Tranquil Atmosphere and Family Relics in a Nurse’s Home in Northern Sweden

Along a hilly street, you can spot this whimsical three-story house with a white porch from afar. It belongs to Caroline and Gunnar, a couple who moved to the northern city of Holmsund three years ago with their two children from the southwest of the country.

The story of their move began with a conversation with old acquaintances living in the city. They told the couple about a century-old house for sale on a neighboring street and casually suggested taking a look at it. To their surprise, Caroline and Gunnar agreed and soon traveled to the other end of Sweden for this purpose.

The three-story house, covering an area of 180 square meters, was built in 1929 and divided into three apartments, with each floor serving as a separate living space. At the time of the couple’s arrival, a woman with two children was still living there. She shared the history of the house, showed them all the rooms, the separate small building nearby intended for utility purposes, and lamented the prolonged sale. Therefore, she did not expect Caroline and Gunnar to discuss the terms of purchase right after a hurried viewing.

After finalizing the acquisition of their new property, selling their house in the province of Halland, and resigning from their jobs, the family hurriedly moved to Holmsund to finish the planned renovation and settle in before winter. Caroline quickly found a nursing job at the local hospital, and Gunnar secured a managerial position in a promising company.

They spent several months of free time transforming their new home. The building was in good condition, but the family wanted to make their own changes.

The couple replaced the wooden siding on the facade and painted it in a pale sandy shade, accentuating certain elements in pure white. They added a terrace behind the house to create a small relaxation area with a view of the garden. Inside the house, they carried out minor renovations. Gunnar replaced the old floorboards with new solid pine ones, leaving them unpainted or stained, only applying a protective coating.

When it came to painting the walls, Caroline decided to choose pleasant soft tones that would create a warm and soothing atmosphere in the house.

After completing the renovation, the family focused on furnishing the rooms. They brought along a significant portion of their furniture, most of which were family heirlooms, while others were purchased by Caroline at flea markets and rural sales. The remaining furniture was bought from modern furniture stores, aiming to harmoniously blend “contemporary” elements into the vintage space of the house.

Caroline’s passion for searching for interesting old items and collecting them began long before buying this house. It started with various furniture pieces and decor items handed down to her by relatives, grandparents, and great-grandparents. She joyfully transported these sentimental items to her home and carefully found suitable places for them. This hobby inspired and captivated her so much that she began seeking antique furniture and various rarities at themed fairs and stores, scouring numerous websites, including international ones. Over time, her hobby turned into a small business. Caroline opened her own online store, which became a side job alongside her main work at the hospital.

After completing the renovation and decorating the interior, Caroline decided to leave her medical career. She had advanced to a senior position within a short period, allowing her to dedicate more time to her growing business. She admits that it was a difficult decision, but she considers it the right and timely one.

After resigning, Caroline transformed the small utility building into a workshop and studio, effectively turning it into a showroom where potential buyers could come and examine the goods or find something interesting for their own homes.

There is a saying, “People think they will be happy if they move somewhere else, but then it turns out wherever you go, you take yourself with you.”

In Caroline’s case, the move changed her life and the life of her family for the better. She found fulfillment in her passion, created a beautiful home where old and new coexist aesthetically, and established a garden adorned with blooming dahlias, lilies, and hydrangeas. The new home truly made them happier, providing a breath of fresh air, space for creativity, and inspiration.