Magical interior design is a concept that combines elements of fantasy and enchantment with functional and aesthetic design principles to create spaces that transport and inspire. This style of design aims to create an otherworldly experience within the walls of a home or space, using imaginative and whimsical elements to create a sense of wonder and delight. One key aspect of magical interior design is the use of unique and fantastical materials. Designers may incorporate elements such as iridescent wallpapers, ethereal fabrics, and shimmering finishes to create an atmosphere that feels mystical and enchanting. By using these materials, designers can create a sense of magic and intrigue that is not often found in traditional interior design. In addition to materials, magical interior design often includes elements of nature, such as plants and natural light, to bring a sense of harmony and tranquility to the space.
Gather a patchwork of materials in your chosen colourways to help project yourself in your future interior. Remember to take into account the furniture, curtains, walls, floors and doors to create a harmonious finish. To help you think about the ensemble, take a couple of photos of your room. That way, you can visualise how the colours and tones will look in the space.
With Inspiration Naturals we have embraced the latest technology to craft a collection of truly remarkable and unprecedented floors, guaranteed to be easy to live with. Estrid Ericson broke the strict conventions and stylistic ideals of her time and believed that objects that you combine not necessarily have to fit together.
In addition to materials, magical interior design often includes elements of nature, such as plants and natural light, to bring a sense of harmony and tranquility to the space. This can be achieved through the use of large windows, skylights, or even glass walls to invite natural light into the space. Plants, especially those with unique shapes or vibrant colors, can also add to the otherworldly feel of the design.
MAGICAL INTERIORS
In the 1930s, when Svenskt Tenn's founder Estrid Ericson decorated her own apartment above the store on Strandvägen 5 in Stockholm, her youth interest in home furnishings was awoken. She transformed the store's range, and the company went from only offering pewter items, to mainly being associated with furniture and interior design.
In the beginning, the style was firm and restrained. In an interview from 1932, Estrid Ericson said, “I stick to the neutral colours when it comes to home decor. The room should appear calm and tidy, no extravagant colours should occur”.
Estrid Eriscon's private apartment above the store. 1930s.
In the exhibitions at the store, Estrid Ericson didn’t use any prints or decorative accessories. She advocated white walls and sparsely furnished rooms, where only necessary pieces of furniture were allowed.
But this functionalist view of interior design changed drastically when the collaboration with Josef Frank began. With him came thoughts of comfort, cosiness, prints and richness in colour, and together they created a whole new, personal style. The new era included the style temperaments of them both and was an eclectic mix of old and new, patterns, colours, table settings, flower arrangements and still lifes.
The exhibition '100 Vases with flowers' at the store in Stockholm, 1940.
FOCUS ON ATMOSPHEREWe must never forget, that we should have so much freedom in our homes that we do not have to give up an object just because it would endanger our aesthetic formalism. It is not a certain composed colour harmony, which gives a home its personal touch, it is all of the objects that gather during a lifetime. Everything you once liked, and what you like now. – our homes are never fully finished; but we build on them throughout our lives.
Estrid Ericson’s Interior Catechism, 1939.
Estrid Ericson broke the strict conventions and stylistic ideals of her time and believed that objects that you combine not necessarily have to fit together. She embraced Josef Frank's interior design philosophy and made it her own, focusing on comfort and cosiness. At the store on Strandvägen 5, she placed scattered objects here and there in the interiors. These items were not for sale, but their only task was to contribute to a warm atmosphere.
In an article from 1949, she describes how the atmosphere is the most important thing in an interior. That “books that are frequently read, potted plants that are well maintained, musical instruments, clocks that tick and pets…” make a home more beautiful. To create the right atmosphere, she placed still lifes in the store, arrangements that were later described in the press:
“She does not arrange the objects, but rather directs a piece of silent theatre…”
Autumn still life, 1940.
