A newly built four-room apartment on the second floor and a dose of homesickness brought Felix Rosén and Isabelle Magnusson back to Katrineholm. They are already very happy with their new home, which is both modern and bohemian. And above all, it has room for more.
Six years ago, Felix and Isabelle left Katrineholm to study in Uppsala. After their studies, it wasn’t clear where they would end up. Felix wanted to move to a big city, while Isabelle longed to return to her home region.
– I am very family-oriented and want to live close to my parents and my sister. Besides, I enjoy horseback riding, and we have a horse together, which I’ve missed a lot, she explains.
Felix let go of his big city plans and began to see the advantages of returning to the place where he grew up.
– Since Isabelle was in the queue with KFAB during the years in Uppsala, we got an offer for a brand-new 4-room apartment in the center for 8,400 kronor a month and in what other city could we get that? Although the cultural offerings here are not large, it only takes an hour by train to Stockholm if I want to go to concerts.
Both are happy in their new apartment on Läroverksgatan 8D and seem to enjoy having four rooms. They show the combined kitchen and living room. Here there is space for both a sofa and a dining table with four chairs without feeling the slightest bit cramped. A large basket lamp hangs from the ceiling, giving the room a warm glow, and along an entire wall run shelves filled with books, something that has been unusual in interior design for many years.
– We both like to read and there’s no reason to hide the books, says Felix.
The couple notes, however, that they have completely different interior design tastes. Isabelle likes Scandinavian design and wants as few things as possible, while Felix likes oriental styles and likes to surround himself with many items.
– But when our styles met halfway, it actually became a perfect balance, both think.
Bohemian and modern at the same time, they summarize their home where sleek lines meet intricate ornamentation.
The room closest to the large balcony has been set up as an office. The plan is for them to be able to close it off when it’s time to grade tests or read essays. Both have gotten jobs as teachers. Isabelle, who is trained as a subject teacher in Swedish and social studies, works at Tallåsskolan, a one-minute walk from home. But since the couple is expecting their first child, she has had administrative duties at the school for a while to reduce the risk of contracting COVID.
– It will be fun to teach and have students after parental leave, she thinks.
Felix has studied both linguistics and religious history. He is considering doing research eventually but not just yet. After all the years as a student, he thinks it’s nice to work and enjoys going to his job at Duveholmsgymnasiet.
They show the nursery which is right next to the bedroom. A crib is already in place, waiting for the new family member. Both are amazed at how spacious the home feels even though it’s only 69 square meters.
– They are indeed well-planned square meters, and the balcony is so large that we can fit a sofa, says Felix.
Isabelle mentions that they have neighbors of various ages and that both families and singles live in the building.
– Many have misunderstood and believe that this is a youth residence just like the building on the other side of the yard. It is not, and I think it’s nice that different generations live together. We sometimes meet in the stairwell and in the courtyard.
Felix adds that indoors it is so well-insulated that they don’t notice their neighbors at all.
– Except when they’re drilling up shelves, of course. Everyone is new here, just like us, and is busy decorating.