- Interior
The idea behind the founding of Swedish rug brand Layered was simple: founder Malin Glemme was looking for a rug for her own home, but couldn't find anything that met her requirements, so she just designed one herself. That personal project grew into an important brand in the Scandinavian design industry. Glemme's rugs also look splendid in her holiday home AV Residence on the Swedish island of Gotland.
Glemme has a beautiful vision of interior design and believes that the design of our home has a strong impact on how we feel and behave. Her passion for her job, which balances on the border between art and interior design, has been there for a long time, and is also evident when she talks about her brand. Layered produces beautiful rugs in a sustainable way. The brand was born not only from the founder's passion, but also from a necessity. It was a defining moment in the designer's career, as she soon realised that she had discovered a gap in the market with her high-quality, sustainable rugs. Meanwhile, the industry has changed, and more and more Scandinavian brands are creating high-quality carpets that are as eco-friendly as possible. Today, Layered is a thriving company, producing not only rugs but also handmade sofas and armchairs around the world. 
Scandinavian elegance with an edge
When the designer visited the island Gotland a few years ago and immediately fell in love with it, she decided to look for a property there that had a lot of character. She was immediately enthusiastic about this limestone house from the nineteenth century, although it firstly needed to be renovated. The floors in the house were in dire need of replacement: not only were they worn out, but they also had different heights in each room. To create a sense of openness, the roof in the living space was opened up to the ridge. The limestone walls were painted in a neutral grey-beige colour referring to Gotland's tradition and history. It was important that the house had plenty of space and would be a place where Glemme and her family could unwind after a busy week in bustling Stockholm. The interior of this holiday home is therefore deliberately minimalist. At the same time, it had to be a comfortable and inviting home where friends and relatives could be invited for convivial gatherings. Finally, Glemme also wanted the interior to represent the beautiful surrounding nature and to be timeless. ‘It was not my intention to constantly change the decor of this holiday home, so I paid attention to making it something I will be able to enjoy for a long time and did not try to follow trends.’ 
AV Residence's interior immediately evokes a sense of calm. Soft brown tones are interspersed with grey tones, which also perfectly match the house's limestone exterior. Also impressive are the wooden beams in the living room, which give the house an authentic feel. The large but simple fireplace adds cosiness, while you enjoy natural light thanks to the many windows. It is also interesting to note that all the doors in the house have been replaced by windows, providing even more light.
A successful entrepreneur is not easily satisfied, we finally hear from Glemme. Her advice for young interior designers is not to give up and not to choose the easiest path every time, but to always let quality and durability prevail. Her dreamy home in Gotland is a testament to her work ethic and creativity. In AV Residence, the designer can always be inspired to realise new projects.
Do you want to know more about Layered? Read the full article in Imagicasa Autumn 2022.
Photography by Andy Liffner