Swedish Houzz Tour: A Home That Focuses on Feeling Over Form
This mid-century modern house embodies the Scandinavian design ethos of living beautifully
For a man whose work involves keeping a finger on the pulse of modern design, Svante Öquist spends quite a lot of his time cherishing heritage – both at work, with 25 years as a magazine editor under his belt, and at home, in a lovingly cared-for modernist house built by architect Eskil Sundahl (1890–1974) as a sanctuary for himself and his family.
The original feel of Villa Sundahl in Stockholm, Sweden is still intact. Sundahl had built it in 1955 with a view to comfort and style, and the idea of living well in a truly Scandinavian manner permeates the house, from the sun-loving windows to the sunken indoor garden and giant open fireplace.
Photos by Nadja Endler
Houzz At A Glance
Who lives here: Svante Öquist, of Swedish Elle Decoration, with his partner and 12-year-old daughter
Size: 180 square metres, with a nearly 2000 square metre garden
Location: Sköndal, in the southern part of Stockholm, Sweden
Architect: Eskil Sundahl (1890-1974), who designed many Stockholm landmarks
Houzz At A Glance
Who lives here: Svante Öquist, of Swedish Elle Decoration, with his partner and 12-year-old daughter
Size: 180 square metres, with a nearly 2000 square metre garden
Location: Sköndal, in the southern part of Stockholm, Sweden
Architect: Eskil Sundahl (1890-1974), who designed many Stockholm landmarks
The building is situated on sloping land and consists of three parts. The lower part has two floors and faces the street. Passersby might note the slightly skewed facade, created by the off-centre gable roof and chimneys. A lift or stairs take visitors up to the front room – part of the architect’s plan for his old age.
Thirty-five poured-in-place concrete steps lead from the entrance up into the dining room part of the open-plan space above. Sundahl fully intended the wow effect when the 75-square-metre, light-filled space opens out from the top of the stairs.
Sundahl had installed all the latest modern conveniences in his house, like triple glazing and water-based under-floor heating, the last of which makes radiators unnecessary. “I really hope the copper piping will last many years to come,” says Öquist. “It would break my heart to have to rip it up for repairs!”
Much of the furniture in the space looks like it has been created specifically for Villa Sundahl, but Öquist and his family in fact brought it from their previous home.
In an old cupboard once used for school supplies, Öquist has amassed Swedish and Nordic glass and ceramics, ready to be whipped out for bigger gatherings.
In an old cupboard once used for school supplies, Öquist has amassed Swedish and Nordic glass and ceramics, ready to be whipped out for bigger gatherings.
The white sofa from B&B Italia goes well with this old wooden one, found at a garage sale. Öquist sees this mix of exclusive and humble, with a hint of personal taste, as the perfect way to design a home.
“I follow the thinking of Hélène Gordon Lazareff, founder of the Elle magazines. In 1945 she stated that it’s up to everybody to decide how they want to live and look. There is no reason to be elitist, and though trends can be fun, you don’t have to be a slave to them.”
“I follow the thinking of Hélène Gordon Lazareff, founder of the Elle magazines. In 1945 she stated that it’s up to everybody to decide how they want to live and look. There is no reason to be elitist, and though trends can be fun, you don’t have to be a slave to them.”
Öquist’s background as a graphic designer shines through in his home. “I see a room like an empty page, and interior design like a layout. So I encourage everybody to have the courage to move things around and experiment with how the furniture is placed in your space – it’s also a completely free way to renew your home.”
The open fireplace has an asymmetric angle that confuses the eye. “Eskil Sundahl had placed a divan to the left of the fireplace, and had the chimney breast built at a slight angle so he could lie down and still have an uninterrupted view over the garden,” says Öquist. “That, to me, is quality of life.”
This focus on finding well-being through small things is something Öquist thinks Swedes can share with the world. “For me, it’s important to have room to breathe, psychologically and physically. Other parts of the Swedish lifestyle that are worth emulating are the right to roam freely in nature [the Allemansrätten law protects citizens’ right to access and enjoy nearly all of the undeveloped land in the Swedish countryside, even if it is privately owned, including using it for hiking, cycling, camping, etc.], and a feeling of togetherness and empathy for those around you.”
This focus on finding well-being through small things is something Öquist thinks Swedes can share with the world. “For me, it’s important to have room to breathe, psychologically and physically. Other parts of the Swedish lifestyle that are worth emulating are the right to roam freely in nature [the Allemansrätten law protects citizens’ right to access and enjoy nearly all of the undeveloped land in the Swedish countryside, even if it is privately owned, including using it for hiking, cycling, camping, etc.], and a feeling of togetherness and empathy for those around you.”
The indoor garden is always filled with happy plants, lapping up the rays in the sun trap. “The monstera loves it here, it seems to think it’s in the jungle,” says Öquist.
Original details like oak-panelled doors, handles and knobs are intact. In the little hallway by the bedroom is a set of original closets.
Only one feature breaks with the bedroom’s modernist feel – the kakelugn, an 18th-century tile-covered stove, which preserves and emits heat really well.
“When it’s cold outside, we light one fire in the morning and one in the evening. When you enter the room it’s like you are greeted by a big, warm hug,” says Öquist.
“When it’s cold outside, we light one fire in the morning and one in the evening. When you enter the room it’s like you are greeted by a big, warm hug,” says Öquist.
After three years in the house, many of the paintings still haven’t been hung, but Öquist likes the way they sit on top of the cabinet.
On the opposite side of the open living space is the kitchen. It is not original, and could feel a bit dated, but Öquist doesn’t believe in getting rid of something that’s fully functional.
The breakfast nook is just big enough for morning coffee. Scandi design classics fit perfectly in the space, with a table from Bruno Mathsson, chairs from Artek and a Holmegaard-light picked up in a jumble sale.
Tucked just behind the kitchen is Öquist’s study.
After 25 years as an interiors editor, Öquist has seen plenty of trends come and go. A current one he’d like to see the end of is the obsession with grey walls.
“In Sweden it can be pretty cold and grey outside in the winter, so why bring the colour indoors? Why not bring in a ray of sunshine and go for bright yellow on textiles and things?” he concludes.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
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After 25 years as an interiors editor, Öquist has seen plenty of trends come and go. A current one he’d like to see the end of is the obsession with grey walls.
“In Sweden it can be pretty cold and grey outside in the winter, so why bring the colour indoors? Why not bring in a ray of sunshine and go for bright yellow on textiles and things?” he concludes.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
More
Russian Houzz Tour: Careful Reshuffling Creates a Liveable Home