A charming red wooden house from the 1920s
Discover this red wooden house from 1929 in Sweden, featuring a khaki-green kitchen and a barn converted into a summer dining room
Located on the Vägnön Peninsula in Sweden, this red wooden house from the 1920s is typical of the country’s architecture. Its scarlet siding, white window frames, and small-paned windows seem as though they’ve always been a part of the Scandinavian landscape. It’s the interior that really sets it apart.
The ground floor is organized around the living room with its unfinished hardwood floor, left bare and slightly weathered by time. An olive-green linen sofa occupies the corner of the room. Its understated color sets the tone for the entire house.
Opposite the sofa, an abstract painting in shades of gray and black adorns the wall above a low console table. On it sit various objects and books stacked in no apparent order. A wooden trunk bound with metal hoops sits on the floor beneath the shelf.
This mix of objects gathered here and there is full of charm. You can tell that the pieces have found their place as they were discovered over time. A black floor lamp with an articulated arm is mounted on the wall, freeing up space around the sofa.
The real highlight of the house is undoubtedly the white tiled stove. This type of stove is typical of early 20th-century Swedish interiors. It used to heat the entire room, or even the whole house. It has remained in place, complete with its original moldings and black cast-iron door.
Built-in shelves right next to it hold ceramics and stacks of books. A Swedish wardrobe is painted a deep black. With its antique hardware, it features Gustavian-style lines, even though its color gives it a modern feel.
The kitchen features the same khaki shade as the sofa, a color found throughout the house. Its matte cabinet fronts are adorned with white porcelain handles in a country-chic style. The black countertop contrasts with the light wood flooring, creating a look that’s both rustic and contemporary.
A central island made of white marble, mounted on slender legs painted off-white, serves as a high table for two raw-wood stools. It also provides additional counter space. A conical pendant light, in a cream shade softer than the green of the furniture, illuminates the kitchen as evening falls.
In the adjoining dining room, a glass-fronted sideboard painted in a sandy shade displays glasses and pretty tableware. A wall niche, painted in a more muted green than that of the kitchen, holds antique plates and pottery. The family dog’s basket is also tucked away in this same alcove.
The bedrooms strike a different note from the ground floor. One of them features chocolate-brown walls, paired with cream-colored bedding and a tufted headboard in the same light shade. Two black wall sconces flank the bed, a practical solution that frees up the nightstands for uses other than lamps. The contrast works well, even if one might worry that the atmosphere would be too dark during the long nights of Scandinavian winters.
A child’s bedroom, higher up in the attic, is covered in striped wallpaper. It has a sloped ceiling that gives it real charm. A brass mobile, hanging near the window, adds an airy touch. The sunroom, at the very top of the house, is a small, bright extra room. Two rattan armchairs, a small black table with a central leg, and a chandelier with tassels make it the perfect spot for reading with a view of the forest.
You can’t miss the barn, which has been transformed into a summer dining room. The huge, old, unfinished wooden table is surrounded by about ten rattan chairs, each covered with a sheepskin. The exposed roof structure, old beams, and hanging lanterns create a festive, rustic atmosphere that must work wonderfully for the Swedish Midsummer celebration. An old, unfinished wooden sideboard, also made of unfinished wood, leans against the back wall and serves as storage for dishes and candles.
This house pulls off a difficult feat. It blends contemporary khaki green with antique Swedish pieces, striking just the right balance. The choice of unfinished rather than varnished hardwood flooring allows the wood to breathe and is in keeping with the spirit of the house.
The house is located on the Höga Kusten (High Coast), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its landscape shaped by post-glacial rebound. It benefits from its proximity to the sea. The nearby village of Älandsbro seems to have remained much as it was when the house was built. Residents also enjoy the small port of Lustholmen, with its beach and sailing club.
This quest for tranquility and authenticity can be found in many rural regions of Northern Europe, where people prefer homes with character, far from the crowds. The climate largely explains this approach to interior design.
