The Scandinavian Oak Kitchen with earthy tones
With an earthy color palette and inspiration drawn from Dutch architecture, Viktor and Isa Agaton Liliestrand have carefully renovated and infused their unique touch into their beautiful apartment in Södermalm, Stockholm. The dark wooden kitchen from Nordiska Kök created in collaboration with interior architect Lotta Agaton, reflects the couple's vision of clean lines and forms that seamlessly merge design with architecture.
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The kitchen features a warm dark wooden tone and narrow, solid wood handles. Dining table and bench by LA Objects.
The apartment’s arches are inspired by the building’s original gateway, once designed for horse-drawn carriages to pass through.
The moment you step into the apartment, you feel an immediate sense of stillness and tranquility. With earthy tones and carefully chosen natural materials, Viktor and Isa Agaton Liliestrand have crafted a beautiful mix of old and new, where minimalism meets the timeless charm of the late 19th century. No traces remain of the apartment's previous state, which, just months ago, was in desperate need of renovation.
Clean cabinet fronts with narrow, solid wood handles create a minimalist feel.
Carefully selected furnishings come together to create a calm and harmonious atmosphere. Lamp by Wästberg.
The worktop is made of Thala Grey limestone, perfectly complementing the deep brown hue of the oak.
The newly renovated home is defined by a muted color palette, with calm earthy tones and beautiful natural materials like dark wood and limestone.
– We have primarily chosen to work with natural materials such as wood and stone, focusing on clean lines and shapes to create a seamless integration between the interior and architecture for a cohesive feel. Our inspiration mainly comes from Dutch architecture and Scandinavian design, with key influences including Axel Vervoordt and Van Duysen, to name a few, say Isa and Viktor.
“We have primarily chosen to work with natural materials such as wood and stone, focusing on clean lines and shapes to create a seamless integration between the interior and architecture for a cohesive feel.”
The minimalist dark oak kitchen is beautifully balanced by the generous Thala Grey limestone worktop and the matte walls in a warm, earthy tone.
The dark wooden kitchen from Nordiska Kök, designed in collaboration with interior architect Lotta Agaton, features minimalist cabinetry with narrow, solid wood handles. This minimalist aesthetic perfectly aligns with the couple's desire for clean lines, simplicity and functionality. The tall cabinets extend from floor to ceiling, enhancing the sense of space and giving the kitchen a bespoke, built-in feel.
– Viktor and Isa had a dark wood kitchen from Nordiska Kök on their mood board and were drawn to the beautiful matte lacquer finish that Nordiska Kök is known for, making it an easy decision to go with Nordiska Kök, Lotta explains, adding:
– I knew that Nordiska Kök manufacture their kitchens in their own carpentry studio, allowing for customization down to the smallest detail – something that is crucial in an old apartment where nothing is perfectly straight and right angles are rare.
Original wooden floors and period details have been carefully restored during the renovation.
The sense of timeless design is clearly visible in every corner of the apartment.
The kitchen is custom-made down to the finest detail to perfectly fit the couple’s apartment.
“I knew that Nordiska Kök manufacture their kitchens in their own carpentry studio, allowing for customization down to the smallest detail – something that is crucial in an old apartment.”
– Personally, I love how the strict minimalism, expressed in the thick, almost brutalist countertop and shelf, contrasts with the ornate and soft turn-of-the-century architecture. Another favourite detail is the wall we built between the lower and upper cabinets, which creates a completely different dynamic and bespoke feel compared to a conventional kitchen where the worktop meets the tall cabinets directly, Lotta adds.
Lotta has also contributed with furniture from her own collection, LA Objects, which launched in the autumn and will introduce new items this spring.
The natural grain of the wood is beautifully accentuated in the kitchen cabinets.
Worktop with an integrated sink in limestone. Learn more about choosing the right worktop.
When the couple first stepped into the apartment, it was in desperate need of renovation. The building, originally constructed in 1884, was a stunning turn-of-the-century property, but much of its original charm had been lost during an 1970s renovation. So, restoring the apartment’s beautiful period details while adapting it to contemporary functional needs became a priority for Isa and Victor. The original ceiling height, flooring, and stuccowork were preserved while introducing a more minimalist aesthetic.
– Our previous apartment had a cohesive, light expression – pale wood, light walls and furniture that created an airy feel. However, for this renovation, we both felt there was an opportunity to embrace a more grounded, earthy approach that would create a beautiful contrast to the classic elements of this old building, Isa and Viktor explain.
Isa and Viktor Agaton Liliestrand.
The walls in warm beige lime plaster run throughout the entire apartment, creating a unified and harmonious impression.
The built-in wardrobe in the hallway, also from Nordiska Kök, offering plenty of storage while creating a seamless, site-built feel.
Most of the renovation was undertaken by the couple themselves, often during evenings and even nights, each bringing their own perspective and expertise to the process.
– You could say that Viktor and I represent different halves of the brain, Viktor is very precise when it comes to form, while I focus on function, Isa explains, continuing:
– The best part of this home in general, and the kitchen specifically, is that it meets both of our needs (which isn’t always easy!), without compromising on either. Choosing high-quality materials throughout was important to us, and the well-crafted kitchen truly became the crown jewel of the renovation. It couldn’t have turned out better.
Photo: Kristofer Johnsson
Interior designer: Lotta Agaton
About Axel Vervoordt
Axel Vervoordt is a renowned Belgian interior designer, art dealer, and antiques expert, celebrated for his signature wabi-sabi and japandi aesthetic. Known for creating serene, timeless spaces, Vervoordt blends minimalist design with natural materials, aged textures, and historical influences.
Vervoordt’s philosophy revolves around harmony, authenticity, and the beauty of imperfection – drawing inspiration from Japanese aesthetics, European antiques, and modern simplicity. His projects, including the interiors of the Château de Graux and Kanye West’s minimalist home, showcase his unparalleled ability to merge past and present.
