Home tour | A bright coastal house near Copenhagen

This stunning abode near Copenhagen seemed like the ideal choice for my first post of August. Set in the seaside town of Vedbæk, it has a simple all-white interior with a breezy, beachy feel – perfect for a month when most of us have summer holidays firmly on the mind.

Once a fisherman’s cottage, the house has been transformed into a family home by the talented team at Norm Architects. They started by removing all internal walls on the ground floor except the chimney breast, opening up the space to suit modern living and placing the emphasis firmly on the unusual spiral staircase leading up to the first floor. They then designed several new sections of wall with window-like openings, creating neatly defined kitchen, sitting and dining areas without losing the connection between them. Roof windows were also added to flood the interior with natural light, and a glass floor panel installed to give easy access to the wine cellar below.

Walls, floorboards and ceilings throughout the house have been painted white, making it appear larger than it is and giving it the air of a Mediterranean villa. It’s a feeling that’s enhanced by the many rustic elements, which include salvaged doors and tables, gnarled wooden beams (ingeniously used as open shelving in the kitchen, with lighting incorporated underneath), and stone nooks that display ceramics and other treasured items.

Nevertheless, the house is unmistakably Scandinavian. The furniture is sleek and understated, with a restrained palette of neutral colours such as charcoal, dove grey and taupe; it also encompasses iconic mid-century pieces such as Carl Hansen’s ‘Wishbone’ chair and Charles and Ray Eames’ ‘DSR’ chair. They’re offset by contemporary lighting designs, the most striking of which is Bertjan Pot’s ‘Random’ light for Moooi, which takes centre stage above the dining table. What’s more, there’s plenty of built-in storage to ensure that rooms remain calm and clutter-free.

Finally, although this house may appear best-suited to summer living, it could easily be adapted for the cold winter months. I’d just add a few sheepskins on floors and chairs, dot some candles here and there, and drape blankets over the bed and sofa. And of course the wood-burner will keep the interiors feeling snug and cosy at any time of year.

Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen for Norm Architects