Swedish Houzz: Sneak a Peek Around a Playful Family Home in Stockholm
This fun-loving family of 5 have married their Swedish and British heritage to create a colourful home that's bright and brimming with charm
With a tasteful blend of clean, Swedish design and subtle bursts of colour, Anna and Richard Wright have made their small home in Stockholm, Sweden, a playful retreat for their family of five. Located in the trendy neighbourhood of Telefonplan, this 341-square-metre home combines mid-century Scandinavian furniture with UK inspired styling – a tribute to Anna’s Swedish background and Richard’s UK roots. Vintage lighting and fun, colourful accessories complete the home’s cheerful look.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Anna and Richard Wright, their 3 young children and 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Photography by Lisbet Spörndly
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Anna and Richard Wright, their 3 young children and 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Size: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Photography by Lisbet Spörndly
Most of the pieces came from local charity shops and flea markets. “We love to decorate with things that have a soul,” says Anna. The kitchen wallpaper, from the 1960s, is an online find. Because the paper was so delicate, the family hired a professional to help put it up.
The pink lamp over the dining table is one of Anna’s favourite purchases – only 200 of these Bumling lamps were made in this colour in 2011. The splash of pink completely changes the room’s vibe.
Pink light: Atelje Lyktan; table: IKEA
The pink lamp over the dining table is one of Anna’s favourite purchases – only 200 of these Bumling lamps were made in this colour in 2011. The splash of pink completely changes the room’s vibe.
Pink light: Atelje Lyktan; table: IKEA
While much of the kitchen is original to the home, Anna laid it out to work well for her family. The large table can easily seat everyone and is tucked away from the kitchen worktop, “so I don’t have to look at the mess after cooking”, says Anna.
The layout maintains some floor space for the children to play on while Anna and Richard relax after dinner.
The layout maintains some floor space for the children to play on while Anna and Richard relax after dinner.
The Wrights have enjoyed infusing their playful personalities into this home, creating and customising many of the accessories – including this great Lego box for kitchen utensils, made by Anna.
They hope to eventually change the cupboards and flooring in the kitchen. “We love how it’s designed, but it would be nice to change it into a retro kitchen,” says Anna. “The dream would be a chequerboard floor with soft white and grey tiles.”
They hope to eventually change the cupboards and flooring in the kitchen. “We love how it’s designed, but it would be nice to change it into a retro kitchen,” says Anna. “The dream would be a chequerboard floor with soft white and grey tiles.”
IKEA storage lockers keep CDs organised. The panels allow for a changing display of CD covers – one of Richard’s favourite features.
The three children love to get involved in the home’s design, often creating accessories out of beads and fabric.
The three children love to get involved in the home’s design, often creating accessories out of beads and fabric.
White walls keep the small hallways feeling fresh and bright. This playful pendant from Barcelona casts scattered shadows.
Another colourful piece of wallpaper, from Hanna Werning, reflects the colour of an IKEA sofa bed in a small family room. The couple found the print of New York City at an art fair at the nearby School of Art in Stockholm. A vintage pendant adds an elegant touch.
A vintage red IKEA pendant adds colour to this entry hallway, while a framed piece of Marimekko fabric complements a gallery wall of family photos and art.
All the Wright children share a room. The two older children sleep on an IKEA bunk bed, while the youngest snoozes in a simple IKEA crib on the other side of the room.
Anna made the children’s bedding out of vintage fabric. A unit from her grandfather’s old office provides storage and brings family sentiment to this sweet space.
Bunting: Jaglekertrad
Anna made the children’s bedding out of vintage fabric. A unit from her grandfather’s old office provides storage and brings family sentiment to this sweet space.
Bunting: Jaglekertrad
Hand-carved stools from Stockholm engraved with the children’s names line the end of the room. The dresser on the right is an old piece from Anna’s parents’ home; she and one of her daughters painted it pink.
Cot, rugs: IKEA
Cot, rugs: IKEA
Wallpaper: Isak; wooden storage unit: Tradera; blue chair: vintage