Chic and cozy decor in a historic apartment

In Gothenburg, some historic apartments have retained their original character. This one is located in a building constructed in 1900, and its 95 square meters still bear the marks of its more than 100-year history. It is a spacious three-room apartment with walnut hardwood floors throughout. The moldings, ceiling medallions, and double doors, highlighted by its chic and cozy decor, evoke the bourgeois elegance of the early 20th century.

The windows face east and west, allowing light to flood into the apartment and enhance its spaciousness. Its decor blends Scandinavian design, vintage furniture, and handcrafted objects with a beautiful sense of balance. Every element seems to be in its rightful place, designed for everyday life but also to bring the joy of living surrounded by beautiful things.

The living room, a remarkable space with antique features

The living room is arranged in a row with the two bedrooms, a layout typical of the grand apartments of yesteryear. Its high ceiling create a real sense of space. A superb, intricately carved cornice runs all the way around the room. The walls are coated with gray lime wash. This mineral finish shimmers in the light and highlights every contour of the plaster.

One corner of the room features a magnificent brown tiled stove, the famous Swedish “kakelugn.” Its glazed tiles feature raised floral motifs and a cut-out crown at the top. A brass door closes off the firebox of this spectacular piece.

Opposite the stove, a sofa upholstered in white linen maintains a low profile in this room where antique pieces take center stage. On the floor, a thick, shag-pile wool rug adds an even cozier atmosphere. Two vintage armchairs are also arranged around the glass-and-chrome coffee table, creating a beautiful blend of eras.

Against the opposite wall, a large black display cabinet showcases the most delicate tableware. This dark piece balances the lightness of the sofa and rug.

The kitchen, at the heart of the apartment

The kitchen is understated and Shaker-style, finished in a very light gray. Its chrome handles evoke the kitchens of yesteryear. With its black countertop and white tile backsplash, it’s a timeless ensemble.

Its large window opens onto the building’s quiet courtyard and floods the room with light. Its white round table on a tulip base is surrounded by vintage wooden chairs.

The curved wall of the kitchen follows the curve of the stairwell and leads to the entryway. A pearl-gray damask wallpaper delicately adorns it. Here, there is another black display cabinet with glass doors, just like in the living room.

The bedrooms with custom storage

The master bedroom is a spacious room with beautifully preserved original details. A carved cornice and a medallion adorn the ceiling. The walls are covered in beige wallpaper featuring large floral bouquets, in a distinctly Swedish style. In front of the two tall windows, an antique black desk and a wooden chair create an elegant workspace.

Its double doors open onto the living room, creating a beautiful visual connection between the day and night areas. On one of the walls, custom-built storage units extend all the way to the ceiling. Their smooth fronts are discreet and blend seamlessly into this traditionally styled room, despite their modern design. A door built into this unit leads to a bathroom.

The second bedroom has beige walls. Its arched window overlooks the greenery.

Two bathrooms for added comfort

White tile covers the walls from floor to ceiling in the main bathroom. A strip of glossy turquoise tiles adds a vibrant touch to this neutral room.

The owners converted a former walk-in closet into a second bathroom. It also serves as a convenient laundry room, with a curtain to conceal this utilitarian area. Its gray floral wallpaper and ribbed glass ceiling light create a cozy atmosphere.

The entryway: a hallway that connects the entire apartment

The apartment’s entryway features high ceilings. Light gray damask wallpaper adorns the walls. Here, the kitchen wall follows the curve of the stairwell and is set back with niches. This hallway leads to all the rooms and serves as the true hub of the apartment.

Our take on the decor

This apartment perfectly illustrates the balance between heritage and modernity. The owners have preserved every original feature, from the tiled stove to the ceiling medallions. They’ve highlighted these elements with a soft palette of grays and beiges. The lime wash in the living room is an excellent choice; it adds depth to the walls, creating a much more striking effect than a simple matte paint. Its furnishings strike a balance between vintage pieces and older or contemporary items.

Color accents are well-measured, without being excessive in any of the rooms. The powdery pink of a chair, the red of a candleholder, and the turquoise of the tiles enliven this peaceful interior. The damask and floral wallpapers add a romantic touch without going overboard on the Gustavian style. Finally, the custom-built storage solutions free up the walls and allow the architecture to shine through.

An apartment that reminds us of our classic buildings

This interior immediately appeals to lovers of Haussmann-style apartments. The cornices, medallions, double molded doors, and solid, antique hardwood floors evoke an architectural vocabulary familiar to enthusiasts of classic urban dwellings. This type of tiled stove is rarely found, but marble fireplaces are common.

Linnéstaden, where city meets nature

The apartment is located in Linnéstaden, a lively neighborhood in Gothenburg. The small streets around Skansberget offer a rare sense of calm in the city center. Below the windows, the green hill reveals Skansen Kronan at its summit, a fortification crowned with a golden crown. From the living room sofa, you can see the sun glinting off this crown. Everything is within walking distance, as if you were in a village.

This 95sqm apartment, with its chic and cozy decor, is for sale at Alvhem