This Cottage Is Almost Russian, But It's Swedish. What's the Difference?

The owners of this house, Lisa and Vincent, along with their young son William, moved here nearly four years ago. In this time, they have transformed the old house into stylish and cozy living space. To find their dream home, the couple spent six years searching.

They looked for houses that didn't require major renovations. However, they ended up purchasing one that needed a full overhaul. It was challenging, especially considering that they were preparing for William's arrival at the same time.

Despite the difficulties, the family managed to complete it. Vincent is a professional carpenter by trade. The couple started renovation with the house facade, then updated the heating system and only later focused on interior finishing. The layout was mostly preserved with one exception: the bathroom space was expanded. Currently, the kitchen, living room and two bedrooms are enough for the family. However, in the future, they plan to add a separate dining room, hallway and a glassed-in porch.

The interior of the house was designed in the cottage style. There are many floral prints, wood in the finishing, cozy textiles (tablecloths, carpets, throws), and of course, a fireplace that is 150 years old.

The family dedicated special attention to the kitchen design, since they spend most of their time there. Olive-colored cabinets blend perfectly with a wooden dining table and chairs. Initially, the couple intended to buy ready-made cabinets, but due to limited space, they had to assemble custom storage systems to save room. Now, when Lisa bakes cookies, the whole family can comfortably gather around the kitchen table.

In the living room, one wall was wallpapered with floral prints, and the others were spackled and painted white. Interestingly, the living room contains all the antique items in the house: a 150-year-old fireplace, an old brown sideboard and candlesticks that were in the house from the beginning. Vincent handmade a wooden coffee table himself.

Lisa and Vincent's bedroom is full of creativity. First of all, the headboard was made from an old kitchen sofa, and instead of bedside tables, they placed cabinet units from the kitchen cabinet. These were likely taken from the same source as the headboard.

The child's bedroom also features a whimsical bed, which the couple bought at auction long before their son was born.

Photo source: https://skonahem.com/
Photographer: Carina Olander