Danish style is characterized by simple designs that are beautiful, artful and always practical. Sleek, low chairs and tables are finely crafted in light woods and veneers that show off the natural grain of the building material. Bendable plywood and silver-toned metals are common elements that offer a soft yet sturdy aspect to furnishings. Cool lines are balanced by the warmth of wool upholstery fabrics or cottons in bold colours and patterns.

Outstanding Danish product lines took North America by storm in the mid-20th century. The goal was to join quality craftsmanship with mass production, where suitable, to give the pieces a broader distribution reach.

In 1952 Arne Jacobsen designed the Ant, a three-legged, armless laminated wooden chair that became the biggest success in Danish furniture history.

The name Georg Jensen became synonymous with the highest quality stainless steel cutlery, jewellery and hollowware.

The stainless steel vacuum jug, with its unique rocker stopper was designed in 1977 by Erik Magnussen and is now a modern classic. Made by Stelton in hot yellow and orange hues as well as white and other colours, the stylish jug is a trusted picnic companion on the beach, at the park and in your back yard.

The Danish word Hygge (hu-gah) is a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary things extraordinary. By taking the time to revel in the everyday necessities, such as cooking and serving a meal or furnishing a living room, these activities rise from mundane to marvellous.

It's a way of personalizing a modern world that is increasingly too frenetic and cold. Paying attention to the little things, and spending quiet time with family and friends is a way of life for the Danes, and we can learn a lot from this healthy credo.

Giving thought to how our choices affect the environment and how we live day to day is the modern mantra. It's helpful to follow designers and builders who adhere to Earth-friendly solutions.

For an excellent overview of signature Danish designers and their product lines, visit danishwayofliving.com. To order Stelton and other Danish products online, including the Stelton vacuum jug, visit the Canadian distributor at snoform.com.

This column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.