A Tour of Jennifer's Beautiful Swedish House

It’s Friday, woohooo! And I can’t think of a better way to slide into the weekend than with a dose of home inspiration. Today, we’re stepping inside a Swedish villa in the charming town of Tranås, North of Småland—an old house with a fascinating past and a beautiful new chapter.

I had the pleasure of catching up with its owner, Jennifer, who shared how she and her family have turned this historic space into something truly special. From the moment you walk through the door, you can sense both the character of the past and the warmth of the present.

Ready to hear Jennifer share more about her home, her style, and the unique charm that makes this villa a one-of-a-kind family haven? Kööör vi!

Your house is so beautiful, can you tell us where it is and a little of the history? 

The house is located in Tranås and was built in 1909 by a widow, who later sold it to a local fur trader. The town is well known for its production industries, among them fur and leather. Although the house was initially built as a private residence, it later became both a guesthouse and a restaurant. In fact, it was used as a restaurant until it stood empty for about a year and a half, before we bought it in early 2022.

What type of work have you done on the house? 

When we got the keys, it only had a commercial kitchen, so we decided to relocate the kitchen to a more suitable spot in the house and designed a timeless, built-in version meant to last—perhaps even a hundred years. We also removed nearly all the floors and restored the original wooden planks. Two bathrooms, which were in very poor condition, were also renovated.

Can you describe the interior style? 

We went for a timeless style, with colours that are not afraid to take up space. We also mixed secondhand finds with modern design pieces. Both old and new art can be seen on the wall – some from galleries, others from flea markets. While the décor nods to the past, it was important to us that the rooms don't feel like pure period pieces. The atmosphere matters more than the objects themselves.

What do you love most about your house?

What truly distinguishes this house is its generous size, soaring ceilings, and the nine fireplaces. Many locals have celebrated special occasions here—weddings, christenings, or Christmas parties. When we bought the house, we were drawn not only to its character, but also to its potential as a large home where we could invite friends and host big gatherings. It feels as though the joy people once shared within these walls remains, adding a wonderful energy to the home. What I love most is the light and all the original details—they give the house such a beautiful soul.

Thank Thank you so much, Jennifer, for sharing this beautiful tour and all the insights into your home. I have to say, those soaring ceilings and period features are the stuff of dreams!

If you’d like to see more pictures — and even find the sources for some of the pieces — pop over to Jennifer’s Instagram @villaekdala. And of course, feel free to ask away in the comments below, I’ll do my best to help.

EDIT, thank you for your request for the colour codes, here they are: 

Kitchen and bedroom storage: NCS S 4502-Y

Front door: NCS S 6010-G50Y

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Did you enjoy the tour? Was there anything that stood out to you about Jennifer’s home? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Shall we take a peek at a few more Scandinavian homes before the weekend? Why not? Grab a coffee, settle in, and enjoy:

Before and after: A Danish townhouse is transformed into a family home
A Norwegian house by a fjord
A dream Danish house by the sea

And finally, one little thought before I leave you to the weekend: does your family have a whistle? I’d never heard of it until a friend mentioned hers — they use a unique whistle to find each other in public. She says it works like a charm and that they use it all the time. So clever! Turns out, it’s more common than I realised. Maybe the Brantmarks should work on one too!

Wishing you a fabulous couple of days — may the sun shine and may you get all the R&R you need.

Niki

Photography courtesy of @villaekdala, shared with kind permission.

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Where Life Happens Gently: Inside a Tranquil Swedish Family Home

Some days call for a sense of calm—and that’s exactly what you’ll find in the family home of @emiliaolssons. This Swedish villa is awash in soothing tones and furnished in a pared-back style, where every piece adds quiet interest. All around, glimpses of family life unfold, framed by lush greenery.

Keep an eye out for the cosy touches kept within reach: a chaise longue perfect for sinking into with a good book, and a basket of blankets tucked under the stairs, ready for chillier days. All in all, a charming family home where life happens—but calm is always just around the corner.

