Westwing, the coveted platform for curated interiors and endless inspiration – stocking Scandinavian favourites like Gubi, Marimekko, Louis Poulsen and its own Westwing Collection – has finally made its Nordic debut. We sat down with founder and Chief Creative Officer Delia Lachance to trace the brand’s journey, and discover how she transformed her editorial roots into a booming interior empire
Journalism is a fertile field for the curious – a field that invites exploration of people, brands, industries, and ideas alike (after all, asking questions is what we do). For Delia Lachance – who studied journalism at university before becoming an editor at Elle Germany and Elle Decoration, covering the world of interiors – this instinct for inquiry laid the foundation for Westwing, the popular curated e-commerce platform she launched in 2011.
“It was really cool, I had a lot of fun. For me, it was kind of like an interior style school – I uncovered so much about different styles, what works together, how to mix and match, and the history of design. While working on the interior pages, I got to know all the brands and, essentially, the whole industry,” Lachance says. “Back then, there was a lot happening in fashion online, but that wasn’t really the case for interiors. Even when I was researching, I had to browse through catalogues from brands – was a completely different time.” Lachance recalls thinking to herself, “It’s so strange that there’s nothing for interiors online – no cool, nice websites.”
Westwing Outdoor Collection's 'Naomi' daybed and 'Gigi' sidetable, designed for both outdoor and indoor use. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
The outdoor area of Lachance's beautiful home in southern Portugal. The space was designed to reflect its natural surroundings. Creating a kid-friendly environment was essential for Lachance – without compromising on beauty and aesthetics. She aimed to bring an indoor-living vibe to the outdoors and furnished the space with pieces from the new Westwing Collection Outdoor line. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
Lachance has always loved setting the table - a passion she's nurtured since childhood. All pieces are from Westwing Collection. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
Noticing the lack of digital destinations for interiors planted a seed in Lachance’s mind, a vision that crystallised further when she moved house and struggled to find the pieces she wanted for her new place. “It was hard to find a destination that housed unique, niche brands and good-quality furniture – everything that spoke to me and felt more individual,” she explains. Lachance – who had nurtured the ambition for setting up her own company ever since interning at a PR agency run by two women – decided to take the leap and fill the gap in the market.
Growing up in a village near Münich, Lachance traces her passion for interiors back to her mother. “I would say I was really inspired by her,” she muses. “My mum was someone who always enjoyed making the home feel nice. For dinner table setting, she’d pick flowers from the garden, and – to my dad’s annoyance – she was always changing things in the house, redecorating… I think that’s where I really developed my appreciation for the home.” On weekends, Lachance’s mum would take her into town to wander around “cool design stores.”
A calm corner of the garden, featuring pieces from the Westwing Collection that embody organic, elegant simplicity. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
The 'Naomi' daybed brings a touch of indoor comfort outside with its soft, modular, pebble-shaped design. Part of the Westwing Collection, it's water-repellent, machine-washable, and comes in five subtle tones. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
At Lachance's home, outdoor living has a soft, relaxed feel. The modular 'Rabea' sofa blends timeless curves with indoor-inspired elegance, designed for comfortable open-air lounging. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
When she co-founded Westwing, it was paramount for Lachance that the site be a place not only for browsing and purchasing premium items, but also a platform where customers could find inspiration for their own homes. Harnessing her journalistic background, she was familiar with the questions and yearnings people often have around home decor, which she paired with her flair for storytelling. “Moving can be very stressful, and adding to that the pressure of decorating – how to combine pieces, how to define your style – it was important for me that Westwing felt inspirational and that people could have fun with interiors. It should be something really joyful, creating your own little nest.”
What began 14 years ago as a “shoppable magazine” has evolved into one of Europe’s go-to destinations for both iconic design classics and under-the-radar gems. At Westwing, you’ll find renowned Nordic brands like Gubi, Marimekko and Louis Poulsen, alongside indie labels unearthed by the team at international design fairs. And then there’s the Westwing Collection – the pride and joy of Lachance and a major milestone for the company since its launch in 2018 – offering elevated, timeless staples that hone in on high-quality, sustainability-first craftsmanship, from sofas and chairs to rugs and lighting.
