In the eighth episode of “Husdrömmar” season 9, we follow Gabriel and Elin, a passionate couple who left the big city’s apartment renovations behind to realize their dream of their own townhouse in idyllic Gamla Enskede. With a combination of courage, stubbornness and a big dose of love, they take on one of Sweden’s oldest terraced houses, built in 1909, in the hope of transforming it from a worn milk carton into their dream home.
Table of contents
Background information
Gabriel, 34, runs his own architectural firm, while Elin, 32, works as a social media manager. Together with their daughter Leni, who will soon turn three, they decide to leave behind six apartment renovations in seven years to settle down in a charming but worn-out townhouse of only 68 square meters.
“Somewhere in my gut, I’ve felt like this is where we’re going,” says Elin with a smile. Despite a purchase price of SEK 8.9 million and a renovation budget of another SEK 1.5 million, they do not hesitate to invest everything in their dream project.
Facts about the house
Location: Gamla Enskede, Stockholm
Size: 68 sqm (planned extension to 102 sqm with furnished basement)
Year of construction: 1909
Budget: 1.5 million SEK for renovation, total 10.4 million including purchase
Timetable: Three months (from October to January)
Challenges along the way
Gabriel and Elin quickly encounter unexpected obstacles. First, extensive asbestos is discovered in both the basement and the kitchen, leading to a costly and time-consuming cleanup. Then comes the big worry: the basement renovation. The plan was to lower the floor to increase the height of the ceiling, but the risk of water damage forced them to reconsider.
“I’m most afraid of when they start digging here. This is where the worries lie,” admits Gabriel.
Despite the challenges, they manage to find creative solutions, including lowering the ceiling instead of digging deeper, which saves money and reduces risks.
Design and inspiration
Gabriel and Elin aim to preserve the original charm of the house while introducing modern elements to future-proof the home. The 1970s kitchen is being replaced with a more contemporary 1909-inspired kitchen with modern amenities.
“We want to find a contemporary tone that connects to the origin without being strictly authentic,” explains Gabriel.
Elin, with her eye for interior design, adds colorful details and personal choices that create a harmonious balance between the old and the new.
Final result
When the project is finally complete, you’ll have a beautiful, functional home where every square meter is used to the max. From the bright hallway to the open kitchen and the cozy basement, the house breathes both history and the present.
“It turned out just as well as I would have liked. Maybe even a little better,” says Gabriel with a smile.
Gabriel and Elin’s journey shows that even the biggest dreams can be realized with passion, persistence and a bit of luck. A terraced house in Gamla Enskede has been given a new lease of life, and a family has found their home.
