After we demoed the kitchen in our Swedish house last fall, Torsten and Mikael put in the wood stove. Then, in January, we installed the floor and cabinets and got close to finishing the remodel.
Before we returned to Sweden for the summer, Torsten and Mikael built the hood over our stoves. It started with Mikael putting a fresh layer of cement over the chimney. This is the hall side of the chimney.
This is the kitchen–with the wood stove covered up and the electric stove temporarily removed.
Traditional Swedish hoods are very different than the prefab hoods we’re used to in the US. Torsten built the steel framework…
…and installed it.
Then Mikeal started building the hood with bricks.
While the work was in progress, this was the only photo Torsten sent me!
Once the bricks were in place, Mickael covered everything with a layer of cement.
And I got my second sneak peek! It’s hard to be half a world away!
Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer! I had to make a trip back to Sweden.
Everything looked fabulous, including the white tile back splash.
This summer, Bob painted all the cement.
Traditionally these hoods are painted white, and that’s what we did—with the first coat.
But it seemed so stark white that he put a second coat on with a tinge of gray in it.
And it looks fantastic! The vedspis (wood stove) and hood really make this my Swedish dream kitchen.
Thank you Torsten, Mikael and Bob!
7 Responses
October 1st, 2014 at 7:31 pm
Beautiful, beautiful workmanship and beautiful kitchen!
October 1st, 2014 at 8:13 pm
do you plan to heat or cook with the wood stove? I notice it has an oven too.
October 1st, 2014 at 9:37 pm
We’ve used it for heating, and I want to try baking in the oven, but haven’t yet.
October 2nd, 2014 at 2:36 am
I think you should write a cookbook about your Swedish kitchen and include recipes of all the great things you, baked , put up, cooked and prepared for your fikka guests this summer. You already have great pictures of the kitchen and a lot of the food. Be sure to incLude the RASPBERRY ALMOND COOKIES. IT WOULD BE A BEST SELLER FOR SURE.
I HAVE THOUGHT OF THE RETREAT EVERYDAY I HAD THE BEST TIME.
I seem to have come down with Connie’s cough and cold. Do you know if anyone else got it? I sure liked meeting her and everyone else
Karen, the wedding photos were terrific. How many have you booked as a result?
Say hi to Bette and Sy. Take care…Peggy
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:16 am
The kitchen is spectacular and so you! How perfect!
PS…Peggy, I told you no kisssing, but did you listen, noooo!! LOL!
I am so dang sorry that I germinated you….the good news, it lasts a couple of weeks, w/o meds and 14 days w/meds, so lay down and relax, it will go away!!
I enjoyed our time together too! You have to come next fall so I can have another crack at ya!!
I love the cookbook idea, Karen….something to do during the long cold winter..or not!!
xox
October 3rd, 2014 at 7:37 am
Karen, I just can’t get enough of your remodeling your house is Sweden! The pictures showing how the hood was built are fascinating! The end result is everything a kitchen in Sweden should be. Thanks for letting all of us live this adventure through you! And a big “YES” to the cookbook idea!
October 8th, 2014 at 10:10 am
You could do a cook book with a few quilt patterns, like you did the quilt book with a few recipes!!!!! Get on it girl!!!!