Sofie Refer

Sofie Refer has spent much of her life in a love affair with the Nordic landscape. Born in Denmark in 1974, Refer draws energy, peace, and inspiration from the natural world that has shaped, and been shaped by, Scandinavian culture and design through the years.

As a lighting designer, Sofie Refer combines her appreciation of the Nordic wilderness with an profound affection for craftsmanship and quality in materials. While still studying Design and Conservation at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, she designed the Bulb collection of lights for &Tradition.

After graduating in 2003, she and a partner opened Refer + Staer, a design studio and production company. There, she continued to develop the qualities that define her work: respect for nature, and the beauty of simplicity. By combining these elements with the extensive tradition of Scandinavian design, she developed the welcoming yet powerful style that has earned her numerous awards from prestigious institutions such as Elle Decoration, the Wallpaper Design Awards, and the German Design Awards, among many others.

In 2017, Sofie Refer joined with Nadia Lassen and Peter sterberg to found Nuura, a lighting brand rooted in Refer's own esteem for the culture and natural world of the Nordic countries. With Nuura, Refer continues to develop breathtaking designs constructed from responsibly-sourced materials of the finest quality, conceived within the legacy of Scandinavian design, and inspired by the land and culture that she loves.