Touring a Dreamy Townhouse with Classic Swedish 'Funkis' Architecture

Monday calls for something with a light touch, don't you think? That way, we can float into the week in a bit of a dreamworld! This lovely Stockholm townhouse fits the brief perfectly with its bright rooms, splashes of colour, and playful touches.

The spotted lamp, colourful floral wallpaper, and hues of pink, blue, yellow, and green give it just the whimsy I was looking for today, lending the entire space a youthful, cozy look. Despite the sharp, functionalist lines typical of 1960s Swedish architecture, there’s a softness to it that makes it feel both lived-in and inviting.

For those of you unfamiliar with Swedish functionalism (or 'Funkis'), it's an architectural and design movement that was especially prominent from the 1930s to the 1960s. It focused on simplicity, practicality, and functionality, with the main principle being 'form follows function.' In contrast to ornate styles, Swedish functionalism emphasises clean lines, minimal decoration, and efficient use of space and materials. Importantly, it aimed to make good design accessible to everyone, with a particular focus on affordable housing and communal spaces that supported modern, healthy lifestyles.

You can really spot the practical 'Funkis' nature of this house—from its functional layout across two floors to its simplicity. It’s the perfect space for a family to hang out, read peacefully (they’re hardly spoilt for choice with that wonderful library!), create, and gather. And when summer comes, Lake Mälaren is just a quick trip away for a swim!

Ready to take the tour?

How lovely, I feel a little lighter just looking at these pictures, how about you? 

To me, this is a very Swedish home - from the choice of porcelain, glassware, trays and textiles to all the furniture. 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

I think this is the first home in a while that doesn't have a pet lolling about - or maybe they are just out of sight? 

Would you like to see a few other homes with pops of colour today? Here are a few from the archives: 

Maria's colourful apartment will brighten up your day

Swantje's beautiful colourful and quirky home

A rare peek behind the facade of Copenhagen's Nyhavn

Have a fantastic start to the week!

Niki

Photography Ozollapa, Styling Lindholm, courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks 

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A Copenhagen Family Home Full of Inspiring Details

When you've been writing a blog Scandinavian interiors for over thirteen years, the same talented people are bound to pop up over and over again. Out of the 2968 posts I've published, the Copenhagen apartment of Freja Bak Josias (then Petersen) in 2019 still remains etched in my memory. 

Trends have moved on a whole lot since 2019, but also Freja's too. In the five years that have gone by, Freja has completed her studies and now works as a 'Constructing Architect and Master in Building Culture', and has also moved into a new apartment with her partner and adorable daughter Ruth. And with that, a distinct new decorating style has emerged. 

Freya's beautiful apartment is high up in the rooftops of Copenhagen - which lends itself to high sloped ceilings and old wood beams. But what really stands out to me is the use of colour - which includes door frames and skirting boards painted in pea green, vibrant art, a red ladder, and orange lamps. It's playful, yet calm and adds a touch that feels very 'now' while still feeling personal and relaxed. 

Keep a look out for how high ledges have also been put in use for display purposes and also for the montage in Ruth's room - so pretty! Enjoy the tour! 

What a lovely home - truly inspiring! 

Is anyone else looking around their home and thinking 'maybe I should paint those door frames? I might need a little orange lamp for my home too - so cute! 

What inspires you most about Freja's Danish home? 

See more lovely corners over on her instagram @frejabakjosias. 

You might also like to take a peek at 12 ways to add colour to your home Danish style. 

It's 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Malmö today which is the hottest September day on record. I think a cooling dip in the sea is in order. 

I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @frejabakjosias, shared with kind permission. 

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A Creative Swedish Home Filled with Art

Yesterday, I mentioned that I'd feature a Danish home today, but you know how it is, plans change! I promise the feature is still in the pipeline (watch this space). But the good news is, I have another inspiring home to share with you, in the form of this creative Swedish apartment! 

The 44 sqm (473 square foot) apartment caught my eye thanks to its unique style - it's like none other I've seen before! Think walls filled with original art, vibrant cushions, interesting colour combinations, mix and match vintage furniture and plenty of plants! 

Keep your eyes peeled during the tour as there are plenty of small touches to feel inspired by - and also two very clever colour styling tricks. 

Allow me to explain the first. When adding a strong colour to a space it can create a nice element of surprise. However, a random colour on its own can be quite jarring to the eye and ruin the harmony - or even completely take over a space. So, experts often use a rule of three, which simply means, that if you add an accent colour to a space, try to repeat it three times to balance the look. 

The second trick is referred to as the 'rödtråd' in Swedish - which translates to 'the red thread'. The idea is to repeat an accent colour throughout your home to create a flow. In this home for example, you can see the table legs in the kitchen match the pendant lamp in the bedroom. 

 

Such an interesting home! I love the unique touches and homely feel. 

Is there anything that caught your eye? Perhaps you use some design tricks in your home? If so, please do share in the comments below if you'd like! 

Would you like to see a few other creative homes today? How about: 

I also stumbled on this lovely post featuring pictures from creative workspaces! 

The happy home of artist Katie Schelter

The fab creative home and studio of a Brooklyn creative duo

The relaxed creative home of an Antwerp couple

I hope you enjoyed today's tour! 

Niki

Photography: Boukari

Styling: Copparstad

Featured on Historiska Hem

Found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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A Traditional Swedish Cottage by the Sea with a Splash of Colour

A few summers ago, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting Saltsjöbad, a beautiful area in the Stockholm archipelago. I was bowled over by the nature, but also found myself captivated by how locals can whizz into central Stockholm by boat to go the theatre, shop - or even commute to work! Imagine that? 

Perhaps that's why this charming traditional red and white cottage caught my eye today? Nestled in the woods, the pretty abode feels a world away from civilisation - and yet a boat bobbing on the dock means Sweden's capital city is within easy reach. From the exterior you'd guess that the interior is furnished using antiques, vintage finds and family heirlooms with a traditional touch. But it's full of surprises! Let's take a peek inside to discover more. 

The black open-style kitchen has a contemporary touch - and the green wood floor givers the space a unique feel. 

In the dining room and sitting room, furniture in vibrant green, red and yellow is a nod to the current trends and adds an unexpected playful touch to the interior. I like that! 

The landing also offers some surprises with angular furniture and bold hues - as well as a dark wood floor. A wall mounted desk is a great way to create a home workspace in a small area.  

Various patterns in the bedroom add a lovely unique touch, while the painted floor mirrors the woodland surroundings. 

I love that this cottage offers something unique, it's always fun to see! Plus, I absolutely love the idea of arriving at a summer cottage by boat - what a dream! Do you agree? 

The cottage is currently for sale here (just saying!). 

What do you think about the 'pop of red' trend? Do you have primary colours in your home? 

If you'd like to see a few more Scandinavian cottages by the water today, check out: 

A cosy little Swedish cottage by the sea

A warm and relaxed cottage by the sea

My day at a charming Danish cottage by the sea

Have you been watching the Olympics? I am absolutely loving it! I have a little square up on my screen while I type so I can keep an eye on the synchronised diving! 

Have a fabulous start to the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, with thanks. 

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