The Simple Life by Sarah

Issue 5 · Outdoor Living · June 14, 2007

The Simple Life by Sarah

Issue 5 · Outdoor Living · June 14, 2007

Call it midcentury fatigue. How else to explain my recent penchant for all things Gustavian? Admittedly, it's still simple Swedish design, but it's 18th-century roccoco reduced to something more lean and restrained. I particularly love simple wood pieces with an austere layer of pale gray paint.

L.A.'s Chloe Decor offers a wide selection of Scandinavian furniture and antiques, such as this Gustavian original painted sofa; $12,000 www.chloedecor.com: sofa.jpg

Swedish gate-leg table; $4,900 chloedecor.com: img_1776.jpg A gate-leg table of more recent vintage; $3,900 at chloedecor.com: img_1842.jpg

Julia Foster Decorative Antiques in London specializes in the Gustavian period; view her wares at juliafosterantiques.com:

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In San Francisco, the Swedish Room is a charm-filled trove of wares brought back to the states by Scandi owner Suzanna Harden; go to swedishroom.com:

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For a contemporary take on the period, Danish company Oliver Furniture does a bang-up job; go to oliverfurniture.dk:oliverfurnituredk.jpg29.jpgkollektion_front.jpgThe Swedish Chair in the UK does some nice reproduction pieces as well; go to theswedishchair.com:fourposterbed-detail.jpg