A Rundown Schoolhouse Becomes a Swedish Family Home

I absolutely love it when someone takes the time and energy to painstakingly restore a historical house! Even better when they share the step-by-step process online, right? Photographer Lovisa 'Furubo' Andersson and her partner Daniel bought a former schoolhouse in Ölvingstorp, near Kalmar in South East Sweden a few years ago and have been renovating it by hand ever since. Today, the former classroom serves as a spacious and light-filled kitchen and other rooms (such as the gym hall!) have become beautiful living spaces. Here is a selection of truly inspiring before and after pictures of the exterior and kitchen as well as snapshots from some of the other rooms! 

Exterior Before 

Exterior after

The main school house and outhouse had been painted in linseed oil paint 100 years ago, and Lovisa and Daniel felt it deserved the same treatment today! Naturally, there was a lot of other work included in the exterior renovation too. The result is so fresh, yet still in keeping with the original look and feel of the property. 

Kitchen before 

Kitchen after 

Often it's only when you see the before pictures that you can fully understand the sheer amount of work that has gone into a project! Beautiful wood panelling has been installed throughout the house to bring back a romantic old school feel (see my guide to choosing wood panelling here). 

Kitchen units before 

Kitchen units after

Lovisa and Daniel upcycled old materials wherever possible. In the kitchen old wardrobe doors were installed and then painted with linseed oil paint. 

The oven is from Bertazzoni and most of the furniture is secondhand. 

Lovisa made the coffee table by hand. The Viscontea lamp is by Flos. 

I absolutely love this wall lamp - Lovisa bought it from Strömshaga. The rug is from Mio.

A Kyoto lamp from Mio hangs from the ceiling in the bedroom. 

Wood panelling has also been installed in all the bedrooms and hallway, giving the entire home a cohesive look. 

So inspiring!

If you've ever thought about buying a former schoolhouse, perhaps this is just the nudge you needed! 

You can also take a peek at other converted schoolhouses: 

A beautiful Finnish home in a former schoolhouse 

A romantic former schoolhouse in Sweden

A derelict classroom becomes a stunning kitchen 

Lovisa and Daniel continue to renovate their house room by room - follow the progress and feel inspired over at @lovisafurubo. 

By the way, thank you for your patience last week - my family and I had a really lovely time in Åre, Sweden. It was very snowy - a little on the cold side (my toes are still defrosting!), and so relaxing! back in the less snowy south now and all ready to go! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Niki

Photography @lovisafurubo, share with kind permission.

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'Writer's Corner' - A Light and Airy Swedish Apartment

Hello friends! I've enjoyed this week on the blog - an earthy home on the island of Öland, and a loft in Germany with splashes of bright colours. And today, I wanted to nip in and share one final tour: a lovely, light and airy home in Gothenburg aptly named 'Writers Corner'. I was reeled in by the soothing tones, effortless style, large windows and all the plants! It also makes me feel like spring is in the air! I hope this lovely home brings a little calm to your Friday too! 

Like a breath of fresh air! 

If you fancy moving to Gothenburg, it's currently for sale here. 

Did you spot the roaring 'kakelugn' (tiled masonry oven). 

I'll be taking a little time out and back here blogging again on Monday 27th February. In the meantime, please do pull up a chair and have a rummage in the archives - there's so much to see! Here are a few links: 

Swedish homes

Danish homes

Norwegian homes

Small spaces

Country homes

Summer cottages

News here: after a year of writing (setting the alarm at the crack of dawn every single day before the family awakes), I've finally finished penning my fourth book! Such a relief! Now the editing begins! I can't wait to share more with you soon. 

It's a school holiday here in South Sweden next week and so I'm going to be taking a little time off with my family, Keep an eye on my instagram if you'd like to see a few behind the scenes pics from beautiful Åre, Sweden! 

