As much as I love city living, I’ve always longed to have a seaside pad to escape to every now and then, and this new-build Danish home from the ever-talented team at Norm Architects is the coastal hideaway of my dreams.
Located in an unspoilt corner of northern Zealand, an hour from Copenhagen, the timber-clad house blends sleek Scandinavian minimalism with a dash of Bohemian barefoot luxury, creating a wonderfully stylish and serene atmosphere. There are even a few touches of Japanese zen dotted here and there.
The aim behind the design was to establish a strong connection with the landscape, and the whole place is full of natural materials and earthy colours that echo the surrounding rocks, grassland and sand dunes. What’s more, almost every room features a swathe of floor-to-ceiling windows, blurring the boundaries between inside and out and showcasing the glorious sea views.
The interior’s dark and light nuances are balanced by subtle mid tones on the walls and floors, many of which have a raw, mottled finish. There are also bespoke oak plinths, Japanese noren fabric dividers, and organically shaped ceramics collected by the owners on their travels. Most of the lighting is made from bronzed brass and was sourced from Apparatus and Workstead, though the entrance hall features a striking custom installation that’s as much a work of art as a lamp.
My favourite space is the open-plan living area, which is full of contrasts: smooth marble ‘Plinth’ tables (designed by Norm for Menu) by a rough stone chimney breast, boxy linen-covered Living Divani sofas on a snuggly deep-pile rug, a textural vase on top of a polished kitchen counter. I particularly love the pair of ‘Z2’ sisal pendant lamps by Ay Illuminate which dangle over the island unit – their design has always reminded me of fishing nets, so they seem perfect for the coastal setting!
I’m also a big fan of the bedrooms. The two doubles are decorated very simply, with understated furniture and muted linens, creating a calming feel that’s ideal for rest and relaxation. The third bedroom is a fun space for children, with an ingenious bunk-bed and storage unit whose top level is accessed via a minimalist wall ladder.
How wonderful it must be to spend time in a beautifully designed house like this, gazing at the swaying grasses and crashing waves outside the window… One day, perhaps I’ll be able to create something like it myself; in the meantime, I can admire it from afar and dream!
All photography via Norm Architects
The atmosphere and the contemporary look of the room makes it.