Swedish Home Doubles as an Art Gallery
When this couple moved to the country, they built the perfect home for their family — and their art gallery
Richard Feigin and Louise Hamilton had a three-room apartment in downtown Stockholm, but with a third child on the way they wanted to find more space outside of town. They drove past this property, which is elevated and overlooks a large bay, and they liked the feeling of height and space. Feigin and Hamilton decided to build a combined home and art gallery, incorporating an existing garage into the design.
“We had no idea how to build at all,” Feigin says. “How long does it take? How much does it cost? We had no idea about prices per square foot and building permits, and we didn’t know whether it would take 18 months or seven years.”
Hamilton and Feigin had seen a house in Skåne by architectural firm Elding Oscarson and hired the firm for their project. “Of course, we played with ideas and drawings, but then I was completely happy to hand them over. They are the artists, after all,” Feigin says. The project took about 18 months before they could move in.
Hamilton and Feigin had seen a house in Skåne by architectural firm Elding Oscarson and hired the firm for their project. “Of course, we played with ideas and drawings, but then I was completely happy to hand them over. They are the artists, after all,” Feigin says. The project took about 18 months before they could move in.
First-Floor Living Spaces
The home has three levels. The main entrance on the ground floor, seen here, contains the kitchen, the living room and a terrace facing the garden. The bedrooms are on the top floor. The gallery is in the basement and has a separate entrance. A laundry room and storage area also are located on that level.
Elding Oscarson included Japanese influences in the design — in the living room and kitchen this is reflected in the exposed ceiling beams. An impressive staircase connects the floors.
The home has three levels. The main entrance on the ground floor, seen here, contains the kitchen, the living room and a terrace facing the garden. The bedrooms are on the top floor. The gallery is in the basement and has a separate entrance. A laundry room and storage area also are located on that level.
Elding Oscarson included Japanese influences in the design — in the living room and kitchen this is reflected in the exposed ceiling beams. An impressive staircase connects the floors.
The couple were keen to build a home that would also have room for their Studio Rei art gallery. “We wanted to both shake the art world and change the way you look at art,” Hamilton says. “We always buy with the heart and gladly showcase young artists.”
“We’ve never done that thing of buying art to go with the interior,” Feigin says. “We want to get more people to see the value of art and to see that as an alternative to buying a piece of furniture or traveling for many thousands of [dollars]. Sometimes buying artwork instead is better. It’s something that you can enjoy for a long time and that often holds or increases its value if you get the right thing.”
“When we select furnishings and art for the home, they don’t in any way have to match,” Feigin says. “We believe that art has its own place in the home regardless of the interior, and the works must be able to stand on their own.”
That’s not to say Feigin and Hamilton always agree on what to buy. “Sometimes you can’t see what’s good about a piece of work from the beginning, even if the other person does — you have to let it mature,” Feigin says.
The floor in the kitchen and living room is polished concrete with radiant heating. The kitchen budget was set in stone, so the couple looked for the best options within their means and landed on Kvänum cabinets.
Privacy Upstairs
The master bedroom is Hamilton and Feigin’s private retreat. “When you have toddlers, you don’t get out as much, and traveling becomes more complicated, so we’ve created a kind of ‘in-house staycation’ with a reading corner, a lovely bathroom and beds with a holiday view.”
The master bedroom is Hamilton and Feigin’s private retreat. “When you have toddlers, you don’t get out as much, and traveling becomes more complicated, so we’ve created a kind of ‘in-house staycation’ with a reading corner, a lovely bathroom and beds with a holiday view.”
Sitting in this chair and looking out over the treetops while reading provides an everyday luxury. The sightlines throughout the house were carefully planned around the nature outside. The upstairs ceilings are clad in plywood for a bit of warmth.
The floor of the master bathroom is finished in Verde Alpi marble from northern Italy, where the couple’s next project will be. “Once you’ve built something, you get a bit enthusiastic. For us, creating a dream house in northern Italy seems so right,” Feigin says.
Art and Recreation Below
The basement is used for Studio Rei openings and exhibitions, and as a recreational area for the family. “There are usually some skates and other things down here in between events,” Feigin says.
Art by Julia Peirone, from left: Sophie (2011), Klara (2010) and Susanna (2011).
The basement is used for Studio Rei openings and exhibitions, and as a recreational area for the family. “There are usually some skates and other things down here in between events,” Feigin says.
Art by Julia Peirone, from left: Sophie (2011), Klara (2010) and Susanna (2011).
The hallway leads to the front of the former garage, with garage doors that can be opened during events. A storage room and a laundry room are also accessed from the hallway.
Art by Julia Peirone: Lotta (2014).
Art by Julia Peirone: Lotta (2014).
“Many people hang their art too high at home,” Feigin says. “One rule is that paintings should be hung so the top is about [6 feet] high, but you can customize based on your own eye level when standing in front of them.”
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Richard Feigin, Louise Hamilton and their three young daughters
Location: Lidingö, Sweden, near Stockholm
Architect: Elding Oscarson