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Before & After: An Old Swedish Croft Becomes a Charming Summer Cottage

It's so easy to become 'home blind', don't you think? I find it's only when I come back from holiday or a time away that I see the changes that need to the made to our house (cue - flying about rearranging furniture and adjusting things before we've even unpacked!). That's why I marvelled at the transformation of this Swedish croft. 

Built in the 1900 as a place to house the elderly members of the family and farm workers, the property on Torsö island, lake Vänern has now fallen into the hands of wedding photographer Johanna Carlsson and her husband Vicktor and their dogs Nalle and Doris. Despite growing up with the croft, Johanna had a keen idea of how she wanted the interior to look - and the pair have been renovating it little by little to transform it into a beautiful cottage in which while away the summer. Here are a few pictures (including some before and after):  

The outside has been given a refresh, while keeping the quintessentially Swedish red and white facade intact. 

A porch area doubles up as a sunroom in which to enjoy 'fika' and meals bathed in natural light. 

Kitchen before

Kitchen after

Simple updates such as a new handmade worktop and longer linen curtains have helped to bring this kitchen up to date while maintaining the relaxed traditional feel. 

Sitting room before

Mix and match furniture has its charm, but it's not always the most practical or comfortable. 

Sitting room after

Johanna and Viktor updated the room using wallpaper from Boråstapeter and then furnished it with a comfy sofa (as modelled by Doris) and a handmade table with rustic charm. 

Bedroom before

The pair sleep in what was formerly a children's bedroom with bunkbeds.

I spy stickers - can I get a show of hands for anyone who has spent hours trying to get rid of the residue from doors, beds and other furniture in a children's room? I was scrubbing away on Allie's door just the other week. Mind you, stickers are at least better than slime, there's an outright ban on that stuff in our home! 


Bedroom after

It's hard to imagine that this delightful space is the same room! 

Tulippa wallpaper Boråstapeter adds character to the bedroom while a bedskirt gives the space a traditional touch. 

Outhouse before

Outhouse after

An outhouse on the grounds, previously used for storage, was cleared out and repainted - creating a perfect place for midsummer gatherings.

A simple outdoor shower means the couple can wash under the open-sky and make the most of the long summer days! 

Such a charming summer cottage, don't you think? 

If you'd to keep up to date with Johanna's latest renovation projects, follow along over at @torptokig

As you know by the sheer number of pretty red and white Swedish summer cottages I've been featuring lately, I'm not quite ready to let go of summer just yet. But as we near mid-September the autumn feeling is in the air and I'm going to have to concede that summer is over! I'm looking forward to sharing some Scandinavian city apartments with you next week! Stay tuned! 

Before I head off for the weekend, I also wanted to share with you, that as a London girl (who's been living in Sweden for over 18 years), it was with a heavy heart that I heard the news about Queen Elizabeth II yesterday. Her Majesty was a truly remarkable person who has always been there throughout our lives. I particularly admired her professionalism and commitment to duty but also how warm and personable she was, with a wonderful sense of humour. In the words of Paddington Bear: Thank you Ma'am, for everything. 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend, 

Stor kram

Niki

Photography courtesy of Johanna Carlsson, shared with kind permission. 

LATEST COMMENTS:

  1. In the US, the word outhouse usually refers to an outdoor, rustic toilet area--you gave me a chuckle when I realized that I needed to revise my thought process!

    I love the changes to the living room and the bedroom. The kitchen is pretty, too, but I also like the homespun simplicity of the "before".

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    Replies
    1. Dining in an American-style 'outhouse' could be a very interesting experience! LOL!

      I also love the changes in the living room and bedroom :)

      / Niki

      Delete
  2. I wonder why all the ‘after’ photos are shown in a sepia tone. It looks not only murky, but just plain weird!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It didn't really cross my mind, I was too buys looking at the decor :)

      /Niki

      Delete
  3. Use a hairdryer on the stickers to heat up the glue and then remove the sticker. When you gotten most of it off use some oil from the kitchen to get the rest off. Works every time. I am not even worried anymore :-) Oh, of cause don´t use oil on wallpaper! Use clear alcohol for stickers added to a wallpaper. Alcohol is not as effective as oil but with some time it will work and does not hurt the wallpaper. If worried try it out on a not so visible place first so you know it works and wont stain.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Peanut butter works well, too.

      Delete
    2. What a great tip, thank you so much. I'll try this next time (although, I'm hoping there won't be a next time of course!). /Niki

      Delete
  4. Indeed, we did not have time to notice how summer ended and autumn came. Very soon, everyone will want warm tea, aromatic pastries, and thirsty home comfort. It is not so difficult to imagine how many pleasant autumn evenings can be spent in a cottage like this one. Morning coffee, watching series, and reading a book by the window look especially romantic in such an interior.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, I love your description :) / Niki

      Delete
  5. Dear Niki, after our last trip to Italy, where we stayed in a stylish house, we refurnished the whole sitting room before unpacking or grocery shopping. Nice to hear that we are not the only crazy ones doing that.
    Best wishes from Bremen/Germany
    Steffi

    ReplyDelete

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