The House
Parents often wish for more room for their family. Not Nicole Wear and Calle Holmgren. “We wanted to simplify life, instead of getting overtaken by chores and maintenance — more lawn to mow, more house to clean,” Nicole says. Three years ago, they traded in their 2,500-square-foot new build for a smaller 1923 Craftsman bungalow. Although they adored the intact original details, the neglected interior begged for modern touches. Nicole is from California and Calle is from Sweden, and they married their cultures to create a light, bright Cali–Scandi look. Last July, Baby Mio joined siblings Jade and Isla. Nobody misses that extra 1,100 feet. “The rainy weather means we’re often gathered around our fireplace, chatting, reading or playing board games,” Nicole says. “For us, downsizing freed up family time.”