For almost one year, a friend has been inviting me to visit the house he bought last October in Stockholm, Wisconsin (population: 66). It’s only about 75 miles from my home, but — because of everything from winter snowstorms to indoor rainstorms — the timing was never quite right.

Until yesterday.

I was behind the wheel, so unfortunately I don’t have any photos of the sun-dappled hills I passed, cloaked in their crimson-and-gold autumn robes. Nor do I have any photos of the sweeping rows of corn that stretched to the horizon in all directions, their pale dessicated husks swaying in the wind.

Nope. In fact, the only photo I have of our drive is this one, which I compelled my husband to take as we headed home.

Lack of photographic documentation aside, I found Stockholm charming: Most of the residents seem to be artists, photographers or poets — and they have the stunning galleries to prove it. But I’ll have to save my discussion of the art scene for another post, because yesterday’s visit was all about architecture.

I’ve always been curious about the austere, Scandinavian-style houses in Jackson Meadow, near Marine on St. Croix.

Photo via Panoramio.com

So I was a bit surprised by the pang of familiarity I felt as I drove onto my friend’s property. I was delighted to learn that both places are the work of the same architect, David Salmela.

But I was even more delighted to discover that the austere exteriors belied a beautiful (and structurally fascinating) interior.

Between playing with the dog, meeting the neighbors, taking a stroll, and a delicious lunch at Gelly’s,the day flew by. But I promise to go back to Stockholm — soon — and come back with a full report.

Can’t wait that long? Check out this blog instead.

As always, thanks for reading!