The Swedish Country House

by Scherman, Susanna

• ISBN13: 9781580932943
• ISBN10: 1580932940
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-10-26
• Publisher: Monacelli Pr

Summary

Swedish country houses are one of Europers"s best-kept secrets. Little known outside Sweden and rarely published, they survive in surprisshy;ingly large numbers, often with their original furniture and decoration. Twenty of these remarkable and timeless houses are examined here in detail, ranging from royal palaces to farmhouses, all dating from the fifteenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. In spite of being far from the centers of power and artistic influence, these houses reflect the talents of important architects and designers who together forged a distinctive national style. Sweden has been fortunate in its history: while the Hundred Years War reduced much of Europe to ruins, Sweden grew rich, and during the subsequent centuries has enjoyed almost continuous peace. The story of Swedish country houses is thus a mirror of Swedish social history, its hierarchy of classes, its absorption of European styles and movements, and above all its enduring culture. The Swedish Country Houseis both an imporshy;tant contribution to design history and a highly seductive glimpse into a secret Nordic world. Art historian Susanna Scherman has included examples from every level, drawing special attention to the qualities that make them unique. She and noted photographer Aring;ke E:son Lindman explored the houses together, and together they bring them to life for the reader.

Author Biography

Susanna Scherman ­is a scholar of Swedish archi­­tecture and design and has also restored inte­riors and gardens. Her pioneering book on the Swedish tiled stove, Den Svenska Kakelugnen, was nom­i­nated for the distinguished August Prize.

+ke E:son Lindman is one of Sweden’s most cele­brated photographers of architecture and interiors.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Torpa, Västergötland
Fiholm, Södermanland
Skokloster, Uppland
Strömsholm, Västmanland
Länna Parsonage, Uppland
Stola, Västergötland
Lövsta Bruk, Uppland
Stora Nyckelviken, Södermanland
Huvudsta, Uppland
Hallunda, Södermanland
Mårtes, Hälsingland
Heby, Dalarna
Gustav III’s Pavilion, Haga, Upplan
Siggebohyttan, Västmanland
Krusenberg, Uppland
Stjernsund, Närke
Ystegårn, Hillsta, Hälsingland
Fågelsjö Gammelgård, Dalarna
Trönö Parsonage, Hälsingland
A Farm in Blacksta, Närke

Map
Bibliography
Index