A Swedish Family Home Filled with Art and Old-Time Charm
When Michaela and Daniel Grut were looking for a house for their growing family in Lidingö, Sweden, there were a few things that the couple had on their checklist. Expecting their first child, they wanted to settle down in a child-friendly neighborhood with an easy commute to Stockholm, where they both work. “We wanted a house full of charm where we could raise [our] children, with room for a painting studio for me and a music studio for Daniel,” Michaela explains. When the couple stumbled upon their current house, they were struck by the fact that it met all their requirements — it didn’t need too much work, and offered both modern functionality and old-time charm that the couple had wished for.
Although built in the 1970s, Michaela and Daniel’s home is inspired by local 19th-century architecture. With paneled ceilings, paned windows with deep marble windowsills and a garden with old apple trees and lots of flowers, the house feels much older than it is. To add even more charm to the home, Michaela and Daniel made a few changes before moving in — they added new floors and underfloor heating to the kitchen and hallway, gave the bathroom a low-cost facelift, and either painted or wallpapered all rooms in the house.
When it comes to decorating, Michaela and Daniel have quite different opinions. “The most important thing for me is that a space looks beautiful, balanced and interesting, but Daniel is all about function,” Michaela shares. “There have been quite a few discussions and compromises.” Despite their different points of view, Michaela and Daniel have been able to blend their tastes, and have created a home that is both functional for a family with two small children, and incredibly beautiful to look at.
Michaela, who works as marketing project manager at Bemz Design, an e-commerce website that offers design covers for IKEA furniture, has focused on creating homey and cozy spaces that don’t cost a fortune. Much of the furniture in the family’s home has been bought at flea markets and updated with paint and new textiles. Adding interest to classic decor with color, pattern, unique details and art is the cornerstone of Michaela’s design aesthetic. Most notable design choices are the beautiful wallpapers that she has selected for various rooms in the house, creating atmospheres that range from light and delicate to moody and cozy. With beautifully selected color stories in each space, it comes as no surprise that creativity runs deep in this family. When the children are asleep, Michaela can often be found in her art studio working on new paintings, while Daniel can be heard playing music in his music room in the garage. “We’re so thankful to have the space to nurture and practice our hobbies,” Michaela adds. Scroll down for a peek into this lovingly decorated and personal Swedish home! —Sofia
Photography by Karl Anderson Photography
Image above: Michaela loves to mix vintage finds, gifts, and heirlooms. In the living room, one of Michaela’s paintings hangs above an IKEA sofa, which has received a new look with a chestnut-colored slipcover from Bemz.

Michaela and Daniel appreciate having ample space to host friends and family. “I love that we can fit 12-14 people around this huge dining table, as we often have people over for dinner!” Michaela says.

The rustic table in the kitchen, a gift from a friend, is one of Michaela’s favorite pieces of furniture. The large painting behind it is Michaela’s own handiwork.

The kitchen, with classic cabinets, brass handles and a black stone countertop, was renovated a few years before Michaela and Daniel moved in.

A rustic bench, brass candle sconces and a painting by Daniel’s grandmother create a beautiful and welcoming vignette in the hallway. The light blue floral Penelope wallpaper by Hanna Wendelbo-Hansson for Sandberg brings the space to life.

“I am in love with this antique Rococo mirror — the blue wallpaper really makes it pop,” Michaela shares.

The bathroom is original, but received a quick cosmetic update when Michaela and Daniel first moved in. “We gave it quick budget makeover with some new paint, a new radiator cover and a little styling,” Michaela explains. “If we redo the bathroom in the future I will definitely go with a much bolder style.”

Michaela has always been drawn to mixing warm and cold colors — to create a balanced and harmonious feel in the master bedroom, she chose to mix subtle pink, grey and different shades of green. “I absolutely adore these wood and marble bedside tables. It took me a long time to find them and I probably overpaid but to me they are worth every penny!” she adds.

The old rocking horse belonged to Michaela’s grandfather and has a special place in her heart. As it is too fragile for the kids to play with, it stays in the master bedroom.

Michaela painted the vintage chair and desk using Annie Sloan’s chalk paints in French Linen and Chateau Grey. The brass figurine playing the violin is a much-loved flea market find.

Michaela and Daniel’s son Gustav’s room features eye-catching Poppy wallpaper by Mimou. The deep blue pattern creates a cozy space that allows the imagination to run wild.

For Gustav’s room, Michaela focused on a color palette of blue, green, purple and brass. The illustration above the bedside table is by Michelle Carlslund.

Gustav’s own artwork hangs above the dresser, mixed with illustrations by Mrs Mighetto and John Bauer. Michaela painted the dresser with Annie Sloan’s chalk paint.

