A life-style option gaining currency hails from Denmark known as Hygge, pronounced Hoo-gah and means cozy. Hygge, an integral part of the Danish culture is, "in the constant pursuit of homespun pleasures involving candlelight, fires, fuzzy knitted socks, porridge, coffee, cake and other people..." according to the New York Times Style article.
Having since become a thing also in Britain, the Hygge phenomenon is now headed Stateside with books coming out this month. The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, founder and chief executive of the Happiness Research Institute based in Copenhagen and How to Hygge: The Danish Art of Contententment, Comfort and Connection, by Louisa Thomsen Brits who also has a furniture website - hygge.com
The classic Danish interior decorating style tends toward minimalism, based around natural wood finishes, clean tailored silhouettes, natural fabrics, fur, leather and many candles, preferably unscented, harmonizing perfectly with Hygge.
The warm minimalism aesthetic similar to Danish minimalism, is enhanced with a somewhat more sumptuous sensibility of generously scaled furnishings mixed with luxe fabrics, wood, leather and fur in natural hues usually set in a room painted off-white.
2016 was all about decluttering and keeping only what you love with Marie Kondo, author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and for 2017 it's about Hygge and being caccooned in a cozy environment with everyone you hold near and dear! This has Brooklyn written all over it...
A warm minimalism room with added sparkle from a crystal chandelier - photo by Josh Franer One Kings Lane
All the classic Danish minimalist elements are addressed in this room - natural wood floors & doors and white painted walls; the cognac leather armchair, vintage trunk and hide rug add a touch of warm minimalism. Photo by Josh Franer, One Kings Lane
Natural textured fabrics and unfinished edges speak to the Danish Hygge aesthetic. Photo by Manuel Rodriguez - One Kings Lane
A neutral color palette and an abundance of textures - very Nordic. Photo by Laura Resen - One Kings Lane
Photo by Victoria Pearsen - One Kings Lane
The Hygge aesthetic always includes cosy hand-woven and knitted fabrics
Candles, many of them are vital to the Hygge experience - photo by David Brandon Geeting for the New York Times
A full-on Hygge moment! Photo by David Brandon Geeting