Hello Home, Hanne Malmsten

High above the rooftops of Södermalm, right in the heart of the city's constant rhythm, Hanne Malmsten and her family have settled into a turn-of-the-century apartment that they’ve carefully renovated into a home full of both soul and function. With its generous ceiling height, beautiful floors, and period details, the apartment captured their hearts instantly - but it wasn’t just the architecture that made the decision easy.

“We fell for the ceiling height and the floors, as well as the location,” Hanne shares. “We now live just a stone’s throw from our children’s preschool and close to friends. The simplicity of everyday life with two small kids and work is something we truly value. It’s that very balance - between the city’s pulse and the home’s stillness, between form and function - that defines Hanne’s design philosophy.

When we visit, the renovation is still in motion - a few pieces remain before everything comes together. A countertop is yet to be installed, and the discussion about the pattern for the handmade tiles in the kitchen is still very much ongoing. In contrast to the classic architecture of the apartment, the countertop will be stainless steel - a choice that adds both function and a raw elegance. The tiles, with their rustic texture and handcrafted feel, will add another layer of depth and contrast. All that remains is deciding on the pattern – stacked, staggered, or perhaps something entirely different.

The kitchen windows are dressed in sheer off-white linen - both as Roman blinds and matching café curtains - letting the light in while maintaining a soft connection to the outside. At the dining area stands a large table designed by Hanne herself and built with the help of a carpenter. Around it, wooden chairs by Carl Malmsten - a meeting of contemporary design and Swedish furniture heritage. On the table, a collection of envy-inducing ceramics by Birgitta Waltz. Hanne smiles and tells us she gifted the pieces to herself when her first child was born.

In the living room, you're met by a striking, south facing, wall of windows where the sunlight floods in, bathing the space in warmth and brightness. It’s here that Hanne surprised us with her curtain solution - an unexpected and personal interpretation of the window’s potential. Because of its size, the Roman blind was split into two sections. The result? A gently undulating hemline that adds a soft, elegant movement to the room. A seemingly simple choice that turned out to be one of the space’s most impactful design details.To complement the Roman blinds, Hanne chose full-length curtains in Cottage Sweet Pea, in a soft mustard tone – a warm, muted color that adds depth and character. The floral pattern, with its subtle rhythm, paired with the cleaner lines of the blinds, creates a dialogue between the graphic and the organic. It’s a composition that allows Hanne’s keen sense for contrast – in both color and form – to shine through.

Another favorite detail is the wall paneling, which Hanne is quick to point out. “I absolutely love the wall paneling in the living room and am so glad we painted it a little darker than the walls to really bring out the detail,” she says.

It’s clear that Hanne has a strong sense for design. In addition to drawing both the family’s dining and coffee tables herself, she has curated a thoughtful selection of furniture with strong design signatures. In the living room stands a Halyard Chair, designed by Hans J. Wegner – a piece that takes up almost as much space as a sofa, and offers just as much in return for anyone with an eye for design.

When Hanne and her family began renovating the apartment, color became a guiding thread throughout the process. They wanted to preserve the original details while also embracing color – but in a subtle and deliberate way. “We had quite a long wait before moving in, which gave us plenty of time to plan and reflect,” Hanne explains.

“The apartment has beautiful old stucco and wall paneling that we wanted to highlight, using slightly contrasting but still neutral tones. My husband especially wanted more color this time around, so we decided to paint the ceiling in the kids’ room blue – and we were so happy when, during our planning with you at Gotain, we found the perfect blue floral print that matched our palette.”

The bedroom, overlooking a peaceful inner courtyard, is the family’s space for rest – a quiet retreat in the middle of the city.

Here, every choice has been made with calm and recovery in mind. The curtains play a central role in both the mood and the function of the room. Two layers – one sheer, light-diffusing linen and one blackout behind – create a flexible solution that adapts to the rhythm of the day. The sheer layer softens the space and provides privacy, while the blackout fabric allows the room to shut out the world entirely when needed.

Hanne’s love for color appears here too. In a room where many would have gone for a plain curtain to blend in, she chose Cottage Stripe in mustard – a bold choice that adds a playful and unexpected contrast to the otherwise pared-back aesthetic. The narrow stripes energize the room and break up the clean lines in a way that feels both thoughtful and lighthearted.