Svenskars protestantiska smak

Luther is with us every day in Sweden. The Reformation in the 13th century gave us a new and 'modern' church, with Christianity to be preached in the people's own language and without enormous wealth that only belonged to the head of the church. At the same time, we began to celebrate the ideals of simplicity and cleanliness. The excess of luxury we began to perceive as distasteful and a little too much.

Simple and stylish

This flavour has then followed us through the centuries. Exotic influences have passed through the ages, but stubbornly we come back to the Swedish Protestant flavour: single, stylish and not too much. Enjoying skilful carvings and beautiful patterns doesn't feel quite right. Such things can easily be perceived as kitsch or even distasteful.

Children tend to love our home while adults, who relate to Luther and Protestant tastes, think it's "very nice, but maybe a little too much for my taste'.

St Johns Cathedral — St John's Cathedral in Valletta, Malta

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"A bit too much"

And this Protestant flavour doesn't just apply to churches and interiors, but to everything, including design and clothing. When you travel, you can be inspired to live it up with lacquer, fur, glitter and beautiful colours. But in Sweden there is a risk that it feels a little too much, cheesy or even distasteful.

Come on! Can't we shake off our Protestant heritage and live out some colours and glamour? And above all, must all Swedes have exactly the same taste?