After more than five years of meticulous planning and design, Pontus Björkman and Hanna Juzon have created a remarkable pine-clad, tar-treated home on the outskirts of Stockholm that perfectly embodies their philosophy of combining contrasting elements. The couple's innovative residence, filled with unexpected architectural twists and carefully curated art pieces, stands as a testament to thoughtful design that prioritizes functionality without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
"We don't want it to be like an aquarium that you stare into," explains Pontus Björkman of their strategically private home. "If you pass our house on the street, you will see absolutely nothing, and we like it like that." Located just meters from the Baltic Sea with sweeping views of the city, the house offers the couple a unique five-minute boat commute from their private deck to Stockholm's center. Pontus, who works as a brand manager at Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios, and his wife Hanna, a model and writer, lived in their newly constructed home for two years after designing the concept in painstaking detail back in 2018.
The design process was extraordinarily thorough, with the couple eventually sharing a comprehensive 85-page brief with Swedish design studio and architects Halleröd five years after their initial concept. Central to their vision was creating a house where every room would be fully utilized with no wasted space. "We designed the guest bathroom to be on the lower ground floor so that people have to go down and experience the full house," says Hanna. "We wanted a home that is alive and for every single part of it to be used."
The lower level features a striking concrete exterior courtyard that draws inspiration from the Japanese concept of a serene stone garden. At its center stands a single, gleaming white marble cone—one of a pair created by artist Jesper Sundberg Örtegren, with its twin hidden deep in a Swedish forest. Only the artist knows the coordinates of both pieces. "He believes the cones communicate with each other," Hanna smiles. "We are just the hosts; we don't own this piece." The couple found a playful connection to the sculptures through their wedding cake, which was baked to replicate the marble cone, with a photograph of them slicing the triangular cake later featured in British Vogue.
Pontus is Swedish and Hanna is Polish, and the pair, who communicate in English, are prominent figures in the Scandinavian fashion scene. They originally met in London 20 years ago when Hanna, who studied Applied Mathematics at Imperial College London, was modeling for Acne Studios. Though they barely remember this initial meeting, they were reintroduced by a mutual friend several years later. Today they share their home with Pontus's two teenage daughters and their two Dalmatians—Cujo, named after Stephen King's killer dog, and Chucky, whose namesake is the evil doll.
"I like the rough with the smooth," explains Pontus, referring to both his dog-naming conventions and design philosophy. This aesthetic principle is evident throughout the house, particularly in the ground floor living room that stretches up to 4.5 meters and centers around a towering concrete chimney. The chimney was constructed using layered concrete to create an organic, rough texture that serves as a focal point. "I had a very clear idea that I wanted the material of the stove to have a story of its own," he explains. "I also wanted it to be unusually big. It's nice when things are not proportional."
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the living spaces with natural light, while limestone portals frame each doorway with pocket doors that slide seamlessly into the walls. Pontus specifically chose this design element to create more space and ensure smooth flow throughout the building. "I think functionality is so important, but I also chose this stone because it is humble," he says. Material selection was a key consideration for both partners, who share an appreciation for items that age gracefully. "We both love denim and leather, and are drawn to things that age well," adds Pontus. "It tells a story over time."
Attention to detail is evident in features like the brass handle shaped to resemble a branch on the hallway cabinet, which has already developed a soft tarnish from use. The kitchen features stainless-steel counters and cabinets, selected as a practical solution for Pontus, who serves as the household's main cook and enjoys perfecting his truffle pasta. The room was deliberately designed to encourage communal dining around the dining table rather than casual eating elsewhere.
In the dining room, a bespoke walnut side unit houses the sink while concealing the dishwasher, cutlery, and plates. The unit's handles are crafted from walnut tree roots, continuing the home's emphasis on natural materials. A sculpture by British artist Gabriella Gormley sits atop the cabinet, while a framed work by Polish artist Slawomir Elsner hangs above it. "We wanted the dining room to feel cozy and more like a living room," says Pontus.
The couple's preference for material diversity extends throughout the house, with walnut used for closets in the main bedroom and oak employed for floorboards and beams in the sitting room. "We like the mix of things and don't like to be coherent," Pontus adds. This intentionally incoherent design sensibility is particularly evident in the entrance hall ceiling composition. Pontus deliberately wanted the landing above to look and feel distinctly different from other areas. "I really dislike it when you understand the construction of a house immediately," he explains. "I wanted to conceal the walkway between the girls' rooms."
Instead of a conventional ceiling, they created a deep, organic, hammock-like structure that Pontus describes as "a swoosh." Tucked beside the curved ceiling is a long light tube that creates an intriguing visual effect. "You get this blurring when the roughness of the light meets this beautiful and warm, feminine shape," he notes. The deliberately compact kitchen design, featuring stainless-steel worktops and a tall glass door, ensures that family meals happen around the dining table rather than in casual settings.
As avid collectors, both Pontus and Hanna have filled their home with artworks that reflect their personal style and cultural backgrounds. Local Swedish ceramicist Calle Forsberg, whose workshop is located nearby, has created coarsely glazed pieces that are scattered throughout their home. Hanna maintains a particular passion for art from her Polish homeland. "I feel very attached to Polish art," she says. "I think the heritage is insane—everything is soaked with politics. Sweden has a different social system in place. People are more free to create and develop their ideas here compared to Poland, which is sometimes good and sometimes bad!"
The home ultimately serves as a perfect reflection of Hannah and Pontus's design philosophy, where rough and smooth elements, light and shadow, art and function are allowed to coexist harmoniously. Rather than creating a showcase space, their home tells the story of its inhabitants through thoughtful material choices, tactile experiences, and shared moments. The result is a living space that feels both innovative and deeply personal, demonstrating how careful planning and attention to detail can create a truly unique family environment.
