Alexander Lervik

Press / Undated

Back to press archive

Alexander Lervik bytte Stockholm mot Skånegård på Österlen

Alexander Lervik bytte Stockholm mot Skånegård på Österlen · Other · 5 pages

Article scan

Loading article

2025-11-14 17:42

Alexander Lervik swapped Stockholm for a traditional farm on Österlen

DI WEEKEND

"Today, an awful lot of crap is made" Designer Alexander Lervik has swapped Stockholm for a four-winged traditional farm on Österlen. Now he is taking a step into the art world, while simultaneously wanting to distance himself from throwaway culture. "Today, an awful lot of crap is made," he says. Published: 13 November 2025, 14:00

Save

Peter Lundegårdh Text

Part of Alexander Lervik's production in the new gallery on the farm in Simrishamn. In the foreground Reality, designed in VR together with designer Gustav Winsth. He himself sits on Chair 44 in polished stainless steel, followed by Red chair made of bent, red-lacquered tubular steel as well as Reality in blasted aluminum. Photo: Cornelia Jönsson (Di)

Tell us about the move to Skåne. "My wife Elin Lervik grew up in the countryside and has always dreamed of moving. For my own part, it is about getting to experience areas that also seem exciting professionally, especially the Öresund region."

ADVERTISEMENT

"But with five children, it hasn't been an easy process. Two have already moved out, but the 16-year-old has been a bit unhappy. For the 11- and 4-year-old, it has gone easier. So far, Österlen feels fantastic and completely right – even though we haven't experienced a winter here yet." How far have you gotten? "It's an 18th-century farm. Every single room needs modernizing. My wife likes a classic style, while mine is more Scandinavian simple – so interesting discussions are ongoing. So far we have put most energy outdoors, built paddocks and stables for her horses. The property is 8,000 square meters and just picking

apples and trimming bushes is a full-time job. One of the wings is a gallery and my studio." "I have just been accepted into the artists' association on Österlen and will exhibit by Easter. Testing the art market is going to be incredibly exciting. I have initiated a collaboration with Orrefors and Kosta Boda to produce 10–15 unique art glass objects that will be shown in the gallery."

Alexander Lervik plans to illuminate the courtyard in Skåne like a town square when darkness falls this winter. Photo: Cornelia Jönsson (Di)

Are you switching tracks? "As a designer, I have felt quite lost over the past ten years. With climate change and the way companies act, more products are perhaps not what we need. 5 percent of what is in American landfills is furniture – a clear majority manufactured after the year 2000." "The greatest climate benefit I can provide is to build my brand so that the products become valuable enough that people choose to save them for the next generation. 'Collectible design' is huge abroad, but barely exists in the Nordic countries. It is a strategic shift in my work."

ADVERTISEMENT

Do you have any concrete examples of your own? "I have updated the design of five different models that I drew at the beginning of my career for Johanson Design, so that they will live on for at least another 25 years. By using existing manufacturing tools and, for example, making the products easier to reupholster, the furniture's life cycle is extended." "I compare it to the automotive industry, which makes updates to its models after a number of years – a new grille or new headlights. I haven't seen that in the furniture industry before."

The Mr Jones armchair takes its name from one of the designer's youth idols: synth-pop artist Howard Jones. "La Lumière au Chocolat" is a lamp made of chocolate. Photo: Cornelia Jönsson (Di)

Which object or detail in the home means the most to you personally? "The lighting. Achieving comfort with the light. My favorite place here is the courtyard with its walnut tree. The plan is to illuminate it during the dark half of the year. My vision is to be able to look out onto a small square – like in the city – so I feel at home." What trends in home interior design are you seeing right now? "Overall, the secondhand market is starting to wake up. Instead of buying tables at the big department store – which don't last that long – more people are prepared to buy a well-known designer name for little money on the secondhand market." "Young people buy and sell clothes secondhand via apps and sites. When they grow up and start creating their homes, the same thing will happen there. If the items hold up to be resold, it is a better investment."

ADVERTISEMENT

What do you have going on now? "I have just shipped five of my previous works, like the brain lamp, the red chair, and some art glass, over to a new gallery in New York that represents me on the American market. This winter, the first exhibition opens in Brooklyn. I am a co-owner in a company dealing in battery technology. Elin and I have also launched a brand, but we both have so much to do in other projects that it is moving slowly."

Brain lamp is an exact copy, MRI-scanned and 3D printed, of the designer's own brain. Brighthandle is a door handle that communicates with colored light. Photo: Cornelia Jönsson (Di)

Latest interior design detail purchased? "A fantastic sideboard made in 1956 by a Danish cabinetmaker, a masterpiece bought at auction. I paid the same price as for a particleboard piece of furniture. On Blocket, Elin recently found incredibly fine timber for no money at all that will be used on the farm." Your company A Lervik Design has lost some turnover in recent years, why? "The drop is due to a strategic decision I made in 2015 to shut down the part that did interiors for nightclubs and restaurants for Stureplansgruppen and hotel interiors for Petter Stordalen, among others." "When I was asked to design Sturecompagniet for the second time, I just felt no, I'm in the wrong place now. I want to strengthen the product design side instead, and since that part is royalty-based, it takes many years to get back up in turnover." At the same time, Noon Light, where you are a co-owner, has almost doubled sales and is showing a profit, what is happening there? "This year we are more than doubling again. The company concept is mine, but we are a large number of owners. The business idea is that color is missing in the lighting industry. Architects should be able to freely choose the color of the lacquer on fixtures, cables, and textiles in their projects." Your most failed design project? "I have done many. From Stureplansgruppen I once received the comment: 'Damn it Lervik, I have an entire warehouse filled with your mistakes.' And the day after the opening of the White room nightclub, which I had furnished with an orange carpet throughout the entire premises, the owner called and said: 'Your damn carpet has turned black.' Just had to be replaced after 24 hours."

ALEXANDER LERVIK Occupation: Form-giver, designer, gallerist, and entrepreneur. Age: 53. Family: Married to Elin Lervik, two children together, two from a previous relationship, and one stepchild.

Lives: Simrishamn. Background: Cabinetmaker. Beckmans College of Design, product and interior design. Career: Has produced over 200 products in total. Clients include Ateljé Lyktan, Johanson Design, Skandiform, Design House Stockholm, Finnish Saas Instruments, and Italian Moroso.

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