A Light 1940s Apartment with a Blue and Pink Kitchen
On the second floor of a 1940s apartment building on a quiet street in the Södermalm district in Stockholm lies this charming and light-filled one-bedroom apartment.
With windows on two sides, one overlooking the quiet courtyard, the 54-square-meter apartment feels larger than it is. The open-plan living space and the open layout toward the bedroom let light flow freely throughout the home, adding a sense of volume.
The apartment has a semi-open-plan living space with large north-facing windows, creating a light and pleasant room.
The living room walls are painted in a subtle light-gray hue, which pairs nicely with the recently sanded pine floorboards.
Even though the apartment isn’t that big, the living room has plenty of space for a comfortable seating area, a home office, and a dining table in front of the window.
The dining table connects the kitchen to the living room, and from here you have a nice view of the courtyard, which is lush with trees in the summer.
A wide opening leads you to the charming kitchen, where there is another dining space by the window, featuring a built-in bench with storage and a small round table with stools.
The soft, old-pink hue on the walls adds a nice color accent.
The kitchen is small but practical, with dark blue cabinets on either side topped with an oak countertop. The kitchen features classic white backsplash tiles and oak shelves, adding storage without bulking up the room with upper cabinets.
About Södermalm – Stockholm
Södermalm (or Söder in short) is an island just south of Stockholm’s Old Town (Gamla Stan). It has transformed from an impoverished area at the beginning of the 20th century into the most trendy neighborhood in Stockholm (and one of the coolest areas in the world, according to Vogue).
What to do: Södermalm is known for its cozy cafés, restaurants, and shops (including many vintage shops such as Beyond Retro and Grandpa). The island also offers beautiful views from the city. Walk up on Mariaberget or Skinnarviksberget and snap a picture of Sweden’s most beautiful city, or go for a swim at Långholmen.
Museums: Fotografiska Museum, Stockholm City Museum
You can take a guided 2-hour tour of Södermalm to fully immerse yourself in this trendy area. And if you’re interested in the brewery history, take a guided walk that includes a beer tasting at a secret location.
Where to stay: Stockholm Stadshotell, Hotel Frantz, NoFo Hotel
From the living room, an inner hall with a walk-in closet leads you to the bedroom on the street side, offering a nice view of the beautiful 19th-century buildings on the other side.
The room, including the three built-in wardrobes with overhead cabinets, is painted in a dull gray-green color, which gives the bedroom a soothing atmosphere. This is paired with a newly-laid beige wool carpet.
The inner hall between the living room and bedroom also gives access to the apartment’s bathroom. It features small white tiles on the walls, dark tiles on the floor, and a combined shower and bath.
The simple wooden bench with storage and baskets from Norrgavel adds storage space in the hall.
styling by Van Keppel and photography by Ono for Historiska Hem.