Globe Trotter: 12 Holiday Retreats From Around the World
From a New Zealand bach to an alpine hut, discover what 'holiday home' means across the globe
It’s almost a cliché: the dream of a little house where we can get away from the world, find peace and spend time with family, all while communing with nature and, ultimately, ourselves. However, what we picture in those dreams turns out to be far less universal. In Austria that little house takes the form of an alpine hut. In New Zealand, lightweight cottages made of inexpensive materials evoke memories of childhoods gone by. In Russia, ornate wooden houses built with love and passed down through the generations share space in the collective imagination with contemporary homes that offer stunning vistas year round.
Take a trip with us through holiday homes around the Houzz world, as we discover what peace and relaxation looks like from Japan’s most popular holiday town to the coastal planes of Denmark.
Take a trip with us through holiday homes around the Houzz world, as we discover what peace and relaxation looks like from Japan’s most popular holiday town to the coastal planes of Denmark.
As land values increased, these original houses were pushed over to make way for much grander homes with a more suburban feel. “Instead of finding a new way of living by the sea or in the country, too often these homes mimic a city lifestyle in terms of amenity and much of the relaxed charm of the simple life is lost,” she says.
The design and architectural elements that have survived the years, and which are often elevated in newly renovated or built holiday homes, include breezeways and verandahs, and open-plan layouts that celebrate communal living and allow multiple generations to interact.
As with the Teeland Architects-designed Sunshine Coast holiday home pictured, which was originally a late-1970s brick beach house, an ‘honest’ material mix of wood finishes, ceramic tiles and raw concrete is favoured as it echoes a simpler time while providing an enduring architectural palette.
Browse more beautiful Australian homes
Browse more beautiful Australian homes
“Originally, these simple dwellings in undeveloped areas would be accessed via basic sand tracks or boat,” says principal David Teeland. “All the building materials needed to be relatively light and small enough to be able to be put on the back of a small truck or boat. Hardwood, corrugated iron and fibre-cement sheets were easy to transport to remote beaches or islands, and were robust in nature and could weather the salty coastal environment.”
Today’s holiday homes tend to be larger and more sophisticated, he says. “Coastal areas have got more developed, land prices have increased, and lifestyles have changed. All these factors have influenced the design of the Australian beach holiday house. However, what is important is that the design still enables a more informal, relaxed beach lifestyle.”
Today’s holiday homes tend to be larger and more sophisticated, he says. “Coastal areas have got more developed, land prices have increased, and lifestyles have changed. All these factors have influenced the design of the Australian beach holiday house. However, what is important is that the design still enables a more informal, relaxed beach lifestyle.”
New Zealand Baches
House at a Glance
Who lives here: The architect, Ken Crosson, and his family of four
Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Size: 134 square metres
Designer: Crosson Architects
In New Zealand, a holiday home is referred to as a bach (pronounced ‘batch’). Traditionally, baches were small and constructed of cheap materials such as fibrolite, corrugated iron or reclaimed wood. Alternatives included reworked tram sheds, shipping containers and lean-tos on caravans. In short, with little civic or legislative oversight, New Zealanders knocked up a shelter made of whatever worked.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: The architect, Ken Crosson, and his family of four
Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Size: 134 square metres
Designer: Crosson Architects
In New Zealand, a holiday home is referred to as a bach (pronounced ‘batch’). Traditionally, baches were small and constructed of cheap materials such as fibrolite, corrugated iron or reclaimed wood. Alternatives included reworked tram sheds, shipping containers and lean-tos on caravans. In short, with little civic or legislative oversight, New Zealanders knocked up a shelter made of whatever worked.
This bach, by Crosson Architects on the Coromandel Peninsula, was conceived as a container sitting lightly on the land. The intention was to reinterpret the New Zealand building tradition – the crafting of wood, the expression of structure, cladding, lining and carpentry – in a raw and unique way.
The house is a simple rectangle sitting on a patch of cleared land and is reminiscent of a rural shed. Made of unadorned wood, it emphasises a connection to nature.
