Decorating
10 Ways to be Inspired by Josef Frank and Add Colour to Your Home
Believe it or not, Swedish design isn't always restrained. In fact, Josef Frank's prints are anything but minimalist
When we think of Swedish design we usually visualise a pared-back, functional Scandinavian look with minimal fuss or colour. So where do Josef Frank’s wonderfully bright and indulgent textiles and wallpapers fall into the mix? This Austrian-born architect and designer made a name as Swedish firm Svenkst Tenn’s most iconic designer, and his work is currently being celebrated at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum. Here, we look at 10 rooms that have embraced his bold use of pattern in different ways.
Contemplate the view
In this restful bedroom, both the bedspread and blind are made using Frank’s luscious Hawai fabric. The owner can relax and gaze up at the twisted stems, elaborate flower heads and intricate butterflies.
In this restful bedroom, both the bedspread and blind are made using Frank’s luscious Hawai fabric. The owner can relax and gaze up at the twisted stems, elaborate flower heads and intricate butterflies.
Contrast with white walls
Before she met Frank, Ericson’s style was functional and utilitarian. In fact, according to Svensk Tenn’s own biography her apartment had a muted colour scheme and minimalistic furniture. Frank’s designs inspired her to introduce more pattern and texture into both her home and store.
The room here illustrates how Frank’s designs work perfectly with white walls. He thought pattern should be used to break up and add interest to white surfaces. The Roman blind replicates the square edges of the picture frames and brings in a welcome element of pattern.
Discover reasons to opt for white walls in your home
Before she met Frank, Ericson’s style was functional and utilitarian. In fact, according to Svensk Tenn’s own biography her apartment had a muted colour scheme and minimalistic furniture. Frank’s designs inspired her to introduce more pattern and texture into both her home and store.
The room here illustrates how Frank’s designs work perfectly with white walls. He thought pattern should be used to break up and add interest to white surfaces. The Roman blind replicates the square edges of the picture frames and brings in a welcome element of pattern.
Discover reasons to opt for white walls in your home
Soften hard edges
Frank was a modernist, but he rebelled against some elements of the movement. Where later modernists such as Le Corbusier embraced standardised and uniform design, Frank’s textiles were anything but.
Here, a sleek kitchen is given a softer twist with a Brazil fabric splashback, laminated behind glass.
Frank was a modernist, but he rebelled against some elements of the movement. Where later modernists such as Le Corbusier embraced standardised and uniform design, Frank’s textiles were anything but.
Here, a sleek kitchen is given a softer twist with a Brazil fabric splashback, laminated behind glass.
Embrace workmanship
Frank’s work was greatly influenced by the early origins of modernism. William Morris’s Arts and Crafts movement had promoted a return to handcrafted, quality items, rather than mass-produced goods. This is the philosophy that inspired Scandinavian designers too, who responded with beautifully crafted furniture that we still value today.
Here, an elegant red-framed chair upholstered in Frank’s Gröna Fågler (Green Birds) fabric looks stunning next to the white backdrop.
Frank’s work was greatly influenced by the early origins of modernism. William Morris’s Arts and Crafts movement had promoted a return to handcrafted, quality items, rather than mass-produced goods. This is the philosophy that inspired Scandinavian designers too, who responded with beautifully crafted furniture that we still value today.
Here, an elegant red-framed chair upholstered in Frank’s Gröna Fågler (Green Birds) fabric looks stunning next to the white backdrop.
Be inspired by nature
Just as William Morris was inspired by nature, so was Josef Frank. Most of his patterns are full of flora and fauna, featuring bright hues on a contrasting background.
Here, Frank’s Celotocaulis fabric is a great choice for the window seat. The Asian celoto flowers on the design blend in with the greenery outside, allowing the two spaces to merge into one.
Find out why you should forget lagom and embrace these other Scandi tips
Just as William Morris was inspired by nature, so was Josef Frank. Most of his patterns are full of flora and fauna, featuring bright hues on a contrasting background.
Here, Frank’s Celotocaulis fabric is a great choice for the window seat. The Asian celoto flowers on the design blend in with the greenery outside, allowing the two spaces to merge into one.
Find out why you should forget lagom and embrace these other Scandi tips
Choose comfort
Frank’s designs celebrate comfort. Curved edges, colour and pattern help to make life enjoyable for people at home, just as Scandinavian design as a whole seeks to create “beautiful things that make your life better”.
In this family living room, a neutral sofa is given a colour boost with cushions covered in Frank’s Vegetable Tree fabric.
Frank’s designs celebrate comfort. Curved edges, colour and pattern help to make life enjoyable for people at home, just as Scandinavian design as a whole seeks to create “beautiful things that make your life better”.
In this family living room, a neutral sofa is given a colour boost with cushions covered in Frank’s Vegetable Tree fabric.
Work with what you love
Ever wondered where to start when designing a room? How about following Josef Franks’ ‘accidentism’ philosophy? Simply choose what you love and the rest will fit in around it. In 1958 he wrote in Form magazine, “A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that the owner loves and feels at home with.”
Ever wondered where to start when designing a room? How about following Josef Franks’ ‘accidentism’ philosophy? Simply choose what you love and the rest will fit in around it. In 1958 he wrote in Form magazine, “A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that the owner loves and feels at home with.”
Combine styles
In this eclectic living space, cool blue furniture looks stunning teamed with bold patterned cushions.
In this eclectic living space, cool blue furniture looks stunning teamed with bold patterned cushions.
Add just enough
This Swedish kitchen shows how to combine Scandi minimalism with Josef Frank’s bold pattern. The simple white cookspace is enhanced by a single wall covered in Frank’s Vårklockor wallpaper. It’s just enough pattern to liven up the room without being overwhelming.
Which is your favourite Josef Frank print? Have you used his bold patterns in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This Swedish kitchen shows how to combine Scandi minimalism with Josef Frank’s bold pattern. The simple white cookspace is enhanced by a single wall covered in Frank’s Vårklockor wallpaper. It’s just enough pattern to liven up the room without being overwhelming.
Which is your favourite Josef Frank print? Have you used his bold patterns in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Josef Frank arrived in Stockholm as an established architect, but became more famous for his furniture and print designs. Born in 1885 of Jewish heritage, he had fled Austria with his Swedish wife in 1933 to escape growing Nazi discrimination, and was later hired by Estrid Ericson, the founder of design firm Svenskt Tenn. Together they created a soft, homely version of Sweden’s modernist functional design.
We often think of plain surfaces as more calming than pattern, but Frank thought the opposite. He believed that pattern forced people to slow down in order to take it all in, whereas monochromatic surfaces were finished with too quickly. This bold room incorporates that idea perfectly, as nearly every surface is full of pattern and colour, offering plenty of opportunity to sit and ponder the design.