Chasing the nordic light: How to bring the spring feeling indoors
If you live in the Nordics, you know that March is a special month. We are finally emerging from the dark hours of winter, and the sun is starting to stay a little longer each afternoon.
Coming from Beirut, where the sun is constant and often harsh, the way light behaves in Sweden was one of the first things that fascinated me. Here, light is a living thing, it’s soft, it’s low on the horizon, and it changes everything it touches.
As a photographer, I spend my time chasing that light. As a homeowner, I’ve learned that the right piece of art can actually "trap" that light and keep it in your room, even on a cloudy day.
Why "light" art changes a room
We’ve all heard that painting a room white makes it feel bigger. But a white wall can also feel cold. That’s where art and photography come in.
A landscape captured in the early morning mist or a cityscape during the "golden hour" doesn't just fill a space; it adds a glow. When you hang a print that features the soft, pale blues and gold tones of the Nordic spring, you’re effectively adding a new window to your room.
3 tips for positioning art to maximise light
If you’re looking to brighten up your home this spring, here are a few things I’ve learned:
Work with your windows: Try hanging a landscape print on the wall opposite a window. It will catch the natural daylight and reflect the colors back into the room, making the whole space feel more open.
Don't fear the "dark" corners: We often think we should put bright art in dark corners. Actually, a high-contrast black-and-white print (like something from my Human Form series) can look incredibly sophisticated in a dimmer corner. The deep blacks give the space "weight" and character without needing direct sun to look good.
Think about the "Golden Hour": If you have a room that gets a lot of afternoon sun, choose a print with warm tones. It will "glow" as the sun goes down, extending that cozy feeling for a few extra hours.
Bringing the outside in
After sixteen years here, I’m still not tired of the way the light hits the Stockholm old town or the quiet streets of Sundbyberg in the morning. My goal is always to bottle a bit of that feeling and put it on paper.
As we move into spring, I hope you find some time to enjoy the returning sun, both outside and on your own walls.