From Classroom to Country Retreat: A Swedish Schoolhouse Turned Artist’s Home

You know how much I love a home with history – especially when it’s had a completely different life before. This one’s lovely: Malmby Gamla Skola, a former schoolhouse dating back to the 1860s. Set along winding country roads and surrounded by greenery, its red facade with white trims is the picture of Swedish charm.

I like to imagine the days when teachers stood at the front of the class, the sound of pencils scratching on paper, and children running out to play in the fields. 

Today, it’s a welcoming family home, now owned by an artist (which makes perfect sense with all that glorious light streaming in through the old mouth-blown windows). Keep an eye out for the quirky rug laid at a diagonal, beautiful wallpaper, a cosy kitchen window nook, and of course, the lovely fireplace – perfect for curling up beside in winter.

The garden has plenty to offer too – a greenhouse, kitchen garden, and space to grow your own vegetables. In summer, you can pick wild strawberries straight from the lawn, and in the evening, there’s a beautiful sunset over the meadows. 

Ready to take a peek inside? 

Did you notice the wavy view you get when you look through mouth-blown glass windows? They are so beautiful and really add to the charm of the house. 

Could you imagine living in a house with a wonderful past like this? Or perhaps you already do? 

I have featured lots of converted homes in the past - including these schools: 

A light-filled Swedish home in a converted school
A Swedish home in former city school from the 1950s

A converted school with flashes of sunny yellow

My friend Louisa's home in a converted school

Colourful, boho and eclectic in a country home

This post is actually very timely as my younger daughter went back to school today - the summer holidays are finally over - even if it is 25 degrees celsius (77 F). 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Niki

Photos courtesy of Historiska Hem

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No Homework Here: This School Conversion Is Pure Joy

With exam season in full swing, this Swedish home in Södermalm, Stockholm felt especially fitting — calm, creative, and full of light. And, as it turns out, it has a bit of a scholarly past.

At first glance, I was struck by the large open room and all those generous windows (always a win!). There’s something a little unexpected about the layout too — a kind of spaciousness and structure you don’t usually find in a typical home. And sure enough, it turns out this building used to be… a school.

But not the usual countryside kind where ivy-covered walls and creaky floors give way to cosy corners. No — this was a 1990s school, and it’s now been cleverly converted into an apartment block. The result? A modern, light-soaked home with a distinctly creative edge.

The living space is airy and welcoming, with internal windows helping the light travel beautifully through every corner. The décor blends old and new with ease, and there’s art everywhere — a home clearly loved by someone with an eye for detail. And the best part? Not a single maths lesson in sight.

And then there’s the kitchen. With its bright yellow tiles and industrial vibe, it’s unusual — but wonderful. It’s the kind of space where you really do look on the bright side each morning, bathed in sunshine and sipping your coffee under those golden walls.

Enjoy the tour!

Wow! I’m not sure I’ve seen a school conversion quite like this before — have you?

The interior is full of surprises and lovely details too. Like the pink bathroom!

Were you surprised by the exterior? Can you imagine coming home here each day — or would it bring back too many memories of those science exams?

I’d love to hear if anything caught your eye.

You can see the full listing and read more about this unique property here.

Fancy seeing a few more school conversions today? Check out this converted school archive (this home might come up first, if so just scroll on past). 

Also, if you have a garage that needs sorting, I wrote a feature for IKEA that has gone live on their global website about how to maximise your garage space - in case you're interested in a read! 

Have a happy mid-week!

Niki

Photos: @danaozollapa
Styling: Thomas Lingsell
For Historika Hem

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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 Light-filled Converted Schoolhouse in Sweden

Oh, how I love a converted schoolhouse. The large windows, spacious rooms and high ceilings are a perfect basis from which to create such a light-filled living space. And Gladhammar school in Västervik is no exception! Built in 1915, the property is vast (500 square metres / 5381 square feet) but this didn't put a family off from lovingly restoring each and every room. 

Here is a taster into the impeccable restoration - which includes hues of green, aubergine, and cream, as well as wood panelled walls and a blend of furniture. Look closely and you'll even spot some gym equipment reminiscent of my own school days (I used to be terrified of those 'horses' - how about you?). I promise to share a link to the full tour too, but here are a few snaps to whet your appetite! 

Lovely! 

As promised, here is a link to more pictures of this beautiful property (which is currently for sale). 

Take a peek inside five more converted schools this weekend here: 

A beautiful former school in the Swedish countryside

A light-filled former school in Sweden

My friend Louisa's home in a former school in Eslöv

A swedish florist turns a schoolhouse into a home

A converted schoolhouse on the Swedish island of Gotland

We are spending some days up in beautiful Sundsvall in Norrland Sweden (thank you for your well wishes for Liv's swimming competition, it's all very exciting and such an honour to be here). If you haven't been to this part of the world, I can highly recommend it! I hope to share pics once we're home! 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Fastighetsbyrån, shared with thanks

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