In 2008, Simon and Ann left London and bought Nygård, an old farm on the outskirts of Varberg. The house and barns had been neglected for many years, but it felt like the perfect place to raise a young family and build a slower, more grounded life.
After carefully renovating the farmhouse, working to preserve its character while bringing it back into use, Simon turned his attention to the farm’s old grain barn. Rather than replacing what was there, he chose to restore and repurpose it—transforming it into a warm, character-filled retreat. In 2014, Nygård Cottage opened its doors, offering guests a chance to experience the calm and natural beauty that had drawn them there in the first place.
A few years later, while riding through the forests near Ullared, Simon came across a forgotten torp tucked quietly among the trees. Badly neglected and untouched for decades, it might have been easy to overlook—but to him, it felt like an opportunity to bring something back to life. He bought it soon after.
What followed was a year and a half of careful, hands-on restoration, guided by a respect for the building’s history and a focus on simplicity and natural materials. The result was Kvarnhagen: a secluded forest retreat where craftsmanship, stillness, and nature come together.
Together, these projects became the foundation of Swede House—a collection of thoughtfully restored spaces, shaped by a belief in reusing what already exists and creating places where people can truly slow down and reconnect.