Decorating with
Scandi-style Prints
MOLLY
12 July 2016
As I’ve worked in art galleries, people often ask if I have a lot of art on my walls at home. The answer is no, I’ve hardly any. It might be something to do with being surrounded by art all day and so letting my eyes have a rest when I get home, or the fact that original artworks can be expensive. But this week I decided it was time to stop having such bare walls and so I looked to Desenio for some Scandi-style prints …
If you haven’t heard of Desenio they are an online store specialising in affordable Scandinavian-style prints and posters. They make it really easy to choose, with guides to ‘the perfect pair’ of prints that go well together, and gallery wall inspiration and hanging guides. The range is absolutely huge, and I must admit I lost myself for hours on the site choosing what prints I would like in my home.
For my living room ‘reading nook’ (well more of an ‘area’ than an ‘nook’ really), I chose two prints that speak to my love of nature:
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”
I love the quote on the forest print, and the delicacy of the cotton watercolour sketch – they both make me feel very relaxed, just what I want when I settle down of an evening with a good book.
The next area I chose to decorate with prints was my home office. Here I went monochrome, and chose prints that reflect my interest in typography and design – the big M (in case there was any doubt over whose desk this was) and a graphic of Hans Wegner’s Y chair. The smaller prints are of a geometric heart (echoing the pattern on my Cordello Home tray on my desk – and of course my romantic nature!) and, as my office is in a corner of my guest bedroom, a print that says ‘Welcome, the wi-fi code is … ‘ so that any guests can log in. Tidy!*
*I’m in Welsh mode, having watched my daughter graduate from Cardiff University – Masters with Distinction in Environmental Design of Buildings. Just sneaking in this #proudmum moment in small font hoping she won’t notice!
Looks so much better than blank walls, don’t you think?
Hanging the framed prints was not without its mishaps – I dropped two down the back of the radiator in the front room! In my defence I can only say that at work I have a technician with a laser level and advanced trigonometry skills for working out precise measurements between frames, so all I have to do is stand back and stroke my chin. I’m going to be more appreciative of his skills in future!
The real saviour for me was Command Strips – what a godsend! In case you don’t know, they are velcro-like strips that attach one surface to another, holding tight yet leaving no mark if you remove them. Perfect for me as I am renting, and also because they mean I can change the gallery wall in my office around quite easily, which is just as well, as I ordered a LOT more prints from Desenio that I haven’t yet shown you!
As well as more prints, I bought lots of frames from Desenio, including some rather fabulous copper ones, and these wooden poster hangers, which I just love.
I’ve gone from blank walls to a virtual art gallery overnight, but because the prints all have the same pared-back and calm Scandinavian aesthetic, it doesn’t seem busy or visually noisy so I am happy. And can proudly say my walls are not empty when next asked.
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Twitter:
on July 13, 2016 at 8:18 am
So lovely! We display the wifi code in our spare rooms too – vital. Congrats on your #proudmum moment!
Thanks Claire! x
Twitter:
on July 13, 2016 at 8:37 am
Molly they look beautiful and so so in keeping with your wonderful style. Funnily enough my old Uni friend who came to stay and also blogs recently used Desenio for some prints for their home and was telling me all about them so they seem like a really fab company X
Your friend is right Lins, they are a fab company – everything comes really well packaged, and their site is very well thought out too x
Twitter:
on July 13, 2016 at 10:53 am
I am so glad you have given good feed back about Desenio, as I’ve literally just placed and order and also have the monstera picture coming! good choice. I love what you have done with you art work and great tip about the command strips, I will try those out to hang mine.
Ooh exciting! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed, and definitely try out the Command Strips, they’re such a good idea.
Twitter:
on July 13, 2016 at 11:23 am
Oh, I keep hearing good things about Desenio – looks like they have some lovely prints!
Also loving the new site design Molly 🙂
Thanks Kate! x
Wonderful picks. I can’t wait to show you my picks. Coming to the blog next week with a super giveaway too. x
ooh exciting, look forward to it Geraldine!
Twitter:
on July 13, 2016 at 10:38 pm
Congratulations to you and your daughter, I’m sure she couldn’t have done it without you xx I love prints and have them all over our house, I think they really demonstrate your personalities. You have picked some lovely ones xx
Awh thanks Lisa 🙂 x
Twitter:
on July 14, 2016 at 6:59 am
I love the Desenio site and prints and I will definitely be getting some myself. Only problem is what to choose as there are so many that I love. I also need to try command strips. At least then I won’t have to wait around for my husband to put the pictures up anymore.
