Scandinavian Sunburst Wall Clock | Folia

A Scandinavian sunburst wall clock in two shades of grey and natural wood

The first thing that catches the eye is the layering of tones. The wooden petals fall into two distinct palettes: a deep slate grey for the longer blades, an almost blue-tinted light grey for the middle ones, and untreated natural wood for the four petals carrying the Roman numerals. This isn't an accidental tonal mix. The three shades balance each other because the natural wood breaks up what could otherwise have become too cold a backdrop.

This Scandinavian sunburst wall clock is built around a circular slate-grey central dial, against which the slim, gently tapered gold hands read effortlessly. The Roman numerals are engraved directly into the light wood petals, which shifts the act of reading the time outward from the centre. The eye follows a circular path around the piece, rather than staying fixed on the middle as with a conventional clock.

The small black metal rods connecting the petals to the central hub are thin, almost unnoticeable. They add lightness to the piece without weakening its silhouette. On a white or pale grey wall, this arrangement forms a genuine composition, somewhere between a decorative object and a functional piece. On a wall finished in natural plaster or concrete, the warm tones of the wood stand out even more.

This model suits a hallway, a living room, or even a bedroom decorated around neutral tones and organic materials. The radiating shape isn't overpowering. It makes its presence felt without forcing the point, especially on a clear wall where it can occupy the space on its own.

To explore other formats in the same range of materials and lines, you'll find a wide choice in our Wooden Wall Clocks collection. If you're after a generously sized piece to dress a large wall, our Large Wall Clocks selection offers several options in the same spirit.

What the sunburst shape means in practice when hanging it

A conventional round clock hangs and stays within its own footprint. This Scandinavian sunburst radiates well beyond its centre, which means the space around the fixing point matters just as much as the space in front of it.

In practice, the longest petals extend outward in every direction from the hub. Before fixing the hook, check that no piece of furniture, moulding or frame will cut across a blade partway along. Leave at least twenty centimetres of clearance on each side from the edges of any neighbouring objects. The result will look clean.

As for hanging height, the optical centre of this sunburst clock should sit slightly above eye level, not exactly at it. The lower petals extend far enough down that the eye naturally falls on the whole piece when entering the room. Hang it too low, and you lose the upward radiating effect, which is the part most visible from a room's entrance.

A plain wall without strong texture will show off the detail of the petals better than a geometrically patterned wallpaper, which would compete directly with the radiating shape.