Swedish Outpost Is Sitting Pretty

One of the things I love about Fairfield County is that you can find outposts of distant countries tucked right in among our New England towns, making themselves at home alongside the clapboard colonials. We have restaurants serving the cuisines of countries from around the globe and, we have stores showcasing clothing, furniture and accessories from just about every country on your Google map.

So, when you find yourself with a hankering for beautiful Swedish furniture, all you have to do is make your way to South Norwalk, where Cecilia Dahlbäck, president and owner of Country Swedish, and a Westport resident, will welcome you -- and give you a thorough education in the styles of furnishings from her home country.

Cecilia moved to the United States with her parents as a teenager and, after studying international economics and marketing at Georgetown University, discovered that what she really liked was interior design. When the family friends who owned Country Swedish retired, Cecilia saw an opportunity to move into the design business.

The Country Swedish Collection includes furniture, wallpaper, fabrics and rugs, all designed and made in Scandinavia by craftsmen who continue to preserve the centuries-old traditions of Gustavian Swedish furniture making. In addition to fine antique Gustavian reproductions, you'll find new designs in the typical Swedish style, but with a contemporary twist. This is the type of furniture that is equally at home in a penthouse on the Upper East Side or in a cottage at the beach.

The furniture collection begins with beech, birch and pine from Scandinavia. Since most of the pieces are painted, the company has its own paint shop, which guarantees the consistency of the 30 available colors and finishes.

Wallpapers and fabrics range from sophisticated upscale designs that would impart a terrific "wow factor" to any room to adorable animal patterns that would transform any child's bedroom into a magical space. The rugs are all made to order, and patterns and colors can be mixed to create truly unique floor coverings.

Country Swedish furnishings are sold through designers and architects, but the showroom in Norwalk is open to the public for viewing. If you like what you see, make sure you get your name on their mailing list, as there is a fantastic two-day public warehouse sale in September.

Country Swedish is located at 22 Elizabeth St., Norwalk. Telephone: (203) 855-1106.

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