Antiques and Modern Additions in a Cozy Top Floor Duplex Apartment

This charming duplex apartment lies on the top two floors of a historic building in one of the fashionable neighborhoods around Strandvägen in Stockholm. This apartment of only 55 square meters feels like a small townhouse in the center of the city.

Historic elements from the 19th century, like high ceilings and barred windows with hand-blown glass, have been preserved and supplemented with contemporary additions like a spiral steel staircase and a new kitchen.

But overall, the apartment has a classic feel, thanks to the herringbone parquet floor on the lower floor and antique furnishings. Even though the apartment is small, this home is full of charm and cozy rooms.

The lower floor has an open floor plan that seamlessly flows from the entry hall into an open-plan living room and kitchen. White walls and a herringbone parquet floor form the classic base for this space.

Natural light flows into the room through these large barred windows and glass balcony doors, overlooking the courtyard.

The walls around the spiral staircase are decorated with modern, open bookcases.

Glass doors open to the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Thanks to the apartment’s high location, you can see plenty of sky, turning it into a wonderful outdoor spot for summer dinners or to read a book.

The entire balcony is decorated with plants and flowers.

Despite the classic look, the kitchen is a new addition to the apartment. It was built on site by carpenters and features solid wood cabinets with hand-painted mirror cabinets. On one side, a double row of upper cabinets utilizes the high ceilings perfectly.

The light-colored cabinets are paired with brass handles and a Portuguese limestone countertop and backsplash.

A black, wrought-iron spiral staircase leads you to the upper floor, where you can find a second sitting area/television room, a home office, and the bedroom.

Two large dormer windows turn this attic space into a bright room. The walls are painted in a muted gray-green shade paired with an oak parquet floor. In the corner, a charming home office has been created using a simple wooden desk.

There is plenty of room for a large sofa, and the niche has been fitted with a wooden shelf for books, decor, or a television.

A beautiful exposed wooden door leads you to the apartment’s only bedroom.

As this is an old building, the bedroom has charming nooks that have been utilized for storage and another desk.

A double bed has been placed under the slanted ceiling with shelves that can be used as nightstands.

Large, white floor-to-ceiling wardrobes offer plenty of storage space. The curtain hides a door leading (I presume) to an emergency exit.

The walls in the hallway are painted white, and the floor is covered with Öland limestone tiles.

styling by Lingsell and photography by Larsson for Historiska Hem.