About Karen
Why Hemma?
Welcome. I'm Karen.
Hemma is the Swedish word for home. But to Swedes, it means much more than a place. It describes a feeling—a place where you can exhale, gather with the people you love, and simply be.
That idea has stayed with me for years.
My family is of Scandinavian heritage, and I had the privilege of studying abroad in Sweden during college. While I certainly came to appreciate Scandinavian design—its clean lines, natural materials, and quiet simplicity—it was the Swedish philosophy of home that left the greatest impression on me.
I also discovered that many Swedish words carry meanings far deeper than their English translations.
Fika isn't simply a coffee break. It's an invitation to slow down, make time for conversation, and choose connection over busyness.
Lagom means "just the right amount"—a philosophy of balance, restraint, and thoughtful living.
Those ideas continue to shape the way I think about home.
I believe our homes should invite us to slow down, make gathering easy, and support the rhythms of everyday life. A beautiful home isn't about impressing people. It's about welcoming them.
I didn't come to this work through a traditional design path. Instead, I arrived here through decades of renovating homes, restoring old spaces, helping friends and family, traveling, collecting ideas, and paying attention to how people actually live.
Along the way, I learned a few things.
A beautiful room still fails if it's frustrating to use.
The best homes tell the story of the people who live there—not the latest design trend.
The smallest details often make the biggest difference: a comfortable chair in the kitchen so someone can visit while you cook, hooks exactly where they're needed, drawers that work better than shelves, a quiet ceiling fan, a thoughtful laundry room, or a garage refrigerator that makes grocery day just a little easier.
I've learned that people don't hire help for houses. They hire help for living. Good design quietly removes friction, supports everyday routines, and creates space for what matters most.
That's the foundation of Hemma Studio.
If my work helps someone exhale when they walk through the front door, gather more often, or love their home a little more deeply, then I've done exactly what I hoped to do.
Welcome home.
— Karen
The HEMMA PRINCIPLES
While every project is unique, the ideas that guide my work remain remarkably consistent.
Start with how people live—not with finishes or furniture.
Design for gathering, conversation, and connection.
Let every home tell the story of its people and its place.
Choose timeless over trendy.
Make beauty practical.
Remove friction wherever possible.
Design with stewardship in mind—for today and for the future.
Create calm foundations and let life provide the color through books, art, travel, flowers, and the people you love.
When someone walks into a home I've helped create, I don't want the first reaction to be, "What a beautiful house."
I hope it's something quieter.
I hope they take a deep breath.
I hope they feel welcome.
I hope they stay a little longer.
Because I believe the best spaces do something quietly remarkable.
They invite us to slow down, gather often, and truly feel at home.