Katarina’s budget-friendly rental makeover: “I wanted to make our home cozy, even though we’ll be moving out soon”

A couple of years in the city of Turku may seem short in the grand scheme of things, but Katarina Fredrikson, 28, and her partner Thomas Hollfast, 28, still live comfortably. Their rental apartment sits next to Turku’s Vartiovuori Park, in a block lined with Jugendstil buildings. This fifth-floor one-bedroom has an airy layout, high ceilings, and a charming little balcony.

Art takes center stage in Katarina and Thomas’s living room. The coffee table, under which their rescue cat Osku is curled up, is from a second-hand shop in Stockholm. The small Vitra table was found on the Tori marketplace. The daybed by the window is from Jotex, and the ceiling lamp is the Mobil by Pholc. The yellow on the living room walls is Tikkurila’s H456 Himmeli. The striking German 1980s armchairs were a wallet-friendly Tori find.

Layered décor, art, and carefully chosen wall colors make the place feel more permanent.

“I wanted to make our home cozy, even though we’ll be moving out soon. I think a visually pleasing space is essential for everyday wellbeing. Coming home here is always a delight, and these rooms help me unwind,” Katarina says.

The balcony is one of Katarina and Thomas’s favorite hangouts. From the fifth floor, there’s a lovely view of the block. Almost all their indoor plants were gifts from friends or grown from cuttings. Next to the sofa stands a vintage floor lamp inherited from Thomas’s grandparents.

If you have a fear of heights, the fifth-floor balcony may be daunting. For Katarina and Thomas, it’s a perfect spot for a coffee break.

The home’s cozy vibe was created on a modest budget, as befits student life. Still, it took persistence, discipline, and picking up items from every corner of town.

Some might not bother for a temporary home, but for Katarina it’s a labor of love. Thomas is glad to help and trusts her vision.

“When we first moved in, we probably combed through every flea market in Turku. We also have inherited furniture, Tori marketplace bargains, and some items from Ikea.”

For Katarina, a visually appealing environment is central to feeling good. The home is full of fun details, such as a large collection of Iittala Kivi votives that had been stashed in a box for ages but now decorate the rental. Thrift-store treasures line the middle shelf.

The green bowl is a souvenir from Bali. Katarina bought the adorable Orrefors Raspberry Hallon candle holder in Stockholm. It pairs charmingly with the Iittala Nappula and a flea-market glass candle holder.

Their Ikea Söderhamn sofa is covered in a velvet slipcover from Bemz. The brown painting is one of Katarina’s own works. A green Aalto vase rests on the Ikea Listerby side table. The mirror and shell frame are flea-market finds.

Katarina emphasizes that even the plainest space can look more vibrant with simple additions like houseplants, color, art, or upcycled furniture. For example, the 1960s sideboard in the hallway, which had yellowed over time, was updated by her and Thomas with a dark walnut stain and new handles.

“A lot of people wait to decorate until they’re in their forever home. I don’t see it that way, because it can take years before that happens. Making your space cozy became even more important during the pandemic, when so many had to study and work at home,” Katarina points out.

Friends often gather in the separate kitchen, which has a happy atmosphere. The extendable teak table is on loan for this apartment, and two of the matching chairs are inherited from Katarina’s grandmother. A bentwood chair from Tori was neatly refurbished. The kitchen walls are painted Tikkurila’s Beige.

The Semi lamp in the kitchen is a vintage 1970s Ikea design by Bonderup & Thorup. Rights are now held by Gubi.

This sideboard came from Katarina’s grandmother. Iittala Nappula candle holders top it. The Hanna Peterson poster from Wall of Art was framed with a lucky flea-market find.

Light specks dance across the living room’s yellow walls when sunshine bounces off a disco ball on the windowsill. It’s a small, playful detail Katarina loves: not everything needs to be serious.

“I like subtle chaos and eye-catching details that spark curiosity. Dancing light specks or surprising style combos—like a 1980s mirrored panel next to an ornate marble-topped nightstand—keep things interesting. I want to add contrast to the overall look,” Katarina says.

The lower piece is by Mathilda Boalawong Nilsson. Above the TV hangs a work by Hanna Peterson from Wall of Art.

A Samsung The Frame TV blends seamlessly with the art wall.

Art plays a huge role in Katarina’s life and family tradition. Her grandfather, the late Swedish artist Lars Fredrikson, worked in southern France from 1960 to 1998. The recognition of Fredrikson’s abstract art has grown notably in recent years, with exhibitions at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice.

One of these treasures now hangs on the living room wall, surrounded by a dynamic collection of works from various artists, including Katarina herself.

“Creativity runs in my family. As a kid, I was always redecorating my room and making little rock ornaments in the yard. I still paint occasionally to relax. I like it, and I’ve hung a few of my paintings here. I also have a few anonymous flea-market paintings. There are plenty of online shops to discover new and emerging artists,” Katarina says.

The dark-lacquered chair was bought on Tori, and the dresser is from relatives. A bold fan from Bali hangs next to the dresses. The basket is a flea-market find. The framed picture is from the Fotografiska museum in Stockholm. Tikkurila F306 Sorbetti adds a light yellow glow to the walls.

The 1980s mirrored panel was originally from Katarina’s childhood home. She inherited the sturdy marble-topped nightstand from her mother, and the lamp is a flea-market find. The large planter is from Bauhaus.

The nightstand is from Katarina’s grandmother’s summer home in the Stockholm archipelago. The lamp and candle holder were picked up at a flea market, while the vase is from Bali. The Hanna Peterson poster is from the Wall of Art online shop.

A total maximalist, not a minimalist. That’s how Katarina describes her style. Sturdy vintage furniture and warm, sunny colors bring to mind southern Europe and faraway places. She spent a semester studying in Bali, and the souvenirs scattered around the home remind her of that special time. The yellow also hints at her desire for a tropical climate—or perhaps evokes her grandfather’s beloved Nice.

“I’d describe my style as mid-century modern meets Nordic design. I draw a lot from Stockholm, where my father’s side of the family and my two sisters live. One sister is a designer, and I’ve put a few of her projects on display,” Katarina says.

International influences, art, and love for secondhand pieces fill every room. Osku the cat is quite content on the Ikea sofa, cozy under its velvet cover from Bemz.

Their neighborhood offers a delightful mix of architecture from various eras, from a red gingerbread-style villa to 1950s apartment buildings.

The pair love their life in Turku. Vartiovuori Park, the riverside buzz, and the many cafés and flea markets draw them out early on days off. They often visit the market hall for pastries to enjoy with afternoon coffee. Weekends include big brunches, smoothie bowls, and new recipes. There’s always homemade kombucha with ice in the kitchen.

When the apartment is at its liveliest, it’s filled with friends, laughter, and thoughtful conversations. Sometimes, Katarina is reminded of her recurring dream: maybe one day, in a sunny place, she’ll open her own bed & breakfast.

Katarina and Thomas’s 63-square-meter rental is in a 1952 building in Turku’s second district.