Writer / Kara Kavensky
Photographer / Michael Thierwechter
Scandinavian Comfort has offered unique, modern home decor for more than 33 years. After being located in Castleton for 31 years, owner Lars Odgaard decided to move the business to the heart of where the highest concentration of his customers live — in Broad Ripple.
“It’s been overwhelming,” Odgaard says. “The move was fantastic, as we see a big future in Broad Ripple and are very happy with the move.”
After having finished high school in Vejle, Denmark, Odgaard got a job with a Danish company that needed expertise in American marketing. He moved to Denver, Colorado in 1984.
“Scandinavian furniture was very popular in America,” Odgaard says. “There were 13 Scandinavian stores in Denver. I discovered that Indianapolis had none, so I moved here and opened the first one.”
Scandinavian Comfort is targeted for middle to high end customers. Odgaard says that “this has worked so far.” Thirty-three years, to be exact, Odgaard’s store has won over Hoosiers to the clean, minimalist look of European and Scandinavian-style furniture.
When he opened his own business, Odgaard had contacts all over Europe from which he purchased his lines directly. Now, he buys direct from manufacturers located all over the world. There is no middle agent involved. They store their own inventory in a warehouse located in Indianapolis.
“What you see new on the floor, we have in our warehouse nearby,” Odgaard says. “Our bread and butter has always been teakwood furniture, which I import directly from Thailand where teakwood is grown.”
According to Odgaard, the best recliners are made in Scandinavia of either leather or fabric. These chairs remain a popular item for customers. Scandinavian Comfort brings in new lines of furniture every six months, with the entire store changing over bi-yearly.
The style offered by Scandinavian Comfort is that of modern contemporary. The profiles are fairly slim, not bulky. The items are good for homes that may downscale, and they carry pieces to outfit any room of a home.
Please visit scandinaviancomfort.com or their store location: 5914 N. College Ave for more info.
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