Staffan & Monique Tollgård

Staffan & Monique Tollgård are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo at the helm of Tollgard Studio, an interior design practice renowned for its seamless fusion of Scandinavian sensibility and global refinement. They’ve built a strong reputation in the design world, known for creating spaces that feel deeply connected to their surroundings while remaining timelessly stylish and functional.

Background:

• Staffan Tollgård is Swedish, and his design roots lie in both architecture and design, blending these disciplines to create holistic, purpose-driven spaces.
• Monique Tollgård hails from South Africa, bringing her own unique perspective on colour, texture, and storytelling through design. Together, their differing backgrounds create a wonderfully rich design language at Tollgard Studio.

Design Philosophy:

The Tollgårds are champions of a holistic design approach that emphasises the integration of architecture, furniture, materials, and client preferences. Their work is grounded in a blend of form and function and the Scandinavian ethos of simplicity and clarity, with a global outlook that brings diverse influences into each project.

They refer to a core concept called the "Red Thread", which represents a unifying design theme running through each project. This “red thread” is the through-line connecting all aspects of a space, from architecture and furniture choices to cultural influences and personal narratives. It's how they ensure that a project feels cohesive, purposeful, and connected to its environment.

Signature Projects:

Over the years, Tollgard Studio has worked on a wide variety of projects—ranging from London townhouses to luxury villas in the Middle East, and holiday homes in places like Denmark’s Fanø Island. One of their notable projects, the Summer House on Fanø, exemplifies their style. The house, designed by the renowned architect Knud Holscher, is a perfect blend of clean lines, functional minimalism, and a thoughtful integration with its natural surroundings.

Key Elements in Their Design Work:

1. Natural Materials: The Tollgårds often use materials like wood, stone, and woven textiles to create spaces that feel connected to the natural world. In their Summer House project, they used smoked oak and woven fabrics to bring a soft texture and warmth to the modern architecture.

2. Simplicity & Functionality: Drawing from Scandinavian design principles, they prefer clean, simple lines that prioritise function while never sacrificing aesthetic appeal.

3. Cohesion with Environment: A major goal in their designs is to create a dialogue between the interior and its environment. Whether in a bustling city or a serene countryside, their designs are always rooted in the location and responsive to the space.

4. Emotional Connection: According to the Tollgårds, Scandinavian design is about more than just visual appeal; it’s about creating an atmosphere that resonates with emotions and provides comfort, especially in harsh climates where homes need to offer refuge.

Influences:

The Tollgårds cite a few key influences in their design:

• Scandinavian functionalism, focusing on minimalism and practicality.
• The Italian design of the 1960s, which they consider striking and bold, offering a contrast to the often simpler, humbler Scandinavian approach.
• Finn Juhl, a Danish designer, is one of their design heroes, and they particularly admire his Chieftain Chair for its groundbreaking approach to furniture design.

Cultural Concepts:

The Tollgårds draw from key Scandinavian cultural concepts such as:

• Hygge (a Danish word meaning a cozy, comforting atmosphere).
• Lagom (a Swedish term meaning "just right," focusing on balance and moderation). These ideas underscore their design approach—making spaces that feel balanced, comforting, and inviting without excess.

Their Favourite Design Piece:

The Finn Juhl Chieftain Chair is their standout favourite piece of Scandinavian design, admired for its innovation and its ability to transcend time and place. The chair was a bold departure from traditional Scandinavian furniture, showcasing a modern approach to form and function.

Staffan & Monique Tollgård have made a lasting impact on the world of interior design, seamlessly weaving together Scandinavian design principles with global influences to create interiors that feel both timeless and personally meaningful. Their work is a true reflection of their belief in design that is rooted in place and answers the questions of living—spaces that invite people to feel truly at home.

Would you like to learn more about their individual projects or their approach to specific elements of design, like colour or lighting!