I hope you have a relaxing week, seen you Monday 27th February! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Entrance

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A Vibrant Loft with Splashes of Colour, Art and Playful Touches

Yesterday, someone mentioned I had featured some impeccable homes lately, but all with the same colour palette. I hadn't even noticed, as I was simply picking out beautiful homes as I went along. But when I looked back, there did seem to be a strong theme. So, today, I'm going for a slightly different aesthetic. 

Lilli's home in Liebefeld, north-west Germany is fresh, vibrant and fun. Using white as a backdrop, she and her husband Sascha have created a wonderful home for themselves and their daughters Emma and Laura. Get ready to feel inspired by how splashes of colour, art and quirky touches can transform a home! 

First, here's a snapshot of the blank canvas, i.e. a pure white kitchen! 

And now, look at what happens when you add simple splashes of colour in the form of a sculpted vase, playful rug, art and flowers. 

Kitchen - IKEA, Scultptured vase Motel a Miio, art on floor Vinta Series

The dining area is so vibrant - and a large balcony door fills the space with fresh spring air! 

Similar gym rings here*, sculpture in corner by Karl Manfred Rennertz. 

Yellow and pink chair from sushi restaurant Nihombashi Berlin, Sculpted light Schneid studio. 

Fail art by Eike König, Lips from Studio Job, Samsung The Frame TV on back wall. 

So many fun touches in this home! I especially love all the art and sculptures, they make a huge difference to the overall space. 

Did Lilli's home put a smile on your face too? If so, you might like to follow her over at @kitschcanmakeyourich. 

Those who have been following My Scandinavian Home, might recognise Lilli's home from 2020 - since then she has made subtle changes so I felt it was time to revisit (although I couldn't resist sharing the same picture from the dining space). You can never see this loft too many times! 

See more splashes of colour in these fabulous homes: 

12 playful design trends in Sussie's fabulous Danish home

How to add colour to your home, Danish style

Maria's colourful home will brighten up your day!

A vibrant turn-of-the-century home in Malmö

Snapshots from a vibrant Copenhagen home

Happy mid week friends! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @kitschcanmakeyourich, shared with kind permission. 

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A Charming Croft on the Swedish Island of Öland

Tjena! How is life treating you today? Malmö is bathed in sunshine and it's hard not to cast our minds to warm summer days when we'll be able to sit outdoors with bare arms! A few summers ago, my family and I sailed in the Baltic, stopping at various islands including Öland. And today, I'm excited to provide a glimpse into a pretty cottage on the island. 

Located in Glömminge on the west coast, picturesque Rohallatorpet once appeared in a German calendar featuring typical Swedish crofts. Dating back to 1886, the property was in total disrepair when the pair bought it in 2019 and has since gone through a total renovation while ensuring the history of the house remained intact. Today, it's listed on Bonanza Location - a newly launched film and media location agency co-founded by Sofie Izard Höyer - a friend whose beautiful home I once featured here. 

When Julia Nilsson and her partner aren't busy with renovation projects, they love to look out at the meadows where deer graze on the pastures. Or wander down to the sea a mere 500 metres away for a dip. 

Ready to take the tour? 

So beautiful! I love the deeper earthy shades and the vintage and antique finds (especially that repurposed overhead rack for wine glasses in the kitchen!). 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

If you have any questions about something you see in these pictures, give me a shout and I'll do my best to source it for you! You might also find the info you're looking for over at @rohallatorpet, where Julia shares her latest DIY projects and before and after pictures! 

Oh, and why not check out my guide to island hopping in the Baltic - which includes Öland. It's a beautiful part of the world, perhaps it will inspire you to visit one day! And don't miss the tour of an Öland cottage by the sea which was for sale a few years back. 

Finally, if you're looking for a location for film or media in Sweden, check out Bonanza Location. They are also looking for new listings both in Sweden and abroad (if abroad list it under 'Skåne' for now). Sofie tells me, it's free to list your property in 2023! 

Have a great start to the week, I hope the sun is shining where you are too! 

Niki

Photography and styling Pontuz Löfgren  courtesy of @rohallatorpet

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