Lille Strandbygård is a historic manor whose history stretches back to the 16th century. Over the centuries, the estate has been shaped by the passage of time, the life’s work of its inhabitants, and careful modifications – layers of history that are still palpable within its walls.

The estate includes several preserved outbuildings: a smithy and workshop, boiler room, laundry, sawmill, stables for horses and pigs, and a farmhand’s residence. The smithy and workshop bear the dates 1782 and 1896, with engraved initials that testify to the work and pride of previous generations. The architect-designed pigsty from 1929, signed HCM, reflects a period when even utility buildings were given care and aesthetic consideration.

The main building has undergone numerous renovations, extensions, and reconstructions since the 16th century and is said to have suffered a major fire. The most comprehensive transformation took place in 1909, when the house acquired its current appearance – a work that still bears the initials SMJ–AJD today.

During the renovation, every choice was made with respect for the soul of the house. The roof has been fully restored with a new subroof, a vapor-permeable waterproofing membrane, wood fiber insulation, cast iron windows, rebuilt chimneys, copper details, and glazed roof tiles. Windows and doors are handmade from solid pine, painted with linseed oil paint, and fitted with genuine mouth-blown glass. The façade and foundation have been gently sandblasted to let the house breathe again, freed from previous plastic-based paints.

Inside, visitors are welcomed into a home where the old lives on. Douglas fir floor beams, lime-washed walls, linseed oil and lime paints coexist with wallpaper, wainscoting, and beautiful plaster ceiling moldings, reflecting the historical proportions and elegance of the rooms. Existing floors and doors have been preserved, sanded, and treated with linseed oil wax or linseed oil paint. Antique-style cast iron radiators replace modern heaters, blending naturally into the environment.

Beneath its historic exterior lies a modern foundation: all water and sewage pipes have been replaced, along with the entire electrical system. A new technical room houses circulation pumps, water heaters, and water treatment equipment – discreet, yet essential for a house intended to live on.

After renovation, the house is heated by three rectangular tiled stoves and five cast iron stoves. In 1909, Strandbygård had four chimneys. At the start of the renovation, only two remained – today all four have been restored, returning the house to its original silhouette.

The interior follows the classic manor style, with antique furniture, authentic rugs, and crystal chandeliers that catch the light and enhance the sense of timelessness.

The outbuildings have also been renovated to withstand the elements for at least another hundred years. Oak timber framing has, in several places, been replaced with new oak, worked with the same care as in the past.

The renovation reflects a deep respect for natural materials and craftsmanship. Materials include lime, clay, brick, marble, wood fiber insulation, linseed oil paint, lime paint, copper, granite, tadelakt, and recycled materials. Details are as important as the whole – porcelain switches, cast iron radiators, lanterns, and iron skylights all contribute to the character of the house.

Wrought iron details are handcrafted and recreated by hand: handles, nails, screws, and fittings. Solid brass and iron screws are used, and all iron details are sandblasted and linseed-oil fired to achieve the correct appearance and age gracefully.

In the salon lies one of the estate’s most magical rooms. The ceiling, hand-painted in lime paint and dated 1786, serves as a quiet reminder of all the lives that have passed through here. The words adorning the ceiling carry history forward, whispering from another time.

Lev warlig

Ter sparlig

Tiden er farlig

Döden kommer snarlig

Anno 1786

The text calls for humility, moderation, and an awareness of life’s transience. It reflects the 18th-century view of life, where people lived close to work, faith, and death – and where reminders of life’s brevity were often visible in homes and public spaces.

(See images further down)