Inspiration: My new patterns inspired by the Norwegian winter landscape. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

Hello, friends!

When my friends and family – most of whom live abroad – ask me if it’s tough to deal with the cold during the Norwegian winter, my answer is always no. The cold I can deal with. I can always put on more clothes. Or as my boyfriend (and most other Norwegians) always says, «There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing». That’s Norwegians for you. Crazy bunch, aren’t they!

But what I find very difficult, are the dark, often foggy days, which seems to go on with no end. Those days can really bring your mood down. Though I’ve learned that the best way to cope with days like these is to change your mindset. Keeping busy and embracing winter as it is. I can’t change it anyway.

The last couple two weeks I felt very inspired by the winter landscape. The white blanket everywhere transforms absolutely everything. The streets, the railway tracks, the woods, the roofs of all the wooden houses, the gardens… the whole landscape become lighter.

It’s a great source of inspiration! If you’ve never experienced it, I really recommend you book a trip here as soon as you can.

Bright days layered with fresh, crisp snow fallen to the ground after a blistering cold, night opens my eyes to a winter rainbow of shades and nuances. The landscape is draped in a monochromatic palette, where most things turn black, white and much more than fifty shades of grey, creating a sharp contrast.

From tree branches, to rocks, to the gravel on the ground. White, white, white! Grey, grey, grey! Actually many houses are painted in dark grey, too. I wonder if Norwegians do that on purpose so their home fits nicely into the winter scenery – a modest yet perfect complement to the white snow and winter sky.

It makes me see shapes and patterns everywhere. It inspires my designer heart to create mood boards transforming nature into patterns to match typical Scandinavian home décor.

 Nature photo and mood sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN Interior photo left bottom: theultralinx.com. Bottom right: cutepaste.com

 Nature photo and sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN  Photo top right: Vardehaugen.no  Interior Photo bottom left: theultralinx.com

Nature Photos and sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN  Interior Photo bottom left: Pinterest unknown

Another favourite of mine are the days, which are slightly foggy with just the perfect temperature for Mother Nature to create a thin layer of snow crystals, which attach like crystals on bushes, plants and trees. Deep green pine trees are wrapped in beautiful dark sage green, as if nature is winter moody wearing a coat of muted greys to sage green in multiple, fascinating layers.

I love this Norwegian colour palette and how it is applied to Scandinavian home décor. You can see where the Norwegians draw their inspiration from – nature, simplicity, clean lines and minimal decoration. This combined with the carefully thought out use of light creates homes characterized by the use of earthy, muted tones and honest materials like wood and stone.

So, these last few days I have created mood boards for this winter colour palette and a few (literally) cool patterns that I’m truly pleased with. I will use them in a new textile line. What should I call it? Nordic winter?

As always, I appreciate comments on my blogpost, so please let me know what you think!

Have wonderful days until the next time!

Xoxo, Alexia

Nature photos and sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN Interior photo: Bottom left: theultralinx.com

Nature Photos and sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN Interior photo bottom left: elledecorations.se

 Nature Photos and sketch: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN Interior photo bottom left: Natural Mavens