Inside a Stavanger Home Inspired by Trees and Light

In the coastal city of Stavanger, Norway, this Scandinavian apartment unfolds as a quiet, suite-like retreat — a home shaped as much by its surroundings as by the lives within it. Designed by interior architect Gudbjørg Simonsen, the space reflects a careful balance between historical character and contemporary precision, offering a deeply personal sanctuary for a couple embracing a new phase of life.

“They wanted a setting that feels simple, urban, and refreshingly uncomplicated,” says Gudbjørg Simonsen. For the homeowners, now empty nesters, the move from a larger home into this centrally located apartment marked a shift towards ease and intention — a desire for calm, connection and understated elegance.

Where History Meets Contemporary Living

The apartment is housed in a building with a rich past. Originally opened in 1952 by King Haakon VII as the Norwegian Canning School, the structure reflects the principles of post-war modernism — clean lines, strong proportions and a quiet sense of permanence.

While the building has been carefully transformed into residential use, its architectural language remains intact. Simonsen’s role was to weave contemporary living seamlessly into this framework, integrating modern systems and layouts without disrupting the building’s inherent character. The result is a space that feels composed and cohesive, where old and new exist in quiet dialogue.

Inspired by the Rhythm of Trees

Just beyond the apartment, a park lined with chestnut trees became the project’s defining influence. More than a visual reference, the trees informed the atmosphere of the entire home.

Being “surrounded by something that both protects and moves,” as well as “the light filtering through the leaves [creating] a sense of warmth, while also providing clear contrasts between shadow and sudden glimpses of the sun,” shaped the design approach in subtle but powerful ways. This interplay of light and shadow is echoed throughout the interiors, creating a living rhythm that shifts throughout the day.

Light as a Living Element

Lighting is central to the apartment’s identity. Natural light, softened through curtains and filtered by the trees outside, creates a gentle, ever-changing ambience.

“Filtered through curtains and tree canopies, it gives the interior a living yet composed rhythm,” Simonsen explains. “Particularly during the darker winter months, light becomes almost tactile — low, soft, and deeply atmospheric.”

Artificial lighting builds on this foundation. “In a Norwegian climate marked by long winters, illumination must be carefully layered,” she says. From precise technical lighting to sculptural fixtures in glass and metal, each source contributes to a calm, enveloping glow.

A Palette Drawn from Nature

The material and colour palette follows the same philosophy of restraint and connection. Warm, earthy tones mirror the hues of chestnut trees, while light wooden floors and lime-washed walls create a soft, textured backdrop that responds to changing light.

Darker timber elements introduce depth, echoing the strength of tree bark, while stone — particularly grey-brown marble — adds a grounding contrast.

“The material selection was guided by a desire for longevity, tactility, and a cohesive calm expression,” Simonsen notes. “Surfaces were chosen to feel warm and substantial, with materials that age gracefully and develop patina over time — allowing the home to gain depth rather than wear with the years.”

Crafting Atmosphere Through Detail

Throughout the apartment, craftsmanship takes precedence over decoration. Many elements were custom-made, allowing materials and proportions to speak for themselves without excess.

In the bedroom, a hand-painted ceiling by decorative artist Axel Charles Dahlgren introduces a poetic focal point. Inspired by the branches of the trees outside, the artwork transforms the space into something almost dreamlike.

“Here, I wanted to create the experience of resting beneath a tree — a space where the gaze can linger, and where the ceiling carries a quiet poetic weight,” says Simonsen. “It gives the bedroom a sense of intimacy and presence, and makes the space feel more personal and sensory.”

A small, personal detail — a delicate vine inspired by the label of the homeowners’ favourite wine — was incorporated into the design, embedding memory into the architecture itself.

Simplicity, Carefully Considered

Despite its generous proportions, the apartment required thoughtful planning. Moving from a large villa meant prioritising function and integrating storage seamlessly into the architecture.

“The aim was to ensure that everything needed for daily life had its place, without compromising the sense of calm or elegance,” Simonsen explains.

The layout reflects this clarity. A central axis connects open-plan living spaces that face the park, while private areas are quietly tucked away. The result is a home that feels both expansive and intimate — structured yet fluid.

“For me, interior architecture is about more than function and aesthetics — it is about experience, atmosphere, and the quiet way a space can affect us,” says Gudbjørg Simonsen.

In this Stavanger apartment, that philosophy is felt in every detail. It is a home that doesn’t demand attention, but rewards it — a place where light, material and memory come together to create something deeply considered and quietly beautiful.

Credits

Interior architecture: Gudbjørg Simonsen, Instagram: @gudbjorg_simonsen

Photos: Arne Bru Haug 

Production: Karine Monié, Instagram: @karinemonie