I love both. I did my old bedroom in blue and white to pick up on the swedish design and I loved it. I have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) where the darkness that comes in the late fall and winter has a depressing effect on me...given that Sweden is the land of the midnight sun, I figure they know something about living without much sun. The soft blues and bright whites did help a lot...but what really helped was the full spectrum lamp I bought! :)

English country is much more cozy and I love cozy. Our whole new house was designed with cozy in mind and that's why for most of the rooms, the color palette is a warm one. We live in New England where winters can be tough, so the warm colors help one feel warm and cozy.

AnnieDeighnaugh--I too suffer from SAD, so I know exactly what you mean. I wonder if that's why I have to have warm colors too. And I do like cozy. What color palette do you have? If you have pictures I'd love to see them. Thanks.

When I think of English Country I think more of layering of items and when I think of Swedish, I tend to think more minimalist and spare - letting each wonderful item have space around it. My opinion is not based on any training or anything - just what comes to mind for me. I love both!

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

The only connection between the two is the word "Country," really.

Swedish Country: Based on French forms, like Louis XIV chairs, but light: Lighter woods, light whitewash or blue wash, an airy feel, and relatively simple.

English Country: English antiques, a very "collected" feel, warmer, tartans, oriental rugs, rolled-arm sofas, china teacups, oil landscapes and portraits, dogs, horses, birds. Sort of Ralph Lauren-ish but less off-the-shelf retail feeling.

Is it just me or does anyone else want to straighten those lamp shades in the first picture? That would drive me nuts!
Thanks Lauralincoln and Marcolo.
I have noticed that the Swedish design uses very little wall color, and when it does it's mostly pale blues, grays, and yellows.
I have been wondering what style my home falls into and I've decided it's hodgepodge. A little this with a little that.

As requested, here are some pics of my color scheme.

Library...just finished painting the accent wall behind the sofa in a deep eggplant color which offsets the new art work nicely.

Kitchen is now a rust color paint with the warm cherry wood cabinetry and the beige tones in the backsplash and caesarstone counters.

I'll have to take more pictures...most that I have are with the phone camera with terrible resolution especially when uploaded here. When I do, I'll post them.

The dining room walls are BM pearl harbor, which I used on the ceiling in the library as both are open to each other. The walls in the library are BM dark beige. The foyer is open to the library so I used the dark beige on the ceiling in there and the pearl harbor on the walls...reverse of the library.

AnnieDeighnaugh- what beautiful rooms! I love your colors. I recently painted our kitchen a rust color also. When you get a chance to post more pictures I'd love to see them. Thanks for sharing.

annie, your sofa and built-ins are lovely!
I think marcolo's description of the two styles is what I think of also. and laura's photos are to me, two 'modern' interpretations of the two styles. I love both these styles which is why I'm commenting on this thread :-)

If you want to see examples of Swedish Country design, Google the artist Carl Larsson, who painted exquisite interiors in watercolor of his family's home. Look for images from "Ett Hem" (A Home). I think of Swedish Country design as simple, airy, with colors and materials chosen from nature.

Funny this topic should come up - my partner was just mooning over a dream house in Sweden. Check out the photo gallery for some very archetypical Swedish country style as they do it today.

Here is a link that might be useful: Swedish country home

Circus, that is definitely a drool worthy property! And the price seems pretty reasonable! Now, to check my lottery ticket to see if I'm a winner!