Modern vintage
Sofia Wood has mixed antique treasures with contemporary design to create a comfortable, colourful home with unique character
A clever mix of antique treasures and contemporary design
Living room
A colourful rug zones the main seating area. ‘The first thing people notice in here is always the colours, but then they start noticing all the interesting bits and pieces everywhere,’ says Sofia.
BUY THE KEY PIECES
Find similar antique kilim rugs at Rugstoreonline.co.uk. For a similar coffee table, try the Barcelona square table, £263.63, Pop Furniture
The Wood family’s move to this flat in the Stockholm suburb of Enskede was prompted by the birth of their third child. ‘We needed more space,’ says Sofia. ‘We were living around the corner so we already knew the neighbourhood.
‘I fell for the apartment immediately. This building dates from 1921 and is so well preserved – classic but simple, and slightly romantic. It has big windows, rustic wooden floors and ornate woodwork. We were desperate for an outside space and there’s a beautiful green garden, where the residents grow vegetables and flowers. We have barbecues there and socialise with the neighbours, and there are lots of kids about.
‘Inside, every room was painted white, so we repainted with softer colours. It’s such a fun and easy way to change a whole room. We also took out built-in storage from the four small bedrooms. All the woodwork was in bad shape, so we restored that, too.
‘If I did it all over again, I’d take things a bit slower. We’ve already started to redo things, but better this time, like putting wallpaper in the master bedroom. I tend to be very quick in my decisions and often think I can do everything on my own. That has got me into trouble before (like when I thought I could repaint the kitchen cabinets one weekend, on a whim!). So now I try to be less impulsive. Moodboards really help with this. It’s worth taking the time to put them together, to give a clear sense of where you’re going with the decor.
Our old place had an open-plan kitchen and living room, and I’m pleased with two separate spaces now! I cook for a living and I used to feel I was making a mess of the whole apartment. Here, it’s just the kitchen that’s mayhem! I wouldn’t say that this home has changed our lifestyle, but it has made everything easier.’ Sofia shares her recipes on Instagram @sofia_wood.
Living room
The supersize sofa is slouchy but smart, thanks to its boxy, tailored style. Its textural velvet upholstery contrasts beautifully with the fresh, flat finish of the cool blue-green walls.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar sofa, try the Denver in Turmeric easy velvet, £1,799, Swoon
Dining area
The kitchen-diner is off the central living space. ‘I really appreciate that it is closed off separately, unlike most apartments in Stockholm, so all my cooking mess is hidden!’ says Sofia.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For similar light, try the Endon, £300, Ocean Lighting. Find reclaimed antique pine settles at UK Architectural Antiques, from £975
“I prefer a separate kitchen. For someone who cooks for a living, it was stressful to feel like I was making a mess of the whole apartment in our last place”
Dining area
A glass bottle vase is easy to pop a garden stem into, to liven up a corner table.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar vase, try the Light Green glass bottle, £30, Little Deer
Kitchen-diner
Sofia’s vintage trays are stacked at one end of the work space, adding warmth and texture to the all-white room.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar serving board, try the mango wood serving dish, £35, Design Vintage. The marble pestle and mortar, £12, Dunelm, is a match
Kitchen-diner
‘I really love how easy it is to work in here. The workbench is steel, you can place a hot pan on to it and there’s no need to worry about stains – we don’t have to be precious.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES The Knoxhult kitchen, from £30 for a 600mm wall unit, Ikea, is a match
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
“Take things slowly. I tend to be very quick in my decisions and that’s got me into trouble in the past. Now I try to be less impulsive and stick to some sort of overall idea instead ”
Master bedroom
A combination of soft greens make this space feel calm and relaxing. Sofia changes the wall display seasonally.
BUY THE KEY PIECES For a similar headboard, try the washed linen headboard, £99, Maisons du Monde. The 100% linen bedding in Dusky Green, from £17 for a pillowcase, John Lewis & Partners, would work here. For similar black table lamp, try the Leitmotiv, £33.20, The Little Green Bag