”My clients are asking for long lasting interiors”
Natural materials, soft colors and a minimalistic aesthetic that lasts – that’s the qualities that make Scandinavian design stand out, according to Lotta Agaton. Agaton is one of Scandinavia’s leading interior decorators and her contribution to the contemporary Scandinavian interior the last 15 years can’t be undermined. With a background in editorial work and styling she now runs Lotta Agaton Interiors in Stockholm. Her studio combines creative direction and consulting for a number of established design brands with interior work for commercial as well as private clients. Today the four-person studio juggles about 20 ongoing projects.
”We are currently finishing an interior for a restaurant in Stockholm, where sustainability has been key. All the furniture is custom built by a Stockholm carpentry, we have only used natural materials such as wood, sisal, linen and stone and all the vegetables served will come from their own kitchen farm. The restaurant is opening this spring and in many ways its capturing the current mood in Scandinavian interiors,” says Agaton.
So if you were to pinpoint the strongest interior trends in Scandinavia right now, sustainability is a major force?
Yes, it’s almost a necessity and it plays a part in every project we take on. Many clients and brands are asking us for tailor made and unique interiors. They want interiors that last for a long time, preferably with a sustainable approach. If you create a calm backdrop and choose every detail with care, the interior will last longer. A sustainable interior is not only down to the materials you pick, but also the aesthetic. You have to ask yourself if you can live with something for a long time – or if you will tire of it quickly?
What makes Scandinavian interiors and design so attractive?
Scandinavian interiors are very neutral, pared down and versatile and if you look back, functionality and quality has always been very important. We use a lot of natural materials, carpets and textiles, which affects the interior and creates a warm feeling. At the moment we are experimenting a bit more with colors than before, but we still let the backdrop stay calm. Scandinavian interiors are made to last.
What tendencies do you see coming ahead?
We are entering an era of new simplicity, a minimalistic trend where we put even greater care in the items and the furniture we buy. We will choose more natural materials such as furniture and textiles in wood and wool, and many of us will want to know where things are made and in what way. When things are uncertain and we spend more time at home our interiors become even more important to us. I think we will need more textiles right now; curtains, pillows and spreads as well as carpets. We want to feel safe and warm.
