The Simplicity and Sophistication of Scandinavian Rugs
The Scandinavian interior design comprises the most innovative ideas when it comes to the mix of design furniture with classical fabrics. It presents an aesthetic blend of traditional and modern designs and it will make you love geometry even if you hated it at school. White walls and vintage Swedish rugs make a discreet combination for contemporary decoration ideas.
Rugs are an indispensable element for every room, especially in countries with cold weather as they give a sense of warmth and comfort to the house.
Scandinavian rugs have a long history of artistry that dates back many centuries ago and can be on par with the flourishing of Oriental carpets in Near, Middle and Far East. At first, the rugs weaved in Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway were an indicator of social status. They were used by the noble class and rich families for bedding and decorations.
Like in eastern countries in Asia, even in Scandinavian countries, carpet making turned into an important institution in terms of cultural, aesthetic and social growth of the regions.
This craft was improved during centuries even thanks to the influences of carpets from Asia. Trade partnership and the cold weather of Northern Europe brought some of the finest oriental rugs to Sweden, Norway and Denmark. They were used either for covering or for displaying. After a long exposure to the art of oriental carpet weavers, Scandinavian artisans developed their own weaving style and designs that are deeply rooted in folk art and culture.
In the beginning, the rugs included colors like white, yellow, black and grey. New patterns and floral designs were added with the passing of time. Rya is the most famous type of traditional Scandinavian wool rugs. They were weaved in Sweden and Norway. Rya and Rollakans were weaved during the sixteenth century. Weavers in Scandinavian countries started to use the geometrical patterns during the mid-seventeenth century. Since then, those patterns have remained as special elements of Scandinavian rugs. The Rya rugs were used as blankets, but their uncommon style of weaving was noticed by the noble class. Thus, those rugs lost their utilitarian purposes and turned into objects of decorations used for display as tapestry.
On the other hand, simple people continued to use Rollakans for their needs. Important historical events during the centuries that followed like the industrial revolution and the two world wars had an impact on the life and preferences of people in Europe. These events marked the moments when Scandinavian carpet weavers started to produce modern carpets based on traditional designs and they gave more space to the imagination. These elements made them highly required and significant items when it comes to contemporary home design.
Scandinavian rugs are a symbol of innovation and feature interesting post-modern industrial designs that can please even the most sophisticated taste.
