For today’s home tour we’re heading deep into the Swedish wilderness, to a beautiful cabin that’s just been remodelled by Copenhagen-based Norm Architects. Perched on top of a ridge and surrounded by pine trees, heathland and gentle sandy beaches, it’s rustic yet refined – the kind of place that makes you unwind and breathe more deeply as soon as you step through the door.
Designed for simple summer and winter living, the main house is spread over two floors, with the lower forming a self-contained suite with a bedroom, bathroom, minibar and sauna. There’s also a separate guest annex built between the tree trunks. All have been transformed inside and out, with swathes of glass framing views of the valley and forest and providing a constant visual connection with the landscape outside.
Throughout, the palette has been kept as simple and natural as possible, with oak flooring and fittings offset by dolomite plaster walls from St Leo. There are also a few stone elements dotted here and there, together with soft linen curtains, woven baskets and wall hangings, and snuggly woollen rugs and blankets. The inherent warmth and textural qualities of the various materials add cosiness to the otherwise pared-back space, ensuring the whole place feels calm and welcoming.
The heart of the cabin is a combined living area and kitchen. A ‘broken-plan’ layout creates defined zones for dining, cooking and relaxation, while large windows face east, south and west to bring in natural light throughout the day. Internal doors lead from here to the bedrooms and bathrooms, and are designed to maximise the sense of spaciousness by stretching the full height of the walls. They’re finished off with discreet brass handles that offset the grain of the wood beautifully.
Much of the furniture is by Karimoku Case Study – Norm Architects’ ongoing collaboration with Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku and Tokyo designer Keiji Ashizawa. The clean lines and timeless forms are a great match for the space, enhancing the serene feel while adding further warmth and tactility. They’re paired with Menu’s ‘Offset’ sofa, which was designed by Norm Architects and is somehow substantial yet elegant in appearance, as well as side tables and plinths hewn from raw timber. There are also several classic Scandinavian pieces, including Hans J. Wegner’s iconic CH24 ‘Wishbone’ chair, pleated Le Klint wall lamps and a sheepskin-covered ‘Knitting’ chair – a 1951 creation by Ib Kofod-Larsen that was resurrected by Menu a few years ago. The pendant light above the dining table, meanwhile, is from Ay Illuminate. It’s the same one as I have in my bedroom, and I always think it works perfectly in relaxed minimalist interiors.
The whole cabin is filled with inviting corners, but my favourite has to be the built-in daybed positioned by one of the picture windows. Oh to be lounging there with a cup of coffee, gazing out at the sunlight filtering through snow-dusted branches… I don’t know about you, but if I had the chance to stay here I don’t think I’d ever want to leave!
If you like the look of this cabin as much as I do, you’ll find other beautiful Scandinavian retreats from Norm Architects here and here.
All photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects
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