Contemporary elegance in the historic apartment
Step inside the newly renovated historic apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden, where modern Scandinavian design seamlessly blends with timeless elegance. At the heart of the home is the bespoke Shaker-style kitchen by Nordiska Kök. With vibrant worktop, a soft, light colour palette and a dark oak kitchen island – the design forms a transitional interior where modern functionality, contemporary style and traditional charm meet in perfect balance.
The transitional kitchen by Nordiska Kök, uniquely designed and tailored for the historic 1905 apartment in Linnéstaden in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Soft beige tones create a calm, neutral base, beautifully contrasted by dark oak, vibrant worktop and splashback.
When Marina and Timmy entered the apartment for the very first time, they immediately fell in love with its historic character and light airy atmosphere – the generous ceiling height, large windows with beautiful views, and traditional detailing with original moldings and ornate stucco.
Although the apartment was in need of renovation, the couple – already experienced from three previous renovation projects – instantly saw the potential. Early on, they envisioned relocating the kitchen to the former dining room, creating an open-plan layout that would connect seamlessly with the living room.
The apartment has been carefully renovated by the couple Marina and Timmy.
For the base and tall cabinets, Shaker-style drawers and doors were chosen – a classic expression that perfectly complements the home’s historic character.
In the living room, just like in the rest of the home, historic character and contemporary design meet in perfect balance. The ceiling light is a Murano chandelier, the coffee table is made from left-over stone by a local carpenter, and the floor lamp is vintage, a Swedish design lamp by Börge Lindau & Bo Lindekrantz.
As soon as they received the keys, a complete renovation began. Their vision for the kitchen was clear: to create a social space where friends and family could gather, and to blend contemporary aesthetics and modern functionality with the apartment’s historic charm.
The oak kitchen island with rounded corners forms the natural centrepiece of the kitchen – inviting both cooking and socialising.
Warm oak adds depth and character to the soft colour palette.
To bridge classic and contemporary, the couple chose a Shaker-style kitchen by Nordiska Kök, and a modern kitchen island in oak, with rounded corners paired with a vibrant worktop. The kitchen boasts Scandinavian design and contemporary elements, beautifully framed by the apartment’s original features – high ceilings, ornate plasterwork and over 100-year-old mouldings – achieving a seamless balance of past and present.
“I have followed Nordiska Kök on Instagram and Pinterest for a long time, and we had already decided on Nordiska Kök well before we even got the keys. Meeting our kitchen designer only confirmed it – he fully understood our vision, and it felt completely right.”
The discreet shelf above the splashback features integrated lighting.
The transitional kitchen combines classic detailing with modern functionality and contemporary design.
In the hallway, elegant features reveal the history of the building.
With the option to choose any colour, the kitchen cabinetry was painted in the same shade as the walls to blend in seamlessly, while the vibrant worktop and splashback provides contemporary flair. The large kitchen island in warm oak takes centre stage – its rounded corners echo the soft curves of the traditional tiled stove. A graceful way of making the century-old stove feel seamlessly integrated into the design. For the couple, it was important that this historic feature remained a visible focal point in the kitchen.
– The kitchen island has really become the heart of the kitchen, and we’re especially pleased with how the rounded corners turned out. They soften the space and are a graceful nod to the tiled stove, Marina adds.
The open-plan layout creates a seamless connection between kitchen and living room – a welcoming space for everyday life as well as special occasions.
A built-in glass-fronted cabinet adds both elegance and timeless character to the kitchen, while offering practical storage.
Throughout the renovation, Marina and Timmy were careful to preserve and restore the apartment’s historic character. Moldings and ceiling rosettes, hidden for decades under layers of paint, were carefully uncovered to reveal their original detailing. The walls were painted in a light beige tone, while doors and mouldings received a slightly darker shade.
– Together we’ve already renovated three apartments before finding our dream home here in Linnéstaden. We’re the kind of people who always enjoy having a project on the go and feel most at home when things are happening, Marina explains.
Together the couple have created a home where historic architecture and contemporary design blend seamlessly – forming a timeless, inviting and characterful space.
Marina and Timmy in the kitchen.
Every detail was chosen with care to respect the character of the home. Wall lights are from Corston Architectural Detail, knobs from Sekelskifte.
The 1905 apartment is located in Gothenburg’s Linnéstaden district.
In the home of: @sekelresan
Photo: Elisabeth Heier for Nordiska Kök
Styling: Sophia Bratt
