Sebastian Bergström’s apartment in Stockholm is small at just 430 square feet, but it has a big personality. “Green, yellow, and red are my favorite colors,” he told me. “They make me happy – that’s why I want them in everything in my life.” He lives across the street from his sister’s apartment and her son, who shift between their own apartments. “I have breakfast on my balcony, and they come to me for lunch,” he says. “We love it!” Here, Sebastian gives us a tour of his apartment…
Living Room
The sofa and the daybed: from Ikea, then covered with new fabric.
About inspiration: I adore Nancy Meyers’ films, especially “Something’s Gotta Give” and “It’s Complicated.” There’s always plenty of lamps, candles, and flowers, very homey decor.
About the illusion of space: The little thing that makes a big difference is hanging shelves instead of bringing in furniture. For example, I can’t put a table behind my sofa, but I can put a shelf with lamps and books and other things. It makes the room feel bigger and cozier at the same time.
About the four-legged roommate: Herman is the best dog I could dream of. He sleeps a lot and is always the last to leave the bed in the morning. But he also loves to walk and explore the city with me. Almost everything with him is a real joy. I’m grateful he always chooses to be close to me. When he’s tired in the evening, I carry him down the stairs to the garden to pee, and he rests his head on my shoulder. It’s a sweet little moment we share every evening, and I cherish it.
About keeping the walls from feeling cluttered: I create a big gallery wall in each room, but I leave the other walls more empty so the space doesn’t feel overcrowded.
About painting things: I think a lot of people seem scared of painting things, like mirrors or chairs or cabinets. But I don’t care if it’s perfect or not; I do it just for myself. Painting a piece of furniture can make the whole room look completely different.
About mixing shapes: I have round cushions and oval mirrors, and my latest obsession is shells. I love shells on just about everything. Mixing different shapes makes the room more interesting.
Kitchen
About living alone: I blast music and sing along – that’s probably the best part of living alone! Plus, of course, I get to decorate my apartment exactly how I want.
About life in Stockholm: It was my childhood dream to move to Stockholm, and I’ve lived here for eight years now. The nature all around Sweden is enchanting – like the North with its different air, forests, and slow-paced life. I feel safe here and people are very nice, I think.
About morning rituals: I love my breakfast! I have two slices of crispy bread with butter, cheese, and vegetables. Then I have a bowl of yogurt with honey, granola, walnuts, and blueberries. Then coffee and some juice. Every morning, the same thing.
Bathroom
About favorite brands: I’m a fan of the Swedish brand Svenskt Tenn; they use a lot of colors in their displays, which is uncommon in Sweden. I also love Matilda Goad and The Cook’s Atelier. I’ll be opening my own interior store, Bientôt, next year!
About shopping for art: I enjoy browsing in local antique shops – you never know what you’ll find. I look for fruits, flowers, and landscapes. I don’t have any precious art; it’s just pieces I’ve found and fallen in love with.
Bedroom
About a tidy bed: I love sleeping in the corner of my little bedroom. I make my bed quickly, but my tip is to focus on making sure the pillows are together. I want my bed to feel welcoming, not something I can’t touch or even sit on during the day without messing everything up.
About
Gratitude: This is my dream apartment. My home is my safe space, and it really feels good.
Thank you so much, Sebastian!
Note: More house tours coming up, including the dreamy Brooklyn apartment and John Derian’s house in Provincetown.
(Photos by Sebastian Bergstrom for Cup of Jo.)
Source: https://cupofjo.com/2023/10/25/sebastian-bergstrom-small-house-tour-sweden/
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