The living area, located in the middle of the home, is open to the outdoors, while the bunkrooms – bedrooms furnished with bunk beds, another Antipodean holiday-home tradition – are enclosed. The open bathroom, which has a portable bath, also references the outdoor bathroom amenities common in earlier baches.
Family Holidays in the Mountains of Japan
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
Size: 81.15 square metres; two bedrooms, a living room and a guest room
Designer: Morinoie
In Japan, beaches and mountains are popular holiday destinations. The cool mountain climates especially attract those who want to get away from the hot and humid Japanese summer. One of the most prestigious destinations is the town of Karuizawa, in central Japan. Only about an hour north of Tokyo by bullet train, it is particularly popular among those working in the metropolis.
The history of Karuizawa as a summer resort began around the end of the 19th century, when a western missionary started spending summers in the town to avoid the heat. Historic wooden churches and holiday homes designed by William Merrell Vories and Antonin Raymond still stand here, setting the architectural tone for the holiday homes built in this forested area.
A Tokyo Exhibit Experiments With the Future of ‘Home’
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Karuizawa, Nagano, Japan
Size: 81.15 square metres; two bedrooms, a living room and a guest room
Designer: Morinoie
In Japan, beaches and mountains are popular holiday destinations. The cool mountain climates especially attract those who want to get away from the hot and humid Japanese summer. One of the most prestigious destinations is the town of Karuizawa, in central Japan. Only about an hour north of Tokyo by bullet train, it is particularly popular among those working in the metropolis.
The history of Karuizawa as a summer resort began around the end of the 19th century, when a western missionary started spending summers in the town to avoid the heat. Historic wooden churches and holiday homes designed by William Merrell Vories and Antonin Raymond still stand here, setting the architectural tone for the holiday homes built in this forested area.
A Tokyo Exhibit Experiments With the Future of ‘Home’
Two families own this cottage in the Karuizawa forest. “My friend … who is the other owner of this holiday home, used to be my boss,” says one of the homeowners. “But we got along really well and became friends a long time ago. My wife and kids got along with their family too.”
It was the perfect solution for easy holidays. “We both had dogs. So if we wanted to go on a holiday, it was a hassle to look for hotels that accepted dogs along with guests. We had been discussing buying a holiday home together for about a decade.”
First, the families thought Karuizawa was too obvious a place to holiday. However, when they visited the town in autumn of 2016, the leaves and the trees on the plot were so beautiful that they had to go for it.
It was the perfect solution for easy holidays. “We both had dogs. So if we wanted to go on a holiday, it was a hassle to look for hotels that accepted dogs along with guests. We had been discussing buying a holiday home together for about a decade.”
First, the families thought Karuizawa was too obvious a place to holiday. However, when they visited the town in autumn of 2016, the leaves and the trees on the plot were so beautiful that they had to go for it.
The two families come to the cottage whenever they have time, but not necessarily together. So their private areas – bedrooms and bathrooms – are separate. They share the living room, which has large windows overlooking the forest. There is also a terrace where the families like to hold barbecues.
“It’s a new cottage, but the entrance area walls are finished in a dark-coloured cedar, and you get the feel of a rustic old cottage too,” says the homeowner. “When the kids are asleep, it’s really quiet. My wife and I like to chat hearing the sound of the wood crackling in the stove – but no other sound – in the background. It’s a special moment that we can’t experience in our busy daily lives in Tokyo.”
“It’s a new cottage, but the entrance area walls are finished in a dark-coloured cedar, and you get the feel of a rustic old cottage too,” says the homeowner. “When the kids are asleep, it’s really quiet. My wife and I like to chat hearing the sound of the wood crackling in the stove – but no other sound – in the background. It’s a special moment that we can’t experience in our busy daily lives in Tokyo.”
