- Interior
What you do yourself, you sometimes indeed do better. For the couple behind the Norwegian studio Ask og Eng, you can take that quite literally, as what started with building their kitchen themselves grew into their full-time profession. Sustainability was number one from the start, and more specifically bamboo as a material. Meanwhile, they focus on several interior design projects, including this modern home where every element was muted to a soft pitch.
Near Stockholm, in a small town called Ekerön, you will find this calm abode that sprang from a distinctly minimalist approach. From the start, that style was familiar territory for Kine Ask Stenersen and Kristoffer Eng, the duo behind the portfolio. In spring 2016, they decided to take an important step. After several years of designing and building several sustainable kitchens and furniture pieces for themselves, it was time to take that passion to the next level and do something with it on a professional level as well. Back in their first apartment, they hit a proverbial wall when it came to eco-friendly solutions for renovations. When Kristoffer worked on a project using bamboo in his then job as an architect, the idea of applying the same material in his own kitchen was born. That suggestion was immediately given the green light by Kine, who was active as a photographer and nurtured a growing passion for interior design. Over time, their garage served as a workshop for their kitchens, but a bigger place was increasingly in order. The next step was to rent an external space, and so their studio took increasingly clear shape. Today, they are involved in numerous interior design projects and still express their love for bamboo with as much conviction as in the beginning. 
A genuine reflection of clients and performers forming an ideal match for each other
This residence is a genuine reflection of clients and performers forming an ideal match for each other. In fact, the occupants are the founders of a sustainable and ethical clothing brand that itself uses bamboo in their products. So in terms of vision, both parties were soon on the same wavelength. With a contemporary minimalism as its approach, the house became more concrete with each step. Specifically, the studio was responsible for the bathroom furniture, tables, shelves, doors, and even the ceiling. Logically, bamboo recurs as a common thread throughout the project. Although the joinery is mainly dark coloured, this heaviness never dominates. Calm grey tones ensure that a balance is always maintained and that the whole welcomes you as a kind of safe cave full of detailing. You can also notice cream tones, especially in the bedrooms. These increase the cuddliness factor of the design and offer a rewarding change. Furthermore, it is remarkable how you see a finished product that yet requires very few decorative elements to exude a sense of home. 
Everywhere they can, the people of Ask og Eng studio prove that you can incorporate bamboo into an interior in many ways, and on top of that, it is remarkably eco-friendly too. The controlled character of this pure home is a fine example of a design language that rejects any superfluity. 
Photography by Kine Ask Stenersen and Elisabeth Heier