Meet our interior architect

Tell us a little about yourself and Östersjösten Studio

My name is Rebecka and I am an interior architect and designer at Östersjösten Studio. Through my design I create experiences, encounters and history. My focus is always on "people's encounters" and I have a strong curiosity for spatial design. By blending continental style with Nordic minimalism I create unique projects that tell a story. I place great weight on detail and quality and am constantly fascinated by how interiors can affect people's everyday lives and circumstances. After many years as an interior architect I am grateful to be able to do work I am passionate about every day.

At Östersjösten Studio we strive to unite function and aesthetics in every design, whether it is a home or a commercial project. We offer 3D visualisations and 2D drawings to help our clients through the whole building process.

What experience do you have of creating different kinds of bathroom design? Can you give an example of an earlier project?

In an earlier project, Villa Strömma, I created a bathroom with a long, narrow layout. At one end there was a large window reaching all the way up to the ceiling with a beautiful oak frame around it. Standing in the bathroom, you had the feeling of being among the treetops and at one with nature. The bath was placed strategically to give a full view of the trees. For this project I chose our limestone Lindanäs, because its structure is reminiscent of rock and the grey shade in the stone reflects and picks up colours from the surroundings. Every time you stepped into the bathroom it offered a unique experience, since the stone varied from lively to subdued and soft depending on light and shadow.

Which materials do you recommend for bathroom interiors, and why?

I recommend working with natural materials as far as possible, because they age beautifully. Limestone, for example, has a particular scent and gives the room a calm. A bathroom is not only about getting clean, it is also about having a moment to ourselves and recovering. You can look at different concepts such as the Japanese spa or the hammam, where there is a ritual in being alone in the bathroom. Walking into a hard, modern bathroom can work against the calming effect the ritual is meant to give. That is why it is important to work with materials that create a relaxing atmosphere.

What does your process look like when you create a unique design for each client?

Inspiration can appear in different ways, either through the stone you want to work with or through some other detail in the bathroom. There is a source of inspiration where different ideas arise. There are many important aspects to take into account, but I try in particular to focus on balance, light and dark, and the positioning of the vanity unit and the toilet. I think about what you see from different angles in the bathroom. I have an idea that one thing should shine more brightly than the other elements. By creating balance I create harmony and simplicity.

Can you help with the planning and design of other rooms in the house besides the bathroom?

Yes, at Östersjösten Studio we focus mostly on rooms that have stone in them, so if you are planning to use stone in a room other than the bathroom we will gladly help with the planning of it.

Which current interior trends do you see in bathroom design right now?

I see a strong trend where many are returning to natural stone on floors and walls. People are moving away from hard, cold lighting and standardised ways of laying out a bathroom. People are becoming more adventurous in their design choices, which I welcome. There is an increase in more creative and unique designs.

How do you adapt to trends while creating timeless and durable design solutions?

By creating something that is timeless and classic you get a room that feels timeless in itself. When you work with natural materials they will age beautifully, just as we people do. We also take lighting and harmony in the whole room into account, which means the design can stay relevant and current for a long time without feeling dated.

Can you show an example of how you have integrated popular trends into an earlier project?

One popular trend is using neutral colours and plenty of natural elements. That suited our concept for a mountain cabin perfectly, where we brought out the colours of the nature outside. We worked on combining different textures on top of one another to create an interesting design.

We would love to hear from you! Email us at studio@ostersjosten.se to discuss your next project.