There was no formal design training in our Next in Design winner, Amanda Kavand-Eriksson’s, career path. Instead, she realized that her job in finance wasn’t tapping into her creativity. After getting the chance to renovate her own home – and then taking on projects for friends who were impressed – she gained the confidence to officially launch Kavand Interiors in 2023.
‘I rely on my intuition,’ she says, describing how she seems to get rooms ‘right’. She gravitates toward luxe materials with a perfectly muted sheen, giving them space to be appreciated and setting them against palettes that help them stand out. ‘I’ll study the architecture and find something in a building’s history – maybe a tile color that would have been used in its period – and go from there,’ she explains. That approach is why her modern style still feels at home in older houses.
Having lived in Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Thailand, and now the UK, Amanda has developed a richly international perspective. ‘I’ve always been drawn to East Asian art and craftsmanship, which is so detailed and thoughtful. At the same time, I have a very Finnish preference for natural materials like stone, linen, and jute.’ The result is a mix of unexpected pairings – like a large golden Gervasoni ceiling light hanging above a hand-carved wooden stool – and layered, richly textured interiors.
4 Key Design Rules with Kavand Interiors
1. Don’t Fight the Architecture
In a fairytale world, we would all live in a Parisian mansion with high ceilings, large windows, and marble fireplaces, but sometimes our home is in a 1970s building with lower ceilings and compact layouts. So instead of bringing in architectural elements such as decorative molding, high baseboards, or wall trim that don’t belong, consider proportion. In my opinion, you can have complete freedom with materials – you can absolutely have that marble fireplace, just not the French 19th-century one.
2. Prioritize Lighting
Having several sources of light layered at different heights is absolutely crucial for creating a cozy ambiance. For an average-sized living room, aim for six to seven light sources in addition to your ceiling light. Go for a mix of different lamps – you can include wall sconces, strategically placed to highlight features or objects worth noticing.
3. Listen to Your Heart, Not Trends
I advise everyone to learn about their own tastes and preferences. Think about the spaces you’ve visited where you felt good. What was it about those elements that stayed with you? Is there anything from your childhood home that still makes you feel warm and cozy? That’s a good starting point for figuring out what you actually like.
4. Always Favor Natural Materials
There are so many benefits to using natural materials. Natural stone, such as marble or limestone, offers a look and feel that’s hard to replicate – I’ve yet to find a man-made material that truly convinces me. When it comes to fabrics, I always choose options free from synthetic fibers. Linen, wool, silk, or other natural fibers not only feel better to the touch but also age more gracefully. They’re also better for our health and the environment.
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