A woman sitting with her hand in the face.

Stories

A softer way of seeing

1 January 1970

For Rene, creating a set is about more than styling — it’s about shaping a feeling. In this shoot, she builds a calm, textural world around our patterned covers, letting light, materials, and everyday objects tell the story. At home, that same perspective carries into motherhood, where the smallest moments often mean the most.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, who are you and what do you do?

I’m Rene, an interior designer and stylist living in Malmö with my partner, Aron, and our two daughters, Billie and Bonnie (3 and 5). I also work with set design and love bringing spaces and ideas to life.

What drew you to interior/set design, and working behind the scenes of a shoot?

I’ve always been interested in how environments influence mood and storytelling. Interior and set design allow me to create that intentionally. I especially enjoy working behind the scenes on shoots, where I can help shape the visual narrative and bring a concept to life through space and detail.

“I love bringing spaces and ideas to life.”

How do you approach creating a set for a photo shoot – how do you build the mood through colors, materials, and light?

I love working with natural light and shadows. For this shoot, I wanted to create a soft mood, so I added fabrics, linen, wood, and props that make me happy and calm: matcha, coffee, beautiful cups, food and fresh flowers.

“My instinct was that the patterns had a strong voice of their own.”

What’s one detail in the set that people might not notice at first, but feels essential to you?

People might not notice that there are shadows in pretty much every single photo. Without them, images can feel a bit empty. Sometimes it becomes a waiting game, just waiting for those rays of light to come through.   

How does being a mom influence your creativity or the way you work?

Motherhood has definitely made me more present, but also more focused and intentional with my time. With kids, you can't really afford endless overthinking when it comes to designs and creative ideas, you just have to go for it.

As a set designer, you’re great at creating beautiful scenes. As a mom, what does a “beautiful moment” at home look like to you?

Thank you! A beautiful moment is probably when nothing special is happening. When my kids are out in the garden helping me, that feels really special. I don't really know why, it just does.

What’s one small, everyday moment with your children that you wish you could freeze in time?

All the hugs from them! You know when you really feel the weight of them against you, and everything slows down for a second? Those are my favourite everyday moments. I imagine that in ten years, I’ll be stealing quick hugs from them before they disappear into their rooms.

“When you really feel the weight of them against you.”

If you were to create a photo book from this stage of your life, what moments would it include?

A mix of chaos and calm—morning routines, everyday messes, laughter, and those small, quiet moments of closeness that make it all feel meaningful.

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