In 2008, media specialist Anna Bodin moved into a 2,500-square-foot apartment in Stockholm, which was in much need of some loving. Bodin had the dilapidated apartment renovated, transforming it into the wondrous living space that it is today.
"It was important for me carefully renovate the apartment - to retain its soul," says Bodin. "Instead of tearing up the walls between the kitchen and living room, as many do today, I tried, instead, to keep the open space outside the kitchen, as the cupboards and drawers are the originals from when the house was built. Also, I saw the benefits of keeping the rooms as they were given that I have teenagers at home, who could break out into the kitchen with friends while I was in the living room."
See also: 10 Reasons to Buy Vintage
Anna renovated all the doors, painting them with a pure white gloss, reminiscent of the oil paint used on the woodwork of yesteryear. Instead of putting in new windows, Anna went to the District Courts in Nacka's Land and Environment department where she located hand-blown windows that fitted perfectly with the apartment's aesthetic.
Shades of gold, beige, black and brass run like a thread through the living room with splashes of green in the shape of ornaments matching the fireplace.
"I have a lot of art and antiques, [so] I have allowed the interior to be totally neutral colours so as to emphasise these pieces in the best way," says Bodin.
See also: How to Furnish Your Modern Home with Antiques
Neutral colours largely permeate the space, apart from Anna's office which has an orange wallpaper reminiscent of the Hermès signature colour. The office is mix of orange walls, floral curtains, Moroccan carpets and gold mirrors, finished with a patterned desk. Despite all this colour and pattern, the room is calming and harmonious.
"You should not be apprehensive when it comes to colour, you just have to be daring," saids Bodin. "A good tip is to make a mood board to see how colour swatches go together. As soon as I saw this wallpaper I had to have it. The curtains are Svenskt Tenn and have a brown and orange colour scheme which matches the wallpaper, as well as the furniture in the office. The desk is from the 1970s and has been upholstered with an antique wallpaper featuring scenes of Sweden. Buying cheaper furniture at an online auction or a flea market means you can experiment with them by repainting or wallpapering, something you would never dare to do with a more expensive piece. It is also a good way to capture the character of a piece."
See also: Svenskt Tenn: The Hub of Swedish Interior Design
The office, hall and corridors are finished with a seaweed carpet from Walles & Walles.
"Carpets permeate the interiors," Bodin explains. "I like it when a big rug spreads out and embraces a room, it gives a very international, luxurious and cozy feeling that I like."
The softly decorated bedroom is adorned with a beautiful French-inspired wardrobe with paned mirror glass. In keeping with the window designs of the original home, Anna created a lattice of mirrored panels on the windows and wardrobes, creating harmony throughout the apartment.
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Next to the bed is Anna's favourite object, a table clock in rose gold and marble. The 1920s Art Deco piece was made around the same time that the apartment was built.
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The kitchen is by the Danish design company Kvik, and the room has a new Chateau Kährs oak floor. The wide planks are reminiscent of the apartment's original floor. The dining room has a mix of mismatching chairs that are all flea market finds, as well as four Empire chairs that Anna's mother bought at auction in the 1970s and then renovated herself.
See also: 8 Sensational Flea Market Finds
"Place flea market finds with antique chairs, everything in the same interior does not have to be expensive," Bodin advises. "Quite the contrary, auctions, flea markets and thrift stores offer a wonderful chance to experiment with different styles. I mix pieces I buy at auction with heirlooms and what else I already have. Mixing up expensive items with cheaper finds results in a more vibrant space."
"My home carries a story," reflects Bodin. "Almost nothing is new, the interior is made up of everything I have collected over the years. I like to move an object around until it finds its place in the home. You've heard the old phrase ''Less is more", well in fact I think "more is more." The most important thing in a home is that, no matter what the style, it feels inviting. It should not look like a showroom."
Find more interiors stories in Barnebys Magazine
Photography: Anne Nyblaeus
Stylist: Stephanie Bjelke Tribe
This is an updated version of the article originally published on 27 March 2017.