Articles
Interview with Patrik Lönn
An early September morning in New York City , I was received by an elegant and friendly Patrik Lönn .
The location of the meeting was one of his projects in The Baccarat Building in New York City . When I saw Patrik and his work I got the impression of perfection and solid elegance . Everything is very well thought out and the whole project permeates good taste and every detail was very well planned .
Patrik Lönn grew up in Linköping , Sweden and is today a successful interior designer in New York . He started his career in interior design by working for Swedish brands like Harald Westerberg , Svensk Tenn And NK Interior in Stockholm . As a 22-year-old , he moved to New York to study at Fashion Institute of Technology . The first time he landed in New York he had two suitcases and 500 dollars . He says that he was totally unaware of what life had to offer – but this was just the beginning of the exciting story of his life .
After four years of getting his Interior Designer degree , Patrik managed to get a job with one of his biggest role models : Peter Marino . Peter Marino is one of New York ’ s best and most well-known interior designers . His first goal was accomplished , and this is when he realized that he had chosen the right career . Patrik continued to impress , and soon he became responsible of decorating SAKS Fifth Avenue , and thereafter he continued decorating at Ralph Lauren and also worked as a Creative Director for a company .
Patrik had a long term goal to one day start his own company , but in order to do so he need to get a master in design in management . After years of studying , it was time to make the dream come true , and 2007 he started Patrik Lönn Design . Patrik Lönn Design is a boutique company in New York . He explains that it takes a long time to become successful in the interior design industry .
‘’ I believe that I have always hurried slowly , develop slowly and have a stable base when it comes to knowledge and experience . My niche is my Swedish heritage , which means that I am not like anyone else here . Many people want to have a little flair of Europe , which is to my benefit . I call it the ‘’ Scandinavian Zest ’’.
Patrik , what are your thoughts before , or in the beginning of the project ?
The client is also my focus , and I always start by getting to know and interview the client . Thereafter , I plan the interior design . My style is very specific , so they very often know what result to expect . One thing that is important to have in mind is to have the clients ’ lifestyle in mind , at what stage in life they are and their interests .
Thereafter , I present different alternatives for furniture , colors , carpets and textiles . I always work from the bottom to the top , meaning that I start with the carpet , and work from there . It is always harder to match a carpet with the rest of the room , than matching the room with the carpet . Textiles , curtains and art is easy to match with the carpet , instead of vice versa .
Please describe your style
I call it ‘’ modern classicism ’’, and it is based on interior designers that I admire and look up to from the past and the present . For example , the Swedish Gunnar Asplundh who has a clean and functional building by his cemetery . Ferdinand Boberg , another interior designer I admire has designed historical works in Sweden . Some of them are called Prince Eugene ’ s ’’ Waldermarsudde ’’, Tidsgalleriet and the National Chancellery in Stockholm . International interior designers are Jean Michel Frank , a big interior designer from the 1930-1940 .
I often buy furniture and designs from Swedish auctions , for example Bukowskis auctions from Sweden . Märta Måås Fjetteström , from the 1920-1930 ’ s , made carpets . Those are sold at auctions here in New York . It is
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