Houzz Tour: Colour Takes the Cake in a Swedish Family Farmhouse
Pink, blue and yellow Christmas decorations stand in for traditional red and white in this charming country home
Evelina Utterberg and her partner, Pär Jansson, moved with their five children into their large red farmhouse two-and-a-half years ago. “Pär grew up in the house, as it was owned by his mother and father. A few years ago, when his parents decided to move and downsize, we took over,” Utterberg says. The farmhouse is perfectly situated for the family, with woods around the corner and grazing cows just a stone’s throw away. “We live in a genuine countryside landscape and love spending outdoor time together with the kids,” she says.
Since the family moved in, there’s been little time for major changes in the house. “We’ve painted the inside walls white and put a new floor in one room so far,” Utterberg says.
Their next project, though, is far more extensive. “We are busy creating our own main bedroom,” she says, “and I’m really looking forward to decorating it eventually.”
Their next project, though, is far more extensive. “We are busy creating our own main bedroom,” she says, “and I’m really looking forward to decorating it eventually.”
Utterberg is in charge when it comes to decor. “I love decorating, and I know Pär likes my ideas,” she says. She has brightened the house with details in pink, yellow and blue. “Inspiration equals bright colours in my world, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been surrounded by strong palettes.”
Christmas decorations are no exception when it comes to Utterberg’s popping colour scheme. “I wanted them to blend into the rest of the house,” she says, “so the brightness comes naturally.”
Most of the decorations are handmade. “We all love bead pegboards – it’s become a family thing to do.” After a lot of practice, they no longer need any templates and instead create their own patterns on the pegboards with plastic fusible beads.
Most of the decorations are handmade. “We all love bead pegboards – it’s become a family thing to do.” After a lot of practice, they no longer need any templates and instead create their own patterns on the pegboards with plastic fusible beads.
Here’s an example of just how good the family has become at creating designs with the beads. “I saw a picture of a similar gingerbread house online,” Utterberg says. “I thought it was very nice and so printed out the photo, and we used it to build this gingerbread house with pärlplattor [bead pegboards]. I think it looks identical.”
Utterberg’s interest in secondhand objects has helped her furnish the house. “My mother has always collected old items, and it has rubbed off on me,” she says. The light wood cupboard in the living room is one of her best finds.
“I’ve bought several [spindle back] chairs at secondhand markets,” Utterberg says, “and some of them are now gathered around the kitchen table.”
However, the original chairs looked nothing like this. “I grabbed a brush and painted them with bright colours. It was quick, and if you look closely, you’ll see the results are far from perfect. But with five kids, who cares? I can’t be too fussy about wear and tear.”
However, the original chairs looked nothing like this. “I grabbed a brush and painted them with bright colours. It was quick, and if you look closely, you’ll see the results are far from perfect. But with five kids, who cares? I can’t be too fussy about wear and tear.”
A white String shelf – a birthday present – hangs on the kitchen wall, where secondhand bargains and modern items blend well together.
Until the new main bedroom is finished, a temporary family bedroom for the parents and two of the children, Enya and Elise, has been set up.
“The white walls will continue into the new bedroom. It gives me creative space for loads of colourful, bright details,” Utterberg says. “The problem with non-white walls is that they get boring after a while, and repainting is quite an effort.”
“The white walls will continue into the new bedroom. It gives me creative space for loads of colourful, bright details,” Utterberg says. “The problem with non-white walls is that they get boring after a while, and repainting is quite an effort.”
“The study was originally a spacious hallway. We don’t spend much time in here,” Utterberg says, “and my dream is to turn it into a cosy corner with a stove and a couple of nice armchairs.”
Who lives here: Evelina Utterberg, her partner, Pär Jansson, and their five children, Embla, Elton, Elona, Enya and Elise
Location: Karlsborg, in central-southern Sweden
Size: 220 square metres