Lachance and her doting furry friend, Lola, share a high-five – a playful snapshot of loving family life. Marble table 'Marisa', Westwing Collection. 'Bowl Flood', House Doctor. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
A tranquil and refined poolside sanctuary, designed as the perfect place to relax and unwind. “For my husband and me, it was really important – with the whole design and architecture of the house – to embrace nature,” Lachance says. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
“In high summer, this is definitely the place to be because there's always shade. I love this area – it really has a living room feel, with a sofa that looks and feels like it's meant for indoors. The accessories and overall setup make it especially cosy,” Lachance says. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
“It’s very personal,” Lachance says of the curation process, which she and her team execute with a magpie’s eye, selecting the brands and pieces that stand out as most exciting, stylish and well-crafted. “When we dress, we don’t wear just one brand, either – that would be boring. So we need different interior brands to mix and match, too,” she says. “We’ve worked with various brands for so long that, at some point, you develop an instinct for who really has a great product.” Meanwhile, Westwing’s inspirational spirit remains firmly intact – just take a peek at the beautifully captured home tours on its website, or the shoppable campaign images, which showcase countless ways to style the platform’s offerings.
No business flourishes without hurdles, and Lachance recalls early challenges such as navigating the logistics (“Compared to clothing, we deal with heavy items, breakables, and things that need assembly – products of all shapes, sizes, and forms”), along with setting up the website and building those invaluable brand relationships. Today, what sets Westwing apart, she says, comes down to its “one-stop shop” model, high-impact communications, and the Westwing Collection, which, despite being a finger-on-the-pulse edit crafted from high-quality materials, still retains accessibility.
“I love styling a table – it's such a joy to bring everything together. In summer, the perfect get-together starts in the afternoon by the pool: enjoying the sun, swimming, chatting, and then putting out a few bites for a little aperitivo moment,” Lachance says. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
'Gigi' sidetable, the perfect pool companion. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
At home with Lachance, where comfort is considered and details have a personal feel. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
The coming months mark a thrilling chapter for the company as it continues its European growth and makes its long-awaited debut in the Nordics. “The Nordics are known worldwide for their strong design heritage and iconic design brands – there’s such a deep appreciation for timeless aesthetics, smart functionality, and quality. That’s exactly what we value at Westwing too, so it feels like a perfect fit,” Lachance muses. “I’m excited to bring our beautiful Westwing Collection designs into such an inspiring market.”
Personally, Lachance says she would love to see the Westwing Collection carve out a place in everyday Nordic homes, with people gravitating towards the pieces not just for their refined looks, “but because they last, feel good to live with, and reflect their style.” “It would be a dream to see Nordic interiors mixing timeless Scandinavian design brands with our Westwing Collection pieces – seamlessly and naturally,” she says.
Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
"This summer I'm most excited about spending time with my family and friends. It's just so sweet to watch my kids growing up - every summer they learn more and are able to do more. For me, that's really the beauty of life," Lachance says. Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
Photo: Courtesy of Westwing
As summer approaches the Nordics, Westwing will also help customers effortlessly transition their living areas to the outdoors – using Lachance’s own, well-curated alfresco space in her home in southern Portugal as inspiration, adorned with Westwing Collection’s timeless and polished outdoor pieces. As for Lachance’s best-kept secret for creating the perfect open-air escape? “Atmosphere,” she says. “It’s all in the details: soft cushions, a beautiful outdoor rug, candlelight, and lots of layering. And of course – modular seating. I’m obsessed with the idea that your outdoor area should feel as cosy and styled as your living room.”
Aside Westwing’s Nordic takeover, Lachance shares her ambition of conquering all of our continent, a dream that isn’t far-fetched. “I’ve always followed my gut without worrying too much about what the market is doing – I’ve just wanted us to do our own thing,” she reflects. “To this day, we’re creating our own universe and bringing people what we genuinely love.”
Discover the world of Westwing at westwing.se