Princess Mette-Marit’s jewelry designer Camilla Austad Knutsen unveils her art-filled home in Oslo

The sophisticated yet understated capital of Norway, Oslo, sums up Scandinavian chic. So it’s the perfect place for jewelry designer Camilla Austad Knutsen, whose creations for her brand Libelula appeal to people – including her country’s future queen, Mette-Marit – who believe that style doesn’t have to scream.

Of course, this philosophy is evident in Camilla’s urban home, an elegant building dating back to 1895. High ceilings and huge windows showcase decorative moldings, light marble and contemporary art for an effect that is original but never overwhelming.

For Camilla, her financier husband John Eric Knutsen, and their seven children, it provides a serene backdrop to their busy family life…

Camilla, you spent a year and a half renovating your house, carefully respecting its architectural history. Do you approach Libelula in the same way?

“Yes. I want good quality in all aspects of my life: the clothes I wear, the food I prepare, how I design my homes, and even how I set the tables.

“In my jewelry, I focus on beautiful, timeless design and the use of the best available stones. I’d rather wait months for a perfect green agate than use an inferior one that I can already have.”

How much of the year do you spend here?

“We spend most of our time in Oslo, often going to the mountains on weekends. Our house is there at an altitude of 900 meters and the landscape is majestic, straight out of a Norwegian fairy tale.”

You and John also have a house in London…

“Yes, but I usually spend a week a month there. I have many clients in London. Our life there is hectic, fun and sexy. We go out to dinner at private clubs of which we are members, meet friends, exercise and eat long breakfasts.”

How did you meet?

“We are both divorced, we met by chance in a restaurant in Oslo through mutual friends. We only talked for a while, but we made a big impression on each other.

“The next time we met, it was obvious that this was it and we had to be together. We got married at Chelsea Town Hall last year and honeymooned in Paris.”

You share a love of art. Who are your favorite artists?

“We have so many of them. When John and I were still dating, he gave me a picture called Beautiful by Norwegian artist Vibeke Tandberg. I was very touched by this gesture.

“Then the first piece we bought together was an Annie Morris sculpture in our living room. It is colorful and fun, just like our life together.”

What do you like to do when you’re here?

“I love cooking. I cook for my family every day, and our Sunday dinners are a big production, a must for everyone. I also love hosting guests and always prepare food myself.

“Norwegian seafood is amazing and relatively easy to prepare for a large number of people. When it comes to dessert, I prepare a whole buffet of delicacies, for example raspberries with mascarpone cream.”

What made you leave the financial sector ten years ago and start anew as a jewelry designer?

“I was pregnant with my fourth child, Ludvig, when I decided it was time to change my life and do something creative that I had always dreamed of.

“This summer I bought a gold-plated necklace with the names of all my children engraved on it. After swimming and sunbathing, it faded and eventually broke. I decided I could do better. I wanted to create something timeless that I could pass down to my children and grandchildren.”

“One evening we were sitting in a restaurant in Marbella and started talking to the people sitting next to us, one of whom turned out to be a fifth-generation artisan goldsmith.

“I asked if he could make me a name bracelet in 18-karat gold. He said yes and the rest is history.”

Where does your inspiration come from?

“Nature. That’s why I named my company Libelula, which means dragonfly in Spanish. I would never use synthetic stones – why would I do that when nature offers such beautiful shapes and colors?

“And I don’t want to mass-produce my jewelry because we have to take care of this precious earth we call home.”

How do you go about creating exclusive pieces for VIP clients like Crown Princesses Mette-Marit of Norway and Marie-Chantal of Greece?

“Because jewelry is a very personal matter, we always talk at length about her tastes. I’m lucky that my clients include royalty and celebrities, but to me they’re all VIPs.

“I want this to be an enjoyable and fun process for everyone. That, combined with the quality of the final work, is what keeps people coming back.”

How much of your success do you owe to your husband and children?

“They made a huge contribution. My children are really supportive and proud of me, and my husband is someone whose advice I seek all the time. His support, guidance and love mean the world to me.

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“My oldest daughter, Ulrikke, is 22 years old and I am involving her more and more in this business. I hope we can work together once he finishes his design studies.”

PRODUCTION AND INTERVIEW: ANA FERNANDEZ DE CORDOBA CENDRA

PHOTOS: FERNANDA AND PALOMA ON THE COUCH PHOTO

JOHN’S CLOTHES: BRUNELLO CUCINELLI. CAMILLA’S CLOTHES: CHRISTIAN DIOR. LILISILK; SHOES: AQUAZURRA. GIANVITO ROSSI.

ULRIKKE CLOTHING: CHRISTIAN DIOR. SHOES: CHANEL. JEWELRY: LIBELULA

HAIR & MAKEUP: JCO SYVINSTAGRAM @LIBELULAJEWELLERY