With a career spanning art, design, craftsmanship, hospitality and so much more, Charlotte Rey has many moments to own. The multi-talented Swedish artist and designer began her career at Acne Studios, becoming the co-editor of its cult culture publication Acne Paper. It was there she met Duncan Campbell, with whom she would go on to found Campbell-Rey in 2014, the art and design atelier whose output includes interiors, creative direction, furniture and product design.

Charlotte shares with Fernando Jorge a love of craft, colour and an irreverent approach to design. It’s a connection that took on a deep personal significance when Jorge was commissioned to design Charlotte’s engagement ring – a creation that became her favourite piece of jewellery. 

From her love of Monday afternoons to new motherhood and her godmother’s bridal crown, Charlotte talks Owning the Moment. 

A sunny Monday afternoon at my desk feels very promising to me. The first day of the week always brings a certain fresh-start energy which I like. My best ideas come to me when I’m asleep, and by 4 o’clock or so I’ve had time to organise what lies ahead that week and get on top of things that need doing. I feel organised, clear, and purposeful and that’s a lovely moment.

One of the best things about my kind of work is that it does not feel like work to me - it’s a calling. It’s a very intrinsic part of who I am and how I live. I’ve always been very curious about art, interiors, travel, craftsmanship, beauty, history, architecture, people, food, gardens, entertaining and hosting, design, antiques, and have found a way to work at the intersection of all of those. One of my favourite things about what I do is that there are no two days who are the same. We run 6-8 projects at the time at Campbell-Rey and they will be in different parts of the world, at different stages of development, be of a different nature or style, which means my days are very varied which I love. 

All around, it’s a constant dialogue and love story with the world around me. I travel a lot and am constantly seeking things that catch my eye or interest. Sometimes I see something special that I love, it can be a colour, a fabric, an antique or a manner of doing something in a restaurant, and it’s all added to this mental library that I pull from when the opportunity arises. 

I became a mother in the beginning of this year to a baby boy, Rafe, who is now nine months, and it’s the best thing ever – all the clichés are true. Of course it can be tough, and one can feel so raw and vulnerable, yet it’s so beautiful and profound at the same time. Everyone has a different experience, and how one goes about motherhood is really up to each individual, but it’s really made me think about how our modern Western society is so behind in its design for mothers. I am lucky to have an amazing husband and family around me. 

I’d love to spend more time on my art practice. Right now, I have my hands full with my son, but when he gets older it’s something I’d love to have more time and space for. 

I have always loved beautiful and beautifully made things, so jewellery has always been part of my life. I don’t tend to change what I wear a lot day-to-day but a few times a year I find and add a piece I really love. I love a sort of uptown/downtown unexpected approach where a string of pearls is worn with a leather jacket, or where an antique piece is mixed with costume jewellery. But of course, for special occasions, it’s fun to pull out all the stops!  

Yes, two, especially. My husband Edoardo asked Fernando to work with him on the unique design of my engagement ring, which is my favourite piece of jewellery, as well as the most amazing design I have ever seen. They worked on it for almost a year and managed to keep it secret from me, so it was a total surprise. It’s an Asscher-cut diamond on a green jasper stone frame ring, with two jackets featuring emeralds in a shooting star design, so it can be worn in several different ways. It’s simply amazing, and very me, and means the world to me. 

Secondly, my godmother Ylva lent me her Wiwen Nilsson silver and rock crystal bridal crown from the 1930s (that she wore when she got married) for my wedding day. I was supposed to wear it down the aisle, but we couldn’t manage to attach it properly as it’s very heavy, so it ended up sitting in front of me during the wedding breakfast. It’s a memory I really treasure.