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 Small Stockholm Home with Room for Everything

Just because you live small, doesn't mean you can't have it all. With a little planning and clever thinking, you can organise a living space to cater for all your needs - including have a place to eat, sleep, chill and socialise! In this 26 metres square / 279 ft sq apartment in Stockholm, the owners have capitalised on ceiling height to create their own two-floor apartment - or put more simply, a loft bed! 

The raised solution helps to separate the living and sleep quarters and creates a cosy nook beneath in which to catch up with friends, unwind or scroll through Netflix (have you seen The Perfect Couple with Nicole Kidman? Per and I whipped our way through it in two days, it's such a great series!).  

While we can't all benefit from towering ceilings, it's great to think about how you can carve out zones in your own home - even if it means a subtle transformation of an area from day to night. And also, how to ensure space for everything without it becoming too cluttered. Here, raised bookshelves and the use of a curtains to cover the wardrobe ensures a calm feel without compromising on your belongings! 

Ready to dive in to discover more+ 

The outdoor space almost doubles the living area in summertime - the owner has once again made maximum use of it, carving it up into a little dining spot and sitting room area. 

A lovely little home, don't you think? 

Is there anything you spotted or felt particularly inspired by? 

Would you like to feel inspired by other small homes today? Why not have a scroll through the small spaces archive? This home could pop up first - if so, just hop over. You might also love this Swedish cabin in the wood on wheels and the world's smallest luxury home. 

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments these past few days, it has been so heartwarming! I wish I was more technical so I could find out how to make it easier to comment under a name (I've noticed not everyone is able to) - but alas, I have no idea how! Even so, I love reading each and every one of your comments, they add so much to each post! 

Happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Historiska Hem, found via Nordroom with thanks. 

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The Fascinating Home of a Swedish Artist

Have you heard of the program 'Through the keyhole'? It's a TV show I used to watch growing up where they would take you on a tour of someone's home and you'd have to guess who lived there. I often think back to this and wonder - 'is my home personal and unique enough that there would be enough clues to who my family and I are?' I would hope so. 

When I stumbled across this home on Historiska Hem, it swept me up into the world of an artist and book lover - perhaps a thespian, or someone who loves amateur dramatics. I could imagine them pouring over tomes for inspiration, tinkering with a paintbrush while listening to jazz with a fire crackling away - and the distant buzz of Stockholm city life in the background. 

Whoever lives here also has a fine collection of furniture. From centuries old hand painted cabinets to mid-century chairs - the collection spans several hundred years and has been picked up from places all over the world, telling the story of a life well lived. Ready to pour over the details? Welcome inside a Swedish artist's world! 

A fascinating home! So many details to discover, and truly unique in a wonderful way! 

I'd love to hear what you discovered about this home - I'm sure I have missed many clues. 

Curious to see a few more artists homes today? 

A relaxed Danish artist cabin in Copenhagen

The charming creative home of a Polish artist

The home of an artist in Copenhagen

A Swedish artist's home in a former school

A danish artist's beautiful and inspiring home

The lovely Georgian home of a textile artist

A Danish artist's home with angles and oodles of charm

Wow, I got a little carried away there - and there are tons more in the archive if you simply search for 'artist'. I do love the home of a creative, always deeply personal and interesting. 

I hope you have a wonderful few days lined up ahead - we're heading up to our summer cottage for a couple of days to make the most of what is likely to be the final heatwave of the summer (considering setting my alarm at sunrise so I don't miss a second of it - need to have my batteries fully charged before the light starts to fade and autumn sets in! Do you sense my unease?). 

Thank you so much for stopping by and for sharing all your thoughts and observations in the comments, I am so happy to be a part of this positive, likeminded MSH community, it really means the world! 

Niki

Photography Therese Jahnson, Styling Anna Van Keppel for Historiska Hem

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A Cosy Swedish Family Home Filled with Books

Why, hej! How was your weekend? Ours was a mix of dips in the sea, thunderstorms (not at the same time, thankfully), work (too much on at the mo, and not at all 'lagom' - but thankfully only short term) and life in between (like arguing about who is going to empty the dishwasher). I hope yours was suitably varied, and lovely and relaxing.

So, let's kick off the week with something inspiring, shall we? Like a cosy Stockholm apartment. This home is dedicated to anyone who loves colour, pattern and likes to be surrounded by books (show of hands please?). It's also inspiring for anyone looking for cute ideas for a small space with young children (love the cot in the master bedroom and children's bedroom solution). 

Ready for a nosey? 

Note the climber in the kitchen window - with autumn closing in, it's a great way to create a 'green effect' while the trees lie dormant and create those nature-inducing feel good vibes. 

We're seeing so many statement-painted doors right now and I find them so inspiring. Would you consider painting a door a different colour in your home? 

FYI stripes continue to be a strong trend this autumn and tablecloths and cushions are a great way to add them to the home. 

The colour, the pattern, the warmth - the everything! 

A home for book and LP lovers, so great to see, don't you think? 

Notice how the owners have added pictures, bunting and other small touches to carve out a corner exclusively for the littlest member of the family, while the rest of the room still has a mature feel. 

There's always room for more books!

When space is limited, a desk and raised bed solution is a great way to ensure there is a zone for everything. 

I love this home as the owner's personality shines through. Plus, it's so well kitted out to display and store all their belongings and treasured items. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts and observations below. 

Wishing you an 'underbart' start to the week! 

Niki

Photography Boukari, Styling by Copparstad Interior for Historiska Hem, shared with thanks. 

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