Modern Elegance kitchen
Timeless, elegant and filled with light, this tranquil Stockholm kitchen is a collaboration between Nordiska Kök and interior design studio AO/JN.
Oak cabinetry and white quartzite work surfaces combine pale parquet floors for an airy space that’s underpinned by a sense of understated elegance. Discover more inspiration for contemporary wooden kitchens here.
Monolithic countertop of white quartzite draw the eye towards the kitchen island, which provides a more casual space for dining. Superleggera Chair from Cassina.
Interior designer Alexandra Ogonowski and interior architect Jesper Nyborg of full-service design studio, AO/JN, pictured at the kitchen island. Lovely wooden flooring from Chevron Parquet.
Founded by interior designer Alexandra Ogonowski and interior architect Jesper Nyborg, AO/JND studio focuses on creating serene spaces with a sense of authenticity.
Our designs typically strive to respect the original details of the space. We aim to unite the old with the new through respectful design additions and intricate detailing that carry through the entire home, says Alexandra Ogonowski.
We love to create a neutral canvas that acts as a stage for other materials, patterns and forms to shine and transform into something new.
A perfect example of their signature aesthetic, this pale and peaceful kitchen delivers on design as well as functionality. We asked Alexandra to tell us more.
For this project, we were inspired by the home’s original architecture.
We always start by studying the details of the existing building to see what features are worth conserving, and to draw inspiration for the design process. Restoration requires a careful balance between respecting heritage and adding originality. Any successful restoration project must feel like a natural continuation of the building’s history, while updating it for modern life.
Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide concealed storage and ample space for built-in appliances. Appliances from Miele.
The house is situated in Bromma, outside Stockholm, close to water and greenery.
It’s a beautiful area, and the natural light that floods into the house through its generous windows lends a feeling of serenity to the space. We wanted to work with materials and colours that honoured this and blended in effortlessly with the character of the building.
A wide doorway links the tranquil white-and-wood kitchen to the dining area in this light-filled home in Bromma. Superleggera Chair in ash from Cassina.
The layout of the old kitchen felt quite cramped, so we wanted to create a design that was more functional and inviting. We made a larger opening between the dining area and kitchen, and added another double door that leads out the garden to let even more natural light in.
A ‘Scandal’ pendant by Articolo hangs above the kitchen island, the design of which feels perfectly in keeping with the space’s pared-back elegance. Faucet from Dornbracht.
The curved cabinet edges and the open shelves were a natural choice, as there is a passageway into the kitchen from the entrance hall. We wanted to make sure there were no sharp edges here, without compromising on storage space. Our approach throughout the project focused on essential forms and paid rigorous attention to the details. The result is a home that feels soft and soulful, with spaces that encourage human interaction.
Handle-free oak fronts contributes to the kitchen’s streamlined feel, allowing the grain of the wood and period architecture to shine.
The beauty inside this light oak curved cabinet. Ceramics by Mimmi Blomqvist.
The clients had complete trust in us throughout this project. They only had minor demands regarding the flow of the kitchen, which needed to accommodate a lot of storage and appliances, as well as some convivial seating around the island. Their overarching wish was for a home that feels warm, modern, elegant and timeless.
Gio Ponti’s ‘699 Superleggera’ chair for Cassina, in pale ash wood, is a perfect choice for this timeless yet contemporary kitchen.
There are many elements to consider before embarking on a renovation.
For example, the use of space, the overall flow, the lighting and what kind of atmosphere you’d like to create. In the next phase, you can decide how you want to add personality. You may have to be prepared to let go of some of your original ideas, as you might find they aren’t feasible once you start making structural changes, such as knocking down walls. It is essential to keep an open mind and be creative throughout the design process, allowing your ideas to evolve and adapt as the project progresses.
Read our top 10 kitchen renovation tips.
Oak cabinets runs the length of the wall, where light floods in and picks up the textural details of the quartzite top and parquet floor. Range cooker from Bertazzoni.
As a studio, we like to trust our intuition and stay true to our aesthetic, rather than paying too much attention to interiors trends. Often, our inspiration comes from architecture and art, on the basis of geometry and details. Although, right now, we are seeing frequent use of natural materials – such as Calacatta Viola, Brazilian Quartzite and burl wood – which are a timeless choice.
Wooden pieces in richer tones create contrast in the dining area, while still feeling in keeping with the tactile kitchen scheme. Dining chairs from Carl Hansen.
The home’s pre-existing staircase, which ascends in a graceful arc, echoes the curved edges of the cabinets in the kitchen.
AO/JND share five steps for planning a truly personal kitchen:
Decide what kind of feeling you what to create in your space. Start the planning process by finding your preferred balance between design and functionality. Consider any rooms that are connected to your kitchen and how the spaces will interact with one another.
Create a moodboard for the design process, combining the materials you’d like to use and composing a colour palette for the space.
Prioritise the functional requirements you have for your kitchen, such as storage, space for large or small appliances, seating requirements and how much work surface you need for cooking and preparing meals.
Create drawings that include all of the above. You may find you need to revise the plans several times before achieving the perfect configuration.
Take a breather. Look back at what you have created to see if there are any adjustments you’d like to make. Always trust your gut feeling throughout the design process. For some, it can take a while to get there, but most of the time, we know what we want and what feeling to aim for. Enlisting the help of an interior architect in the early stages of a project can help you navigate the various decisions and speed up the entire project.
Interior design www.aojninteriors.com @aojninteriors
Photo: Kristofer Johnsson
