You know that feeling where you just have to know what happened? The first episode of House Dreams’ follow-up episode (House Dreams 2025 Season 12 Episode 1) took us right there – back to the houses and people who once dreamed big, worked hard, and made magic. Here are the most memorable moments and lessons from the episode!
Table of contents
From dream to reality: Aila and Torkel's unique wooden pool
Remember Aila and Torkel from Onsala? The couple who built their dream house in the middle of the treetops – and who dared to invest in an above-ground swimming pool made entirely of wood. When we visit them again, we find out that it wasn’t easy:
“I was really nervous when we filled the pool, but everything held! It took seven hours to fill it and not a millimeter moved,” says Torkel with a big smile.
The project required incredible precision and a lot of willpower. But today, the result is a unique work of art – and a place for both exercise and relaxation. It’s a reminder that sometimes the bravest choice is the most memorable.
Amber and Uffe: From brick house to Italian dream
Amber and Uffe, always looking for the next adventure, have done it again. After Eastern brick houses and creative building projects, their journey has led them to Italy. They have now bought a charming house in a small mountain village.
“This was pure luck. We were just going to visit friends, but then we found this house and fell right over,” says Uffe enthusiastically.
It’s a new chapter, but the style is the same. With an eye for potential and the ability to create magic from the simple, they now have plans to convert the downstairs into a country kitchen and create space for friends and family. And isn’t it inspiring to see how they continue to follow their dreams with the same fervor?
Negin's journey: betting on yourself
Negin is one of the most impressive profiles in House Dreams. She bought her big house in the Scanian countryside and has been working hard, alone and on a limited budget ever since.
“You can do so much more than you think. Actually seeing the results of your own work is incredibly self-fulfilling,” she reflects.
After completing the first stage of the renovation, she realized the importance of recovery.
The next step is to hire help with the most time-consuming tasks – a brave decision that allows her to focus more on what she really loves: the finishes and details.
Proof that dreams sometimes require teamwork.
Håkan and Maria: From cannery to lifestyle dream
Håkan and Maria Wersäll are the couple who transformed an old canning factory on Klädesholmen into a fantastic home. Their vision was to recreate the feeling of industrial history while creating a personal and modern living environment.
“It was important for us to keep the soul of the factory, but still make it our own,” says Maria.
The result is a balance of old and new – from beadboard ceilings and walls to original features reworked into new functions. And to top it all off, Håkan has also renovated an old boat, Mor Ulla, which has become part of their West Coast lifestyle. Their project shows how creativity and respect for history can create magic.
Reflection: What do we take away from House Dreams 2025 season 12 episode 1
This episode of House Dreams reminded us that dreams come in all shapes and sizes. From spectacular construction projects to small, charming renovations, what makes a dream special is the passion behind it. The courage to do something different, to get help when needed, and to create places that make us feel at home.
Read about the episodes when we first met the participants
Amber and uffe renovate meeting room into home in Västra Klappe
Torkel’s unique wooden house in the trees in Onsala
Simon and Anders create a home in Abild’s old country store
Negin’s renovation dream in Raby
Vici and Petter’s architectural adventure in Hisingen
Jens and Josefins Manor in Kristianstad
Kim and Erik’s unique project in Stråtenbo
Håkan and Maria turn cannery into dream home on Klädesholmen
