Architect Johan Sundberg and interior architect Mikaela Brach drew inspiration from diverse yet complementary sources—early 20th-century Swedish classicism, the Milanese rationalism of architects like Piero Portaluppi, and the organic functionality of Scandinavian modernism. These influences find common ground in a commitment to craftsmanship and materiality. Ornate wainscoting, wood-carved door mouldings, and intricate ceiling cornices nod to the apartment’s historical character, while custom-designed contemporary interventions, such as a stone-and-stainless-steel kitchen island and a marble-and-timber bathroom vanity, provide moments of sculptural minimalism. “We aimed to create a space where the rich textures of the materials themselves become the primary decorative elements, offering natural ornamentation,” says Sundberg, a philosophy that ensures for an interplay of the past and present based not only on the aesthetic but providing a deeply tactile environment to live in.

A sense of sculptural artistry runs throughout, not only in terms of furnishings but in the art collection on display. A striking alabaster bust of a woman, Anna VI (2010), by Brazilian artist Jaume Plensa, commands attention in the dining room, while a suspended ceramic sculpture by Swedish artist Eva Hild introduces a fluid, organic counterpoint in the adjacent living room. These contemporary artworks, like the residence itself, exist in a liminal space—neither strictly classical nor starkly modern but effortlessly bridging the two.

A key challenge that emerged in executing the project was harmonizing the clients’ eclectic tastes into a cohesive, enduring design, achieved through a finely tuned material palette of quiet luxury. As Sundberg reflects: “By integrating elements such as hand-woven textiles and custom marble pieces, we’ve ensured that this apartment remains a timeless and sophisticated sanctuary amidst the bustle of urban life.”

Standing as a testament to the power of thoughtful, historically conscious design, this is a home where classical and contemporary aesthetics are not at odds but rather engaged in a continuous, elegant conversation.