Tour an 18th-Century Treasure in the Heart of Vaxholm, Sweden

Tour an 18th-Century Treasure in the Heart of Vaxholm, Sweden | Smart is Beauty

Hello there! I hope you had a lovely weekend. Over here, it’s been one of those classic rainy ones—and honestly, the only way I could keep my spirits up was by telling myself how good this must be for the garden at our summer cottage. Silver linings, eller hur?

Speaking of all things green, it ties in perfectly with today’s home tour: the historical Löwenström Garden in Vaxholm—a true cultural gem with roots reaching back to the 18th century. Vaxholm, for those unfamiliar, is a charming coastal town in the Stockholm archipelago, often called the gateway to the islands. It’s got that magical mix of seaside calm, cobblestone charm, and storybook history.

This property combines a heritage-protected garden with a beautifully restored turn-of-the-century home, measuring a staggering 328 square metres (approx. 3,531 square feet) of thoughtful renovation and soul.

Step inside, and you’re greeted by solid wooden floors, beautiful limestone touches, and characterful wood walls that wrap the space in a rustic yet elegant hug.

The entire home is wrapped in a calm, harmonious palette—soft whites, gentle beiges, warm greys, pale blues, and light greens, which gives it a sense of cohesion and serenity.

And then there are the kakelugnar—those gorgeous Swedish tiled stoves—tucked around nearly every corner. I’m a little obsessed. Not only are they wonderfully efficient at keeping things toasty (even though, these days they have become more decorative rather than a vital source of heat) they’re also just so beautiful.

Let's take a look around!

Lovely, isn’t it? So calm and considered. I especially appreciated how they’ve used contrast on the doors and skirting boards—a look that’s become quite popular lately and really adds to that timeless, heritage feel.

If you'd like to see a similar effect but with a bold splash of colour, check out this vibrant flat I completely fell in love with a few weeks ago.

Did anything in particular catch your eye?

Could you imagine yourself living in this beautiful piece of Vaxholm’s history? If so, you can read more about it here and see more pics!

Shall we visit a few other properties in the Scandinavian countryside today? How about:

Emilia's laid-back country home

A traditional red and white farmhouse in Sweden

A cosy rural home in Northern Sweden (love the picture of Nicole watching salmon jump in the river from her cabin window).