The studio

Interior architecture as the meeting point of place, history, function and human experience.

Kristiina Michelsson, Owner and Chief Designer of Studio Arcibella

As Owner and Chief Designer of Studio Arcibella, I lead the creation of concept-driven environments that are both spatially meaningful and commercially sound. My work often centres on hospitality and experiential spaces, where design plays a direct role in how people feel, remember and return — but my approach extends to any context where architecture, identity and use must align.

With a background in interior architecture from Milan (IED) and an MBA from Aalto University, I combine design thinking with business understanding. This allows me to work fluently between concept, strategy and execution, always with the end user in focus. I believe the most successful spaces are those that respect their context, tell a clear story and continue to perform culturally, experientially and economically — over time.

Good design should feel natural to its context, yet belong unmistakably to its own time. Throughout my career, I have sought to create interiors that are not merely visually compelling, but meaningful, functional and enduring — spaces that improve everyday life and grow more valuable through use and time.

Beauty is not a luxury. It is part of how we experience, remember and care for the spaces around us.

Work with the studio

Design philosophy — grounded in what is real

We don't invent stories.We uncover them.

Our work begins with research: the history, architecture, culture and purpose of a place, and the ambitions of our client. From these, we build contemporary interiors with their own identity.

Kristiina Michelsson seated in a hand-painted arched doorway in Marrakech — context, craft and identity meeting in one detail — Marrakech. A doorway carries its place, its history and its craft at once — the same layers we look for before a single line is drawn.

Old and new

Bringing old and new together

A recurring line in our work: historic pieces, crafts and architecture set against contemporary design, so each makes the other more visible. The result belongs to its place — and unmistakably to its own time.

Entrance hall of Mäntyniemi, the Finnish presidential residence, with a Gustavian seating group under the staircase and bespoke tables and lamps — Mäntyniemi, the Finnish presidential residence. A Gustavian seating group placed in a modernist hall — tables and lamps designed by Kristiina Kanerva-Michelsson, with Wäinö Aaltonen's relief above the sofa.Magazine scan, archive material.

From hand to space

Every concept begins as a drawing

Before plans, materials and budgets, there is a sketch — the fastest way to test how a space will feel. The hand keeps the idea open long enough to find the right one.

Hand-drawn concept sketch of a hotel room desk with tripod lamp and artwork — Concept sketch — guest room corner, desk, bespoke lamp and art.

Hand-drawn concept sketch of a lounge with organic seating under a balcony — Concept sketch — lounge study, organic seating in a double-height hall.

Beauty is not a luxury.

Beauty affects how we experience a place and whether we want to return.

Long-lasting is sustainable.

Good design should endure functionally, aesthetically and emotionally. Longevity reduces unnecessary reinvestment and creates lasting value.

The spaces that matter are the ones people want to return to.

Context → Identity → Longevity