I have to say, I've been writing this post in the car, under a little duress as we are on our way to watch some tennis in Båstad fun - even so, this has offered me just the level of calm I needed! 

I love the snoozing family dog on the stairs, the children playing, and also all the lovely furniture and lighting. If you're looking for more information on some of the items, please visit @emiliaolssons for details. I will also try to pop in later this evening to update the post as some pieces are definitely worthy of a mention and link, so please do pop back! 

Is there anything that stands out to you about this lovely Swedish family home? If so, I'd love to hear in the comments below. 

Niki

Photography: @emiliaolssons shared with kind permission. 

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Inside a Boho Loft Apartment in a Converted Stockholm Church

I have got very carried away with sharing idyllic Scandinavian escapes lately (can you guess my mind is very much in holiday mode?), so today, I thought I’d share something a little different—less fjords and coastal cabins, more lofty ceilings and leafy houseplants. Yep, we’re staying in Sweden, but this time it’s all about urban charm in the capital city!

This characterful home is actually tucked inside what used to be a church – and now sits high above the streets of southern Stockholm. From the outside, you’d never guess there's a plant-filled, bohemian sanctuary hidden under those eaves. Inside, it’s a relaxed world of boho charm: there are sky-high ceilings, exposed beams that give it a rustic touch, and natural light pouring in from every angle.

The layout is open and airy, with a lovely flow between the kitchen and living space, plus a balcony for morning coffees or a spot of evening people-watching. The mix of old architecture and lived-in, personal style makes this place feel really special, like a little pocket of calm in the middle of the city.

Let's take the tour! 

The William Morris wallpaper is such a gorgeous touch (that rich, timeless pattern always gets me), and the retro furniture and lighting bring everything together in a nice way. I also really liked how they’ve designed the children’s room – proof that a shared space for little ones can be both practical and personal, with a thoughtful mix of open shelving and hidden storage.

What do you think of this style? Anything in particular that caught your eye?

If you’re in the mood for more boho Scandinavian interiors today, head over to the lovely bohemian style archive for more tours. 

Oh, and don’t forget—if you’ve been eyeing anything from Skandinavisk, the 20% discount is still live with code scandi20!

Wishing you a lovely start to the week!

Niki

Styling: Copparstad, Photography Boukari for Historiska Hem. 

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Inside a Beautiful Light Swedish Villa That’s Bathed in Natural Light

Do you ever find yourself slipping onto estate agent websites, dreaming over local villas that are wildly out of budget — but irresistible all the same? It’s a pastime I’m no stranger to. I confess, on more than one occasion, I’ve even turned up to viewings — Per in tow — looking completely bewildered!

This villa, to me, is one of those dreamy homes. Had it been closer, I’d have certainly signed up for the viewing!

Located in picturesque Gamla Enskede, Stockholm, the villa has everything I love in a home: a pretty façade, a beautiful, light and airy entrance (complete with a window seat — after all, a girl needs to be comfortable when taking off her shoes, right?), large open-plan rooms, each with a traditional tiled masonry fireplace, high ceilings, a dining nook drenched in light, and the perfect party kitchen! Be still, beating heart.

While it's simply decorated, the fresh white, grey and green tones create the perfect blank canvas to springboard into your own design palette, ready for your signature touch. Time to get those Pinterest moodboards going? Oh, what fun I could have with this one. 

Breathtaking property! It’s all that sunshine pouring in that I really love. One of the beautiful things about open-plan living is how the entire space feels light, airy, and spacious, creating a wonderful sense of calm.

Could you imagine living in a Swedish house like this? If so, you can find out more about it here. And if you happen to be the lucky one to snap it up… could I at least invite myself over for a cup of tea? 

Would you like to see a few more dreamy Swedish villas this bright and sunny Monday? Take a look at:

A dreamy Falsterbo beach villa

Summer at this Swedish pool villa? 

A 19th century house ready for summer on the island of Gotland

Here's to a little dreaming at the start of the week! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of SkandiaMäklerna

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