To explore the quiet, austere beauty of classical Scandinavian design, take a look at Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi’s turn-of-the-20th-century domestic scenes. Rediscovered of late, his work is often cited as a source of inspiration for contemporary interiors, including London Couturier Anna Valentine’s Kitchen and our own Julie Carlson’s apartment remodel (stay tuned for more on that). Most of these designs have a modern-minimalist air, but Swedish brand Kvänum’s Hammershødi-esque Real Classic kitchen line, with its paneled cabinets, glass-doored china cupboards, and hushed Gustavian palette, feels directly lifted from times past.
Kvänum itself has been in business since 1923 and specializes in traditional millwork: it operates by the motto “authenticity in everything” and is an official supplier to the Swedish Royal Court. A new standout is their Karleby Almond kitchen in shades of cream and gray. Especially at home in a setting with soaring ceilings, it looks like a throwback without being in the least bit quaint. That’s because it’s filled with ideas that are appealingly timeless.
Photography courtesy of Kvänum.
![kvänum describes the karleby as \2\20;the result of modern design 17](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-1-733x489.jpg)
![the company \2\16;s kitchens are made to order using traditional woodwor 18](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-9-733x576.jpg)
Kvänum kitchens are fabricated in the company workshop in the town of Kvänun, and though mostly made for a Scandinavian clientele, can be delivered to the US.
![the bridge faucet is the roma, made for kvänum by stella of italy. it&am 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-4-733x1100.jpg)
![reminiscent of downton abbey, the center of the room work table is made of stai 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-11-733x711.jpg)
![the cabinet is detailed with reeded glass and sliding doors with recessed bronz 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-6b-733x1100.jpg)
![a lacanche range is set in the tiled niche and flanked by drawers with bronze k 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-2-733x1100.jpg)
![one side niche is detailed with shelves, and the other, shown here, has bars&#x 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-3-733x1100.jpg)
![concealed behind pocket doors, a closet cupboard is fitted with drawers and she 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/kvacc88num-real-classic-karleby-kitchen-in-almond-7-733x1100.jpg)
More Swedish kitchen inspiration:
- Beyond Ikea: 11 Favorite Scandinavian Kitchens from the Remodelista Archives
- Before and After: A Designer’s Own Ikea Hack Kitchen
- Kitchen of the Week: Art and Soul in a Copenhagen Kitchen
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