Princess Mette-Marit's jewellery designer Camilla Austad Knutsen unveils art-filled Oslo home
Sophisticated yet understated, Norway's capital Oslo sums up Scandinavian chic. So it's a perfect setting for jewellery designer Camilla Austad Knutsen, whose creations for her brand Libelula chime with those people – including her country's Queen-to-be, Mette-Marit – who believe that style doesn't need to shout.
Naturally that philosophy is on display in Camilla's home in the city, in an elegant building dating from 1895. High ceilings and huge windows showcase decorative mouldings, pale marble and modern art, for an effect that's original but never overpowering.
For Camilla, her financier husband John Eric Knutsen and their seven children, it makes a serene backdrop to their busy family life...
Camilla, you've spent a year and a half restoring your home, carefully respecting its architectural history. Do you take a similar approach to Libelula?
"Yes. I want good quality in all aspects of life; the clothes I wear, the food I make, how I design my homes, even how I set tables.
"In my jewellery, I aim for beautiful timeless design and use the finest stones available. I'd rather wait months for the perfect green agate than use an inferior one that I can have immediately."
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How much of the year do you spend here?
"We spend most of our time in Oslo, often heading to the mountains for the weekends. Our house there is 3,000ft up and the landscape is majestic, straight out of a Norwegian fairy tale."
You and John have a home in London too...
“We do, and I'm usually there for one week a month. I have a lot of clients in London. Our life there is hectic, fun and sexy. We go out to dinner at the private clubs where we’re members, meet friends, work out, and have long breakfasts."
How did you two meet?
"We're both divorced and we met by chance at a restaurant in Oslo, through mutual friends. We only talked for a short while but made a big impression on each other.
"The next time we met, it was obvious to both of us that this was it and we had to be together. We married in Chelsea Town Hall last year, and spent ourhoneymoon in Paris."
You share a love of art. Who are your favourite artists?
"We have so many. While John and I were still dating he gave me a photo called Beautiful by Norwegian artist Vibeke Tandberg. I was so touched by the gesture.
"Then the first piece we bought together was the Annie Morris sculpture in our living room. It's colourful and playful, just like our life together."
What do you like to do when you're here?
"I love to cook. I cook every day for my family and our Sunday dinners are a big production, mandatory for everyone. I also love to host guests and I always make the food myself.
"Norwegian seafood is amazing and relatively simple to cook for a crowd. As for dessert, I do a whole buffet of treats, like raspberries with mascarpone cream."
What motivated you to leave the financial sector ten years ago for a new start as a jewellery designer?
"I was pregnant with my fourth child, Ludvig, when I decided it was time for a life change, to do something creative like I'd always wanted.
"That summer I bought a gold-plated necklace on which I engraved all my children's names. With all the swimming and sunbathing, it faded and finally broke. I decided I could do better. I wanted to make something timeless, that I could pass on to my children and grandchildren."
"Then one evening we were sitting at a restaurant in Marbella and started talking to the people on the table next to us, one of whom turned out to be a fifth-generation artisan goldsmith.
"I asked if he could make me a names bracelet in 18-carat gold. He said yes and the rest is history."
Where does your inspiration come from?
"Nature. That's why I named my company Libelula, which means dragonfly in Spanish. I would never use synthetic stones – why would I when nature offers such beautiful shapes and colours?
"And I don't want to mass-produce my jewellery, because we must take care of this precious earth that we call home."
How do you go about creating exclusive pieces for VIP clients such as Crown Princesses Mette-Marit of Norway and Marie-Chantal of Greece?
"Since jewellery is very personal we always have a long conversation about their tastes. I’m lucky enough to have royals and celebrities among my clients, but to me, all of them are VIPs.
"I want this to be an enjoyable and fun process for everyone. That, combined with the quality of the final piece, is what makes people come back."
How much of your success do you owe to your husband and children?
"They've contributed a lot. My children are really supportive and proud and my husband is someone whose advice I seek all the time. His support, guidance and love mean the world to me.
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"My eldest daughter, Ulrikke, is 22, and I'm increasingly involving her in the business. My hope is that we can work together once she finishes her degree in design."
PRODUCTION AND INTERVIEW: ANA FERNANDEZ DE CORDOBA CENDRA
PHOTOS: FERNANDA & PALOMA FOR COUCHE PHOTO
JOHN'S CLOTHES: BRUNELLO CUCINELLI. CAMILLA’S CLOTHES: CHRISTIAN DIOR. LILYSILK; SHOES: AQUAZURRA. GIANVITO ROSSI.
ULRIKKE'S CLOTHES: CHRISTIAN DIOR. SHOES: CHANEL. JEWELLERY: LIBELULA
HAIR AND MAKE-UP: JCO SYVINSTAGRAM @LIBELULAJEWELLERY
