 |
| Left: Photography: Marcus Hay, Right: The Royal Family in the 1970's |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
 |
| Photography: Marcus Hay |
While on my recent trip to Stockholm, Sweden’s capital city I had the pleasure of visiting the Apartments of the Royal Palace, which is, located in Gamla Stan, which is the oldest part of the city. No longer occupied by the Family, The Palace was largely built during the 18th century in the Italian Baroque style, on the spot where the “Tre Kronor” castle burned down in 1697. The current Royal Family consists of King Carl XVI Gustaf, born 1946, Queen Silvia, born 1943, Crown Princess Victoria, born 1977, Prince Daniel, born 1973, Prince Carl Philip, born 1979, and Princess Madeleine, born 1982 but as I mentioned they no longer reside at the Palace but only use it for formal occasions or to house guests.
The thing that struck a chord with me the most was the color scheme of the apartment, The rooms are largely from the 18th and 19th centuries ranging in style from Baroque to Rococo to Gustavian Neo-Classicism are decorated in a range of colors that exist of dusty blues, pinks, deep candy apple reds and the deep Swedish blue of which I never tire. Gold also features a lot but not in a bright gaudy way, It is a palette that resonates with me as the combination and tones are exactly what I respond too in my own current Interior schemes, Gustavian Style is largely marked by grayed pastels and has the interesting juxtaposition between the informal and the formal which does not make it appear too stuffy like many other European Palaces, This is what I love in an Interior. Some rooms which were decorated in the 1950’s with artwork/ portraits of the period seem straight out of a movie of that period, These were my favorite rooms. I love the eclectic nature that the rooms change but are still so tastefully done that it is a smooth transition as you wander the many many rooms. The inlaid wooden floors are amazing as is all the detail and the casual but sophisticated upholstery of chairs and sofas.
It is a huge Palace; the construction lasted for 57 years, from 1697 to 1754 and was the largest single construction project in Europe during this time, The Apartments are only a small part of the Palace as a whole. There are 5 museums within the complex.
The Royal Apartments are closed 8-31 January and subject to closure according to the King's official duties, but open daily 10am to 5pm (June to August), 10am to 4pm (15-31 May and 1-14 September). Opening hours are shortened the rest of the year, and closed on Mondays, Definitely check it out when in Stockholm.
No comments:
Post a Comment