Milieu is a series that explores the unique ways in which we breathe life into our homes.  From coastal towns to city living, our homes are a celebration of small, simple moments. They’re a reflection of our lives. Our stories. Our milieu. 

This August, we had the pleasure of visiting Anna at her lakefront home in Sweden, Villa Valborg. Nestled directly on the lake, it is home to Anna, her husband, and two daughters. Thoughtfully restored with a balance of modern function and traditional sensibilities at its heart, it's the sort of home that makes you pause; each element a reflection of a life lovingly lived and beautifully detailed. 

We chat with Anna about transitioning from city life to rural living, honouring the original design of this 1930s country home, design inspirations, and how her family spend these gloriously golden days of summer on the lake.

Shall we step inside? If we're lucky, we'll be in time for fika. 

Before we begin, please, introduce yourself! 

Hi! I'm Anna, a mother of two living with my partner John and our daughters in a 1934 home by Lake Mjörn, about 30 minutes outside Gothenburg, Sweden. By profession, I'm a lawyer, and in my spare time I love restoring our old home, decorating and gardening. On Instagram, I share everyday life, home inspiration, and renovation projects at @villa.valborg. 

Has Sweden always been home for you? 

Yes, Sweden has always been home, though our life here has shifted quite a bit. We used to live right in central Gothenburg, and it wasn't until we started craving something closer to nature that we found our way out to the countryside around Lake Mjörn. 

What inspired you to cultivate a home on the lake as opposed to city life? 

John and I were living in an apartment in the city center when we both started longing more and more to settle down in the countryside. City life is wonderful in its own way, but we wanted space, nature, a slower rhythm, and the chance to build up something of our own. A place somewhere our family could really put down roots. 

How did you stumble across the house you’ve come to live in? Was there a particular feature or quality that drew you to it? 

It's actually a funny story. We were out looking at another house for sale in Alingsås, a small city not far from here, and stumbled upon this village called Västra Bodarne almost by accident. The area around Lake Mjörn made such an impression on us that we fell for it instantly. We even went back and put notes in mailboxes asking if anyone wanted to sell their house! No replies came, but a few months later, this very house came up for sale. The moment we moved in on a sunny July day, it felt like home immediately. 

Can you tell us a bit about the restoration and renovation journey? Is this something you and your partner felt confident taking on? 

We bought the house about five years ago knowing we'd need to adapt it for family life. The original 1934 summer cottage only had a small shower stall tucked into a nook in the kitchen, which obviously wasn't going to work long-term. About two years in, we brought in both an architect and a building conservator to help us find the right proportions and design language so any addition would feel true to the house's original character. It ended up becoming not one but two extensions. 

What was one of the most challenging parts of the renovation? 

Balancing new function with old soul was the real challenge in order to make sure the additions harmonized with a nearly hundred-year-old structure rather than fighting against it. That's exactly why we brought in a conservator alongside the architect: to protect all the original details while still giving the house the bathrooms, laundry room, and entryway it needed. 

What is one of your favourite features of the house? (Original or new!) 

The new sunroom facing west toward the lake has become our absolute favorite room. It's flooded with light and looks straight out over the water. But I'm just as attached to the original details: the plank flooring, the old wood-fired stove in the kitchen, and the windows, all of which give the house so much soul and history. 

How would you describe the aesthetic of your home? 

I like to say it's "Carl Larsson's farmhouse meets fika at grandma's." My vision was always for the home to feel safe and welcoming, while John wanted it playful and full of color, so we've tried to merge both. Think pattern, color, geraniums in the windows, pink paneling, worn wooden furniture, hand-painted details, and the kind of cozy, lived-in farmhouse charm passed down through generations.

What do you love most about living so near a lakefront? 

The location right on Lake Mjörn was the very first thing we fell for when we came here, before anything else about the house. There's something deeply grounding about waking up next to the water every day. One of my favorite things is opening the bedroom windows at night and falling asleep to the gentle sound of the waves. To me, that's one of life's greatest luxuries. 

What is one of your favourite things about August in your area of the world? 

Late summer in Sweden is a season unlike any other, with long golden evenings, glowing sunsets over the lake, the last warm swims, and afternoons spent picking blueberries in the forest. The pelargoniums are still blooming on the windowsills, even as the light begins to soften and autumn quietly approaches. It's also the time for traditional crayfish parties, celebrating the last taste of summer with family and friends. 

What does a typical day look like for you during these final weeks of summer? 

With a few more weeks of summer holidays still ahead of us, our days are mostly spent with our daughters, making the most of the season with family and friends. Mornings tend to start slowly with coffee in the sunroom overlooking the lake, followed by time outdoors, whether that's by the water or in the garden. Later in the day, if time allows, I often find myself immersed in a house project or whatever creative idea has caught my attention that week. 

What are some favourite activities you like to do with your family before autumn begins its approach? 

Swimming in the lake while the water is still warm, taking the boat out for an evening on the water, picking sunflowers, and harvesting tomatoes from the garden are some of our favorite ways to spend these late summer days. The late sunsets this time of year mean we can stay outside well into the evening, making it easy to linger in the garden together as a family before retreating to the sunroom once the cooler months arrive. 

What is something that people might be surprised to see in your house? 

Probably that we don't actually have a TV... and that opening one of our cupboards can be a bit of an adventure. I love an organized home, but the cupboards are always the last thing on my list, so don't be surprised if something comes falling out when you open one. 

Where in your home do you feel most creative? 

The kitchen, without a doubt. It's filled with beautiful natural light, and the soft, neutral colors make it such an inspiring space to decorate. I love changing little details with the seasons, and it's the room where new ideas seem to come naturally. 

Who or what are your biggest design inspirations? 

Carl and Karin Larsson, and their famous home Lilla Hyttnäs, are a huge inspiration to me. I love their warm, colorful, storybook style and the way they created a home that feels both beautiful and deeply lived in. Beyond that, I've long used Instagram to find inspiration from other people restoring and decorating old houses, which is actually what inspired me to start documenting our own journey on @villa.valborg in the first place. 

If you'd like to see more of Anna's inspiring lakefront life in Sweden, we recommend you give her Instagram profile a follow. Every season comes alive in her beautiful abode; from floral arrangements to the natural landscape, it's nothing short of captivating.