A Swedish Home in A Former School with Warm Earthy Tones

Can you guess what this building used to be by looking at the pictures? The clue is in the high ceilings, large windows and abundance of light. Although, I have to say that doesn't necessarily narrow it down. This is an old school built in the 1950s with a funkis (functionalist) design - the character of which still shines through! 

The only studying that is done here today is in the cosy light-filled study beside the kitchen or at the desk in the children's room, since today it serves as a wonderful family home! The architecture combined with rich earthy tones and abundance of wood and other natural materials offers something unique and emits a wonderful warm feeling. 

I am especially drawn to the reddish-brown tone of the kitchen (not a shade often seen) and the cushions and beads which offer a hint of someone who loves to travel the world. I also love the pretty, shared children's bedroom which includes a smaller bed by the window and a loft bed (we've been seeing quite a few of these lately!). And finally keep an eye on the hallway which includes open shelving as well as handy pockets by Norrgavel - a popular staple in Swedish homes for gloves, hats and other small items! 

Old meets new in this Swedish home with trinkets collected from far and wide atop an IVAR storage from IKEA (which you can paint). A Swedish friend was telling me recently that many Gen X and millennials grew up in fairly cluttered homes and have taken the opposite step in adulthood, choosing to hide more unsightly items in closed storage. 

Patchwork has become big this past year as has embroidery and other time-honoured skills. Jou Quilts make beautiful wall hangings like this - they are great for filling large wall spaces while also helping to dampen sound. 

I love this children's room filled with textiles in florals, patterns and even a bird motif, it's playful yet calm and looks so cosy too! 

The owners have used the long hallway for storage and a gallery wall made up of unique art. A pinboard nearer the door is ideal for keeping track of the family's coming and goings (Ferm Living make a similar one, available here). 

I hope you enjoyed the tour of this warm space too? 

It's no easy feat to make a home with high ceilings and lots of windows feel warm - but the use of rich, earthy tones and wood has really done wonders! 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

You can see all the school conversions I've shared in the past here (this might come up first, hop over if so) and also all types of conversions here (think bars, shops, warehouses and even a Swedish fire station!). 

Have a happy Lillördag (little saturday!),

Niki

Photography: Therese Jahnson / C Lindholm Design for Historiska Hem

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A Charming Swedish Home in a Windmill

The Southern Sweden county of Skåne where I live is known for its flat land and steady wind - which is why you'll spot so many windmills! Although the majority are no longer in working order, some have been transformed into year-round dwellings - like this one!

Nestled in the countryside near Höganäs (see my travel guide here), this beautiful four-storey windmill is currently for sale - and when you see inside you might just be joining the queue to be the next owner! The windmill has been lovingly restored to ensure many of the original features are still intact, while the furnishings have been artfully placed around the angled walls to create a cosy home. 

Shall we take a peek inside? 

So lovely! It would be so fun to be able to invite people over and welcome them inside your very own windmill, don't you think? 

You can currently see the full tour and find out more details over at Nadjafi Kirstensen here. 

This is the perfect opportunity to take a tour of some other unusual dwellings today, don't you think? 

Check out homes inside a former....

Swedish fire station

Carpenters workshop

Bar

School

It might not be a windmill, but if you're visiting Skåne, you can stay in your very own tower just outside Malmö. 

Do you live in an unusual property? Or perhaps you dream of living in one? If so, do tell below, we'd love to hear more! 

Happy Wednesday! 

Niki

PS Per and I are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow - it's crazy how quickly the time has passed. I understand that it's our 'crystal' anniversary. Any ideas for a fun present (yes, left it a little late....). Our neighbour's cat is called Crystal, but I have a feeling that might not work for many reasons. 

Photography courtesy of Nadjafi Kirstensen, shared with thanks.

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A Light-filled Swedish Home in Former Slätthults School

I absolutely love the idea of living in a former a school - or just about any conversion for that matter, how about you? There's something about the buildings past life which makes the building feel extra special, and it often lends itself to beautiful architecture too. 

Having said that, converting a building is not without its difficulties - and the interior design can also be a complex jigsaw puzzle! Especially when there are very large rooms and awkward angles involved, which you so often find with schools.

This beautiful light-filled house in Lerum, West of Gothenburg in Sweden used to be Slätthults school. The house has undergone a meticulous restoration, blending modern comforts with respect for its original architecture and the era in which it was built. The result is a thoughtfully preserved house which marries the present with its historical roots. Wonderful! 

I can just imagine the patter of children's feet as they ran up and down those stairs. And the silence in the classroom as they went about their school day! 

Such a beautiful house! Could you imagine living here? 

I have shown quite a few converted schoolhouses here on my scandinavian home over the years - here are few that are well worth returning to this weekend: 

My friend Louisa's home in a converted school (don't miss the cat at the end!)

A Swedish florist turns a schoolhouse into a home

A rundown swedish schoolhouse becomes a beautiful family home

A converted schoolhouse on the island of Gotland

Before and after: a derelict classroom becomes a charming kitchen

A beautiful Finnish family home in a former schoolhouse

A Swedish artists house in a former school

I have also featured many other conversions including a former fire station, garage, bar and shop! You might like to pour a coffee and pull up a seat this weekend and explore the entire conversion archive! 

Have a fabulous few days, and see you Monday!

Trevlig helg! 

Niki

Photography: Peter Pousard, styling: Isabelle Seger for sale via Lundin. 

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A Swedish City Apartment in a Converted Car Workshop

Do you live in a city? With 56% leading urban lives the chances are high! We all know that high density populations mean rent / house prices can be high, and in many cities new dwellings are carved out from old businesses. Warehouses, factories, bars and even a welding plant have been repurposed into houses, flats and maisonettes - and the history of the building adds an entirely new dimension to the interior. 

In Vasastan, Stockholm an old car workshop has been transformed into a beautiful street level apartment. Great big doors that open out onto the street and polished concrete floors unlock the secret to its past life while a white wood floor, beautiful kitchen and floor to ceiling shelving provide clues for its new life as a contemporary home.  Step this way for the tour! 

When the double doors are closed the frosted glass means only a small amount of light flows through to the living room, something that large mirrors help to counter. 

Contrast in the form of dark blue cabinets add interest to the space. 

Warm wood shelving and concrete floors add an interesting contemporary touch to the space. 

Floor to ceiling wardrobes in the bedroom provide plenty of storage and help to create a clean and contemporary look. I love how grey has been used on the cabinet doors and back door, breaking up the white. 

Floorplan: 

Glossary; vardagsrum - living room, kök - kitchen, sovrum - bedroom, bad rum - bathroom. 

What a really cool urban home! I love the way it's been decorated. 

I wonder how practical having doors open out to the street like this would be in most cities around the world? In Stockholm it could definitely work on a warm summer's day like today, in fact I can already hear the music floating out from the transparent speaker and the buzz of the city life outside. 

Do you think this would work in your city? 

Niki

Photography and floor plan courtesy of Historsika Hem. 

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