For More Beautiful Wood Furniture, Paint It Norwegian-Style And Never Go Back

Wood furniture will never go out of style, but it’s certainly seen plenty of changes throughout the years. Ornate, highly detailed antiques, sleek, mid-century modern pieces, and shabby chic, whitewashed builds have all had their time in the sun at one point or another, leaving you reeling as you shop around for future heirlooms that will remain stylish for decades and . If you’re tired of settling for plain, risk-free wood pieces, consider upgrading them with some detailing that’s . After all, it’s been around for centuries.

Rosemaling is a type of painted Norwegian folk art that found its way onto furniture, functional items, and surfaces. Most popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, this decorative style was a natural extension of a long history of wood carving and weaving in the area. It most often features similar motifs to these art forms, with a particular emphasis on scrollwork and floral patterns. It’s colorful, sprawling, and distinctive, but it’s far from overwhelming — in most cases, the chosen palette remains earthy, and negative space is embraced as an artistic choice. The final look is ornamental but not dominating, especially if you only add these details to one or two pieces in each room.

While rosemaling is a fairly complex art form, DIYing your own pieces is certainly possible, especially if you’re a fan of simpler designs. With some brushes, paints, and a piece of wood furniture that’s in need of a zhuzh, you can create a piece that’s sure to impress for decades to come.