Alexander Lervik

Press / 2010

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Svenska Dagbladet

SvD-Kreativ i Bullerbyn

Svenska Dagbladet · Portraits & interviews · 2 pages

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MAGASINET MITT KVARTER

SvD Saturday 19 June

Millesgården is a source of inspiration for designer Alexander Lervik.

Creative in a Bullerby setting

RELOCATED Designer Alexander Lervik leaves creative traces behind, not least in Stockholm's nightlife. In the search for child-friendly housing, the choice fell on Lidingö, and in the beginning he was regarded as a traitor by his friends.

Big-city person Alexander Lervik has designed interiors for Sturecompagniet and the nightclubs Whiteroom and V, whose dance floor he outfitted with 50,000 crystals. He has also left footprints in the city's shoe shops — designing interiors for both NK Skor & reseeffekter and the shoe chain Rizzo. As a designer, he is the father of the illuminated door handle Bright handle, which glows green when vacant and red when occupied. In addition, he is the man behind the chair The red chair, which can be viewed at Nationalmuseum.

– Many are surprised by how much I manage to get done. That's because I'm not the type to fuss over small details for all eternity — and yet I get a consummate end result. At least in my eyes. The special thing about me is that I dare to stretch the boundaries and push the envelope. Much of the Scandinavian design tradition is simple and minimalist. I am often characterized by a playful design. A design language more towards the Southern European side.

At home in the peace and quiet, Alexander can easily switch off from work; calm sets in already aboard the little blue tram that takes him home from Ropsten. Not bad for recovery and, by extension, creativity as well.

Still, it was hard to move away from the big city's pulse and roots. He grew up in one of the small red heritage cottages on Skinnarviksberget, near Mariatorget. After upper secondary school and experiments with transforming the Ikea shelf Ivar into a creation of his own, he moved to Perugia in central Italy to study furniture design for six months. Back to Söder, later Vasastan. But outside the city – never.

Until he and his then wife had a son ten years ago. Then the search for child-friendly housing began, and it was not a quest without requirements.

– Since I have my office on Söder, my requirement was that it had to be close to town. It hung between Nacka and Lidingö.

One beautiful summer day they walked the street on Lidingö, just a block away from Millesgården, where his artist mother had often taken him on fun outings. They fell for a small white two-story house with green windows and rendered stone finish.

– As soon as we came walking down the street, we felt that this is where we want to live. It was so Bullerby National Romantic with the houses marked by 1920s decorative carpentry.

The transformation from Söder guy to Lidingö resident did not happen without friction, however.

– In the beginning, I was seen as a traitor by my friends. And it was less segregated than I had expected. In school there are people from all social classes.

Alexander Lervik Name: Alexander Lervik. Age: 37 years. Family: Children Måns 10 years, Lisa 8 years. Lives: House on Lidingö. Occupation: Designer and architect. Current: Curator for NK's display windows and an exhibition in Ljusgården 1–6 August.

In the idyllic setting, the children can run between the houses and have friends everywhere. When he wants to play ball with his friends, he takes his bike to the nearby football pitch. How well the children like it became clear to Alexander three years ago, after his divorce.

He was considering moving back to the city. But one morning he received a note from his daughter saying: Daddy, I don't want to move.

– Then I melted, he says, adding that the terrace also played its part.

Right now he is pleased with his Bullerby, the neighbours, and the shopping in Lidingö centrum. About the future, however, he cannot predict. Because when the children become teenagers, maybe he will get a new note.

Five of Alexander Lervik's favorites on Lidingö

Millesgården. A completely incredible place that suits everyone and is a source of inspiration for me. My children usually run around the large sculptures and climb on them. Just as I did as a child. Herserudsvägen 32.

Långängens gård. Restaurant and café in a nature reserve. It is like being out in the country despite the proximity to the city. Ekholmsnäsvägen.

The tram and the tram bridge. Riding the old tram is relaxing, and the tram bridge is significantly more beautiful than the large car bridge.

Biografen Grand. Having the projectionist introduce the film is half the experience. Both adult and children's films. Friggavägen.

Nature. Lidingö has many natural areas. You can walk there year-round. In the summer I take the children and go swimming at Fågelöudde.

English translation of the original article. Text read from the scanned original; small transcription errors may occur.