My stay at Gerard's place was amazing!
In addition to serving delicious baked goods, fresh fruit etc. every morning, Gerard is truly the perfect host: really nice, easygoing and cool to talk to, extremely helpful, showing me around and giving recommendations, leaving detailed notes and instructions on everything, and even rushing home to help me when I had foolishly locked myself out of my room. The room itself was really nice, with a big comfy bed, private bathroom, as well as a private balcony overlooking Gerard's cosy and well-kept garden.
As I was in town for the opening of the new Nordic Museum, the location was perfect, being a 5-minute walk from the museum, as well as the main street where the Sunday market also takes place.
So all in all I would definitely recommend the Ballard area, as well as staying at Gerard's place - which I myself will definitely do the next time I'm in town!