What began as a renovation project has grown into a living manifesto of craftsmanship, patience, and a deep love for wood. On social media, his followers get to see everything – from framing to fine carpentry, from dusty demolition work to that moment when a room finally comes together.
“Building your own home is a unique journey,” Oskar says. “You confront your own decisions every single day. That’s why you need to choose materials you truly believe in.”
And for him, the choice has always been obvious.
Why He Chooses Northern Timber
When the conversation turns to materials, Oskar becomes animated. Time and again he returns to the importance of slow‑grown wood.
“If you’re putting your heart and soul into a house, you want timber that has grown slowly – in a climate that gives tight growth rings and high density. That’s what you get with northern wood. That’s also why I’m happy to collaborate with Norra Timber and to have access to their high‑quality products.”
Northern timber grows in short summers and long winters. That slow growth produces tight annual rings, resulting in stronger, more dimensionally stable, and more durable wood. Less cracking, less movement over time, and a natural resistance to decay.
For Oskar, it’s not just about technical qualities – it’s about the feel of it.
“You notice it when you work with it. It’s dense, stable, and dependable. When you plane or cut it, you can feel the difference.”
The straighter grain structure also makes northern timber ideal for visible structures, cladding, and fine carpentry where the finish truly matters. For anyone building with the intention that the house should last for generations, it becomes an obvious choice.
There is also an ideological layer to it:
“I’m passionate about the North – about the forests, the craftsmanship, and the people. If I can choose a material that offers high quality and supports the forestry industry up here, then that’s what I’ll choose.”
Renovating Without Burning Out
Following The House on the Hill is inspiring – but it’s also honest. Oskar openly shares the exhaustion, decision fatigue, and omnipresent layer of construction dust. And that leads to one of his most important pieces of advice:
“Always make sure you have at least one room that’s finished. A room where you can close the door on the chaos.”
It can be a bedroom, a living room, or even just a small corner – but it needs to be a place for recovery. A breathing space in the middle of the project.
“Renovations are mentally draining. If the whole house is a construction site, it’s easy to lose energy. But if you have one completed room, you’re reminded of why you’re doing it.”
A simple tip – but often the key to making it all the way through.
A House That Grows Backwards in Time
For Oskar, renovating isn’t about creating something that merely looks finished in photos. It’s about building a home that ages with dignity – where the materials mature, where the wood gains patina, and where every mark tells a story.
Northern Swedish timber already carries its own story: of slow growth, cold climates, and resilience. And when that wood finds new life in The House on the Hill, two journeys intersect – the forest’s decades‑long process and a person’s dream of a home.
One day, the construction dust will settle. The tools will hang quietly. But the walls, floors, and beams will continue to work silently – supporting, protecting, enduring.
And that is where Oskar’s project becomes most compelling: not in the finished result, but in the decision to build something meant to outlast himself. A house that doesn’t shout for attention, but stands firm – with roots deep in the forests of northern Sweden.