Working from a space in central Stockholm, the design studio Bernadotte & Kylberg was founded in 2012 by Carl Philip Bernadotte and Oscar Kylberg. With pieces for renowned brands such as Skultuna, Georg Jensen, Hästens, Stelton, Nordic Nest and Zwiesel, the former university friends have built a strong reputation defined by their emphasis on refined materials and discreet elegance. The fact that Carl Philip is also Prince of Sweden naturally draws additional attention to their work. But rather than placing this title at the centre of their business, the fact rarely comes up at all – an attitude mirrored in their clear and understated design language. Their engagement with the hospitality sector has led to the launch of their own design label, the introduction of a furniture collection called Eriksberg, and an ever-growing workload. That they manage to face it all without losing either their perspective or their sense of humour becomes evident in our conversation about their latest projects, their design philosophy, and the ease with which their work has become part of everyday life in Sweden.

The Vior paper-cord-weave dining chair, part of NJRD, Bernadotte & Kylberg’s high-concept homeware collection for Nordic Nest (© Bernadotte & Kylberg)

Do you see your designs as being particularly Nordic?

Carl Philip Bernadotte: A simple way of putting it is to say that we do Swedish design because we are from Sweden. It’s the way we are brought up. We have six months of darkness and six months of light every year – that’s why we’re living very close to nature. We spend a lot of time outside; we have a very open and democratic society; we find beauty in practicality. All of these elements are part of our design – and that is what makes it Nordic.

Oscar Kylberg: When you see something we’ve designed, it’s unmistakably Bernadotte & Kylberg. It’s the two of us: we’ve invested time, refined every detail, and worked it through thoroughly. If it’s out there, it means we’re proud of it, and we use it ourselves as well.

Earlier on, your studio concentrated on smaller objects in collaboration with other brands. Recently, you’ve expanded your range by designing for three hotels and launching both your own label and online shop in 2023.

CPB: It’s something we’ve always wanted to do, and it all began with an inquiry we received in 2021 from the Icehotel in Jukkasjärvi, located 200 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Normally, construction starts in October, but they asked us to design a room that would be open year-round. We created furniture crafted from water and flowers – and the result was simply fantastic.

OK: We wanted to create something that all Swedes could relate to, not just the tourists. The funny thing is, when you step outside, it might be minus 25 degrees, but returning inside feels like entering a warm room – even if it’s only minus five.

Eriksberg cabinet, a work in oak and igneous diabase rock sourced from northeastern Skåne (© Bernadotte & Kylberg)

Your designs for The Ark Hotel in Eriksberg also feature natural elements.

OK: We created three suites. Himmel is about air, sky and dramatic light; Urberg about mountains; and Skog has a forest theme.

CPB: Near the hotel, there’s a lake full of water lilies. We had them handpicked and used the pressed stems for wallpaper. We made carpets resemble moss to create the feeling of walking on a forest floor, and furniture made of local wood.

OK: We developed the furniture line NJRD together with Nordic Nest in 2020. While working on The Ark, we developed our furniture line, Eriksberg. The pièce de résistance is a solid oak cabinet with doors crafted from diabase stone quarried in Biskopsgården, featuring brass details and a brass lining. We also designed a matching writing desk and chair, made from the same oak as the cabinet.

Do you focus on crafting signature pieces or bestsellers?

OK: No, the ones we like most. This is one of them [he picks up The Tulip candle holder]. It’s a minimalistic design portrait of one of the most famous flowers in the world. It’s made, by hand, of Swedish brass. There’s also a silver version.

 The Bernadotte & Kylberg-conceived Skog suite at the design-led Ark hotel in Eriksberg (© Bernadotte & Kylberg)

A perfect example of “less is more”. Speaking of more, how has life in your studio changed since you began taking on larger projects?

CPB: We are still doing what we have always done, but now we are in control of the whole process. It’s what we always had in mind. It’s 100 per cent us.

OK: We are the judge and the jury.

And probably the quality control, too.

OK: Exactly. You could say that we’re a slow brand. On some projects we work longer than a year.

CPB: But we produce so many designs that I am regularly asked how big our studio actually is. My answer is always the same: just us.

One of the pair’s lightweight, 100 per cent wool scarves (© Bernadotte & Kylberg)

How big is your team?

CPB: We are three full-time and one part-time, but we also collaborate with consultants and specialists. I think we’re on a really good track. We focus on local production, keep supply routes extremely short, and aim to raise the level of craftsmanship in Sweden. It’s always a great feeling when you visit someone’s home – or see a photo – and recognise your own design.

OK: We created the A-One jackets 11 years ago and, even now, we still see them popping up around town. There was also a time when someone stopped us in the street … Shall I tell it?

CPB: Go on, it’s a classic.

OK: We were walking through a rather posh part of Stockholm when a little old lady came along walking her dogs. She said, “Hello there, I love your design. I have your Swedish Animal Collection bowls and use them all the time.”

CPB: We then asked her if she used them for breakfast or dessert …

OK: … and she’s like: “No, no, it’s the dogs who eat from them.”

CPB: Like I said, a classic.

Prince Carl Philip (left) and Oscar Kylberg (© Bernadotte & Kylberg)