Swedish-Inspired Bedroom

Host Joan Kohn gets a history lesson from designer Larry Horne, who designed a bedroom in what he calls Country Swedish style for the Washington Design Second Homes and Weekend Retreats show house. Being of Swedish descent himself, Horne was familiar with characteristics of Swedish design and created a luxurious retreat full of historical details. He explains that wood plays an important part in Swedish design, noting that walls, floors and ceilings might all be done in rustic wood that is often painted and stenciled or waxed.

• The color palette for the room is soft greens, muted reds and yellows with a cream background. Furniture, flooring and textiles are kept light and airy.
• Because the walls were angled, the bed was placed on an interesting angle with an elegant canopy suspended over it from the ceiling. An armoire was also placed on an angle in a corner to balance the bed's position.
• A wooden replica of a traditional tile stove, used for storage, sits in one corner .
• Leaded glass, often used in Swedish homes, was installed at the windows.
• A panoramic nature scene was painted on a screen placed behind the bed, in part to make up for the lack of a view from leaded glass windows, and to introduce an artistic element.
• A soft golden-yellow rug in a subtle yet interesting square grid pattern was custom made in Sweden.
• A model of the military tent erected by King Gustav sits on top of the entertainment center.