Erik Nordin, formerly County Supervisor of Ancient Buildings and Monuments, Gävleborg County Administrative Board

The entrance to a house is important! A lot of energy was invested in creating a presentable, inviting and pleasant entrance. The door was richly designed with a powerful surround often with a small recessed window above. In certain districts porches were built in a highly decorative and self-conscious manner. Towards the turn of the century porches developed into verandas, sometimes two-storey, usually with rich timber ornamentation. Occasionally such a veranda could be adjoined to an old red farmhouse despite the fact that it was of an entirely different colour and appearance.