Photos: Spacecrafting
The Scandinavian Revivalist Movement is here.
Picturesque views, warm earth tones, a thoughtful blueprint—for those who dream of a peaceful escape, sitting amid tall pine trees or overlooking a quiet lake, the revival of Scandinavian home design couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Scandinavian design movement is sweeping into the Midwest from the coasts—where its popularity speaks volumes. And now, White Bear Lake architecture and design duo Kasey Johnson and Regan Nix of Blue Pencil Collective have joined forces with builder Dan Carlson of DT Carlson Company and Ben Ancel of Bold North Real Estate to focus on this up-and-coming lifestyle approach.
Connected through mutual partners and industry events, the team felt an instant connection and synergy. The result—the Scandinavian Revivalist Movement (Scandi Revival, for short)— is a full-service experience for clients drawn to the Scandinavian design approach. Whether clients are looking to remodel or build from scratch, the group hopes to assist through the entire process of creating a dream living space.
Conscious living, holisitic design and quality architecture are the three pillars of Scandi Revival.
A Design Movement
Scandi Revival is built on three main pillars. Conscious living encourages clients to embrace simplicity, honor nature and enjoy a balanced life. Holistic design integrates clean lines with eco-friendly features. Warm wood accents and cozy textures provide functional yet comfortable living spaces. And each home is built with quality architecture and a passive home approach, meaning it will use 80–90 percent less energy than a conventional home.
Every project Scandi Revival takes on is centered on Scandinavian heritage and design. “It’s never about the size of the home but the quality of the home,” Nix says. With each project, there are certain non-negotiables, such as the ratio of windows and doors, which ties directly to the efficiency of the home’s envelope. The passive home design keeps temperatures regulated, regardless of levels or blueprint. Clean, locally sourced materials elevate residents’ health by avoiding harsh chemicals. “It all starts with an awareness of our footprint and what we are leaving behind for future generations,” Carlson says.
A Team Effort
One of the most important factors for each project is location. Ancel tackles home and land procurement, with a focus on the lifestyle and preferences of the client. “If we have a client with a vision, then it’s a targeted approach,” Ancel says. Then, the rest of the team tackles the architecture, design and build of the new space with a mind for sustainability and capturing the essence of the Scandinavian principle hygge—which speaks to finding beauty, conviviality and comfort in the everyday. “It’s really about creating a sanctuary for people and letting them connect with nature,” Nix says.
From sweeping countryside views to magnificent pine stands, the naturescape is of as equal importance in Scandinavian design as the building itself—with harmony at the heart. The indoors blends with nature through expansive windows, creating a seamless transition. “We are nature; we aren’t separate from it,” Nix says. “It’s about continuing the consciousness that we are one, which then helps us protect and appreciate nature more.
“Houses and buildings are going to be built whether we like it or not, so why not do it in a way that is respectful to the world we live in?” Nix says.
Furniture provided by DWELL44.
Scandinavian Revivalist Movement
Instagram: @scandirevival
