In collaboration with the Carl Larsson House, Mind on Nature has developed a wonderful garden collection that directly interprets the tools once used on the estate.
Carl - One of Sweden's most beloved artists of all time
Carl Larsson was born in Stockholm’s Old Town in 1853 and grew up in extreme poverty. Thanks to his artistic talent, he was encouraged to apply to the preparatory department of the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts at the young age of 16. After completing his studies, Carl traveled to Paris, the then-epicenter of innovative art. Despite his efforts, he struggled to establish himself as an artist and was left poor and disheartened. His life took a turn when he traveled to the small village of Grez-sur-Loing, a Scandinavian artist colony outside Paris.
In Grez, Carl left behind the slow process of oil painting and began working with watercolors. He created bright, airy paintings that captured light and moments in nature. It was also in Grez that he met his future wife, Karin. Carl later stated that his time in Grez was a life-changing turning point.
Karin - A pioneering designer ahead of her time
Karin Larsson grew up in Hallsberg and, like her husband, displayed early artistic talent. She began her studies at the Stockholm School of Crafts and later continued at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts. A higher artistic education was rare for women in the mid-19th century. After her studies, she traveled to Grez to paint, where she met Carl Larsson. The couple led a bohemian artist’s life, blending work and socializing in a vibrant combination.
After the birth of their children, Karin set aside her painting and continued her creative journey as a textile artist, designer, and interior decorator. She became the leading force in the family’s lifestyle project.
The Larsson family in Sundborn - The Swedish idyll illustrated
Like many artists at the end of the 19th century, Carl and Karin Larsson longed for a life closer to nature as a counterpoint to the dirty, cramped cities shaped by industrialization. They settled in the small village of Sundborn in Dalarna, where Karin had inherited the cottage Lilla Hyttnäs from her father. At the time, the house was a small dwelling with three rooms and a kitchen.
Together with local craftsmen, the couple transformed the home into a modern residence for its time. Over the years, they created a lively, personal house with winding hallways, generous open spaces, and small, intimate rooms. Karin designed spaces filled with art and textiles that blended Swedish rural style with international trends. The color scheme was bold, with reds and greens as central themes.
The couple’s bohemian and modern interior design and lifestyle were documented in Carl’s paintings, where Karin and their children often served as his favorite models. Through Carl’s art and Karin’s uninhibited decorating style, they created an idyllic image of a nature-connected, modern, and relaxed family life. Their home became one of the world’s most famous artist residences.
Karin Larsson’s love for the garden
Karin carried memories with her throughout her life. In the spring of 1886, she wrote to Carl, who was alone in Grez-sur-Loing:
“…you are in Grez, the most beautiful, beautiful place on earth! I have spent so many happy moments there, from the day you first said you loved me. Everything around me became filled with jubilant life and joy; the sun shone warmer, the grass smelled sweeter, and the birds sang as they never had before.”
To Karin, Grez symbolized peace and love. The garden parties at Pension Laurent, where the garden served as a room for celebrations, were unforgettable.
After wintering in Paris, they returned to Grez in 1884 and rented a small, freestanding house with a tiny garden, marking the beginning of Karin’s interest in gardening. Sundborn and Lilla Hyttnäs became constant echoes of Grez-sur-Loing. The rough surfaces of stone and timber, the vibrant wildflower displays that seemed to grow effortlessly, and the bold colors on windows and doors all reflected the memories of Grez at Sundborn.
In Grez, Karin and Carl could fully embrace the artist’s life—reading outdoors, dining with friends under the open sky, or wandering through the countryside. The relaxed approach to garden care served as an inspiring model. They brought the flavors of their experiences home to Sundborn: the spices’ unique tastes, the sting of garlic, asparagus, artichokes, daily salads, and olive oil.
Karin designed the “garden room,” inspired by Grez, where the garden served as a space for grand celebrations. In Sundborn, as in Grez, the garden became a place for socializing and working, with countless guests enjoying its relaxed atmosphere.