You might think that there’s no place like home, until you stay at Ett Hem. The trio of deliciously decorated townhouses is tucked away in Stockholm’s leafy Lärkstaden district, and takes its name—which translates to ‘a home’—from a collection of watercolour paintings published in 1899 under the title, Ett Hem, by Swedish artist, Carl Larsson. A beloved member of Sweden’s Arts and Crafts movement, Larsson was a friend of the townhouse’s original owner, and provided current custodian, Jeanette Mix, with ample inspiration.
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- Credit of $50 or $100 per room
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Over the last decade, designer Ilse Crawford of Studioilse has worked closely with Mix across all three residences to create Ett Hem’s now signature Scandinavian interiors which are not only aesthetically exceptional, but also comforting and deeply cosy. The concept is about shared spaces which naturally flow and bring like-minded souls together, and always comes back to what makes guests feel most at home—whether that’s helping themselves to freshly baked cinnamon buns from the kitchen counter, or perusing the well-stocked library shelves for a page-turner to enjoy in the sun-dappled courtyard or beside a flickering fireplace. This at-ease experience is thoughtfully intended to be a continuation of the 1910 brick corner building’s first key holders—an ambassador and his wife—who cherished every corner of this family home, from the timber-panelled walls up to the decorative ceilings.
In 2012, Sköldungagatan 2 opened as the first address, with 12 bedrooms, a living room, library, open kitchen, conservatory, and walled garden. Every detail is carefully considered, and the furniture is a blend of custom-made pieces and vintage treasures. Chandeliers are aglow with candles you can actually blow out, and ceramic-tiled wood-burning stoves keep some of the larger suites toasty in the winter. Neighbouring townhouse, Sköldungagatan 4 came next in 2022, building out the offering to an additional 10 bedrooms—including an attic suite with hand-painted murals by Filip Månsson—a second kitchen, and yet more beautiful spaces to socialise or unwind in.
The following summer, a set of three residential-style apartments and full-scale, oak parquet-floored fitness studio housed within Sköldungagatan 6 completed the second phase of the expansion, attracting longer-stay guests looking to really bed down in the Swedish capital. Grand wardrobes, mahogany desks, and open-shelved kitchens kitted out with tableware by Swedish ceramicist Birgitta Watz are just a few of the elements designed with remote workers and live-in visitors in mind.
At the heart of it all, the open kitchen concept enhances the ‘staying with friends’ atmosphere. Instead of ordering from a menu, the pantry and fridge are yours to raid, and you are welcome—encouraged, even—to sit at the kitchen table, elbow-to-elbow with the chefs, as they prepare ingredient-led, seasonally-shifting plates right under your nose. Lingering breakfasts inevitably spill out into the courtyard, especially during warmer months, and intimate feasts in the conservatory are lit by candles and the twinkling night sky above.
The teeniest tiny downside to Ett Hem? You’re at serious risk of never wanting to set foot outside its carved doors again, and it might just ruin all hotels claiming to be homes-from-home forever.
Top Takeaways
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Address: Sköldungagatan 2, SE 11427, Stockholm
Rating: Five-star (and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s Finest Collection)
The vibe: A place to call home, and to use as you please. Sink into an emerald-green armchair and devour a book, cover to cover, in one afternoon, throw a sheepskin blanket over your shoulders and join friends by the fire-pit, and run a long bath in the middle of the day—simply because you can.
Food + drink: The communal dining experience might see you sit next to the Norwegian alpine ski team, antiques collectors, or Stockholm Design Week regulars, and the conservations shared between guests are as much part of the meal as the food itself. Sommelier-selected wines flow freely throughout the evening, and the daily-changing menu hinges on homemade, comforting classics. There are also brass cocktail cabinets dotted around the lounges if you’d like to fix yourself a nightcap.
Amenities: Open kitchens, honesty bars, library, conservatory, spa and fitness studio, free WiFi, room service, self-catering apartments.
Our favourite part of the hotel: The way that every guest becomes a friend of the house, even if you just stay for one night.
What’s nearby? Ett Hem is in affluent, understated Östermalm, an embassy quarter where ambassadorial residences rub shoulders with Michelin-starred restaurants and upscale boutiques.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? Jeanette Mix’s personal guide to Stockholm through the seasons is thoughtfully placed on your bedside table, which is brimming with local spots outlined on an illustrated map. Pick up a giant cinnamon bun from Saturnus or Valhallabageriet, browse for cloud-like linen and bedspreads in Garbo Interior, and admire hand-painted antiques in Svenska Rum. Return to Ett Hem and decompress in the sauna or ice bath.
Rooms: 25.
Pricing: Rates start at €455 per night.
Closest airport: Domestic arrivals can touch down in Bromma, a 20-minute drive away, and international visitors come into Arlanda which is 40 minutes by car.
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