Copenhagen Furniture Features Diverse Tones and Materials for All Seasons
Get cozy this winter with Copenhagen
Discover the organic feel of the Rio Small Side Table, Edge Chair, and Gordon Deep Wood Table
As the weather changes throughout the course of a year, getting excited for certain seasons means surrounding ourselves with a certain ambience in our homes to align with our environment outside. This seasonal shift urges us towards specific materials and color palettes, affecting everything from the clothes we wear to the furniture and decor we choose for our home environments.
Diana VanArsdalen has observed these changes for more than 25 years as a designer at Copenhagen in Phoenix.
“We all change little things throughout the year, like clothes, according to the seasons,” she says. “You should treat your interior environment the same way you treat your closet. Stand back and take inventory of your space and put away what speaks to spring and summer, replacing it with richer hues and colors that remind you of warmer settings.”
Diana sees other trends in furniture that suggest a change in the color palette.
“We haven’t seen dark brown for years; it is nice to get a rich brown leather that reminds you of a cigar lounge, very inviting. It is the type of leather that will wear well over time, developing a nice patina that will only add to its beauty.” The Sophia sofa, loveseat, and chair by EgoItaliano feature chocolatey “dark mink” leather and wide, cushy seats that welcome you to curl up and enjoy.
Nature plays another key role in one’s interior, says Diana, who rearranges her houseplants and personal artwork — she is a painter — to change a room’s mood throughout the year.
A Welcoming Ambiance Emphasizes the Sweetness of the Season
Diana suggests starting with the area rug to change the temperature of a room, utilizing a rattan or another summer weave for the warmer months and opting for a richer, deeper piece during winter.
“Rugs are easy to switch out so you can go a little crazy with the design if you want,” says Diana, who began in sales but soon moved to design consultations. “I like varying high and low texture and a pattern like the Varese Rug, which is hand-tufted in wool and viscose. It’s warm and durable for the cooler months.
Diana says animal prints always add a nice element to a room, whether in a rug, throw or pillows. She also recommends accent pillows, and for winter months, one or two made from fine silks that are rich in colors like cognac and other deep hues.
You don’t have to break the bank to create a new and inviting environment for the warmer months. Sometimes, it’s an excellent room divider like the seven-foot Birch Sticks or a textured wall hanging that can make the perfect statement. Changing only one piece of furniture at Copenhagen for the season can also have a significant impact.
“One chair can make a big impact, like the new Lodi chair and ottoman, deep espresso brown and tufted with a little bit of mid-century vibe,” she says. “This design speaks to me and appeals to a lot of people; it is a classic, and its lines make it a very welcoming chair.”
The way spaces look contributes heavily to the energy existing within them. In the summertime, for instance, many aspects of our life carry a unique sense of ease and leisure, and this can be reflected through the furniture in our spaces. Whether you’re seated on a back patio or deck, a screened in porch or a sunroom, seeing fabrics like linen and material like wicker gives a sense of the season as well as an attention to detail in curating spaces to the time of life.
Bella Eleganza Bed and Nightstand with warm-hued accessories
Sink into the luxurious leather of the Shasta Sectional and the Sophia seating collection
The warm leather of the Lodi Sofa is enhanced by a bold jacquard pillow
Pair Color, Material and Tones with Season for a Dynamic, Intriguing Look
Diana also believes leather can add tremendously to the ambiance. “Leather can certainly be very cozy. People can shy away from it, but a good leather will breathe and be warm in the winter. Think of your parents’ or grandparents’ chair that was well worn in and felt so comforting to sit in with a favorite book or mug of hot chocolate.” Embody coziness through color with tones of cognac and brandy leather, which keep it neutral while also adding a quality of richness and warmth.
A few well-chosen tweaks or additions may be all you need to turn your home into a haven for spring and summer. As Diana said, pay particular attention to pieces like rugs, chairs, or accent pillows that can be switched out for ones with a more seasonal pattern or color, like bright pastels or light neutrals. Also consider what new materials you can welcome into your home for the warmer months. Why not try Diana's recommendation for linen, leather, or other organic elements to spruce up your space? As you plan to transition your home for every season of the year, visit the Copenhagen website or your nearest showroom in Tucson, Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Gilbert, AZ or San Antonio or Austin, TX to see what’s possible.
“It’s always good to combine different elements,” she says. “You have to include something organic that blends well with statement accessories from nature, like live or artificial plants, for example. You should also combine different textures on your furnishings, such as mixing leather with fabrics.” A soft velvet pillow like the Isabel offsets the smoothness of leather, while the jacquard-style weave of Copenhagen’s art pillows brings dimension and bold color that complement both leather and fabric upholstery.
Diana is especially fond of the Pacific Console Table, comprised of natural wood in gray and teak tones. The table stands on a cluster of driftwood-type pieces to add a unique and organic feel to the room.
“Both Scandinavians and Europeans deal with changing environments all the time, giving them experience warming and cooling their homes with accessories. I like to take inspiration from them and think how I can make my interior welcoming for others. I advise my clients to discover objects that will open the room wonderfully during a gathering of family or friends.”
Copenhagen's Stressless® collection offers relaxation for the whole family
“Wood is in our DNA, it is part of nature and part of us," Diana says. "After all, we have been making things with wood from the beginning of civilization. Our connection with objects made of the elements from the outdoors creates a deep resonance that everyone can appreciate. Many people like the clean look of glass and metal. However, bringing in some wood, even a decorative bowl, can do a lot to add warmth while keeping it simple. I have an abstract bowl from Copenhagen at home and a statue that are both carved from wood, and they’re all I need for decoration."
"
Diana speaks fondly of her quarter century of work in the Copenhagen showroom. For her, every day presents a new decorating challenge, with families and individuals bringing all levels of experience and interests to the selection process. She especially loves seeing new customers discover high-quality, contemporary Scandinavian and European furniture, accessories and art.
SPACING
1) Between paragraphs
2) Between any other elements
