The Interior designer's white design kitchen
In a former schoolhouse from 1880 in Södermalm, Stockholm, interior designer Christina Nydahl, who runs the design studio WTP Studios, has newly renovated an apartment using a light color palette, in line with her signum, with the kitchen as the focal point of the home.
Kitchen – Nordiska Kök
The light and airy kitchen blends seamlessly with the open space, while the sculptural staircase adds a modern touch to the classical architecture.
A light color palette defines the newly renovated apartment, with the kitchen serving as the focal point of the home.
The old schoolhouse from 1880 on Södermalm in Stockholm, which was previously converted into apartments, boasts an impressive ceiling height of 4.5 meters. Together with the open floor plan, this set the tone for the renovation.
One of the former classrooms, now a 80-square-meter apartment, recently renovated in collaboration Christina, features an exciting contrast between the classic architecture and the sculptural staircase, as well as the glass mezzanine. Christina has, as always, left her unique mark on the interior with a light color palette and beautiful design details.
Discover our top kitchen renovation tips.
With open shelves and cabinets, the kitchen design feels both balanced and dynamic. Read our tips on decorating with open storage.
The warm gray countertop adds contrast and complements the white kitchen.
Incorporating dark oak furniture into the design adds depth and character, creating a harmonious contrast with the lighter shades of the space.
At the heart of the apartment lies the newly built kitchen, which seamlessly blends with the rest of the interior. For Christina, it was essential to create a beautiful yet functional kitchen that would feel like an integral part of the apartment’s furnishings.
– The kitchen was the starting point for the renovation, Christina explains. With the open floor plan, we wanted to create a beautiful but also functional kitchen that would serve as a focal point and feel more like a piece of furniture rather than just a kitchen.
The newly built kitchen blends seamlessly into the overall design, balancing aesthetics with functionality. Discover our Scandinavian design kitchens.
Above the kitchen is the loft, or "Mezzanine" – a type of intermediate floor, often fitted with windows. In this case, the mezzanine windows run from floor to ceiling, creating a sense of space and allowing light to flow more freely. The mezzanine was a key factor in playing with proportions in the kitchen, according to Christina, and introducing a sense of verticality to challenge the linearity of the design.
– I find that if you only use upper cabinets to maximize storage, the design can feel front-heavy, Christina says.
The dark wooden floor and furniture create a beautiful contrast with the white kitchen. Find more kitchen inspiration.
The mezzanine above the kitchen, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, enhances the sense of space and light while adding verticality that balances the kitchen’s design.
To create dynamism in the design, Christina chose vertical battens inspired by classic kitchen cabinetry, which impart a sense of linearity and draw the eye upward.
– We decided to create symmetry and dynamism in the design by combining open shelves and upper cabinets to maximize storage while still adding visual interest, Christina explains.
Given the kitchen’s central position in the apartment, it was crucial to make it blend into the overall color palette to embrace the spaciousness of the home. The dark floors are a favorite of Christina's, adding warmth to the otherwise minimalistic light tones.
Vertical lines and a light color palette define the elegant kitchen design.
Interior designer Christina Nydahl runs the design studio WTP Studios.
The serene atmosphere is broken by a warm gray countertop that extends upward as a backsplash, covering the rear wall. This countertop picks up the warmth from the floors and helps create both calm and exciting contrast. For further dynamism, Christina has a rule of using three different handles per kitchen to give it a more crafted and sophisticated look.
The kitchen in the old school is one of many that Christina has ordered from Nordiska Kök for her beautiful interior projects.
– I appreciate the flexibility of being able to create something personal using Nordiska Kök's various designs, Christina says when asked what sets their kitchens apart. Good quality at a good price, and many fine product options that allow the customer to truly create their dream kitchen.
Photo: Kristofer Johnsson
Interior designer: Christina Nydahl
