How an Old Museum Was Converted into a Cozy Home

Elin and Tiodolf moved from Stockholm to Lindesberg in a private house. They lived there until five years ago when they came across an announcement about an auction to purchase the building of an old museum.

Tiodolf was immediately inspired by the idea of creating their own ancestral nest in a large house with history. Although Elin was skeptical, the couple won the auction, coordinated the concept of renovation and future interior with the local municipality, and began working on the project.

The building, which was constructed in the 19th century and served as a museum from the late 1940s, required thoughtful renovation. The family understood that transforming a historically significant structure of such age was an expensive and responsible task. It meant planning and building from scratch not only bathrooms, a kitchen, and a laundry room but also preserving the original character of the space. The architectural style was not chosen by the owners, but dictated by the building itself.

To speed up the process, Tiodolf enlisted relatives to help with the renovation, while Elin resigned from her architectural firm to dedicate all her time to the new home.

After clearing the walls, the family discovered three fireplaces tiled in the original style — all were well preserved, as were fragments of the floor paved with old stone, windows, and moldings.

For finishing, they opted for a minimalist paint scheme and laid wooden floors. The furniture and decor were eclectic. There were Wishbone Chairs from the sixties, modern Ghost sofas and armchairs designed by Paola Navone, and Viennese chairs — their prototypes were almost the same age as the house.

The interior was carefully curated under Elin’s guidance. Interestingly, she doesn’t regret leaving her job. Immersed in the process of setting up the home, Elin launched her own online store selling interior finds. Her workspace was set up at home — inspiration for work is provided by the beauty of her surroundings.