Celebrating Summer Colour in the United States
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Three generations of an extended family use this as a holiday home
Location: Bradenton Beach, Florida, USA
Size: 111 square metres; two bedrooms plus sleeping loft, one bathroom
Designer: Traction Architecture
In the United States, which has long, scenic coastlines, beach houses are popular for weekend getaways and summer holidays. Each region has its own beach-house style influenced by the local architecture, weather and lifestyle. But no matter where they are, beach homes typically feature easy indoor-outdoor access, casual furnishings and coastal- or nautical-themed decor.
This new beach house on Florida’s Gulf Coast replaces one that was in poor condition and vulnerable to flooding. The new structure was designed to be storm-resilient, with the living space elevated on a concrete pile foundation to help the house endure extreme weather events.
The new home preserves the Old Florida-style beach bungalow character of the original, with board-and-batten siding, simple windows, barn lighting and a metal roof. Upstairs, a wraparound deck adds outdoor living space with views of the water. At ground level are a shower for washing off sand and salt water, a porch swing, covered parking and storage space for kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Three generations of an extended family use this as a holiday home
Location: Bradenton Beach, Florida, USA
Size: 111 square metres; two bedrooms plus sleeping loft, one bathroom
Designer: Traction Architecture
In the United States, which has long, scenic coastlines, beach houses are popular for weekend getaways and summer holidays. Each region has its own beach-house style influenced by the local architecture, weather and lifestyle. But no matter where they are, beach homes typically feature easy indoor-outdoor access, casual furnishings and coastal- or nautical-themed decor.
This new beach house on Florida’s Gulf Coast replaces one that was in poor condition and vulnerable to flooding. The new structure was designed to be storm-resilient, with the living space elevated on a concrete pile foundation to help the house endure extreme weather events.
The new home preserves the Old Florida-style beach bungalow character of the original, with board-and-batten siding, simple windows, barn lighting and a metal roof. Upstairs, a wraparound deck adds outdoor living space with views of the water. At ground level are a shower for washing off sand and salt water, a porch swing, covered parking and storage space for kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles.
Inside, the home is awash in colours inspired by the sea and the sunsets. The green and coral hues stand out against the white shiplap walls. Sliding doors to the deck offer inviting views of the Gulf of Mexico and the beach.
Exposed roof trusses give the living area an open, airy feeling. Mid-century modern furnishings share the space with family heirlooms displayed on built-in shelves. The floors are porcelain tiles digitally printed to look like wood planks. A ship ladder leading to the sleeping loft and a knotted pendant lamp resembling a fishing net nod to the holiday home’s coastal locale.
“We saw the new house as a modern take on the traditional beach bungalow with clean lines, exposed materials and modern furniture,” says architect Jody Beck.
Exposed roof trusses give the living area an open, airy feeling. Mid-century modern furnishings share the space with family heirlooms displayed on built-in shelves. The floors are porcelain tiles digitally printed to look like wood planks. A ship ladder leading to the sleeping loft and a knotted pendant lamp resembling a fishing net nod to the holiday home’s coastal locale.
“We saw the new house as a modern take on the traditional beach bungalow with clean lines, exposed materials and modern furniture,” says architect Jody Beck.
Cosy Refuge in Ireland
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Brian Spain
Location: Treangarriv, County Kerry, Ireland
Property: A restored ancient cottage
Size: two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Terence Murphy of Goodform
In Ireland and the UK, holiday homes can be roughly divided into two main types: coastal or country retreats. Coastal homes are often small cottages in seaside towns, simply furnished and designed for outdoor living during the summer months, while country retreats tend to be cosy and snug boltholes, designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
This snug Irish hideaway is a bit of both. Brian Spain had always dreamed of finding a house to restore within the raw, majestic beauty of Treangarriv, County Kerry. That dream finally came true when four hill farmer cottages went up for sale.
