A few days ago I was looking through restaurants in Stockholm for a future, imagined trip: for someday, when I finally head there in person. One of my discoveries, now at the top of my must-visit list? Agrikultur, a tiny 24-seat restaurant in a nondescript corner of the city, serving thoughtful small dishes with ingredients from Sweden’s farms, waters, and wilds. I was taken with the floor-to-ceiling tiled walls, rustic stacks of wood, oil lamps on every table, and the up-close-and-personal chefs’ counter. (Plus, Agrikultur has received a coveted star for the last three years in the Michelin Guide.)
When I emailed with Joel Åhlin, one of the chefs/owners, I was surprised to discover that, before Agrikultur opened in 2016, the space had been “a pizzeria and, before that, an adult video shop with an illegal strip club in the basement.” Åhlin and co-owner/chef Filip Fastén’s goal for the new interiors, in tandem with designer Daniel Östman? “To make the guests really feel like they were invited home to me and Filip’s for dinner,” Åhlin says. Mission accomplished. Step inside.
N.B.: Åhlin and Fastén recently opened a little sister restaurant, Bar Agrikultur; equally artful, with half-painted walls.
Photography by Niklas Nyman, courtesy of Agrikultur.
1. Hang a muted wreath.
![the stately exterior of agrikultur, with muted tones and awnings. note also: th 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-exterior-niklas-nyman-733x489.jpg)
2. Bring back oil lamps.
![inside the small restaurant, most of the cooking takes place in the efficient l 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-interior-cooking-in-kitchen-niklas-nyman-733x489.jpg)
3. Embrace floor-to-ceiling tile.
![the small kitchen behind the bar (shown here when service is not in session) ha 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-interior-kitchen-niklas-nyman-733x489.jpg)
4. Create artful firewood storage.
![the tile continues into the dining area, where it surrounds a wood fired oven. 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-interior-dining-room-tiles-niklas-nyman-733x1100.jpg)
Note also how essentials are kept at the ready in the small space, like the long-handled pizza peel, held in place by two nails. The taps serve still water, sparkling water, and pilsner; a small rack above keeps a few glasses within easy reach for a pour.
5. Take note of the tiniest details.
![the tableware is simple but considered. at each place: little wooden knife stan 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-interior-dining-room-niklas-nyman-733x489.jpg)
6. Mix simple tablecloths with uncovered tables.
![in the dining room, some tables are draped with plain tablecloths while others 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-dining-table-2-niklas-nyman-733x489.jpg)
7. Add texture with woven seats.
![for some texture (and to break up the wood), the chairs in the dining room have 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-dining-table-1-niklas-nyman-733x1100.jpg)
8. Brew in glass teapots.
![on a table: tea lights by jennie olofsson, the aforementioned little green 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-dining-table-detail-niklas-nyman-733x1100.jpg)
9. Go organic with ceramics.
10. Add a curtain.
![behind a heavy taupe curtain, the chefs\2\17; counter at night. 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/agrikultur-stockholm-curtain-niklas-nyman-733x1100.jpg)
Headed to Stockholm? See our Stockholm Design Guide, or plan the perfect trip with these can’t-miss design spots:
- Shopper’s Diary: Tambur Shop in Stockholm
- A Tax Agency Transformed: Restaurant Usine in Stockholm
- 5 Tiny Bedroom (and Dorm) Ideas to Steal from Stockholm’s Hobo Hotel
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