In November we moved from our tiny bungalow into a slightly less tiny bungalow. Ever the optimist, I started a Pinterest board for the new house before our lease application had even been approved! The most common words in my pin captions are a pretty good indicator of the direction my style has taken in the past few years; ‘Scandinavian’, ‘minimalist’, ‘Danish’, ‘neutral’, and ‘modern’ comprise the bulk of my descriptors. Now, weeks later as we finally unpack the final few boxes, my spidey senses are tuning themselves to all available resources for bringing my Pinterest vision to life!
Many of my go-to retailers for Nordic style are online, but when it comes to buying furniture I definitely prefer to see it in person before pulling the trigger! So I was delighted recently to visit to BoConcept in Los Angeles. The Copenhagen-based homewares brand has been a leader in modern design since it was founded in 1952 by two Danish craftsmen and cabinet makers. The company now has over 250 stores around the world, all of them outfitted wall-to-wall with Pin-worthy vignettes for every room in the home.
Danish design has always been celebrated for its thoughtful marriage of form and utility, and the pieces at BoConcept are no exception. Behind every elegant aesthetic detail—the piped edge on a sofa, the perfectly balanced proportion on a chair—a brilliant functional surprise awaits. Coffee tables extend to dining height with the catch of a spring. Upholstered seating is available in over 100 fabric options an infinite number of configurations. Modular casegood units combine to create genius (and gorgeous!) storage solutions for media and home office, entryways and bedrooms. The whole collection is as smart as it is stylish, exactly what’s needed for in a small home where efficiency is paramount!
Another handy offering that’s not to be missed at BoConcept are the in-store design consultations. Thankfully, every BoConcept store has a team of experts on-hand to advise on everything from furniture selection to layouts for maximizing space and flow. I’m all over this service for the new house because even though I know what I’m looking for in terms of style, the space-planning aspects of redecorating aren’t my strong suit. For example, our living room is a funny L-shape and I have no idea how to make the most of it, either with the pieces we already own or with the new additions I have my eye on. Even an interiors junkie like me can use an objective, experienced second opinion now and again!
Last but not least, the lineup of accessories at BoConcept is a decorator’s dream! I skipped through the store on my recent visit, scooping up marble desk clocks and ceramic vases to inject a touch of Danish personality to the living room. While I take my time and figure out the bigger decisions required of the space, I’ll be letting these accent pieces set the tone and tide me over with their sleek, handsome presence. And in the meantime, stay tuned for more updates on the new house and how I plan to make all my minimalist Scandinavian design dreams come true!
Photography: Anne Sage