Houzz Tour: A Colourful Family Farmhouse With a Fresh Take on Christmas
Traditional red and white Christmas colours have given way to bright details in pink, blue and yellow in this Scandi farmhouse
Evelina Utterberg, her partner Pär and their five children moved into this large red farmhouse two-and-a-half years ago. ‘Pär grew up in the house, as it was owned by his mother and father. A few years ago, when his parents decided to move and downsize, we took over,’ explains Evelina. The farmhouse is perfectly situated for the family, with woods around the corner and grazing cows just a stone’s throw away. ‘We live in a genuine countryside landscape and love spending outdoor time together with the kids,’ she adds.
Since the family moved in, there’s been little time for major changes in the house. ‘We’ve painted the inside walls white and put a new floor in one room so far,’ explains Evelina.
Their next project, though, is far more extensive. ‘We are busy creating our own main bedroom,’ she continues, ‘and I’m really looking forward to decorating it eventually.’
Their next project, though, is far more extensive. ‘We are busy creating our own main bedroom,’ she continues, ‘and I’m really looking forward to decorating it eventually.’
Evelina is in charge when it comes to décor. ‘I love decorating and I know Pär likes my ideas,’ she says. She’s brightened the house with details in pink, yellow and blue. ‘Inspiration equals bright colours in my world, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been surrounded by strong palettes.’
See a clean, serene Scottish home that’s had a Scandi makeover
See a clean, serene Scottish home that’s had a Scandi makeover
Christmas decorations are no exception when it comes to Evelina’s pop-brights colour scheme. ‘I wanted them to blend into the rest of the house,’ she explains, ‘so the brightness comes naturally.’
Most of the decorations are handmade. ‘We all love bead pegboards – it’s become a family thing to do.’ After a lot of practice, they no longer need bead templates but create their own patterns.
Most of the decorations are handmade. ‘We all love bead pegboards – it’s become a family thing to do.’ After a lot of practice, they no longer need bead templates but create their own patterns.
Here you can see an example of just how good the family has become at creating designs using beads. ‘I saw a picture of a similar gingerbread house online,’ says Evelina. ‘I thought it was very nice and so printed out the photo and we used it to build this gingerbread house with pärlplattor [beads]. I think it looks identical.’
Evelina’s interest in second-hand objects has helped her furnish the house. ‘My mother has always collected old items, and it’s rubbed off on me,’ she says. The light wood cupboard in the living room is one of her best finds, bought for only £7.
‘I’ve bought several carver chairs at flea markets,’ Evelina says, ‘and some of them are now gathered around the kitchen table.’
However, the original chairs looked nothing like this. ‘I grabbed a brush and painted them with bright colours. It was quick and if you look closely, you’ll see the results are far from perfect. But with five kids, who cares? I can’t be too fussy about wear and tear.’
Check out five essential pieces for classic Scandi style
However, the original chairs looked nothing like this. ‘I grabbed a brush and painted them with bright colours. It was quick and if you look closely, you’ll see the results are far from perfect. But with five kids, who cares? I can’t be too fussy about wear and tear.’
Check out five essential pieces for classic Scandi style
A white String shelf – a birthday present – hangs on the kitchen wall, where second-hand bargains and modern items blend well together.
Until the new main bedroom is finished, a temporary family bedroom for the parents and two of the children, Enya and Elise, has been set up.
‘The white walls will continue into the new bedroom. It gives me creative space for loads of colourful, bright details,’ says Evelina. ‘The problem with non-white walls is that they get boring after a while, and repainting is quite an effort.’
‘The white walls will continue into the new bedroom. It gives me creative space for loads of colourful, bright details,’ says Evelina. ‘The problem with non-white walls is that they get boring after a while, and repainting is quite an effort.’
A pink String shelf hangs on the wall in the temporary bedroom. The shelf was a name-giving gift for Enya. The bright toy circus is a Janod Story Box. ‘Wooden toys are my favourites,’ says Evelina. ‘When I visit flea markets, I always hope to find some to bring home to the children.’
‘The study was originally a spacious hallway. We don’t spend much time in here,’ Evelina explains, ‘and my dream is to turn it into a cosy corner with a stove and a couple of nice armchairs.’
Who lives here Evelina Utterberg together with her partner Pär and five children, Embla, Elton, Elona, Enya and Elise
Location Karlsborg, in central-southern Sweden
Size A two-storey house of 220 sq m