The Rise of the Danish Aesthete

By: Rachel Long

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I am not one to opt for trends. In high school, that might have been a different story, but now when my own money is being spent on a new wardrobe and a room update every time I am in crisis, I have to focus on items that won’t be ‘out’ in a month. Now, based on the title of this article, you may be wondering, “what the heck does her taste in trends have to do with the Danish, and what does aesthete mean?”

Well, I am here to answer both of the proses and give you a glimpse into the one trend I will be taking part in, and why it is not just a trend but a complete 360 on the typical American lifestyle.

Let’s begin by defining aesthete. Aesthetic is a word that every ‘it’ girl uses when describing her Instagram feed or just about anything that is visually appealing. The Danish or a Danish Aesthete values, cherishes, and exudes the appreciation of beauty and art throughout life.

The Danish themselves are a beautiful people, physically, and dare-I-say emotionally. They express beauty through a streamlined, clean house and physique. They prioritize comfort - the term hygge emphasizes that and above all, they work for the cozy moments of the day and want an environment that embraces that.

So, to tie that into home design, a new form of cool home decor is highly influenced by the Danish way of concealing everyday items in a beautiful way. Be it storage, your television, or even flowers - this new wave of Danish decor is all about the beauty of your space. Unlike the past, a purely minimalistic, neutral, almost lifeless style of Danish home design is the new, pastel, whimsical, and floral-focused design of European influencers.

Influencers like Matilda Djerf, Ella Rose, Margot Lee, Arden Rose, and Lucy Williams lead the Euro-American charge of this new Danish design.

With quirky ceramics, mod-vintage teapots, quirky candles, and art storage crates, this trend will probably stick around for a bit. Even if it doesn’t, I have embraced it to the fullest.