Christian and Ruxandra Halleroed, founders of Halleroed, photographed in their Stockholm studio.

Halleroed on Colour

For Halleroed, colour is never an isolated decision. It is considered alongside architecture, light, material and proportion, becoming part of the overall composition rather than a decorative element. Across residential homes, hospitality projects and retail environments, the Stockholm-based studio uses colour to create spaces defined by clarity, materiality and atmosphere.

Founded by Christian and Ruxandra Halleroed in Stockholm, Halleroed works internationally across architecture, interiors and product design. The studio has completed projects for brands including Acne Studios, Byredo, Toteme, Arket, Axel Arigato, Frame, Schiaparelli and Matiere Premiere, alongside private residences and hospitality projects worldwide.

In this conversation, Halleroed reflects on its approach to colour, discussing where a palette begins, how colours evolve throughout a project, and why restraint often creates the strongest spatial experience.

Colour begins with the space

Every project begins with understanding its context. Before considering colours, Halleroed studies the architecture, the quality of natural light and the people who will ultimately inhabit the space. Rather than approaching colour as a fixed aesthetic decision, the studio sees it as a response to its surroundings.

"A lot depends on the space, the light and the people who will use it."

Whether designing a private residence, a hospitality project or a retail environment, every decision grows from the character of the place itself. The way daylight changes throughout the day, the purpose of each room and the identity of the client all influence the palette. For Halleroed, colours are never selected in isolation. They evolve alongside materials, furniture, artwork and architectural details until every element contributes to a coherent whole.

Creating hierarchy through colour

Rather than filling a space with competing gestures, Halleroed focuses attention on only a handful of carefully selected elements.

"Decide on three or four key elements. Too many and the space becomes overwhelming. Too few and it can lose depth."

Neutral surfaces often establish the architectural foundation, allowing individual elements to become points of emphasis. A coloured cabinet, a structural beam or a lacquered detail can introduce contrast without dominating the overall composition. This approach can be seen throughout Halleroed's retail work, where carefully positioned colours guide movement through a space while maintaining visual balance.

"One colour, used in the right place, can completely change the experience of a room."

Material, texture and finish

For Halleroed, colour cannot be separated from materiality. The same colour behaves differently depending on whether it is applied to wood, plaster, stone or lacquer. Matte finishes absorb light and create softness, while glossy surfaces introduce reflection and depth. Natural materials such as timber and stone are often placed alongside lacquered elements, creating subtle contrasts without disrupting the overall atmosphere. Rather than relying on colour alone, Halleroed layers finish, texture and material to build interiors that reveal themselves gradually over time.

Working with darker colours

Halleroed often challenges the assumption that small spaces should always be light.

"Dark colours can create intimacy."

In corridors, guest bathrooms and smaller rooms, deeper colours can make a space feel more contained rather than confined. Instead of emphasising the physical boundaries of a room, darker tones can soften them, allowing adjoining spaces to feel even lighter by comparison. Carefully balanced with natural light and surrounding materials, darker colours become architectural tools rather than decorative statements.

The importance of neutrals

Although Halleroed is often recognised for its confident use of accent colours, neutral tones remain the foundation of nearly every project. Subtle shifts in undertone can significantly influence the atmosphere of a room, particularly as daylight changes throughout the day.

"Even very small differences between neutral colours can completely change the feeling of a space."

Rather than selecting a neutral from a colour card, Halleroed recommends testing several alternatives directly within the space, allowing architecture and light to determine the final choice. Warm neutrals can soften cooler northern light, while cooler tones may enhance brighter southern exposures. In both cases, the relationship between colour and architecture remains central.

Apartment in Östermalm, Stockholm, painted in colours designed by Halleroed for Blēo Collective

Halleroed's Colour Guide

Blues
HA RO 05 Raf, HA RO 06 Crisp Blue, HA RO 07 Saman Blue
Blue is often used to introduce depth without dominating a space. Halleroed favours blue on ceilings, cabinetry and architectural details, where it can create definition while remaining understated. Paired with natural materials such as timber or stone, blue adds a calm, contemporary character that evolves with changing daylight.
Greens
HA RO 18 British Green, HA RO 19 Quai Voltaire, HA RO 20 Absinthe, HA RO 22 Pistachio
Green responds strongly to natural light and should always be tested within the space before making a final decision. Halleroed often combines green with timber, stone and other tactile materials, allowing the colour to become part of the architecture rather than a standalone feature.
Oranges & Yellows
HA RO 23 Vintage Ochre, HA RO 08 Lemon Peel, HA RO 10 Bleached Lemon
Warm ochres and muted yellows introduce character without overwhelming a room. Halleroed often recommends these colours for entrance halls, ceilings or carefully selected architectural elements, where they bring warmth and subtle contrast.
Reds & Purples
HA RO 01 Tokyo Red, HA RO 02 Chinese Lacquer, HA RO 03 Paris Red, HA RO 04 Purple, HA RO 09 Blush
Rather than colouring entire rooms, Halleroed uses reds and purples to define individual elements within a space. Shelving, joinery, structural details or smaller rooms such as guest bathrooms become opportunities to introduce colour with confidence while maintaining balance throughout the interior.
Neutrals
HA RO 13 Ivory, HA RO 14 Wiener Werkstätte, HA RO 15 Nude, HA RO 16 Pale, HA RO 17 Mercer Street
Neutrals form the foundation of many Halleroed interiors. Rather than selecting a single white or beige, the studio works with subtle shifts in undertone that respond to daylight, proportion and materiality. Even small variations can significantly influence the atmosphere of a room.
Black
HA RO 21 Vintage Black
Used with restraint, black introduces definition and contrast. Halleroed often applies black to door frames, architectural details and smaller transitional spaces, where it sharpens the composition without becoming visually dominant.
Working with HIGH GLOSS
HIGH GLOSS introduce reflection, depth and contrast, but demand precision in both preparation and application. Halleroed typically recommends high gloss finish for joinery, cabinetry, shelving and carefully selected architectural details, where light becomes part of the material expression. On larger surfaces, particularly ceilings, a flawless substrate and experienced craftsmanship are essential, as reflective finishes reveal even the smallest imperfections.