In the store, Estrid Ericson also created welcoming and inviting table settings. She became known as the “queen of table settings” for her unique ability to combine and balance the simple things with the lavishly festive. In her hands, flowers, glass, textiles and porcelain were brought together into beautiful table creations. She picked flowers from the lush flowerbeds around her summer house Tolvekarna (Twelve Oaks) on Tyresö outside Stockholm, and brought them to the store, where she arranged them in vases. She also collected items from all over the world and displayed them in glass cabinets.
Estrid Ericson's spring table setting, 1940.
Estrid Ericson's creation from 1956.
WITH TRAVELS AS INSPIRATIONTravels were Estrid Ericson's main source of inspiration. She collected corals, shells and rocks from flea markets around the world. In London, she had her own “flea man” as she called him, who put aside silver and jewellery for her throughout the whole year, only to show her during her visit. In Paris, she found printed fabrics and French handicrafts at a flea market on porte d’Italie, and she bought expensive items from an antique store on Rue des Saint Péres. It was in Paris that she, among other things, found a piece of elephant-patterned, African batik fabric, which later became the inspiration for her now well-known Elefant print, the only print that she designed.
The Elefant print, designed in the 1930s.
Estrid Ericson in Mexico, 1939.
In Italy, which was her favourite country, Estrid Ericson found modern upholstery fabrics and Roman antiques to add to her own collections. Small boxes, embroidered linen fabrics, Etruscan bronze necklaces, chiselled hairpins, brittle glass and sheer lace were other items that she found during her journeys to Florence, Rome, Venice and Burano. But she also travelled outside Europe, to South Africa, the United States and Mexico, where she looked for beautiful objects in department stores, shops and markets. When something that caught her interest, she made sure to get the name of the manufacturer, looked up the person or company in question and then placed her own order. Through her many travels and her collections, she created the magical world of interior design that permeated the store on Strandvägen 5 as well as her own home and the summer house, 'Tolvekarna' (The Twelve Oaks).
Estrid and Sigfrid Ericson in their apartment on Strandvägen, Stockholm.
Estrid Ericson's creation from 1956.
Furniture and decor in magical interior design often have whimsical and unexpected shapes and forms. Designers may opt for curvy and organic furniture pieces, or even custom-made pieces that resemble objects from a fairy tale. Lighting fixtures can also contribute to the magical atmosphere, with chandeliers and pendant lights that resemble stars or crystals. Color plays a crucial role in magical interior design, with designers often opting for soft pastels, dreamy blues, and rich jewel tones to create a sense of mystery and allure. These colors can be incorporated through paint, wallpaper, furniture, and decor, helping to tie the entire space together and evoke a sense of enchantment. Ultimately, magical interior design seeks to create spaces that transport and inspire, offering a retreat from the everyday world and inviting individuals to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and wonder. By combining imaginative and whimsical elements with functional and aesthetic design principles, this style can create truly magical spaces that captivate the senses and ignite the imagination..
Reviews for "Playing with Scale: How to Create a Magical Sense of Proportion in Design"
1. John - 1 star
The concept of "Magical interior design" sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The book presented a lot of ideas that seemed impractical and over-the-top. The designs were filled with excessive ornamentation and clutter, making the spaces feel overwhelming rather than magical. Additionally, the instructions for implementing the designs were convoluted and difficult to follow. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for practical interior design ideas.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I was excited to explore the world of magical interior design, but this book didn't deliver what I expected. The designs presented were too whimsical and unrealistic for everyday living. The emphasis seemed to be more on creating a fairytale-like atmosphere rather than practical and functional spaces. The book also lacked in providing clear instructions on how to achieve the designs showcased. I appreciate the creativity, but I was left feeling underwhelmed and disconnected from the content.
3. Lisa - 2 stars
"Magical interior design" had a promising premise, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The book focused too much on creating fantastical and ethereal concepts that seemed impractical for real-life application. The designs lacked practicality and functionality, making it hard to picture them in actual homes. Additionally, the book lacked a cohesive structure and didn't provide enough guidance for readers to understand how to incorporate the magical elements into their own spaces. Overall, I found the book to be more of a fantastical art piece rather than a practical guide for interior design.