Staffan and Monique Tollgård, every place has a story to tell

Three awards in 2021. Nothing less. In just one year, Tollgård Design Group won a gold medal at the  London Design Awards with Dojo, a hybrid venue in the heart of London, the International Design & Architecture Awards with a stylish family villa in Jordan and the Livingetc Style Awards with Ekero, a marble and walnut side table produced with Porada. Whether in Kuwait, Portugal or Kensington, the high-end neighbourhood of their hometown, Monique and Staffan Tollgård tell a story when they decorate a place, with a preference for family houses. "An interior especially designed  for families translates into spending quality family time." "Since the lockdowns, the couple changed their working habits: Our clients and our children can always count on having a Tolllgård at hand." And so can we.

After Stockholm, you decided to live in London, why?

I came to study filmmaking and I met my wife on a set. She was working in documentary production. I stayed in London but not in the film industry! I studied at the Inchbald School of Design and founded the Tollgård studio. Monique ended up studying at the same school before working with me and becoming studio director. London is a highly important town in our industry, where architecture, art and design forge solid ties.

What traces of Stockholm are visible in your approach to design?

I have a Swedish way of thinking: rational, practical and within a well-defined framework. I am proud that my origins allow me to work with integrity on all my projects no matter where they are. 

What has an influence on your work and emotions as buyers?

My wife moved from Johannesburg to London when she was little. This major change is what gave her the ability to design places that feel like home, even far away, and to infuse these personal environments with powerful and meaningful elements, family values and memories. This confers a sentimental dimension to the interiors that we design. Her grandparents were art collectors, she grew up surrounded by artwork, plants  –  and wine! –. This atmosphere helped her understand what makes our clients happy and which of their treasures really has something to express.

How do you work together?

Monique focuses on the studio dedicated to interior design and I travel between the four divisions of the Tollgård Design Group. In addition to the studio, we have three showrooms, the office furniture division and the designer objects division. One of our clients once said that Monique was an organized person and that I was a the creative one, although it’s a bit more complicated than that! I think with pictures and she needs words. We contemplate the world with our own vision and interact differently. We are two complementary people, which is useful. We share are strengths... And our difficulties.

What aspect of your job are you most proud of?  

I love when clients say that we have changed their life. Or noticing that our talented team still has an influence in its area and that after 18 years of work we are still growing and learning. But for us, family is what matters the most. 

What are your expectations from Maison&Objet 2022?

My expectations are higher than ever! It has been such a long time now that one can imagine that our industry is going to undergo a revolution rather than an evolution. I am very pleased to be once again part of this buzzing creative and collaborative community. I remember the first time I came in September 2004 with Rabih Hage, my first boss. That experience really marked me deep down in my soul and it sparks memories at each one of my visits to the Maison&Objet Paris trade fair. Each time I am approaching Paris, I feel the excitement in the air and all around me.

What type of visitor are you and what would you like to find at the trade fair?

I want to find the legacy of tomorrow, the iconic object, which will be absolutely timeless. I have already noticed that it isn't necessarily the first one to catch my eye that becomes the most important later on. It's the one that I can't stop thinking about. It's easy to get lost at your event, and miss a treasure in a corner. This is why I walk in a methodical manner, take photos and scribble down details. At the end of the day, I sit down with a cocktail and get everything sorted out nicely and share with my team. Monique thinks that my method is brutal, she likes to stroll down the aisles chatting and taking plenty of time to exchange.

Are there any trends that actually move you at the moment?

The only trend that I am interested in is sustainability. Actually, it's the exact opposite of a trend! Decoration shouldn't follow the same pace as fashion, one doesn't change furniture according to the season. We should try and keep to what really matters, not the latest trend. 

For you, design in the future will be?

Physical. We were there opening showrooms when everyone was into internet. Design capitalises on people, so there will always be a place for creators and artisans. The fact that Maison&Objet remains a physical trade fair makes me more confident than ever that we need our five senses to discover the world. I also think that interior design, whose scope is currently broad, will be broken down into various specific segments in the future. Instead of doing a little bit of everything, expertise will be key to stand out of the crowd. As time passes by, I feel more comfortable with a limited number of values and interests.

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