The rundown school building was built in the 1920s and once housed a gym, a woodworking classroom, and even a chapel. The main building next door, the former Mared School, burned to the ground eight years ago.

Neither of them had any idea what it would really take to turn the old building into a vibrant meeting place and restaurant—or how challenging the journey would be.

– In my head, it was just about borrowing a little money from the bank. I thought, “This can’t cost that much.” It’s lucky I didn’t know what was coming. I cried so much during this period and felt like it just wasn’t going to work. That’s so unlike me—usually, I believe anything is possible.

If someone told me I had to compete against Gunde Svan in cross-country skiing, my first thought would be, “Sure, I can win!” That’s always been my mindset.

She explains that the financial pressure has been the hardest part. Twice, the money ran out completely, and it was unclear whether Skolberget would ever open.

– I rarely feel afraid, but this time, I did. Not knowing whether we could pull it off was tough. I remember so clearly the summer of 2023 when we were about to celebrate in the garden with sandwich cake and champagne, and I got a call from my accountant telling me the money was gone.

Crossing the threshold of the old schoolhouse, you’re greeted by a dainty floral wallpaper bursting with pink and violet flowers and trailing nasturtium. The pattern, named Violetta, was drawn by hand by My in collaboration with Boråstapeter. The lush nasturtium runs like a green thread through every room at Skolberget.

– We lived on a row house street when I was a kid, and one day they built this ugly wall in front of the houses, and all the neighbors hated it. I remember my mom saying she would make it the most beautiful wall in the world. So she planted nasturtium, and when it started trailing down the wall, everyone began to love it. For me, nasturtium stands for the idea that you can change your own situation.

In addition to Violetta, the collection for Boråstapeter includes Trädgårdskrasse and Grönska. The latter, with its large green nasturtium leaves, decorates both the walls and the ceiling in the old gymnasium, creating an almost seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.

– Skolberget sits right in the middle of the greenery, and I wanted it to feel like all of that green had grown into the house. I’ve always loved huts—forest hideouts—and I used to love sitting under spruce trees or up in a tree. So I knew I wanted the gym to feel like you were surrounded by leaves. My first thought was to paint everything by hand, but that would’ve taken months.

All of the patterns were designed with Skolberget in mind, and the original plan was for them to exist only here. But that idea was quickly abandoned when interest exploded on My’s social media.

– So many people commented, saying the wallpaper would be perfect for their kitchen or summer house. Then it felt wonderful to let my patterns become part of other people’s dreams. Who am I to keep them to myself, just because I drew them?

It’s clear that Skolberget holds deep emotional value for many. That’s especially obvious from all the local visitors who continue to approach My to thank her for bringing the place back to life.

And it’s not just the guests who have recognized the effort—in autumn 2024, Skolberget received the Halmstad Architecture Prize for its high design quality and environmental sustainability.

Now that you’re on the other side—what do you hope visitors feel when they come here?
– For me, Skolberget became exactly what I didn’t know I wanted. And that’s how I hope people feel when they come here. Skolberget should be something you didn’t know you longed for.

Curious to see more patterns?
Explore all of My’s wallpapers – a world of colour, form and imagination.

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