Home tour | A considered house by a Norwegian fjord

Today I’m sharing a peek inside a gorgeous Norwegian house with possibly the most breathtakingly beautiful setting of any home I’ve ever featured.

Located by a majestic fjord, it belongs to Eldrid from @housebythefjord – one of my all-time favourite Instagram accounts. What first drew me to her feed was the stunning view from her window, but the more I learned about her home and the story behind it, the more I was impressed by her slow, sustainable approach to decorating. Eldrid’s ethos echoes my own attempts to create more intentional and considered interiors, and I couldn’t resist chatting to her to find out more about her house, where she sources inspiration and furniture, and her top design tips…

Hi Eldrid! Please can you start by introducing yourself and telling us a bit about what you do?

“I’m mum to a two-year-old and married to the man of my dreams. I love to be outside in nature, whether it’s on my skis or running in my running shoes. I’m currently working on setting up my own business as an interior-design consultant and decorator, and I’ve previously worked as a decorator, in retail and as a florist in a local flower shop.”

Where’s home, and how long have you lived there?

“I live with my little family in a small ski town called Stranda, by one of the most beautiful fjords in Norway. We’ve lived here for about six years now, but we’ve only had this house for three or four years.”

We can probably guess the answer to this, but what first attracted you to the house…?

“We always say we bought the view and the house was a bonus! And we were so lucky to have the chance to buy this place. It used to belong to some friends of ours, so we already had some really good memories of the house and the setting.”

Have you carried out many renovations?

“We have done very little apart from a bit of decorating and painting some walls, but there are still a few things that need to be done. We believe in taking things slowly and really thinking through what we’re doing with the house. I personally think it’s better for the environment, and we want to make good decisions – decisions that aren’t rushed and that we will be happy to live with for years to come.

“After being here for a few years, we now have a good idea of what we like, what we don’t like and how we should go about any changes. One of our big hassles is the kitchen – we love to cook and have people over for food, but the kitchen doesn’t give us the helping hand we need in those situations. It’s literally a one-person kitchen and definitely a space we have to do something about! But the cabinets are still good and have a clean, beautiful look, so I’m trying to find a way to use what we have and just make it a little bit better.

“I always like to ask myself: do we really need to do this? And are there other ways to do it than taking everything out and starting again? Our mantra is ‘let’s think about it’. And as a result we end up being a lot more thankful for what we already have and finding solutions from that.”

How would you describe your interiors style?

“It has a Scandinavian touch, and every piece comes with a story. I think about 90% of the house is furnished with second-hand items – a mix of things from our travels, specialist stores and thrift shops around the fjord, as well as inherited pieces that I find beautiful and that have personal meaning.”

Where do you find inspiration for your home?

“That’s such a good question, but a difficult one to answer! I would say a mix of different people and nature. A lot of the time I can be inspired just by a walk around the neighbourhood, by looking at the view or by visiting friends. I also get a lot of inspiration when I visit the city – I often come home with new ideas. So many creative souls there!”

What’s your favourite part of the house and why?

“It has to be our living room. It’s where I spend most of my time, watching the clouds go by and observing how everything around me changes with the seasons. I love to live so close to nature – it gives me such calmness and peace.”

And your favourite piece of furniture?

“It’s hard to narrow it down, but my kitchen table and chairs are definitely up there. The table has been passed down through generations, and I have so many good memories of it. It used to belong to my grandparents, who also lived right by the fjord, and whenever we sat around it, it was like sitting on a boat overlooking the water. It gives me almost the same feeling today. It’s old and shabby-looking, but it has so much soul. And there’s no other like it in the entire world.”

Where do you like to source items for your home – any favourite brands or shops?

“I see a lot of brands on Instagram, but to be honest I don’t buy many new things. I’d rather wait until I find that one perfect piece. I often look for shapes or something beautiful that attracts me, instead of searching for a particular item. Often I find things in specialist stores, especially Kollektedby in Oslo. But I also come across many pieces in thrift shops in my local area, and when I go home to visit my parents’ house and my grandparents. There are so many treasures out there, waiting to be discovered!”

Do you have any future plans for your home?

“Oh yes! As an interior decorator, I always see tons of possibilities. But at the same time I’m trying to think about nature and the environment, and by that I mean what I need instead of what I want. So, I try to find a healthy balance between big ideas and making the best of what we have. It’s hard at times, but I’m working on it. That said, our next project is our son Aron’s room, and then to upgrade the kitchen so it can serve our lifestyle a little better.”

Finally, what are your top interior-design tips?

“Take it easy. Sometimes it’s not about buying new stuff but rather taking something away, and you can freshen things up simply by moving furniture around. Also, think about the future – shop for things that can last for a long time, and don’t think so much about trends. Find your own style instead.

“On a practical level, mix materials for a more interesting look. And focus on lighting – key to a good vibe!”

Thanks Eldrid!

See more of Eldrid’s wonderful home on Instagram. 

All photography via @housebythefjord