We step inside the studio with three Swedish creatives who each reveal why Squarespace was the perfect platform to build and host a website that reflects their singular point of view
At first glance, Stockholm-based creatives Louise Liljencrantz, Minna Palmqvist and Cornelia Wahlberg don’t have much overlap in their day-to-day work (aside from their shared love of a morning coffee). Liljencrantz is a designer and furniture-maker whose canvas is interiors whereas Palmqvist works with fine art and fashion design (and the space in which the two overlap). Wahlberg, meanwhile, is a photographer and filmmaker (who occasionally shoots for this magazine). All three women do have one thing vital to their creative practices in common, however: they all use Squarespace.
A website building and hosting platform, Squarespace makes it effortless for any creative – even those admittedly less tech-savvy – to put together a website that reflects their singular aesthetic. “I chose Squarespace because it’s very easy to design,” says Wahlberg, simply. “It saves me time to do other things.”
Stepping into Liljencrantz’s studio in Östermalm, one feels an immediate sense of calm. The pale wood, the soft beiges and browns and the general order of things – it’s a space defined by parallel lines and careful consideration. It’s a look mirrored on her Squarespace website, which favours a sleek simplicity that allows the images of her stunning spaces to shine. “My Squarespace website reflects my aesthetic in the way that it’s simple, it’s clean,” says Liljencrantz, noting that the platform’s design style aligns ideally with how she wishes to express herself.
Louise Liljencrantz in her Östermalm studio.
A few subway stops south, in the concrete meatpacking district of Slaktusemradet, the mood in Palmqvist’s studio is an entirely different story. Located on the top floor of a creative co-working space, the artist’s home base is organised chaos. Busts of models waiting to be draped in clothing, cheeky sculptures and shelves of art books flood the modest studio in a playful explosion of creative energy. Her Squarespace website, which the artist put up in 2019, is much the same, with kinetic moving parts and overlapping images. For Palmqvist, what made Squarespace so appealing was its ease of use. “I can easily add or remove or change images or projects,” she says. “I find it really easy.”
Minna Palmqvist in her Slakthusområdet studio.
Though Wahlberg’s studio is just a brisk walk from Palmqvist’s and also serves as a hub for a diverse group of creatives, it boasts a singular flavour. Centred around a shared cafe (which includes a stage for musical performances) and featuring a home-built sauna in the backyard, Wahlberg’s studio boasts a DIY energy that’s immediately charming. It’s an impression that’s somewhat at odds with her Squarespace website, which favours a no-fuss, lo-fi aesthetic that lets her photography take centre stage. “Squarespace really helps me to put the photos in focus and let my work shine,” she says.
Cornelia Wahlberg in the cafe in her Stockholm co-working space.
For each of these women, Squarespace offers a digital portal into their creative world, connecting them with an audience both within and beyond their hometown of Stockholm. “It’s important for us to have an online presence because we need to show our work internationally,” says Liljencrantz. Seeing one’s website live for the first time opens up a world of possibility. “When I saw my website live for the first time, I felt pretty cool,” says Wahlberg. “It was a really rare feeling.”
To learn more about Squarespace and to build your own Squarespace website, click here.