Studio Escapist: Quiet Grandeur in an Östermalm Apartment

There’s a rare kind of magic that happens when historic architecture meets contemporary refinement – and Studio Escapist has mastered that delicate alchemy in their redesign of Grevgatan, a 200-square-meter Jugend-style apartment nestled in the heart of Östermalm, Stockholm.

Led by the visionary duo Elin Martin and Michaela Hemlin, the Stockholm-based interior design and architecture firm has made a name for itself with projects that feel both emotionally resonant and aesthetically restrained. Their signature lies in the seamless blending of past and present — a talent that earned them the title of Interior Designer of the Year by Residence Magazine in 2024. The Grevgatan apartment is a testament to this distinction.

From the moment you enter, it becomes clear that this is not just a home – it is a narrative. Deep, chocolate-toned wood anchors the space, speaking to the richness of the building’s Jugend heritage, while soft, cream-colored textiles invite calm and warmth. The palette is subtle, but far from predictable. Pops of red punctuate the rooms like exclamation marks, injecting an unexpected vitality without disturbing the serenity of the whole.

Silver accents and a generous use of mirrors subtly reflect light and extend space, while a soft, creamy white palette forms the backdrop for a layered interplay of textures – in drapery, lampshades, upholstery and tactile accessories. This textile richness adds warmth and depth, gently counterbalancing the structural clarity of the architecture. There is a quiet confidence in every choice: nothing shouts, everything whispers.

It’s this refined restraint that defines Studio Escapist‘s work. The apartment feels lived-in, but elevated; elegant, yet entirely unpretentious. In a world often dominated by visual noise, the Grevgatan project reminds us of the profound power of understatement. It is interior design at its most intelligent –thoughtful, timeless, and deeply human.