When TV personality and creator Gustav Ovland decided to restore and reuse his original 1920s lamp posts, a journey began where craftsmanship, heritage and modern expertise came together. Just a few miles from the Starch Factory, he found us — and together we breathed new life into a piece of cultural history.

A Project Where Tradition Meets the Future

In October 2025, Gustav reached out to us at Smekab Citylife with the ambition to revive his old 1920s lamp posts. He had long been searching for a partner who could both understand the value of historic materials and master the technical challenges involved — particularly the precise tube bending required for the unique shape of the lamp-top.

When Gustav discovered that we were located just a short distance from the Starch Factory in Härnestad, everything fell into place. His vision met our industrial know-how, and craftsmanship became the bridge between past and future.

In addition to bending the lamp-top to the correct dimensions, we also straightened one of the damaged and leaning posts, welded the components together, and ensured long-lasting protection against corrosion through hot-dip galvanizing.

All so that Gustav can enjoy his restored lamps for many years to come — and so that another small part of the site’s history can continue to shine.

Sustainability in Practice

At Smekab Citylife, every reused object is an opportunity to demonstrate how the cities of tomorrow can be shaped with care for both people and the environment. By restoring Gustav’s lamp posts instead of producing new ones, we extend the lifespan of existing materials and reduce the need for new manufacturing — one of the most effective ways to save resources and energy.

With our own production facilities in Sweden, we work close to the project, minimise transport, and guarantee quality down to the last detail. In our factory, solid engineering expertise meets a clear ambition: to create durable solutions built to last.

Through hot-dip galvanizing, precision work and attentive refinement, the lamp posts have been given a new chance to illuminate — not only as functional elements, but also as subtle symbols of how history, craftsmanship and sustainability can be woven together in the best possible way.

👉 Follow the entire process in YouTube episode #82 on Gustav’s channel.

About Gustav Ovland

Gustav Ovland, known from Husdrömmar (House Dreams), runs one of Sweden’s most inspiring YouTube channels, inviting viewers into his creative life project: the old Starch Factory in Härnestad outside Åhus. Since 2019, he has gradually transformed the abandoned industrial site into a place where creativity, reuse and history come to life.

1920s Lamp posts brought back to life with Smekab Citylife as a partner