Craftsmanship and character in a Swedish holiday home
When the Landfolk team set out to gently update this 1970s holiday home in southern Sweden, the aim was to simply bring out what was already special. The house had generous windows, beautiful light, warm wooden details, and a natural connection to its surroundings. With a few thoughtful adjustments, we wanted to help make the space feel even more inviting for future guests.
A local legacy - built to last
As part of the makeover, we explored how a few carefully chosen, high-quality pieces of restored furniture could contribute to the atmosphere without changing the home’s original character. That led us to work with Swedish brand Gärsnäs, whose long tradition of local craftsmanship and circular design made them an ideal match for this kind of holiday home.
Gärsnäs is a family-owned Swedish company, based in Skåne’s beautiful Österlen region, with roots stretching all the way back to 1893. Their approach is grounded in a long view of design.
“Gärsnäs is named for where we are and always were - a family-owned factory among the red beech trees in Skåne. The factory is at the heart of everything we do and an enabler for us to do what we believe in: to make furniture that lasts and outlasts.”
Every part of their process reflects this long-term mindset - from material sourcing to how the furniture can be repaired and reused as time passes.
“A good chair is all about integrity. Every part plays an essential role in its function. Everything matters from the well-being of a factory worker to the comfort of a customer, from materiality to stackability, use to reuse - it’s all connected and considered.”
A new chapter in a holiday home
In the dining area, a restored table, two Hedda chairs and a Ronja armchair from Gärsnäs fit perfectly. All of Gärsnäs’ furniture is designed to be repaired and reused across decades of everyday life:
“The Ronja armchair is no ordinary chair, but marks the start of a process by Gärsnäs to use more domestic, locally sourced raw materials. The main idea is to form a local supply chain that starts with the beech tree; a lovely hard wood suitable for furniture.”
The pieces used in this home had already been used and loved for many years before being restored by the Gärsnäs team:
“We take chairs from a life serving public use or private homes and give them a new back, a seat or a new fabric - extending longevity in two or three folds.”
Furniture that fits naturally
For holiday homes, where the balance between practicality and atmosphere is especially important, Gärsnäs offers a design language that is present, but not overwhelming.
“Repurposing locally harvested wooden Gärsnäs chairs and table, made locally in Skåne, for a holiday home built in the 70s in Blekinge, makes sense for us. It is about bringing the actual outside inside - and also about effortlessly respecting the home, its history and its provenance.”
The result is a space that feels coherent, warm and ready to adapt to the different ways a holiday home is used over time.
“Furniture that is subdued by its surroundings and part of a whole. Furniture that tells a story and ages with dignity. Furniture with a life. A life before us. A life after.”
Sustainability through longevity
For those thinking about furnishing a holiday home or simply choosing pieces that will age well, Gärsnäs points to the value of thoughtful, small-scale production:
“Looking for family-run, small, quality-driven manufacturing will always bring you closer to inherited sustainability. It’s not just about what a chair is made of. It’s how it’s made, who it’s made for, and what kind of future it supports.”
→ Read the full story behind the Landfolk holiday home makeover.