Like the other vernacular buildings in the area, Lost Cottage, as Spain named it, was made entirely from local materials: stone and dirt walls, a thatched wood roof and a wide door so animals could be brought inside – this was once a winter refuge for a herd of mountain goats.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Brian Spain
Location: Treangarriv, County Kerry, Ireland
Property: A restored ancient cottage
Size: two bedrooms, two bathrooms
Designer: Terence Murphy of Goodform
In Ireland and the UK, holiday homes can be roughly divided into two main types: coastal or country retreats. Coastal homes are often small cottages in seaside towns, simply furnished and designed for outdoor living during the summer months, while country retreats tend to be cosy and snug boltholes, designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
This snug Irish hideaway is a bit of both. Brian Spain had always dreamed of finding a house to restore within the raw, majestic beauty of Treangarriv, County Kerry. That dream finally came true when four hill farmer cottages went up for sale.
Like the other vernacular buildings in the area, Lost Cottage, as Spain named it, was made entirely from local materials: stone and dirt walls, a thatched wood roof and a wide door so animals could be brought inside – this was once a winter refuge for a herd of mountain goats.
To retain the authenticity of the property, Spain used new larch roof beams foraged from the forest behind the cottage, lime-rendered walls, wooden sash windows and furnishings crafted from local Douglas fir.
“There’s so much going on outside the cottage – an ever-changing landscape of 100 square kilometres – that the interior needed to be comfortable, cosy and uncluttered, using a simple palette of natural materials,” says Spain.
It is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. “There’s nobody, other than my farmer neighbour, living near the cottage, and the closest village is on the other side of the mountain,” he says. “It’s 9 kilometres by car and 4 kilometres on foot, and both routes have amazing views over Dingle Bay.”
Lost Cottage is a refuge from busy city life and a simple yet stylish bolthole from which to enjoy the ever-changing elements.
“There’s so much going on outside the cottage – an ever-changing landscape of 100 square kilometres – that the interior needed to be comfortable, cosy and uncluttered, using a simple palette of natural materials,” says Spain.
It is surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. “There’s nobody, other than my farmer neighbour, living near the cottage, and the closest village is on the other side of the mountain,” he says. “It’s 9 kilometres by car and 4 kilometres on foot, and both routes have amazing views over Dingle Bay.”
Lost Cottage is a refuge from busy city life and a simple yet stylish bolthole from which to enjoy the ever-changing elements.
All-Natural in England
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Mouse Martin, a ceramicist who runs the Made By Hands studio, and her dogs, Sid and Maisi
Location: South Cerney, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
Size: one bedroom, one bathroom, in an approximately 10 x 3-metre space
“Everything was upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in this house,” says owner Mouse Martin. “I didn’t find it all, it all found me!”
A celebration of what you can discover in reclamation yards (and sometimes lying in bushes!), Martin’s home is packed with character. Everything from old front doors to French grain sacks have been given a new lease on life as stylish and practical pieces. “It’s a real joy to use old materials,” says Martin. “I had never done anything like this before. Half the world is full of plastic now, but there’s no plastic in here.”
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Mouse Martin, a ceramicist who runs the Made By Hands studio, and her dogs, Sid and Maisi
Location: South Cerney, near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK
Size: one bedroom, one bathroom, in an approximately 10 x 3-metre space
“Everything was upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in this house,” says owner Mouse Martin. “I didn’t find it all, it all found me!”
A celebration of what you can discover in reclamation yards (and sometimes lying in bushes!), Martin’s home is packed with character. Everything from old front doors to French grain sacks have been given a new lease on life as stylish and practical pieces. “It’s a real joy to use old materials,” says Martin. “I had never done anything like this before. Half the world is full of plastic now, but there’s no plastic in here.”
“The house is called Draycott,” says Martin. “Dray meant horse and cott meant cart, so originally it was a cart shed next to the watermill.”
The mill no longer exists, but since the cart shed was built in the 1750s it served as an apple store and a garage until it was converted into a house in the mid-1970s. Martin bought it in early June 2014. “I had always coveted that little island,” she says. “As soon as I found out the house was for sale, I put in an offer. Two hours later it was mine.”
An old bridge spans the river to Filly Island. “It’s so peaceful here,” she says. “Ducks waddle up onto the grass and there are two otters in the river – Squeak and Whistle!”
