It’s always intriguing to peek into the lives of others. How do people arrange their lives? What items surround them? In what kind of environment do they live? What do they see from the windows of their apartment?
A brief glimpse into another person’s lifestyle can inspire and make you reflect, offering a fresh perspective on your own life.
I find inspiration in every home — from 400-year-old houses in the English Cotswolds to tiny studios converted from former communal apartments. Even a random item can energize me for the whole day.
Today, let’s take a look at how an ordinary shop assistant lives on the outskirts of Stockholm. The owner of this apartment is 43 years old, unmarried, with a son who lives with his father. She works as a cashier in a chain supermarket. Sweden is not her native country; she immigrated here with her parents from Bosnia in 1992.
Here is the apartment building where our heroine lives today.
The same building, but from the opposite side.
The apartment’s area is 51 square meters. It’s a two-bedroom apartment, and in 2019, a rearrangement was made — the wall between the kitchen and the living room was removed, creating a unified social space.
The two-room apartment is located in a three-story building built in 1946, which was thoroughly renovated in 2010.
As a bonus, on the first floor, there are storage rooms and two laundry rooms. One of the laundry rooms is specially designed for pet owners, where you can wash dogs after a walk.
The building has balconies only on one side — the south side. That was the architect’s intention. The owner of this apartment is lucky to have a small cozy balcony.
Though the house is on the outskirts in a working district, look at how beautiful the entrance is. It feels like stepping into the foyer of a historic downtown house!
And this is how the apartment where our heroine lives looks like. Simple, but tasteful. Of course, I miss lace curtains (or curtains) on the windows. But I like the carpet that sets the mood for the entire room.
Mirrors on the wall are a good way to visually expand space. Here, I liked that the owner chose three round mirrors of different diameters. It looks stylish.
Previously, there was a solid wall between the kitchen and the living room.
It’s forbidden to glaze the balconies. And that’s the right decision — it keeps the facade of the house harmonious.
A small but cozy balcony that charges the owner with good mood every day. And for the atmosphere, you don’t need much — a garland of light bulbs, bright flowers in pots, a chair for relaxation, and a mug of hot coffee.
The houses are close to each other, but thanks to the trees, it manages to maintain a secluded atmosphere — you can’t see neighbors across the street.
Perhaps that’s why the owner doesn’t hang curtains. What’s the point? If the trees cover the view anyway.
However, you can see that there are blinds on the windows. In the evening, you can lower them so that no one sees you walking around the house in a bathrobe (or without it).
The kitchen cabinets here are still from the previous owners (and the current owner has been living here for more than a decade).
Simple, isn’t it? But still cozy. I like it when the interior is done in muted colors and pastel shades.
A garland of dried peppers is a cool (and practical) decoration for any kitchen.
The original entrance to the kitchen has also been preserved. From here, you can go to the hallway. I would probably make this door into a cupboard — in its place, you could put a glass display cabinet with dishes. Well, or something else. I’d like to use this pointless corner more usefully.
And this is a view of the bedroom, where we’ll go now.
The first thing that catches your eye is the curtains. A rarity among Scandinavians.
An interesting hanger next to the bed. For a bathrobe, pajamas, and everyday clothes.
A view from the living room to the hallway.
The bathroom — with a window, so the plants feel quite comfortable here (and they refresh this sterile room with their appearance).
Interior details in the hallway.
This is what the hallway looks like (all the upper clothing is stored in the built-in closet).
It’s time to say goodbye! I look forward to hearing your impressions of this apartment 🙂 I wonder if our emotions will match?
That’s how a woman lives on the outskirts of the Swedish capital. How do you like this apartment? Does it seem cozy to you?
