Sofia and Erik Högström and their three children had long dreamed of building their own home. After years of renovation projects, in 2021 they found the perfect plot in beautiful Saltsjö-Boo, an area close to Stockholm that still feels far from the pace of the city. Surrounded by pine forest, blueberry bushes and large plots near the sea, it was an ideal place for the family's dream house.

 "We wanted a discreet but large house that blended into nature. It shouldn't be showy, but still luxurious," say Sofia and Erik. They chose to work with Studio RAM, led by architect Ariel Ramirez, and together they began shaping the vision for their "forever home".

The architect's vision

Studio RAM's brief was to create a home that balances being robust and beautiful, with a clear connection to the surrounding nature. Inspiration came from Denmark and Brazil, among other places, where the meeting of nature and architecture appears in a sensual and timeless way. The choice of materials became a central part of the process – concrete, glass and walnut.

"We wanted to create a structure that is both raw and sophisticated. The concrete was replaced by cement render during the project, but the spirit remained the same – a robust structure meeting soft details such as walnut and sheer linen curtains," explains Ariel.

A home for life

For Sofia and Erik it was important that their house should not only be beautiful but also work as a warm and welcoming home for their family. The ground floor has a high ceiling with large glazed sections that let in plenty of light and blur the line between inside and out. The floor is polished concrete with coarse aggregate and shadow gap, giving a raw, industrial feel softened by walnut panelling and natural materials.

The kitchen, with its six-metre stainless steel island, is one of the house's most impressive features. The worktop, in "Brown Fantasy" granite, adds to the sense of natural elegance. The family chose sheer linen curtains to soften the robust expression further and create a harmonious balance between hard and soft.

Upstairs, a more intimate and homely feel is created with wool wall-to-wall carpet, a lower ceiling height and light-painted walls. This is where the family lives day to day, and the focus has been on creating a warm, cosy atmosphere.

The importance of details

One of the most unique aspects of Villa H is the attention to detail, not least in the choice of doors. The Högström family chose Njord's doors for their quality, flexibility and value for money. The doors have concealed frames and minimalist handles, so they blend into the walls and the beautiful walnut panelling. On the entrance floor they chose walnut doors to match the walls, while the doors upstairs are painted the same colour as the walls and ceiling. The sliding doors, which reach an impressive 2.9 metres in height and 1.2 metres in width, give a sense of solid quality and weight.

"We are incredibly happy with the doors. They match our walnut panelling perfectly and give a consistent impression that really lifts the whole house," say Sofia and Erik.

The end result

Villa H is a home where architecture and nature meet in harmony. By combining modern, raw materials with natural elements and a strong eye for detail, Sofia and Erik have created a home that is both clean-lined and warm. The architects at Studio RAM, together with the builders from Cred AB, have succeeded in realising the family's vision of a luxurious yet discreet home, where every element interacts with its surroundings.

"We could never have dreamed the result would be so good," conclude Sofia and Erik.

Location: Saltsjö-Boo, Stockholm
Architect: Ariel Ramirez, Joana Oliveira, Studio RAM
Products: Walnut | Plain | Door frame k03 | Door frame k04 | Sliding door
Home: Sofia and Erik Högström with their children Julie, Esther and Arvid
Photographer: Emma Jönsson Dysell | @emmajonssondysell