Choosing was my problem! Command strips are great, and also love my Takker for hanging pictures – no hubby required!
Twitter:
on July 14, 2016 at 1:53 pm
Never heard of a takker. Just looked it up though and still not sure what it does exactly. But if it means I could do this sort of stuff without waiting on the husband then I need it in my life.
I wrote a post about the Takker a few years ago Stacey, here it is: https://mollyandtheprincess.com/no-nails-picture-hanging-takker-review/ it’s like a staple gun that puts a little ‘tack’ in the wall and it comes with a variety of picture hooks that just fit onto the tack x
Twitter:
on July 14, 2016 at 10:23 am
These all look so fantastic and really finish off the rooms you’ve used them in! I love how you’ve grouped them and used a few, because, as Stacey points out, it’s always really hard to choose a favourite! Philippa x
Thanks Philippa! x
Twitter:
on July 14, 2016 at 10:30 am
First of all, congratulations to you and of course to your daughter.
The prints you have chosen are beautiful. I think the cotton watercolor is my favourite, so simple and delicate.
The wooden poster hangers are a brilliant idea!
#HomeEtc
Thanks very much Fionnuala 🙂 The cotton one is lovely, and Desenio has other plant portraits in this range too x
Twitter:
on July 14, 2016 at 6:29 pm
The prints all look lovely and the poster holders are an excellent idea.
Loved how you sneaked your #proudmum moment in!
Thanks Rachel 🙂 I don’t think my daughter likes me shouting about her achievements, but I can’t help it, she is a star! The poster holders are great, I love them.
Twitter:
on July 15, 2016 at 8:40 am
This is beautiful! You have a great eye for putting things together – that’s what I always struggle with, I love everything but it can all feel a bit mismatched because my taste is too wild!
Love the sound of the command strips too! #HomeEtc
That’s very kind of you Katy 🙂 But your wild taste is good, and fun – mine is probably a bit safe!
Twitter:
on July 15, 2016 at 8:44 am
Utterly stunning! Love this – and this is my style too. I love simple but effective prints and photographs and calming ones too 🙂 Really stylish too. Thanks for linking up xx #HomeEtc
Jess xx
Thank you Jess! xx
Twitter:
on July 15, 2016 at 12:44 pm
Love the ones in your office. And yes, so much better than blank walls but I find it can take some time to find exactly what you want, even when you have no idea what that is! #homeetc
That’t true Stephanie, the choosing was the hard part.
I love the Scandinavian art and prints. Also the Scandinavian design. Appreciate the sharing!
Thanks Abigail
Twitter:
on July 18, 2016 at 8:37 pm
Fab choices, Molly. And I love the use of ‘tidy!’. It’s more of a South Wales statement but we still use it occasionally up North 😉
Thanks Rachel – I love ‘tidy’, I’m glad you use it too 🙂
Twitter:
on July 19, 2016 at 1:47 pm
These prints are totally beautiful, I really like your selection.
I have been meaning to choose something from Desenio’s website for a while but they have so many lovely things that I can’t decide which ones I prefer
#HomeEtc
Thanks Elena, and I know what you mean about having trouble deciding – my way to do it was to narrow it down by area – e.g. black and white for the office etc. But it was hard all the same when faced with such choice!
Twitter:
on July 20, 2016 at 12:36 pm
This name has popped up a couple of times now on my feed — I keep hearing such fab things and I LOVE the kind of work they have on offer!! I need some art for my new she-shed so I’m off to have a look!! So sorry for my ridiculously late comment — I’m still all topsy-turvy after our holiday!!! Will be back on track next week (fingers crossed!!) 😉 Caro xx #HomeEtc
Caro recently posted…Our Mark Warner holiday Perdepera, Sardinia | Part One
Look forward to seeing what you choose for your she-shed! x
Twitter:
on July 29, 2016 at 2:28 pm
I really love those prints in your reading area – so simple and calming.
-L
Thank you Lara 🙂
Twitter:
on September 2, 2016 at 9:02 pm
Those prints look fab! Will have to check out the store x