Love IN WITH BLUE

VINTAGE AND HANDMADE PIECES TAKE CENTRE STAGE AGAINST A BACKDROP OF BLUE IN THIS ECLECTIC AND ELEGANT HOME

When the house Jonas had admired since he was a child came onto the market, he jumped at the chance to inspect it: his wife, Kristin, however, was a little less enthusiastic. “I was happy with our former house, and wasn’t keen to move,” she says. “I just saw all the work ahead of me, also I didn’t want to leave my garden.” But Jonas, a banker, had been in love with this home for many years and refused to give up easily. Located on the west coast of Sweden, it was designed by a famous Swedish architect, was close to both the train station and the sea, and through the years had housed a bakery, an antiques dealer, a clothing store and an advertising agency. “Over a bottle of wine on holiday, Jonas mentioned the house again,” says Kristin, a photographer and digital marketer. “He said we should take a look, as the couple who lived there wanted to sell to a family who would enjoy the house.”

Luckily for Jonas, the high ceilings, lovely garden and interesting history of the home won Kristin over after just one inspection. “When we were leaving, I said out loud, ‘We want it!’” she says. “‘Sshhhh!’ Jonas said, and the owners laughed at my eagerness.”

Built in 1926, the house had been carefully looked after by the previous owners, and it was easy for the couple to tailor it to suit their family, which includes their three sons, Simon, 17, Otto, 10, and Igor, six, and their cat, Siv. The layout was perfect – a generous entranceway opened up to a spacious living room, which connected to a dining area and an office where Kristin could work from home. The ground floor also boasted a renovated kitchen, bedroom and bathroom with a separate entrance that would be ideal for eldest son Simon. Upstairs were three well-sized bedrooms and two bathrooms.

With no need to renovate, all the home needed was Kristin’s decorating flair. As a design blogger, she has a passion for interiors, and is a fan of a blue palette, so she wielded her paintbrush to make the home their own.“I’ve always had blue as my colour,” says Kristin, who had the paint that covers the walls custom-made.

The abode is a shrine to creativity, with gallery walls displaying photographs taken by Kristin and her friends, wallpaper and textiles designed by up-and-coming Swedish designers, such as Emma Von Brömssen, and windowsills housing indoor plants. The house has also been filled with vintage furniture the couple has collected over the years, and heirlooms such as Kristin’s grandmother’s tea set.

If it was Jonas’ dream home before, now it is a dream home for the whole family. For an ideal living space, says Kristin, there should be social areas to play and hang out in, but also rooms to be able to get away and be alone in. “I think we have found a good mix,” she says.

IGOR’S ROOM Kristin created a theatrical bedroom for six-year-old Igor to grow into (pictured opposite). It features a navy base with gold accents that include a Kartell ‘Ge’ pendant light in Transparent Yellow (available from Space), and a whimsical...

MAIN BEDROOM To create a tranquil sanctuary, Kristin chose soft green walls, leafy indoor plants and sumptuous bedlinen for the couple’s bedroom (right, bottom left & right). The walls are lined with Boras Tapeter ‘Linen’ wallpaper in Leaf Green (for...

STUDY The blue Chesterfield (above) was a great second-hand find for the family. A trio of geraniums in terracotta pots brightens up the windowsill. DINING ROOM Local Swedish designer Emma Von Brömssen’s vivid ‘Dancing Cranes’ wallpaper frames the...

KITCHEN The generous kitchen ( below) works well for Kristin’s family. “It’s spacious and we can cook together,” she explains. Classically decorated with light-grey kitchen cabinets, white subway tiles, a marble benchtop and brass fittings, it was...

KITCHEN DINING AREA With its vintage table and chairs, the eat-in kitchen is a delightful spot for the family to enjoy (above). The brass ‘Bumling’ pendant is a Swedish design classic from the ’60s, which the couple were lucky enough to receive as a...

INTO THE SEA Soothing blue hues come alive in every corner of Kristin and Jonas’ home, as does a sense of history. The couple’s penchant for pre-loved pieces is evident throughout, especially in the living room ( below), where you’ll find a vintage...