Villa Foresta

Perched high on a hill across the water, the castle-like Villa Foresta is hard to miss when crossing the Lidingö Bridge. Built in 1910 as a private residence in the National Romantic style, it was commissioned by Wilhelmina Skogh – one of Sweden’s most influential figures in hospitality and tourism at the time. In the decades that followed, the building became known as a hotel and conference venue. More recently, Villa Foresta re-emerged with a fresh identity. A vibrant and characterful design concept now ties together its rich history with a contemporary spirit.

“We began by removing unnecessary walls and rooms that blocked light and sightlines. That allowed us to open up the spaces and create movement and interest in every part of the property.

Nadia Tolstoy, lead designer and interior architect at Tengbom

Bold barception and intimate mezzanine

One of the first changes was to highlight a beautiful but previously hidden original staircase. At the same time, we transformed an anonymous meeting room into an intimate mezzanine — a new gathering spot for guests. Next, we designed a strikingly unapologetic “Barception,” a combined bar and hotel reception. The inspiration came from the castle’s four corner towers, whose rough-hewn proportions are echoed in the design.

“We wanted to create contrasts while maintaining a cohesive atmosphere,” says Katya Högberg, project lead interior architect at Tengbom. “By mixing various materials and textures, we aimed to strike a balance between elegance and comfort.”

In the lower bar, guests are greeted by a hand-crafted stucco lustro wall with gold accents, adding to the space’s elegance and sophistication. The wall stands in sharp contrast to soft velvet fabrics in shades of green, ochre, and lion yellow that dress the room. The combination of textures and colors is both timeless and inviting.

The interplay of raw brass, glossy glass, coarse ceramics, and delicately pleated feminine lampshades adds variation and a mood-rich atmosphere.

Ornate details and a sense of play

Our team also designed new wrought iron railings and gave the two bars many unique elements, such as playful glass overhangs, carved profiles, glass fronts, and intricate solid wood decorations. Every detail was carefully chosen to harmonize with the whole and enhance the character of each room.

“Another strength in our design is the dramatic contrast between rooms and elements. The grand antique fireplace serves as a striking central feature, while the cozy board game corners create an intimate, green oasis for social interaction,” says Nadia.

Reused materials blended with personal style

How often do you, as an interior architect, get to incorporate an antique fountain into a project? Well, we did at Villa Foresta. The new interior is a mix of carefully selected vintage pieces that create an eclectic and personal style. The carpets are inspired by nature, with materials that evoke moss, autumn leaves, and marshland. They also provide sound-absorbing foundations and frame the seating groups and comfortable armchair pairs. Lighting fixtures were hand-picked to offer warm, subdued, and indirect illumination. Each fixture serves a purpose but also holds aesthetic value.

“The combination of raw brass, glossy glass, coarse ceramics, and delicately pleated feminine shades contributes to variation and a moody ambiance,” says Katya.

With Wilhelmina’s courage behind us

With Villa Foresta, our architects have managed to balance drama and warmth throughout the interior. Transforming the building’s more modern parts into a welcoming and playful environment demanded a great deal of creativity. But also smart and sustainable solutions.

“Thanks to close collaboration with Stockholm Meeting Selection, we managed to shape a place and an interior that is both visually appealing and functional for a broad audience and a variety of events,” says Nadia. “The tight schedule meant we had to continuously test and adjust our ideas on-site.”

Villa Foresta was transformed into a place where history met the future. It once again became a vibrant hub for culture and conversation on Lidingö.