No. 36 - At home with Mathilda Brusewitz

Plus books, beauty and my favourite fashion finds this week.

Dear reader,

This week I’ve been thinking about what makes a home, well, a home. Surely there is more to a home than walls, floors, windows and ceilings, but what is it that takes it from a box that protects you from the elements, to a place that is personal, nurturing and inviting? To me, it all boils down to a few key components that set the tone: Art, textiles, vintage/antiques, books, plants, and of course, the people living in said home.

Someone who knows a thing or two about creating a beautiful and inviting home is this week’s Aesthetically Speaking guest Mathilda Brusewitz, who invites us into her gorgeous, antique filled home in Stockholm.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

Love, 
Carolina

THE MOOD BOARD

I’ve got grey, creamy whites and silver details on my mind this week.

Coat, Arket. Top, Massimo Dutti. Necklace, Massimo Dutti. Book, Women and Children First, by Alina Grabowski. Bag, COS. Sandals, Arket. Trousers, Massimo Dutti. Earrings, COS. Nail Polish, Chanel.

THE INTERVIEW

This week’s Aesthetically Speaking guest is a personal favourite of mine, as it happens to be my dear friend Mathilda Brusewitz. With a background in design and PR, Mathilda runs her own company Brusewitz Communication, specialising in personalised brand development, as well as Talk To, an interior platform offering expert home and design assistance. This week, she has taken the Aesthetically Speaking Questionnaire and talks about her stunning, antique-filled home and her philosophy when it comes to interior design.

If I were to describe myself in three words..

Determined, straightforward, thoughtful.

My style signifier is..

Clean and comfortable often with an oversized coat.

I always start my day with..

coffee, coffee, coffee…

My beauty essentials are..

Centred around moisture due to my dry and sensitive skin. I rely on Exuviance products, especially their Gentle Daily Exfoliating Pads in the morning. Lately, I've been enjoying Mantle products, particularly their glow serum.

A recent project I’m proud of is..

I'm proud of Brusewitz Communication and the clients I have the opportunity to work with, as well as Talk To, which I co-founded last fall. I'm also proud of all the talented interior experts we've brought on board to the platform and all the happy customers we've had.

One thing I learned recently is..

Lately, I've been learning to schedule time for recovery to conserve my energy more effectively. It's a work in progress. I'm becoming better at identifying what recharges me and what drains me, finding a good balance. With my job involving numerous social events and being demanding, I've come to realize the importance of taking time to rest and recover afterward.

The latest addition to my wardrobe is..

The newest addition to my wardrobe is a Fondant Bottega bag that I stumbled upon on Vestiaire...

My favourite room in my home is..

Our living room and kitchen, which are connected in an open floor plan. I spend the majority of my time there since I work from home.

My go-to source for inspiration is.. 

Pinterest! Also friends, movies, books and trips to Paris…

One item that is on my wish list is..

An antique floor lamp from the Finnish brand Itsu with a wavy lamp stand. It's absolutely stunning!

My favourite piece of clothing is..

Right now, my black leather jacket from Toteme is my favorite. I've wanted it for years and finally got it second-hand.

Something I think we’ll see more of in 2024 is..

I think we'll see more colourful and personalised interiors in 2024. There’s a growing trend towards creating spaces that reflect individual tastes and styles. This could mean more vibrant color choices and eclectic decor as people aim to make their living spaces uniquely theirs.

Someone I get a lot of inspiration from is..

Oh, there are many! My friends, but currently, I'm particularly inspired by Alyssa Kapito and the widely adored Rose Uniacke. I never get tired of her interior designs.

A recent find is..

I do a lot of buying and selling second hand, and I just bought a beautiful Art Deco table lamp from Harald Notini that I'm really happy to have found.

Something motherhood has taught me is.. 

Motherhood has taught me a lot about patience and boundless love. It's also shown me just how tough it can be. Things don't always go as planned, and that's okay anyway. I think the most important thing is to express and show your love for your children. Family first, always.

A dish I love making is…

Japanese tacos!

My decorating philosophy is…

Timeless and classic. 

My favourite vintage or antique find is…   

Right now, a brass floor lamp with shades from the 1940s. Otherwise, a light blue ceramic lamp I purchased from Schiller Dufva.

A brand that makes up a significant part of my closet is..

By Malene Birger. 

The jewellery piece(s) I’m never without is..

My wedding ring, inherited from my grandmother. My grandfather gave it to my grandmother when my mother was born. It feels special to wear it.

If I had to choose a different profession it would be..

A psychologist, if I had the energy to study.. I love delving into people's minds and life stories. It's my favourite thing.

A film that deeply resonates with my aesthetics is..

Anatomy of Scandal. Not a film but a series. Sienna Miller. My girl crush. Incredibly stylish and well-dressed, and the interiors are amazing.

Don’t forget to follow Mathilda on Instagram for more inspiration!

ON MY MIND: BOOKS AND BEAUTY

BOOK. Published by Sarah Jessica Parker’s literary imprint SJP Lit, Alina Grabowski’s latest novel Women and Children First is a gripping literary puzzle that unwinds the private lives of ten women as they confront tragedy in a small Massachusetts town. Adding this one to my to-read list for the summer!

BEAUTY. My favourite beauty brand, Westman Atelier just added two new shades to their blush collection and they both look gorgeous. Coquette is a bright peachy pink and Garçonne a “Just pinched” mauve. You’ll find them here.

SUNSCREEN. I have a love hate relationship with sunscreen as I hate the sticky feeling on my skin, but this week I got an amazing sunscreen tip from the person I least expected it from, my older brother. Turns out, he was right. This product is genius and dries beautifully on the skin with no residue.

READ. Another book that caught my interest this week is Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion by Agnes Arnold-Forster. I read Pandora Sykes fascinating interview with the author a few days ago and got so intrigued that I ordered the book straight away.