For both of her children, Michaela has created spaces that are full of magic and old-time charm. The dreamy Barbary Toile wallpaper by Nina Campbell is the first thing that Michaela bought for her daughter Andrea’s room.

“I love the combination of this wallpaper, the antique golden bench, the old dress and the wooden closet,” Michaela shares.

Michaela wanted to create a sleeping space that Andrea, now two years old, could grow into. To create a softer look, Michaela painted the wooden bed in a soft, greenish grey color.

Michaela in front of one of her own paintings. Her original artwork and fine art prints will soon be available for purchase.

Michaela spends a lot of her spare time in her art studio, a space that allows creativity to flow. She mostly paints on the floor, leaving traces of paint as reminders of art-filled evenings. “Yes I have destroyed the floors,” she says, “but it wouldn’t be a real studio if [I hadn’t]! I tell Daniel that the paint on the floor is easy to get off, but to be honest…it’s not.”

Michaela chose Dancing Crane wallpaper by Engblad & Co for her upstairs art studio. One of her paintings decorates the wall above a marble and wood bureau bought at an auction. The old gramophone next to it used to belong to Michaela’s grandfather.

“What I love most about my home is my studio where my creativity flows freely” — Michaela

Floor plan of Michaela and Daniel’s 1,940-square-foot home.
SOURCE LIST
Living Room:
Sofa – IKEA
Sofa cover – Bemz
Cushion covers – Bemz and Day Home
Large painting – Michaela Grut
Wool rug – Ellos
Floor lamp – Ellos
Large ceramic vase – Emma Redeskog
Candleholder – Arne Jacobsen for Georg Jensen
Candleholder on windowsill – Nagel Stoff
Dining Room:
Ceramic bowl – The Lillie Way
Copper table lamp – Room
Wool rug – Ellos
Linen tablecloth – Himla
Vitrine – IKEA
Kitchen:
Candleholder – Georg Jensen
Vase – Emma Redeskog
Chairs – IKEA with linen slipcovers from Bemz
Children’s chairs – IKEA painted in Setting Plaster by Farrow and Ball and Moonlit Night by Designers Guild
Pendant light – Hägring from Lampgallerian
Wall sconce – Day Home
Round black wall decoration – Tine K Home
Cutting board with bark edge – H&M Home
Wooden spoons – H&M Home
Painting in the background – Lisa Torikka
Hallway:
Wallpaper – Penelope by Sandbergs
Brass sconces – Malin Appelgren
Green linen cushion – Bemz
Chrome lamp – Room21
Bathroom:
Walls – Relaxed Green by Flügger
Candle sconce – Day Home
Brass soap dispenser – Zara Home
Round ceramic vase – Design online
Master Bedroom:
Walls – 50/50 mix of Lady Balance and Setting Plaster by Jotun Lady
Bed – IKEA
Headboard – SIA
Cushion covers – Bemz
Bedskirt – Bemz
Bedspread – Himla
Chair paint – French Linen by Annie Sloan
Desk paint – Chateau Grey by Annie Sloan
Gustav’s Room:
Wallpaper – Poppy by Mimou
Wool rug – Ellos
Large basket – Afroart
Masks – Day Home
Air-balloon – La Petite Maison
Illustration above bedside table – Michelle Carlslund
Bear – Steiff
Illustrations above dresser – Mrs Mighetto and John Bauer
Dresser – Mio, repainted in French Linen chalk paint by Annie Sloan
Andrea’s Room:
Wallpaper – Barbary Toile by Nina Campbell
Navy linen curtains – Bemz
Green cushion – Bemz
Large basket – Afroart
Swan on top of wardrobe – Mini Look
Art Studio:
Wallpaper – Dancing Crane by Engblad & Co
What an absolutely beautiful home. The colors just sing.
and where do the figurines next to the blue alarm clock come from? They totally appeal to the quirk in me!
Hi!
They are vintage and I bought them at Tradera :)
Br,
Michaela
I like this beautiful home a lot. The colours are so pretty and fresh.
Gorgeous home! LOVE her artwork! When and where will they be available for purchase?
Hi,
Wow, thanks so much :D I will have the shop up an running in February.
If you want you can follow me @melasroom where I share the latest news.
Br,
Michaela
Gorgeous home! I love colours as well and have my whole home filled with lovely colours I love!
First time visiting your site! I will come back for sure!
Have a nice Saturday!
//Berith
The painting in the bathroom, the bird (goose ?) with the pearl necklace, Where does it come from? Absolutely brilliant.
Spectacular!
Every part of this home is magical. I love it so!