We catch up with &Tempel founder and designer Camilla van den Tempel to learn more about how her instinctive approach to space transcends scale, from extensive hotel renovations to historic homes abroad.
Designer Camilla van den Tempel started her early career in fashion before transitioning to interiors and founding her Copenhagen-based studio, &Tempel. In this interview, the designer explores how these formative years have fed her design sensibility, why you’ll always find custom pieces in her projects, the materials she can’t look past, and what’s next for the Danish studio.
Let’s begin with your background. What drew you to interior design?
Camilla van den Tempel: From a young age, I was fascinated by how a space could be transformed and completely change the way it feels. That curiosity evolved quite naturally into what is now &Tempel—a desire to create interiors that evoke emotion through atmosphere. For me, it’s never just about decoration; it’s about spatial experience and how design can move you. I’ve always been drawn to places that feel effortless, not excessive. For example, Aman Hotels do that beautifully—there’s a power and calm in each design’s restraint.
I began my career working in fashion as a marketing and concept director for one of Denmark’s largest fashion brands at the time. It doesn’t exist anymore, but back then, I was responsible for the flagship stores, visual concepts, and catalogues. That period taught me a lot about narrative and experience—how people move through a space and what they feel.
Whether it’s a hotel, a private home, or a restaurant, what remains consistent across your projects?
Camilla van den Tempel: Every project begins with the question: How should this space feel? That’s my starting point. For example, we recently designed seven restaurants within Copenhagen’s national arena, Parken. Regardless of the typology—townhouse, hotel, or restaurant—there must be a sense of timelessness. My clients aren’t redesigning every few years, so I strive for interiors that you can’t easily label by decade or trend. It’s always a balance between the big picture and the nuances that bring it to life.
Depending on scale, we typically take on no more than two or three projects at a time. Larger projects, like Park Lane Copenhagen, demand enormous attention. When we started that hotel, the facade wasn’t even finished, and the insulation hadn’t been properly planned for the indoor climate—so I became pretty involved in the building process. Even details like how the stone in the staircase was cut so the pattern followed the steps were things I oversaw. With projects of that scale, it’s impossible to take on more. I’m very hands-on; I can’t help it.
Your studio is based in Copenhagen. Are there any hallmarks in your designs that you would describe as typically Danish?
Camilla van den Tempel: Danish design is inherently simple and understated. It’s not minimalism in a strict sense. Here we have a long tradition of craftsmanship, especially with wood and furniture design. Growing up surrounded by Danish design icons taught me to appreciate form, function, and the beauty of materials. Working with natural light, texture, and time continues to inform my work.
You led the design for the Park Lane Hotel Copenhagen, which opened this year. What learnings have you taken from this project and applied to the ones that have followed?
Camilla van den Tempel: Park Lane was a turning point for me. It was a journey of making every detail coexist within one larger hospitality story. It taught me how powerful consistency can be. When every element has a purpose, the space feels calm and complete. The hotel received a Michelin Key in October, which was an honour, especially as they specifically mentioned the interiors. That recognition felt like validation for the care we put into every project detail.
The project taught me that the designer should tell the whole story—from the big architectural gestures to the smallest details guests barely notice. Every touchpoint matters: the key sleeve, the ‘do not disturb’ sign, the flowers in the vase. It’s so important to advocate for the designer’s role in the complete curation of the guest experience.
We may have been overambitious at times. Designing everything ourselves—every piece of furniture, every lamp—was a huge undertaking. But it was also extremely rewarding.
The hotel features numerous custom design pieces. What role does custom furniture design play in your practice?
Camilla van den Tempel: A very big one. Custom pieces allow me to create a more personal and intimate space, becoming part of the architecture rather than having a purely decorative purpose. At Park Lane, for instance, I designed a wood-and-brass chandelier. I didn’t initially know how we would make it or how heavy it could be, but I knew what I wanted it to evoke. So we developed it from scratch with skilled craftspeople, and that collaborative process is one of my favourite parts of what we do.
You recently designed a home in Soller, Mallorca. What is most appealing about designing abroad, in a completely different context?
Camilla van den Tempel: It opened my eyes in many ways. The landscape, the light, the local makers—all of it is so inspiring. But what fascinated me most was working with a completely different kind of architecture.
Soller is unique; its townhouses carry details you only find there or in Palma. Historically, the town was isolated from the rest of Mallorca before the tunnel and train were built, so it developed close ties with France. You can see the French influence in the architecture.
The old floor tiles, for example, tell their own stories. The more varied the patterns, the wealthier the household. Even the stonework reflected status—the more granite you had on the corners of your building, the higher your social standing. So when restoring the house, we peeled back layers of plaster to reveal the original stone walls and brought those materials back to the fore.
During the process, we even uncovered hand-painted wallpapers dating back to the 18th century. I wanted to preserve pieces of them—frame them as artefacts—but they were too fragile.
Park Lane Copenhagen by &Tempel | Photography courtesy of &Tempel
Park Lane Copenhagen by &Tempel | Photography courtesy of &Tempel
Park Lane Copenhagen by &Tempel | Photography courtesy of &Tempel
Speaking of materials, is there one that you can’t imagine designing without?
Camilla van den Tempel: Definitely timber. You can use it for everything—floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, even lighting. It’s endlessly versatile. I’m drawn to natural materials—stone, metal, wood—but timber is special. It carries emotion. Coming from the Nordics, I’d say oak is my favourite. The smell of raw oak, the tactility—it engages all your senses.
Fragrance is the sense most closely tied to memory, and the scent of wood can instantly transport you somewhere. It’s authentic and grounding. Even when you walk into an old room—perhaps abandoned—you always notice the wooden floors or the panelling first. It’s essential; we couldn’t live without it.
What’s next for &Tempel?
Camilla van den Tempel: We’re launching a new collection of tables soon, inviting customers to become co-designers. You’ll be able to choose from different leg shapes, table forms, sizes, and surfaces; everything from console tables to dining and coffee tables. You can decide on the tabletop’s form, finish, and edge detail. We’re creating an online visualiser so you can build your own table virtually.
The idea came from realising that we design so many custom pieces for projects that deserve a life beyond that one setting. By reimagining components such as a table leg, you can generate hundreds of unique designs. We’re also introducing our own line of lighting — something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. It actually started when we designed Park Lane Copenhagen. It felt right that these pieces should have a life after the project.
Park Lane Copenhagen by &Tempel | Photography courtesy of &Tempel
