In the second episode, Härnestad – Husdrömmar, we follow restaurateur Gustav Ovland on his inspiring journey to transform a disused starch factory from 1916 into a unique home by the River Helge å outside Åhus. It’s a story of vision, creativity and determination – and the result is spectacular to say the least.
Table of contents
The transformation starts with the roof
To give the house a solid foundation, Gustav started by demolishing the old roof and rebuilding from scratch. The roof is covered with black, folded sheet metal with integrated solar cells that are barely visible – an aesthetic and sustainable solution. With the help of family, friends and neighbors, this step became a symbol of the community spirit and persistence that characterizes the whole project.
Challenges and reprioritization
The pandemic created major financial challenges for Gustav, who runs both a restaurant and a nightclub. To keep the project going, he had to sell his horse and reprioritize several parts of the renovation. Among other things, he opted out of his planned orangery to create a pantry under the new sun terrace.
One of the most memorable parts of the project was when architect Gert Wingårdh stepped in as an advisor. With Gert’s help, Gustav opened up the house to the river and optimized the floor plan upstairs, saving both space and money. The big insight? To prioritize functionality over abundance.
Unique details and sustainable solutions
Gustav used recycled iron beams from the factory to reinforce the structure and built part of the interior from materials that would otherwise be thrown away. The old power station was transformed into a mobile phone charging station, and a laundry room from a nearby factory became a decorative detail in the garden.
Everything in the house was chosen with care, from the solid oak doors in the kitchen to the herringbone patterned ceilings. The windows and doors were custom-built in oak with a dark stain to harmonize with the smoked oak floors.
The kitchen with its pantry is one of the highlights of the house. A window opening onto the pantry is designed like a painting, giving a unique atmosphere to the kitchen. In addition, the bathroom impresses with its terrazzo walls, and the bedroom with open wardrobes and doors to the roof terrace creates a sense of luxury and openness.
Facts about the house
Purchase price: SEK 1 million
Budget: SEK 2.5 million (final cost: SEK 4 million)
Living space: 135 sqm
Timetable: 15 months (occupancy in August 2021)
Patio: 200 sqm with large barbecue and hot tub
Closure
Each project in this episode of House Dreams carries lessons about creativity, sustainability and perseverance. From Linus and Karin’s care for their old house, to Andreas and Jonathan’s minimalist lifestyle, to Emelie and Mikael’s spirit of innovation, these stories remind us that dreams can come true in many different ways.
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