessories from the 17th through the 20th century. "What I'm selling are my best pieces, the highest quality Stockholm cabinetmakers, which to me means people are becoming more educated about the whole range of Swedish antiques."

If so, the publication of "Swedish Interiors" by Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems (Gibbs Smith, $39.95) seems timely.

The authors, both of Swedish heritage, own Eleish van Breems Antiques in Woodbury, Conn. Their coffee-table book features 14 stylistically different American houses to show that Swedish style extends beyond the familiar 18th-century Gustavian look to encompass Swedish Baroque, Rococo, Biedermeier and Modernist designs.

"There was a real need for a book like this," Ms. Dienst said. "We need to educate people how these antiques work in modern America. The book shows how Americans capture the Swedish spirit of light, simplicity, warmth and elegance in diverse ways."

There are few English-language books about Swedish antiques and interiors. The 2006 book `Classical Swedish Architecture and Interiors, 1650-1840' by Johan Cederlund (W. W. Norton), like `The Swedish House' by Lars Sjoberg and `The Swedish Room' by Mr. Sjoberg and his wife, Ursula is illustrated with only photographs of majestic palaces and stately manor houses in Sweden.

In their book Ms. Eleish and Ms. van Breems explore the American take on Swedish style: a 1795 Colonial house in Rhode Island, a log ranch in Montana, a 1923 bungalow in Los Angeles and a sleek modern apartment in Manhattan, among other examples. They even photographed interiors created by rival dealers: Lars Bolander of Palm Beach and, in Manhattan, Paul Sigenlaub of Evergreen Antiques and Lena Kaplan of White on White.

"We did the book because our clients have been asking us how to adopt Swedish style to their own homes," Ms. Eleish said. "The world has changed. We are trying to get back to simplicity. People are looking for interiors that are soothing and comfortable, not stressful."

Ms. van Breems began her career as a commercial photographer, while Ms. Eleish was with a retail clothing chain. They opened their shop in 1998 to sell 18th- and 19th-century Swedish furnishings, reproductions and Marimekko fabrics and accessories from Finland.

"We wanted to show how versatile Swedish design is (everyone thinks Swedish is white, white, white) and how eclectic it can be." Ms. Eleish said.

Finally a book that shows us that Swedish interiors, and furniture do not always mean grey and white, but that Swedish can mean a variety of color, and light. The two authors Rhonda Eleish and Edie van Breems have searched America and have found charming homes that show us rich colors that can light up those dark days of winter, and show us Spring and Summer can come all year round. This is a beautiful book, that you can tell is well researched and written with care. The beautiful photos are wonderfully selected,and if you are interested in Swedish design, and colors this is the book to choose. You can tell the passion the authors have for this subject with the love and care they put into this book.

This is a monumental book for both the general public with an interest in the nuances associated with interior design and the seasoned interior design professional who is seeking a guide book to Swedish style. Not only are you rewarded with lush pictography throughout the book but the corresponding discourse is informative and inspiring on numerous levels. This book will take pride of place within my expansive collection and I am sure that I will be referring to it for years to come

The cover of the book leads one to think that this will be a volume of traditional or "antique" Swedish style, but this is not the case. I was personally looking for a book of traditional and old fashioned Swedish interior and exterior styles and this book is not that, thus I gave it three stars. The book is nicely written and there are plenty of photographs and there is a bit of traditional style but the book focuses largely on the modern takes on Swedish style and many of the photos are of places in the United States that have somewhat Swedish flavored styles and definately very modern styles.

This lovely book takes you on a first-class tour of the best Swedish design in America. From a California bungalow to a Montana homestead to Ten Chimmneys (the Wisconsin home of Lunt & Fontanne), the authors illustrate the many ways Swedish style can be incorporated into any home. The ideas are fresh and accessible, the photography is lush - a must have for anyone interested in home decor and interior design.

In my opinion, this is the best book that I have found on the SWEDISH STYLE of home decorating.

This is a large hardback book, with wonderful photos of homes decorated in the "modern" Swedish style.

If you love the Swedish style decorating, then you will refer to this book quite often---as I have.

This book is truly inspiring. Before reading Swedish Interiors I associated the concept of Swedish design with either the washed-out dull colors of bygone years or the garish modern patterns of Ikea. Rhonda and Edie's book has shown me that the Swedes can wield a full color palette with grace and elegance. The best part is that all the intriguing design concepts of the Swedes are illustrated by American homes. Anyone will be able to draw inspiration form this book and apply it to their own dwellings.

This book has the most beautiful pictures of all kinds of Swedish furniture. Lots of information but most importantly fabulous pictures so you can see how it was used and in what settings. Great if you are adding a few pieces or a lot of pieces to your home. Great resourse for Designers also.

These two authors are well-known Swedish antique dealers in Connecticut and have a new book out this year. This is a delicious tome chronicling breathtaking homes done in Swedish style. The pictures alone will make you want to go out and buy a settee and slightly worn out bureau! This is a beautiful book that makes a wonderful holiday gift or just a gift for the design-lover you know!

I was very delighted with this book. The pictures are very fine quality and I was especially excited with the references and pictures of the 10 Chimneys property. I recently visited that property and one could not take pictures of the interiors so this book is a great reference. I only wish there would have been pictures of the master bedroom in the guest house that Alfred had made for his new bride.