Fredrik Bull

A deeplying love for art, craftsmanship, and materials, is evident in both Fredrik’s professional and personal life. Fredrik is an interior architect by profession, managing projects with immense amounts of detail. Outside of work, Fredrik embraces life’s unpredictability. "I’m in total control at work, but once I leave the office, I just let go. You can’t control every aspect of life, so outside of work, I just flow,” he says. "I might be late for a dinner date, but I collect new experiences and impressions as I go. Oslo is filled with all these incredible spaces and nooks that nobody knows about. I encourage everyone to skip the Google maps app from time to time."

At the very beginning of his career, Fredrik interned at Peter Opsvik’s studio. It was a formative time exploring both ergonomics and art, sorting through press clippings and weekly jazz sessions. “Both Peter Opsvik and Terje Ekstrøm represent a certain period in Norwegian design, which was very forward-thinking, and very experimental and expressive. We don’t have that in the same way anymore, but perhaps we’re making our way in that direction again.”

Fredrik describes a shift in the Norwegian design landscape, which has been slowly and steadily evolving over the last decade. "It’s an inspiring time. Now, creatives from different fields collaborate to a much larger extent and the lines between different crafts are less rigid than they used to be. It’s a great time to be part of it."

Fredrik thrives in this environment, embracing a variety of roles. "I want it all. I’m very greedy. I say yes to everything that I think will be fun. It’s a little bit of a life hack at the moment." In Oslo, he values the sense of connection and support. "There is a strong sense of community We support each other, make each other better."

Fredrik lives on the top floor of a charming yellow building in Bislett with his husband, Fredrik, in a space they have called home for the past six years. They instantly fell for the apartment's unique floors, which have been steam-bent to follow the curve of the living room wall. "It must have been quite the challenge, but it’s a detail that makes the apartment truly special. The previous owner is a bit of a hero for making it happen."

Aside from a few small adjustments, much of the space remains unchanged since they first moved in, reflecting the thoughtful choices made by the previous owner. "Everything here has been carefully considered, from the appliances to the kitchen details. Thanks to the investments that have been made in terms of quality, we’ve been able to only make minor changes and upgrades. We view ourselves as custodians – we are looking after the space and caring for it, until it is time to pass it on. We want to leave it in as good condition as possible.”

Fredrik’s approach to selecting objects for his home is driven by instinct. "Both Fredrik and I see our home as a living, evolving space. We’re always changing things around, and there’s always someone staying with us. Togetherness and community mean a lot to us, and our home reflects that. "I don’t plan my purchases. If something resonates with me, I’ll go for it. My husband is a calm anchor who makes me think things through. But if something feels truly important, then we’ll go for it right away." Collecting, for Fredrik, is about owning pieces of artistry, not investing for future profit. "I’m fascinated by people with knowledge, whether it’s art, craftsmanship, or any other skill. It means a lot to me to own something created by someone I deeply admire. That way I have a small piece of their world with me."

For Fredrik, a perfect day in Oslo is a Saturday, and consists of a ritual he never misses. "I wake up, have coffee in bed, jump in the shower, and get dressed. Then, I walk down to Theatercafeen for a tartar and a glass of crémant. I sit at the bar, which has a huge mirror behind it, and I people-watch. I like to go around 11 or 12 when people are checking out from the hotel, and there’s this lovely flow of different people coming and going. I bring a stack of newspapers, mark the articles I want to read, and work my way through them. Sometimes I draw. It’s a time for me to sort my thoughts, often alone, though sometimes I invite a friend. It’s a time I set aside for myself.”

Fredrik’s relationship with Ekstrem goes way back. "I’ve always been a furniture nerd, and Ekstrem is a piece I’ve admired and dreamt of owning for as long as I can remember. I’ve been waiting for the perfect color and had searched for one second-hand but never found it, so I waited patiently. Now that it’s here, I feel thrilled and proud to have it in our home. It’s a piece of Norwegian design I truly admire."

The chair has already become a central part of their home. “Children climb on it, my sisters lounge on it with their phones. It effortlessly accommodates both quiet, introverted moments and lively, extroverted ones. It’s a piece we’ll grow old with, something that will outlast us. It feels like the chair has arrived where it belongs.”