An antiques-filled lake house in Sweden

By Molly Malsom

Published: Wednesday, 12 October 2022 at 12:00 am

The peaceful lakes and forests of Dalarna County in central Sweden have long drawn in visitors from Stockholm and the south in search of somewhere to unwind, to be close to nature and to escape the pressures of city life. Driving towards the small town of Smedjebacken, on the northern edge of Lake Barken, the sight that greets you as the lake swings into view is enough to lift the spirits of any weary traveller. There, nestled on the still water beneath the huge open sky, is a cluster of small islands covered in pine trees. Glimpses of roof or window frame through the greenery reveal that each is the location of a secluded home.

Within this archipelago, with its unmissable yellow boathouse glinting in the sun, is the two-acre private island of Lyckans Ö, the aptly named ‘Happiness Island’, home to the summer house of Carina and Jacob Litorell. The couple live in Stockholm for most of the year, and the house and island – reached by a 10-minute boat trip from the mainland – have become their haven of peace and solitude since acquiring them in 2014.

‘When I arrive here, there is a feeling that nothing can disturb me,’ says Carina. ‘My perception of time changes; everything slows down. The morning starts when there is light, then comes the day, and then the evening. You can slouch around in pyjamas and do whatever you want.’

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The timber-clad, green-painted house with its eye-catching battlements, turrets and round windows, was erected at the end of the 19th century for the prosperous Stockholm merchant and engineer Carl de Val. Originally, there was a small cottage on the site that De Val incorporated into his grander building and which today forms the living room of the house. De Val’s love of boats led to the construction of the boathouse and above that, under the dome, he added an atelier for his artist daughter.

Even when first built, the Green House was considered to be very picturesque. Not only is it built almost exactly at the centre of the island, but it also occupies its highest point and from every room, regardless of which way it faces, you can see the lake. ‘Best of all, the house had been completely undisturbed,’ says Carina. ‘Nothing had been ripped out, renovated or modernised. It was pure happiness for us, as we could bring in improvements on the house’s own terms.’

From the start, they decided on a ‘silk-glove’ approach to renovating, aiming at preserving, enhancing and improving what was already there and avoiding over-modernising. The old well was restored, but there is no mains water. The house is heated with woodburners. There is no electricity, with batteries and gas catering for their needs. They also decided to keep nearly all the furniture that came with the house, occasionally upcycling a piece with a coat of egg tempera paint.

Apart from a new zinc roof, the main renovation work was in the kitchen, where they removed an inner ceiling to expose the roof beams, adding 50cm to the ceiling height. Vintage kitchen cabinets and a shelving unit were fitted, along with a renovated old cooking stove, which replaced the original one that was beyond repair. The stainless steel worktops were custom-made to their measurements. As far as possible, Carina and Jacob have tried to restore the house using only sustainable materials and paint.

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In keeping with the feeling of relaxed simplicity, furnishings have been kept to a minimum with a few rugs, pictures and houseplants bringing a homely touch. Most of the walls are white, the exceptions being their bedroom, which is a warm, dark putty, and the room above the boathouse.

This still bears the remarkable, swirling murals painted by Carl de Val’s artist daughter in the 1920s and is used today as guest accommodation. This comes in handy when the couple have visitors, such as during August’s crayfish parties, when they host a 400m swimming competition around the island. But, for much of the time, they just like to enjoy the peace and solitude.

‘There is such a freedom in being here, knowing you aren’t going to be disturbed unless you want to be,’ says Carina. ‘When I am away, I always dream of being back here.’

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The picturesque Green House in the centre of the island was built for a wealthy Stockholm merchant and engineer in the late 19th century, and is today the holiday home of Carina and Jacob Litorell.
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Lyckans Ö (‘Happiness Island’) in the northern corner of Lake Barken, Sweden. From the southern road on the mainland, the yellow boathouse can be clearly seen, while the house is hidden by trees.
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The dining room, like the rest of the house, is comfortably but simply furnished with two black and white framed posters adding a stylish touch. Like most of the antique and vintage furniture in the house, the dining table and chairs were here when the couple moved in. Other pieces such as the wooden chest, were picked up at local flea markets. The lamp is from Scandinavian heritage lighting brand Karlskrona Lampfabrik.
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In the kitchen, a large wire rack on the wall provides simple yet eye-catching pan storage.
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The original stove in the kitchen was beyond saving, so was replaced with another old, reconditioned one. The white handmade wall tiles are from Rörstrand, Sweden’s oldest porcelain factory.
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The living room is simply decorated with whitewashed walls and scrubbed wooden floorboards. Traditional rag rugs adorn the floors, and furniture is layered with furs for warmth and comfort. The Pernilla reclining armchair and ottoman are classics by mid-century Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson, Carina’s favourite designer. The vintage fox school poster came from a local flea market.
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Thanks to the colourful wall murals, little other decoration is needed in the guesthouse. A simple Thonet bentwood chair serves as a bedside table.
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The boathouse bathroom is just as it was when Carina and Jacob moved in and they were keen to preserve the fabulous swirling mural of abstract foliage in bold colours, which runs throughout the building. The mural dates to the 1920s and was painted by Carl de Val’s daughter, an artist, who used the rooms in the boathouse as her studio. The boathouse is now used as guest accommodation when family and friends come to stay.
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A large glass vase in the bedroom is filled with a pretty, seasonal bouquet. When the window is open, the water can be heard lapping gently against the pontoon below.
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The panelled spiral staircase in the main house leads up to the turret room in the main house.
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In the master bedroom the walls are painted in matt linseed paint in Brown Umbra by Gysinge. The chair in the window is by Bruno Mathsson and the light is from Karlskrona Lampfabrik.
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The dresser in the bedroom came with the house, but has been updated with a coat of paint.
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Ida the boat is from the 1970s, but is still going strong, and is the couple’s transport to the mainland and neighbouring islands where they go to pick berries.
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