In Monday’s post I talked about how much I love the Bohuslän Archipelago to the north of Gothenburg, and just as I pressed ‘publish’ an email dropped into my inbox with details of a stunning new house hidden along its rocky shoreline. It was just a coincidence, of course, but it only seemed fitting that it should form the focus of my latest home tour!
Built as a weekend escape for a busy family, the house is the work of the ever-talented team at Copenhagen-based Norm Architects and was designed to blend into its surroundings. It’s set into a cliff and consists of four wings that follow the slope of the plot. They’re connected by a terraced deck, which forms a sheltered spot for alfresco living and entertaining, and clad in vertical panelling that mimics the construction of nearby boathouses.
The interior of the house also follows the sloping terrain, with five different levels linked by a series of internal steps. Cleverly placed picture windows, some with built-in bench seating, provide a strong connection with the scenery outside, while polished concrete floors and swathes of wood emphasise the clean lines of the architecture. Natural materials and a soft, muted colour palette create a calming atmosphere to help the occupants unwind and feel at ease.
The furniture throughout is elegant yet pared-back, and much of it comes from Karimoku Case Study – Norm Architects’ ongoing collaboration with Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku and Tokyo designer Keiji Ashizawa. The so-called ‘Japandi’ fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese influences is a bit of a trend at the moment, but it often makes me feel uncomfortable as there’s rarely much regard for Japan’s rich design heritage and craftsmanship. Karimoku Case Study is different as it involves proper contributions from both cultures, and the result is a beautifully understated and timeless collection crafted from oak, maple and walnut. It works brilliantly in the craggy coastal setting and only serves to enhance the house’s serene, harmonious feel.
The lighting is also the fruit of a collaboration, this time between Karimoku and 220-year-old Kyoto lantern maker Kojima Shouten. There are cone-shaped pendants and wooden-based lamps, all with sculptural forms and a slightly oversized look that ensures they create a statement despite their minimalist aesthetic. They’re made from traditional washi paper, which produces a warm, even glow, and designed to be flat-packed to reduce transport costs and emissions.
The house’s main living space is a large double-height room that’s flooded with natural light thanks to bi-fold doors and ceiling windows. A bank of built-in cupboards runs the length of the rear wall, maximising storage and creating the effect of internal panelling, while an industrial-style kitchen island separates the dining area on one side from the sitting area on the other. I particularly like the recessed display shelving, whose warm wood contrasts beautifully with pale-glazed ceramics and a classic stainless-steel Georg Jensen ‘HK’ pitcher, and the way the stone top of the coffee table echoes the rocky landscape outside. I also love the pair of upholstered ‘N-CC01’ club chairs – a new design set to be launched by Karimoku Case Study next spring, with a curved shape that offers a high degree of comfort without taking up much of a physical footprint.
Steps lead from the living area up and down to the bedrooms, which are simple and restful with plain walls, low-slung beds and natural linen. One even has a wooden ladder up to a mezzanine platform – an ideal spot for reading, napping or accommodating additional guests.
The bathrooms accompanying the bedrooms are on the small side, but rather than fight against their compact size Norm Architects have emphasised it, using grey stone tiles and dark-wood vanity units to create a cocooning, cave-like feel. They look almost like subterranean refuges buried in the rock beneath the house and have a hint of luxury spa about them.
All in all, it’s a beautiful house inside and out, and a wonderful place to relax and reconnect with nature. If this was my holiday home, I’d definitely struggle to return to city life!
P.S. If you love the look of this place then you’ll also like these Tokyo apartments – the project that kickstarted Karimoku Case Study in the first place…
Photography by Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen of Norm Architects
There are so many details that had my attention. Definitely can be translated into the interior design of our build. I wouldn’t be able to leave either!
Definitely – the whole place so carefully thought out and beautifully done. The perfect balance of form and function!
This house is amazing – love it!
Isn’t it? I have proper house envy!
The furniture design and the lighting details were my absolute favourites. Would certainly be hard to leave this place!
I know! Every aspect has been done perfectly!