Organised chaos: Bergman Design House

ORGANISED CHAOS

For the London-based studio that means the process of everything being perfect and imperfect at once. A unique approach to creating environments of timeless distinction

by Désirée Sormani - ph. courtesy by Bergman Design House

Seductively rich, dreamy ambiences bursting with originality and distinction. Each one a seamless standalone melding of creativity and sophistication. Regardless of whether they are in a hotel, a commercial property, a residence, a gym or even a superyacht, Bergman Design House interiors invite, welcome, beguile and, of course, surprise. Co-founded in 2017 by Marie Soliman and her husband Albin Berglund, the internationally renowned Bergman Design House studio enjoys a reputation as one of the creative driving forces in the luxury interior industry.

“Design is about shaping moments that change people for the better,” is how the duo describe their philosophy. “By effortlessly fusing the innovative with the poetic, we create environments of timeless distinction, and invite individuals to feel at one through our passion for excellence and obsession for detail”. Soliman and Berglund’s forward-thinking approach is deeply rooted in attentive listening to the stories told to them by their clients. They then take those stories, embellish and mould them around a core touch point into strong, meticulously thought-out concepts that produce their

This is the perfect example of what the

is both functional and timeless as well as playful and surprising. It

furniture

Above, three designs from The Lund Collection for a new private cottage in the Cotswolds (UK).

husband-and-wife design duo dub ‘organised chaos’ aimed at creating a space that

also mixes a cleverly curated ensemble of original artwork and vintage treasures with new bespoke

The London-based studio’s founders, Albin Berglund and Marie Solima, with Sarah Colbon, one of the yacht sector’s most connected and knowledgeable women, joined forces to launch Njord, the studio’s dedicated superyacht division

stunning once-off spaces. Bergman Design House has quickly built up an impressive international portfolio that includes the likes of the BXR London, Hilton Hotel Brussels, Accor Pullman Hotel Paris, and the Engine Room London.

“My husband and I launched Bergman Design House in 2017 – the name being a blend of our surnames (Berglund and Soliman). It happened organically: we were doing small freelance jobs such as small townhouses on the side,” says Marie. At the time they were working with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA). “Then we met Olia, the owner of BXR (ed.’s note, a luxury boxing gym in London), and she asked us to design the gym “. The project was a massive success and soon the couple’s names were on everyone’s lips. They eventually parted ways with Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) to focus on their own work. “We were suddenly asked to set up a company, design a logo and launch a website. The universe had given us a massive push forward, so we took the leap of faith and Bergman Design House was born,” smiles Soliman. As an artist herself, Marie believes that art is a reflection of the spirit.

“It can tell you stories, jokes, and can be crazy. It can make you happy or sad, but always gives you something to look forward to”. Her work delves into the cultural differences between the East

and West, but she is inspired rather than dictated to by the vibrant colours and rich textures of her native Egypt where she majored in interior architecture with art as a secondary subject. This twinning of the two milieus has turned her into an authentic eclectic, her work spanning design, limited edition couture, fine jewellery and bespoke lighting. “I don’t have a house style, I am not a decorator. All my houses are different on a personal level too. I love dreaming, creating and most important having fun!,” she explains. “If it’s too perfect, it’s flat. But if it’s still messy, then what is the functionality? You need a mix of both. I feel that organised chaos is the process of everything perfect and imperfect. A space has to be functional and timeless, with a playful hint of surprise or whimsical energy”. This philosophy has turned out to be the perfect fit for the yacht sector too. At the height of the pandemic when many of their clients were retreating to the safety of their yachts, Soliman and Berglund broadened their horizons still further by creating Njord by Bergman Design House, a specialist superyacht interior design studio, with Sarah Colbon, one of the most knowledgeable, wellconnected women in yachting.

“Yachts are the perfect mix between the playful experiences of a hotel and a zen floating home!” Colbon says, picking up the story.

Above, two shots of BXR City at 22 Bishopsgate, London. The new 9,000 sq. ft property affords spectacular 360-degree views across London. The designers have melded the signature aspects of the original Marylebone site with an industrial-chic aesthetic and unexpected flourishes. The sprawling boxing training area flanks the gym’s centrepiece, a 6-metre climbing wall which, at 125 metres, is the highest in London

Above, clockwise: three shots of The Other House, a modern city oasis tucked away in a historic Georgian building. Here Bergman Design House has combined bold, bright colours and witty references with muted oil paintings, to simultaneously breathe new life into the pieces and create a cohesive ambience in each room. A selection of discarded 18th century oil paintings, handpicked by Melinda Ashton Turner, forms the basis of the collection. Below, a close-up of a coffee table and the saloon aboard Benetti Galaxy, a refit that raised the bar for eco-friendly design and technique to new heights

“It’s also so refreshing to see that clients and yachts owners are increasingly becoming younger, willing to travel more, and living and working on their yachts! They are no longer a toy chasing the sun for few weeks a year”. The Bergman’s third yacht project, the refit of the 56m Benetti Galaxy, earned it universal acclaim, but there are plenty of other collaborative projects to come this year and beyond. Underpinning everything, however, is scrupulous research into materials and details. “Hunting down the perfect slab of colourful stone always make my day!”

laughs Marie “We are known for our stone selection. We never go for the obvious – I am a risk-taker! Stone is art on its own to treasure and appreciate. Carved bog timber is also one of my favourites! …” The studio is just beginning to spread its wings. The ideas are flowing, effortlessly anticipating and mirroring broader trends as Marie says proudly: “We’ve also launched the Black Berg collection of affordable sustainable luxury furniture: it’s been a huge success with our private clients; now we are preparing to launch it to the general public!”

Left and below left, the Eden superyachts project by superyacht interior company, Njord by Bergman Design House. Njord is named after the Norse god of wind and waters. Its team’s mission is to encapsulate land, sea and air in their projects. They work with the natural elements to bring their unique vision to life and, vitally, make each project feel like home. Below right, samples of natural materials that the creative team use aboard