Larssonska blommor

Karin och Carl Larsson "skapade" ju mallen för det idylliska folkhemmet som många av oss har försökt efterlikna under senare år. Jag har fått frågor om vad Karin kan tänkas ha haft för blommor i sina hem.

The Iconic Home at Lilla Hyttnäs

Carl and Karin Larsson, Sweden’s most beloved artist couple, created an iconic residence at Lilla Hyttnäs in Sundborn, just over 10 kilometers outside Falun. The family divided their year between their city home in Falun—where they spent the winter months—and their idyllic country home, Lilla Hyttnäs, where the family would gather from the spring until the fall, as well as during Christmas when weather permitted.

The Transformation and Expansion

In 1888, Karin’s father, Adolf Bergöö, gifted the couple the cottage, which was originally built in 1837. Initially serving as a simple summer retreat, the Larssons gradually transformed and expanded the house over two decades into one of Sweden’s most famous homes. Each extension—visible as “annual rings” in the different architectural styles—reflects their evolving vision. By 1901, Lilla Hyttnäs had become the family’s permanent home, with constant improvements continuing up until the “Miner’s Cottage” addition in 1912.

Revolutionary Artistic Ideals

The interiors of the house are characterized by the couple’s revolutionary artistic ideals. Together, Carl and Karin created a unique environment influenced by National Romanticism, the Arts and Crafts movement, and William Morris’s concepts of interior design. Their style—light, airy, and boldly simple—stood in stark contrast to the heavy, dark furnishings typical of the bourgeoisie at the time. The house itself became a gesamtkunstwerk: a “total work of art,” aiming for harmonious, democratic design that balanced beauty and everyday life.

Karin’s Plant Collection

Integral to the atmosphere of Lilla Hyttnäs was Karin Larsson’s remarkable collection of houseplants. She filled windowsills, pedestals, and flower tables with greenery, combining her talent for arrangement and her passion for living decor. Among the plants Karin grew, you could find:

The ‘Sundborn’ pelargonium, a cherished “Mårbacka” variety most closely associated with Karin’s drawing room
Striking, pink-leaved cacti
Christmas and Easter cacti
Globe cacti
Azaleas
Ivy winding around the windows
Hibiscus
“Wandering Jew” (Tradescantia)
Ferns in hanging baskets
Oleander (Nerium)
African violets (Saintpaulia)
Fuchsias
Clivia (Clivia miniata)
Wax flowers (Hoya)

During the warmer months, Karin would move her larger houseplants—such as oleanders in grand pots—outdoors onto the paved terrace for their "summer vacation." She also cultivated bulbs indoors for festive displays in winter, including amaryllis and Christmas begonias, some of which can be seen in Carl’s paintings.

The Flourishing Gardens

Outside, Karin cultivated a lush and diverse garden that included large deciduous and fruit trees, a productive kitchen garden, and generous perennial borders. Her travels with Carl influenced her with French and English gardening styles, and many identifiable plants appear time and again both in reality and in Carl's renowned paintings. These include lilies, ox-eye daisies, goldenrod, autumn asters, rudbeckias, daylilies, irises, columbines, marguerites, as well as abundant spring bulbs such as narcissus and tulips.

Annuals and Artistic Arrangements

Annuals also played a part in the garden’s charm: marigolds, nasturtiums, sunflowers, poppies, cornflowers, asters, and more added colorful bursts throughout the growing season. Karin’s artistic touch extended to flower arrangements, which are frequently depicted in Carl’s interiors.

For an in-depth exploration of these horticultural features and inspiration on creating your own garden haven, see Första trädgården.

Legacy and Preservation

After Carl and Karin’s passing in 1919 and 1928 respectively, their descendants donated the property, leading to the foundation of the Carl and Karin Larsson Family Association in 1946. Since then, the association has lovingly managed and preserved Carl Larsson-gården, which was officially designated a listed building in 1966. Today, the house and grounds remain much as in Carl and Karin’s time, welcoming visitors from around the world and serving as a vibrant inspiration for Swedish lifestyle and design. The laughter of children, the scent of flowers, and the creative spirit of the Larssons are still felt by all who visit this remarkable home.