The mill no longer exists, but since the cart shed was built in the 1750s it served as an apple store and a garage until it was converted into a house in the mid-1970s. Martin bought it in early June 2014. “I had always coveted that little island,” she says. “As soon as I found out the house was for sale, I put in an offer. Two hours later it was mine.”
An old bridge spans the river to Filly Island. “It’s so peaceful here,” she says. “Ducks waddle up onto the grass and there are two otters in the river – Squeak and Whistle!”
A Tiny Home in the Austrian Alps
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Up to two holiday goers
Location: Tannheimer Tal, Austria
Size: 40 square metres
Budget: The wooden house costs about AU$157,000 (100,000 euros) unfurnished
Designer: Steiner Art and Design
Builder: Naturbau Gschwend
That’s interesting: This tiny chalet can be booked here
For Germans and Austrians, holiday homes are not only a summer thing. In winter, they like to spend their holidays in the mountains, skiing, drinking hot chocolate, eating Kaiserschmarrn – shredded pancakes served with powdered sugar or fruit compote – and relaxing in front of the crackling fireplace.
Often all that’s required is snow, mountains and a cosy retreat with a log fire and enough space to cuddle under a blanket. In this tiny chalet in the Tyrolian alps, you get all that in just about 40 square metres. Made from recycled-wood modules, it is interior designer Sabine Steiner’s pilot project: from the reclaimed-wood walls with their patina, to fur pillows and plate shelves, it is a tiny home that can be customised to your specifications and delivered turnkey ready.
Virtual Escape: Get the Alpine Lodge Look at Home
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Up to two holiday goers
Location: Tannheimer Tal, Austria
Size: 40 square metres
Budget: The wooden house costs about AU$157,000 (100,000 euros) unfurnished
Designer: Steiner Art and Design
Builder: Naturbau Gschwend
That’s interesting: This tiny chalet can be booked here
For Germans and Austrians, holiday homes are not only a summer thing. In winter, they like to spend their holidays in the mountains, skiing, drinking hot chocolate, eating Kaiserschmarrn – shredded pancakes served with powdered sugar or fruit compote – and relaxing in front of the crackling fireplace.
Often all that’s required is snow, mountains and a cosy retreat with a log fire and enough space to cuddle under a blanket. In this tiny chalet in the Tyrolian alps, you get all that in just about 40 square metres. Made from recycled-wood modules, it is interior designer Sabine Steiner’s pilot project: from the reclaimed-wood walls with their patina, to fur pillows and plate shelves, it is a tiny home that can be customised to your specifications and delivered turnkey ready.
Virtual Escape: Get the Alpine Lodge Look at Home
This quaint little mountain hut even fits on a truck. “The hut was not built on-site, but in a nearby production hall. The modules were then transported here and in a few days the chalet was ready for moving in,” says Steiner.
“I chose a hut of reclaimed wood, first of all because it is sustainable, and because the furniture, walls and floors all tell a story. The aroma is also unique,” she says. Each element is handmade – from the parapet to the fine fabric curtains with Alpine motifs.
“I chose a hut of reclaimed wood, first of all because it is sustainable, and because the furniture, walls and floors all tell a story. The aroma is also unique,” she says. Each element is handmade – from the parapet to the fine fabric curtains with Alpine motifs.
Thatched Luxury on the North Sea
House at a Glance
Who holdays here: Two families
Location: Sylt, Germany
Size: Two flats, each 120 square metres
Architects: Architect and interior designer Stefan Schramm in collaboration with architect Uwe Hansen
In summer, the German coasts of the North and Baltic Seas are buzzing, and not only because of their fish buns, white beaches and fresh air. Another draw is their lovely, naturally rough-looking thatched-roof houses, which are constructed of local materials.
When the owners first bought this property, it had little to recommend it other than its proximity to the Wadden Sea. The owners decided to demolish the ’80s-style home that had stood there before and commissioned a new building from architect Stefan Schramm. With the help of Sylt-based architect Uwe Hansen, Schramm oriented the new home so that the inhabitants of both of its units might enjoy the sea view.
