At Östermalm in Stockholm you will find this fantastic Art Nouveau apartment that has recently undergone a complete transformation with the help of the interior designer Joanna Lavén. Directly when the client and his family had bought their family home, they contacted Joanna Lavén. Together, they started planning what would result in a major renovation to adapt the floor to the family and their lifestyle. Only a few items from the former household were allowed to accompany the move.
Joanna Lavén is an interior designer and works with design and renovation. »I help clients with everything from planning the floor plan of the space to implementation and furnishing. In some cases, the customer wants to hand over all responsibility and all decisions to me, while others want to be part of the whole process. This client has a great interest in design and we have discussed many ideas and thoughts during the course of the project.«
No less than five major renovations were made by Joanna Lavén and her partner David Wahlgren before settling in the house on Lidingö that they now live in. These big projects made friends and acquaintances catch the eye for Joanna Lavén's skills and look for top-class interiors with international touch, balanced color scheme, smart solutions and kitchens to die for. "Yes, it is very word of mouth, it has really exploded over the last two years. I notice that many find me via instagram too. It's super fun. "
In addition, Joanna Lavén works with the newly started brand Vanitas, which specializes in stylish and handcrafted products for bathrooms. "Craft and quality are a constant focus in all my projects."
Doing private furnishings and renovations is very much about fingertip feeling and an understanding of what customers want, to be compliant and intuitive without losing your style compass for that matter. And interior design is done in many steps. To begin with, it is about exploring possibilities and the conditions of the place, both surface and aesthetic. "Versailles is fantastic but that style does not fit in a small apartment in a modern house”. Then you start the search for inspiration, colors, textures and materials. Finally comes the hunt for the actual furniture, accessories and lastly comes the logistics to get these in place.
This apartment was in need of a complete renovation. »At the first meeting I got to know the client, we understood each other quickly and I felt that he had great demands on both form and function. His vision was a home with an international touch adapted for both family life, social interaction and recovery. Unique design objects would interact in harmony with each other, color scheme, textile selection and materials, while at the same time interacting with and highlighting the beautiful details that were preserved - without in any way renouncing the practicality that everyday life requires. "
Lavén presented moodboards but also suggestions for some changed floor plan. "Discussing the feeling in a moodboard is often the best way to sync in style with the client”. To realize the vision, the opening to the kitchen was moved and expanded to connect to the dining room and create a better flow, laundry room and new storage space was built to meet the needs of a toddler family. Lavén designed a classic style kitchen, panels, ceiling medallions and stucco.
Many of the interior objects were bought at auctions, Lavens interiors always has many vintage objects. The desire use vintage comes both out of the designers deep interest for design history but also it is a search for unique pieces that come with a history.
»The focus for me is to emphasize the very base, the craft of the object. To listen attentively to time. To bring out the character of the space and the home with lamps that I love, with soft textiles and with carefully selected objects and natural materials.
Both Lavén and the client love impressive statement lamps, which is now visible in the family home. The lamps both create a mood and become a decorative focal point. Many light sources are important, Lavén says.
Joanna Lavén finds inspiration everywhere, in houses she visits, in architectural details, at fairs, in arts and crafts and of course in books, magazines and on instagram and pinterest. She describes her style as international, timeless and she is very fond of the southern European designers. "I don't like the over-designed, the calculating. I don't want to get tired of stuff, it has to last over time. Vintage classics are smart to buy as they are both timeless in style and an investment. I also like to push some boundaries and mix. But I would never put antique furniture in a new production. It doesn't fit! «