Short, bright summers contrast with long, dark winters, prompting Swedish homeowners to pay close attention to their interiors. This meticulous approach to design will inspire those seeking a style inspired by the sea and nature, without falling into clichés
This red wooden house from the 1920s is for sale at Historiska
The living room in neutral tones
The ground floor is organized around the living room with its unfinished hardwood floor, left bare and slightly weathered by time. An olive-green linen sofa occupies the corner of the room. Its understated color sets the tone for the entire house.
Opposite the sofa, an abstract painting in shades of gray and black adorns the wall above a low console table. On it sit various objects and books stacked in no apparent order. A wooden trunk bound with metal hoops sits on the floor beneath the shelf.
This mix of objects gathered here and there is full of charm. You can tell that the pieces have found their place as they were discovered over time. A black floor lamp with an articulated arm is mounted on the wall, freeing up space around the sofa.
The real highlight of the house is undoubtedly the white tiled stove. This type of stove is typical of early 20th-century Swedish interiors. It used to heat the entire room, or even the whole house. It has remained in place, complete with its original moldings and black cast-iron door.
Built-in shelves right next to it hold ceramics and stacks of books. A Swedish wardrobe is painted a deep black. With its antique hardware, it features Gustavian-style lines, even though its color gives it a modern feel.
A khaki-green kitchen
The kitchen features the same khaki shade as the sofa, a color found throughout the house. Its matte cabinet fronts are adorned with white porcelain handles in a country-chic style. The black countertop contrasts with the light wood flooring, creating a look that’s both rustic and contemporary.
A central island made of white marble, mounted on slender legs painted off-white, serves as a high table for two raw-wood stools. It also provides additional counter space. A conical pendant light, in a cream shade softer than the green of the furniture, illuminates the kitchen as evening falls.
In the adjoining dining room, a glass-fronted sideboard painted in a sandy shade displays glasses and pretty tableware. A wall niche, painted in a more muted green than that of the kitchen, holds antique plates and pottery. The family dog’s basket is also tucked away in this same alcove.
Upstairs, a more subdued atmosphere
The bedrooms strike a different note from the ground floor. One of them features chocolate-brown walls, paired with cream-colored bedding and a tufted headboard in the same light shade. Two black wall sconces flank the bed, a practical solution that frees up the nightstands for uses other than lamps. The contrast works well, even if one might worry that the atmosphere would be too dark during the long nights of Scandinavian winters.
A child’s bedroom, higher up in the attic, is covered in striped wallpaper. It has a sloped ceiling that gives it real charm. A brass mobile, hanging near the window, adds an airy touch. The sunroom, at the very top of the house, is a small, bright extra room. Two rattan armchairs, a small black table with a central leg, and a chandelier with tassels make it the perfect spot for reading with a view of the forest.
The barn
You can’t miss the barn, which has been transformed into a summer dining room. The huge, old, unfinished wooden table is surrounded by about ten rattan chairs, each covered with a sheepskin. The exposed roof structure, old beams, and hanging lanterns create a festive, rustic atmosphere that must work wonderfully for the Swedish Midsummer celebration. An old, unfinished wooden sideboard, also made of unfinished wood, leans against the back wall and serves as storage for dishes and candles.
Our take on this century-old red wooden house
This house pulls off a difficult feat. It blends contemporary khaki green with antique Swedish pieces, striking just the right balance. The choice of unfinished rather than varnished hardwood flooring allows the wood to breathe and is in keeping with the spirit of the house.
Höga Kusten, a UNESCO-listed coastline
The house is located on the Höga Kusten (High Coast), a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its landscape shaped by post-glacial rebound. It benefits from its proximity to the sea. The nearby village of Älandsbro seems to have remained much as it was when the house was built. Residents also enjoy the small port of Lustholmen, with its beach and sailing club.
The charm of Scandinavian lighting
This quest for tranquility and authenticity can be found in many rural regions of Northern Europe, where people prefer homes with character, far from the crowds. The climate largely explains this approach to interior design.
Short, bright summers contrast with long, dark winters, prompting Swedish homeowners to pay close attention to their interiors. This meticulous approach to design will inspire those seeking a style inspired by the sea and nature, without falling into clichés
This red wooden house from the 1920s is for sale at Historiska
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