Hilda’s Sunny Swedish Highrise

published Apr 5, 2011
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Name: Hilda Grahnat
Location: Malmö, Sweden
Size: 420 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 — rented

It’s hard to believe Hilda Grahnat is a student when looking through the photos of her home. Her tiny apartment is not the predictable student digs; it’s so perfectly styled and well-maintained. One of Hilda’s favorite hobbies is shopping for vintage housewares — her home is filled to the brim with these amazing finds.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

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(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Hilda is an inspiration. Not only is she a graphic design student and a photographer, she also has an online shop, selling all sorts of things from screen printed tote bags to handmade book clocks.

I couldn’t wait to feature a Swedish home and I just knew I had to ask Hilda after following her blog, which blog often includes photos of her amazing home. Even though it’s only 420 square feet, each of the shots in the tour contains interesting knick knacks and finds. She knows exactly how to curate her thrifted items. As a graphic design student myself, I’m inspired by her style and think you will be too…

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Vintage, muted with colorful details.

Inspiration: Magazines and furniture catalogs from the 50s-60s and blogs with people’s real homes.

Favorite Element: The light in the kitchen is magical in the afternoon.

Biggest Challenge: Fitting everything in without it looking too crowded.

What Friends Say: “Wow, you have so much stuff!” and “I want to go thrifting with you!”

Biggest Embarrassment: The apartment building was built in the ’70s, so my apartment is shoe-box-shaped and has ugly doors and kitchen appliances and no character at all. And I have too much stuff and not nearly enough storage space!

Proudest DIY: The lamp in the livingroom window. The lamp shade had really ugly fabric, which I stripped off, and the base was wood and gold. I spray painted the whole thing white and decorated the shade with strips of an old sheet.

Biggest Indulgence: The big IKEA desk. I used to have a mid-century teak desk in the same style as the dresser, but it was way too small and I got problems with my back and arm from sitting there too much. This desk is huge and great to sit at.

Best Advice: You can find almost anything at a flea market. Don’t buy something new before you’ve searched for it at a flea market or thrift store. Used things are so much more personal.

Dream Sources: I don’t have one. As a student and avid thrifter, anything I buy has to be cheap. So flea markets are the perfect source for both furniture and home accessories.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Resources of Note:
Everything in Hilda’s apartment is either from Ikea or has been thrifted from stores around Sweden. Many of the items have also been inherited from older relatives. The book clocks are made by Hilda and can be found in her shop.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Thanks, Hilda!

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