Stylist Danielle Witte on nature, balance and calming interiors |

STYLIST DANIELLA WITTE
ON NATURE, BALANCE

AND CALMING INTERIORS

INTERVIEW

Swedish stylist and set designer Daniella Witte has turned her need for a calm environment into a lifestyle, operating her business from an idyllic farmyard in Lomma in the south of Sweden. With a few small houses for rent during summer, an old stable turned into a studio for hire and and a weekend retreat by the water, she combines styling and interior work with small scale property development with her husband. ”We are just finalizing the first house we have designed, which will come up for sale later this spring” she says. Later this year she is also launching a book in collaboration with Ulrica Lindström celebrating the simple pleasures of food. We asked her to share her thoughts on feel good interiors and routines.

TNE How do you start the day?

DW To me it’s important to have good routines, especially in the morning, as it affects the rest of the day. I like to get up early, before the rest if the family wakes up and take a brisk walk before returning home and light a fire or some candles before having breakfast. When the kids are off to school I go to my studio, which is just by the house, and start my work day. I like listening to music or a good podcast, as I love getting inspired by listening to other people’s life stories.

WORDS

Hanna Nova Beatrice

TNE How do you create a feel good interior?

DW To me it’s all about balance; for example, it’s good to balance a sparse and minimal interior with an eclectic garden. I also think it’s good to let things take a bit of time. It can take a while to understand what a space needs. You have to take in the surroundings, and understand how the light moves in a space throughout the day. If you allow time at this stage in the process the result will be rewarding and long lasting.

TNE How will we decorate in the years yo come?

DW I think our need for safety, and mental wellbeing will play a key part in how we furnish our homes. We will buy more considerate pieces and furniture, and we will look more to craft and small scale production. We will also make sure to have spaces that are not too crowded with things, so we can get peace of mind, and have room for recreation. Gardening will become even more important. And maybe we will dedicate more time to our hobbies and creative interests, which in turn will affect how we use our homes.

”I think our need for safety, and mental wellbeing will play a key part in how we furnish our homes. We will buy more considerate pieces and furniture, and we will look more to craft and small scale production. We will also make sure to have spaces that are not too crowded with things, so we can get peace of mind, and have room for recreation”

TNE What objects are you drawn to, what is your relationship to owning?

DW I like to live close to nature, and have space to be creative, but I am not so fussed with owning. I have always been drawn to soft and rounded shapes, and earthy brown colours. I like to surround myself with useful things, but they can still be poetic or have a crafty feel. When I work I often start with the combinations, mixing different materials and structures, and I I like to let the light play a big part.

TNE What factors are important to you when picking your assignment and organising your work?

DW The most important thing is that each assignment is driven by joy, or a sense of achievement. I like long term collaborations and I love to work in teams. I’ve worked hard to get back to where I am now, finding a peace of mind where I start to enjoy work again. I worked too much before, and it killed my creativity. In the end of the day there was nothing left. I lost myself and my sense of purpose. Now I prefer to work in teams, and I take on less assignments than before. My studio has a very calming interior, with a homely feel, and I feel good spending time there.