In this episode of House Dreams, we follow Kamilla, a woman who turns life’s most difficult challenges into a new beginning by realizing her dream house. She has bought a charming attic apartment in Helsingborg with a fantastic view of the Öresund. The episode depicts not only a renovation journey, but also an emotional journey where grief and loss are transformed into hope and new opportunities.
Table of contents
Background information
Kamilla, 51, has lived in Helsingborg for five years. After losing her husband Håkan to a serious illness, she decided to start a new chapter in her life. She met Johan, a carpenter, and together they took on the challenge of renovating an attic at the top of a 20th century house. “When I came here for the first time, I felt that this floor had ‘Kamilla’ written all over it,” she says with a smile.
Facts about the house
Location: Helsingborg, overlooking Öresund
Size: 157 square meters, 5 rooms
Year of construction: Originally built in the 1900s
Choice of materials: High gloss white kitchen cabinets, black granite, ship’s floor with underfloor heating
Cost: Purchased for SEK 4.5 million
Challenges on the Road
Time proved to be one of the biggest challenges. Kamilla is a time optimist, which sometimes created stress in the project. “It’s just logistics and repositioning and so on. Here’s my kitchen!” she says, while Johan tries to balance her enthusiasm with more realistic timeframes.
Another obstacle was the technical limitations of the building, which made it difficult to implement some of the architect Gert Wingård’s proposals, such as installing more skylights.
Design and Inspiration
Kamilla wanted to create a home that felt light, airy and welcoming. The kitchen became the heart of the home with its stunning views of the Sound. She chose to use wine label wallpaper instead of traditional tiles, adding a personal touch. The living room was transformed with the help of large folding doors that let in maximum light.
Final result
Despite the time constraints, Kamilla and Johan moved in before Christmas. The apartment is not only a beautiful home, but a symbolic end to a sad period and the beginning of a new chapter. “This house is more than just walls and ceilings – it’s a dream that we built with our own hands,” Kamilla says proudly.
