MY KIND OF COUNTRY

Kristina Lindhe, founder of Lexington

Life in the Swedish archipelago inspires Lexington founder Kristina Lindhe

It’s the stunning lakes, forests and scenery of Sweden’s archipelagos, close to her home just outside Stockholm, that inspire Kristina Lindhe, the founder, CEO and creative director of furnishing and fabric company, Lexington. The brand is the perfect expression of her love of the coast, combined with Swedish and New England style. We made a special trip to Sweden to meet Kristina at her home...

TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU LIVE…

I live in Bromma which is 15 minutes from the centre of Stockholm. It’s historically an old villa area with lots of gardens and greenery and there’s forests and a lake on my doorstep.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN A COUNTRY GIRL AT HEART?

I come from a small town south of Stockholm called Nyköping. It’s actually quite similar to the place I live now but is a smaller town on the edge of the Baltic Sea coast. The house was in the old area with a garden. Nyköping has a marina and river so waterside living was part of my childhood. We had a sailing boat and summertime was all about being on or near the sea and spending time outdoors.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT THE COUNTRYSIDE?

The natural world is really important to me. I’m a person who wants to be in the fresh air every day as it makes me more creative in my work. The speed and busy days of work mean I crave the peace and quiet I find outside. It’s how I find balance in my life.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU MOST ABOUT LIVING IN THE LANDSCAPE?

I think being outside is the best way to come up with ideas. I get a lot of inspiration from nature’s colours and the different seasons.

WHAT GETS YOU OUT OF BED IN THE MORNINGS?

I love to stay in bed because at Lexington we have such nice bedding! But because my job is so varied from day to day it’s easy to get up. Life never gets boring as every day is different.

HOW DID YOUR DESIGNING LIFE START?

When I was growing up, I lived in a very creative household and textiles were just part of the fun. My grandfather was a carpenter and my parents also made things. I actually graduated from college as a teacher, but