Tour a Classic Nordic-Style Home in Iceland

It’s easy to see the appeal of Scandinavian design. Helga Jonsdottir’s home, located in the heart of Reykjavik, is a classic example of this wildly popular trend. An aesthetic that hails from the Nordic regions of Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, this style is all about functional minimalism, but it’s not so stripped down that interiors feel cold and uninviting. They’re balanced with a bit of warmth, too and the Swedish call this lagom, meaning "just right".

The homeowners crave natural light and the large unadorned windows are a favorite feature, so they skipped the heavy window treatments and let the light shine in. With all white walls this can create a gorgeous, atmospheric glow.

Light helps to create an airy, energized atmosphere in Scandinavian homes. This brightness instantly connects what’s outdoors to what’s indoors. This is an important design principle and why so many Scandinavian homes have a multitude of windows.

The limited amount of art and accessories in a Scandinavian inspired space means that each piece takes on added importance. The graphic quality of the art on Helga’s living room wall really stands out, whereas it may have gotten lost in the shuffle in a large gallery wall. Keeping larger furnishings neutral allows smaller, more colorful items to really be "seen" and have more impact.