In 1901, the couple moved to Vaxholm, and built a home called the "Villa Columbines". The marriage remained childless but, during a trip to Italy in 1900 to 1901, they met an Italian family, whose three-year-old son Fausto they adopted in 1903. In Sweden, they spent much of their time with their friends Carl Larsson and Rikard Lindström. Another acquaintance was the poet, Verner von Heidenstam, whose portrait Acke painted. From 1902 to 1903, he and some Finnish artists made illustrations for his father-in-law's children's books. He had his name legally changed to Acke in 1904. In 1912, he made an extended trip to Rio de Janeiro, which influenced his paintings, especially his way of depicting light.
