This is an important building for me. This is our apartment; the one we bought and lived in while working in Sweden in 2022-24.

Drottninggatan 57 is an apartment building in Helsingborg’s ‘Norr’ district, an upscale area that boomed during Helsingborg’s growth period in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. This building was completed in 1905. Apartments from this era typically feature high ceilings – 3.4 meters in this instance – with ornate windows and plasterwork. The floors are original timber, with a herringbone pattern in the main room and plank boards in the living area.

We purchased this apartment in 2022 and quickly sought to re-design the interior to suit our tastes. We converted what was a large bedroom under the previous owners into the main living room. This room features a gallery wall full of original artworks we brought from Australia. An antique chest of Finnish origin, dated 1782, was acquired and placed for use as a coffee table in the center of the room.

What was previously the main living room was re-imagined as a library/study area to house our considerable collection of books, a dining area, work space and seating area for reading. We chose a dark colour scheme with a deep chocolate brown to cover the walls and purpose built bookcase. Furnishings included a made-to-order Chesterfield two-seater and various period pieces from Swedish ‘loppis’ (vintage furniture stores). These include two Chippendale chairs picked up at bargain prices.

The Library also includes prominent artworks by Archibald winning artist Del Kathryn Barton, a Brett Whiteley catalog raisonne, photography by Hugh Stewart and many prominent books on art.