The adoring eyes of Instagram has grown the platform into a substantial online hub for men’s style. The success of which has elevated certain users into the ultimate portrayers of the aspired men’s lifestyle. None more so than Fredrik Risvik, who’s clean monochrome colour palette across wardrobe and home interior alike, has made him a major inspiration in the expanding Scandinavian influence on the modern man's style.
OPUMO sat down with Fredrik for an exclusive interview about his elusive style; ranging from an in-depth insight into his Scandinavian abode to how the ideal aesthetic can be so easily achieved.
Your home has been described as clean, contemporary minimalism – But how would you describe your home aesthetic?
It's the surroundings I feel comfortable in. Minimalistic, organised, thought-through, and naturally conceived. My home is the result of my situation in life right now.
Where did you find your inspiration to create such a clean, minimalist interior?
Interior design is something I've always had a great interest in, so when I got my own place it meant I could turn my thoughts into reality. I always buy piece for piece depending on what I like and I don’t consider whether they will all be a good fit together. As for me it's more about the feeling I get when looking at each individual piece, they all have a personal story. And as for inspiration, I mostly receive it from a good feeling, like looking at something well made, It could be a sweater for instance. I want people to have that same good feeling and relax when visiting my home.
Everyone knows Scandinavian design and innovation is taking over right now, why do you think this is?
For us living in Scandinavia this has been around us all the time, as these designs are very often old Danish classics. So with our generation and the clothing brands we've seen pop up over the last years, a lot of them use these furniture choices in their own stores, lookbooks, showrooms, in collaborations and so on. This is a result of the people behind the brands getting a bit older and finding new interests and inspirations. As a result, we see these influences incorporated within the brands we all look out for, so the widespread Scandinavian appeal, I believe, evolves with interest and awareness to reach a new peak. So much so that the the minimalistic approach to clothing is now representative of how we all want our lifestyle to be as a whole.
What are your key components in creating a stylish home?
The little things you at first don't see. Everyone can essentially go out and buy the "right" designer chair and coffee table, but it doesn't necessarily make it a stylish home. If thought is put in to your coffee cups, bowls, and the things you style your home with, and perhaps an unexpected accessory that others wouldn't have thought of getting themselves – then these are the items that make the difference to a stylish home.
For you, what is the most important room in a house?
Everybody says the kitchen, and I do agree. This is where we can have people over to cook dinners while still have a conversation over drinks. But I must say I enjoy the living room more! Put on your favorite tune, relax with a hendrix/tonic rolled up in a nice blanket and read some magazines. I like the silent part of a home, somewhere I can really disconnect.
What will be your next in-house purchase, what have you got your eye on right now?
There is so many beautiful items I would like at some point, but the things that's highest on that list would be a pair of the PK22 lounge chair by Poul Kjærholm, the EJ 450 Delphi leather sofa by Hannes Wettstein and of course adding more of the Vitsoe system.
What advice would you give people in creating a stylish, contemporary living interior?
Take your time! Being in a situation where you just can't go and buy whatever you want makes you really think through what you want in the long term. Go for classics and add your personal touch to make it feel like it's your home.
