We tour the Stockholm home of a fashion designer and her young family, designed by Swedish interior design studio Liljencrantz Design.
Expansive spaces, natural materials and one-of-a-kind pieces shape this 1920s red-brick apartment in central Stockholm. The vision for the home was ‘timeless elegance’: cue Swedish interior designer Louise Liljencrantz, Liljencrantz Design founding director. Louise’s penchant for natural materials and handcrafted furniture translates into highly sophisticated, highly personalised spaces.
The kitchen is a contemporary interpretation of the original 1920s design, inspiring the full-height custom birch cabinets painted in Farrow & Ball Hardwick White and zellige wall tiles. A Transylvania limestone island, Veermakers Strict walnut and leather bar stools, tapware from Dornbracht and Gaggenau appliances complete the space.
The dining space features leather-upholstered banquette seating, a custom-made solid walnut and oxidised steel dining table, Ritzwell Claude chairs, a rug from Knut, a Lindsey Adelman Branching Bubble chandelier, an artwork by Mirja Ilkka (left), and two photographs by Michael Joseph (centre) and Blanche Reuthersward (right).
Mariehill is located inside an early-twentieth-century, heritage-protected building on the island of Djurgården, a tranquil oasis in the heart of Stockholm. The apartment forms part of a series of red-brick houses designed by Swedish architect Isak Clason, who was inspired by the reductive, basic forms of the early Arts and Crafts movement.
With her creative background in fashion, the homeowner was actively involved in the design process, noting that she has a meticulous, aesthetics-driven approach akin to that of Louise and her team. Having worked with Louise on several projects, she had complete trust in their ability to execute her vision.
Notably, she wanted a home that typified the beauty of Swedish design but that was also warm and personal; “a living home”. Both she and Louise share a passion for craftsmanship and believe in investing in quality, long-lasting pieces. One of these pieces was the solid walnut and oxidised steel dining table, which measures 4.6 metres and weighs 350 kilograms: a centrepiece for the open kitchen-dining space and for family life.
Both were also adamant about preserving the home’s historical character. “Our research started with a box of architectural drawings and family photographs from the home’s early days,” Louise says. “Seeing the original kitchen inspired us to design overhead cupboards with a sliding ladder and to clad an entire wall with hand-glazed zellige tiles.” A Transylvania limestone island, herringbone floors and walnut and leather bar stools designed by Liljencrantz Design further reveal the designer’s intent.
The feedback every designer yearns to receive: the homeowner expresses that she can’t imagine ever leaving the idyllic location and the “forever home” that they’ve now created for their two daughters.
The kitchen in this home originally appeared in est magazine issue 48: ‘Kitchen Confidential’ as part of the ‘Kitchen Compendium’ (pp. 100-147).
The main bedroom features the 280 sofa and New Bauhaus armchair, both designed by Pierre Augustin Rose, the ClassiCon Roattino floor lamp, a maple console designed by Daniel Östman Interiors, the SSU coffee table designed by Liljencrantz Design, a vintage Murano glass chandelier and an artwork by Mats Bergquist.
Another view of the main bedroom, featuring a custom steel bedframe, the Vibia Mayfair table lamp and an artwork by Clay Ketter.
The dressing room in the main bedroom features custom-stained oak cabinets by Liljencrantz Design, the Ozone Brasilia S ceiling lamp and a rug from Knut.
The study features the Cassina 7 Fauteuil tournant chair.
