Inside the Phillip Jeffries Study by Staffan Tollgård – the red thread concept

From the outset, the Phillip Jeffries Study at this year’s WOW!house event sets itself apart, not simply by its visual appeal but by the philosophical framework underpinning it. Designed by Staffan Tollgård, the room draws inspiration from the Scandinavian concept of ‘the red thread’, a guiding idea that connects all elements within a creative work – interior design or otherwise. In this case, the Study’s red thread is functional sculpture – a principle that ensures every object in the room, no matter how artistic or abstract in appearance, serves a meaningful, often multi-layered purpose; unifying and animating the space.

Image credit: Milo Brown

The collaboration with Phillip Jeffries wallcoverings is a fitting choice for this project. Known for bold, tactile wall finishes that transform rooms into sensory experiences, Phillip Jeffries aligns naturally with Staffan’s design ethos. The bold, contrasting, geometric wallcoverings are more than decorative, they are expressive, narrative-driven, and echo Tollgård’s background in filmmaking and his approach to design as a storytelling medium. The walls are wrapped in hand-crafted wood veneer that offers warmth and textural intrigue. While the ceiling gleams with a quartz finish, for a reflective dimension that enlightens.

The material palette is curated with care. Organic forms dominate, rendered in natural stone, metal, glass, wood, and leather. These are not passive surfaces, they are sculptural and dynamic and invite interaction. Rather than existing in contrast, these materials harmonise – cool meets warm, rough meets smooth – creating a balanced sensorial environment. Each element is a study in duality.

Furniture and lighting choices echo the same commitment to form and function. Nothing is superfluous, every curve and angle has been thought through. A desk doesn’t just offer surface space, it becomes a focal point with sculptural legs and a finish that subtly reflects the room’s changing light. A chair is ergonomically crafted, yet it reads as a modern art piece. The sideboard, encased in a bronze armadillo-esque armour; lighting, often the maker or the breaker of an interior design project, is used here both practically and atmospherically, casting layered glows that adapt the mood of the space throughout the day.

Yet, perhaps the most compelling feature of the Phillip Jeffries Study is its emotional versatility. While it is undeniably a workspace, Staffan has imagined it through the lens of the lived experience – what it means to work, think, create, and unwind in the same place. The room is designed as a retreat: somewhere to write a proposal, sketch a concept, read a novel, or sip tea in a moment of pause. It is productivity without pressure, artistry without excess.

This balance reflects the core principles of Scandinavian design, which remain a cornerstone of Staffan’s creative identity. Born in Stockholm and trained at Inchbald School of Design, Tollgård brings a clarity and restraint to his work that avoids the pitfalls of both minimalism and maximalism. His spaces are lived-in yet elevated, familiar yet aspirational. The study reflects this mature vision – nothing shouts, yet everything speaks.

Phillip Jeffries, too, recognises the synergy. “Phillip Jeffries is thrilled to be a part of this year’s WOW!house where the best in London interior design come together to create beautiful spaces that inspire,” Philip Bershand commented, President of Phillip Jeffries. “Staffan Tollgard of Tollgard Design is the perfect partner for us to together create a really special design moment for our study and we are looking forward to bringing his innovative vision to life. Over the years, Tollgard Design and Phillip Jeffries’ collaboration has grown stronger, allowing us to create truly remarkable spaces together. It’s a great showhouse!”

Indeed, the partnership feels inevitable in the best way – two creative forces working in concert, each amplifying the other’s strengths. The wallcoverings are not mere backgrounds but active participants in the room’s design language. Staffan’s vision finds tactile voice in the materials and finishes curated by Phillip Jeffries, and together they build a study that does much more than serve, it is a sanctuary for modern life.

Main image credit: Milo Brown