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FeedReinvented Treasures
By Alecia Stevens
Photo by Alex Steinberg
1 Space
Swanson transformed the corner of this derelict building into a chameleon-like gallery, removing walls to create a flexible, open plan and then painting everything white. Having a dinner party? Put the table there. Need to do yoga in the morning? Move the chaise. Want to enjoy the afternoon sun while returning e-mail? Set the laptop on a vintage bookstand near the mid-century Danish reclining chair. 2 Color
On this oversized canvas, Swanson paints with strokes of color. Mixing and matching patterns and colors requires an eye for scale and materials. Here, the main pieces are either wood or blocks of solid color (a lime green Borge Mogensen sofa from the 1950s, a black leather Corbusier chaise, and an emerald green reclining chair). Swanson’s collection of textiles, used en masse, provides the only pattern. When you collect things you love, they tend to work together over time.
3 Lighting
Swanson’s eclectic mix of vintage lighting adds wit to the space. The brass table lamp is American by Nessen Lighting; the quirky floor lamp near the computer stand and the “flashlight” lamp are mid-century Danish; and the hanging orange pendants are Danish by Holmegaard. Look again: Contemporary lighting design echoes each of these looks. 4 Imperfection
Everything here is recycled, and Swanson likes it that way. But it means living with wear, not perfection. In this space, he gathers worn textiles from around the globe; a George Nelson desk that reveals years of serious use; and a reclaimed pine floor finished with lye and lime, a technique used in Denmark for generations. Swanson explains, “I love recycling something and making it new again. It is part of a creative process for me. It’s also my business.” And, we might add, it’s got style.Alecia Stevens is a minneapolis interior designer and stylist.
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