The Classic Yellow Shaker Kitchen
In an idyllic garden suburb just outside Stockholm, a charming 1910s house has been given a thoughtfully designed new kitchen. With soft yellow and warm white cabinetry, traditional craftsmanship and carefully considered details, the kitchen pays homage to the home's original character while creating a warm and welcoming space for modern family life.
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Designed and crafted by Nordiska Kök, this classic Shaker kitchen in soft yellow and warm white brings timeless elegance to a charming 1910s family home just outside Stockholm.
A glimpse into the adjoining dining room, where high ceilings, large windows and decorative joinery reflect the home's 1910 heritage, complemented by a soft, Scandinavian-inspired colour palette.
A kitchen designed to honor the past
When renovating their 1910s home, the owners Mona and Thomas envisioned a kitchen that would feel as though it had always belonged to the house. The ambition was to bring back the charm of the early 20th century, with traditional craftsmanship, timeless materials and architectural details that reflect the home's history.
The couple chose a bespoke Shaker kitchen from Nordiska Kök, drawn to its timeless elegance and the possibility of creating fully built-in cabinetry tailored to the unique proportions and architectural details of their home.
– I wanted a kitchen that felt true to the period, elegant and functional. Quality was equally important – it had to last for many years, with materials that would develop a beautiful patina over time. We chose Nordiska Kök because everything could be made to measure, tailored to our wishes and the unique characteristics of the house. We also needed more worktop space and storage, Mona says.
In a house dating back to the 1910s, walls and floors are rarely perfectly straight. Bespoke, built-in cabinetry was therefore essential, allowing every element of the kitchen to be carefully made to measure and adapted to the unique character of the house. Pendant lighting from Louis Poulsen.
A soft and timeless colour palette
Swedish homes built around 1910 were often influenced by Art Nouveau and early National Romanticism, characterised by wooden floors, natural materials, painted joinery and soft, muted colours.
With an emphasis on quality, craftsmanship and thoughtful details, the kitchen was carefully designed to complement the home's original architecture, with bespoke cabinetry that follows the proportions and character of the room while meeting the needs of modern family life.
Along one wall, tall, built-in cupboards painted in a muted buttery yellow bring warmth and a subtle sense of colour to the space. On the opposite side, soft off-white cabinetry provides a gentle contrast, incorporating the cooking area with its hob and extractor hood, alongside integrated fridge and freezer units, a display cabinet and a dedicated coffee station.
Every cabinet has been custom-made to fit the space perfectly, with careful attention to even the smallest details.
Viewed from the adjoining dining room, the kitchen's soft yellow cabinetry brings a gentle warmth to the space, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
Bespoke oak cutlery inserts add a refined touch to the drawers, reflecting the attention to detail and craftsmanship throughout the kitchen.
Classic details and timeless craftsmanship
A sense of craftsmanship runs throughout the kitchen, from the bespoke cabinetry to the choice of materials and fittings. Classic brass knobs and handles add warmth and a subtle elegance, while marble worktops bring a natural, timeless quality to the design.
Discover all the materials and design details in the yellow and white Shaker kitchen.
The combination of yellow and white gives the kitchen a light, welcoming atmosphere, while the traditional Shaker doors and carefully considered joinery reinforce its timeless character.
Designed as a traditional merchant’s counter, once used in general stores to organise goods, the kitchen island offers generous drawer storage, ample worktop space and a welcoming place for the family to gather.
One of the most distinctive features is the kitchen island, designed to resemble a traditional merchant's counter. With its furniture-like appearance and characterful detailing, it brings a sense of history and individuality to the room. It is also one of homeowner Mona's favourite elements of the new kitchen.
– One thing I’m particularly pleased with is the kitchen island, designed to resemble a traditional merchant’s counter. It offers plenty of storage and generous worktop space, while also being large enough for all the children to gather around for breakfast. It’s perfect for dinner parties, too, says Mona.
To maximise storage, the bespoke built-in cupboards were designed taller than before, making the most of the available space while complementing the home's original architecture.
For the cupboard interiors, the couple chose light oak, a natural material that ages beautifully and develops a rich patina over time.
Making the most of the previously unused space beneath the window, a bespoke seating bench was added, combining practical storage with a cosy spot to sit and gather.
A warm, welcoming space at the heart of the home
Beyond restoring the home's original character, an important part of the renovation was to create a kitchen that feels welcoming and sociable.
A bespoke seating bench was added beneath one of the windows, making use of the available space while introducing an informal place to sit. Whether enjoying a morning coffee, sharing a conversation or keeping someone company while dinner is prepared, the window seat makes the kitchen feel even more like the heart of the home.
The glass-fronted display cabinet adds a sense of history and character to the kitchen, while providing a beautiful way to store and display ceramics and glassware. Wall lighting from Svenskt Tenn.
“Our kitchen designer was so dedicated and helpful throughout the process. We’re really happy with Nordiska Kök. The kitchen turned out exactly as we had hoped – not only beautiful, but practical too.”
In contrast to the closed cabinetry, an open shelving unit creates a light and airy feel, offering an elegant space to display books, ceramics and other carefully selected objects.
The natural wood adds warmth and texture to the kitchen, creating a beautiful contrast with the painted cabinetry.
The result is a classic Shaker kitchen that balances the charm of the past with the needs of contemporary living. With its soft colours, traditional details and carefully crafted cabinetry, it feels entirely at home in its early 20th-century setting – a kitchen designed to be lived in and enjoyed for many years to come.
Related: Nordiska Kök’s Guide to Shaker kitchens
Photo: Emma Jönsson Dysell
Stylist: Mari Strenghielm
Frequently asked questions
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Swedish homes built in the early 20th century were often influenced by Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) and early National Romanticism. Both styles emphasised traditional craftsmanship, natural materials and thoughtful architectural details, helping to shape the warm, understated character of Swedish homes from this period.
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Common features include wooden floors, painted joinery, panelled doors, tongue-and-groove panelling and traditional small-paned windows. Interiors often featured soft, muted colours, natural finishes and wallpapers with delicate botanical or geometric patterns. Art Nouveau introduced organic forms and decorative details, while National Romanticism drew inspiration from local building traditions and craftsmanship.
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A kitchen designed for an early 20th-century home should respect the building's original proportions, materials and architectural character. Bespoke built-in cabinetry can be tailored to the room, while traditional joinery, classic brass fittings, marble worktops and a soft, muted colour palette help create a timeless expression that feels in keeping with the house.
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Although Shaker design has different historical origins, its simple framed doors, balanced proportions and emphasis on craftsmanship make it a natural choice for many period homes. A bespoke Shaker kitchen can be adapted to complement early 20th-century Swedish architecture, combining traditional character with the practical needs of modern family life.
The kitchen is designed by Nordiska Kök and crafted in our carpentry studio in Gräfsnäs, Sweden. We are proud to offer our bespoke high-quality kitchens and interiors to customers across Europe.
Learn more about the process of ordering a kitchen from Nordiska Kök.
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