Having a tasteful mix of clean, Swedish design and subtle bursts of colour, Anna and Richard Wright have created their small house in Stockholm, Sweden, a playful retreat for their family of five. Located in the trendy neighborhood of Telefonplan, this 1,120-square-foot house unites midcentury Scandinavian furniture with U.K.-inspired decor — a tribute to Swedish Anna’s and British Richard’s roots. Vintage lighting and childlike touches finish the house’s cheerful look.
at a Glance
Who lives here: Anna and Richard Wright, their 3 young children and 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Size: 104 square meters (1,120 square feet); 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Photography by Lisbet Spörndly
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
As many modern homes embrace the open living plan, the Wrights really put a wall between the kitchen and the living room, since the long space felt uncomfortable for the family. “It felt like a showroom, not a house,” says Anna. Graphic wallpaper makes the wall a fun accent.
Background: Isak; wooden storage device: Tradera; gloomy chair: vintage
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
The majority of the bits came out of local charity shops and flea markets. “We like to decorate with things that have a soul,” says Anna. The kitchen background, in the 1960s, is an online find. Since the paper was so delicate, the family hired a professional to help put it up.
The pink lamp above the dining table is just one of Anna’s favorite purchases — just 200 of those Bumling lamps were created in this colour in 2011. The splash of female colour completely changes the room’s vibe.
Pink light: Ateljé Lyktan; table: Ikea
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
While much of the kitchen is unique to the house, Anna laid out it to work well for her family. The large dining table can easily seat everybody and can be tucked away in the kitchen counter, “therefore I don’t have to look at the mess after cooking,” says Anna.
The design maintains some floor area for the kids to play on while Anna and Richard relax after dinner.
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
The Wrights have enjoyed infusing their playful personalities into this house, creating and customizing many of the accessories — such as this great Lego box for kitchen utensils, created by Anna.
They hope to eventually change out the cabinets and floors in the kitchen. “We love how it’s designed, but it will be nice to change it into a retro kitchen,” says Anna. “The dream could be a checkerboard floor with soft gray and white tiles.”
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
Ikea storage lockers maintain CDs organized. The panels allow for a changing display of CD covers — one of Richard’s favorite features.
The three children love to become involved in the house’s design, often producing adorable accessories from beads and fabric.
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
White walls maintain the tiny halls feeling clean and glowing. This playful ring out of Barcelona casts scattered shadows.
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
Another bit of artful background, from Hanna Werning, plays the colour of an Ikea sofabed in a small living 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 a tasteful touch.
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
A vintage red Ikea pendant adds colour to this entry hallway, while a framed bit of Marimekko fabric complements a gallery wall of family photos and art.
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
Each of the Wright children share a room. Both older children sleep on an Ikea bunk bed, although the youngest snoozes in a simple Ikea crib on the other side of this room.
Anna created the children’s bedding from vintage fabric. A desk out of her grandfather’s old workplace provides storage and brings family opinion for this sweet area.
Banners: Jaglekerträd
Fotograf Lisbet Spörndly
Hand-carved stools from Stockholm engraved with the children’s names line the close of the room. The dresser on the right is a classic bit out of Anna’s parents’ house; she and a few of her daughters painted it pink.
Crib, rugs: Ikea