The new two-unit house looks as though it had always stood on this spot, largely thanks to its thatched roof, arched-top windows, old steel window frames and facade. “The facade has a patina, because we reused stones from an old building,” says Schramm.
House at a Glance
Who holdays here: Two families
Location: Sylt, Germany
Size: Two flats, each 120 square metres
Architects: Architect and interior designer Stefan Schramm in collaboration with architect Uwe Hansen
In summer, the German coasts of the North and Baltic Seas are buzzing, and not only because of their fish buns, white beaches and fresh air. Another draw is their lovely, naturally rough-looking thatched-roof houses, which are constructed of local materials.
When the owners first bought this property, it had little to recommend it other than its proximity to the Wadden Sea. The owners decided to demolish the ’80s-style home that had stood there before and commissioned a new building from architect Stefan Schramm. With the help of Sylt-based architect Uwe Hansen, Schramm oriented the new home so that the inhabitants of both of its units might enjoy the sea view.
The new two-unit house looks as though it had always stood on this spot, largely thanks to its thatched roof, arched-top windows, old steel window frames and facade. “The facade has a patina, because we reused stones from an old building,” says Schramm.
Schramm furnished the two almost identical units with modern elements and refined materials. The home’s resultant nordic style offers a touch of classic luxury. High-quality materials are combined with warm earth tones and classic shapes to instil a sense of peace and relaxation throughout.
Each of the bedrooms comes with an ensuite bathroom, equipped with natural stone sink and shower, a spacious tub and a great view of the coast.
Each of the bedrooms comes with an ensuite bathroom, equipped with natural stone sink and shower, a spacious tub and a great view of the coast.
Coastal Minimalism in Denmark
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Mads Møller and his family
Location: Kandestederne, close to Skagen in the very north of Jutland, Denmark
Size: About 92 square metres, with an about 32-square-metre annex for guests
Year: 2000
While many holiday homes in Denmark are traditional brick or wood constructions with thatched roofs, there are also more minimalist and modern buildings in the popular holiday destinations across the country. One spectacular example is by architect Mads Møller of CF Møller Architects.
Like most other Danish holiday homes, this house is built in a coastal area – more precisely, in Kandestederne, a beloved holiday spot about 15 kilometres southwest of Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost point.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Mads Møller and his family
Location: Kandestederne, close to Skagen in the very north of Jutland, Denmark
Size: About 92 square metres, with an about 32-square-metre annex for guests
Year: 2000
While many holiday homes in Denmark are traditional brick or wood constructions with thatched roofs, there are also more minimalist and modern buildings in the popular holiday destinations across the country. One spectacular example is by architect Mads Møller of CF Møller Architects.
Like most other Danish holiday homes, this house is built in a coastal area – more precisely, in Kandestederne, a beloved holiday spot about 15 kilometres southwest of Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost point.
The first house in Kandestederne – which had previously served as farmland – was built at the end of the 18th century. In the beginning of the 20th century the first holiday goers made their way here and two farms were converted to seaside hotels. Today the area has two hotels and 150 individual holiday homes.
Kandestederne’s history progressed in step with the transformation and development of the Danish holiday home. At the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthiest tiers of the Danish population started flocking to seaside hotels for their summer holidays. In the following decades the most privileged started building their own holiday homes. By the second half of the century, personal holiday homes became more broadly accessible, and holiday properties started popping up along Denmark’s coasts.
Kandestederne’s history progressed in step with the transformation and development of the Danish holiday home. At the beginning of the 20th century, the wealthiest tiers of the Danish population started flocking to seaside hotels for their summer holidays. In the following decades the most privileged started building their own holiday homes. By the second half of the century, personal holiday homes became more broadly accessible, and holiday properties started popping up along Denmark’s coasts.
Møller’s home consists of three buildings: the owner’s private home, a guesthouse and an outbuilding. These serve as an aesthetic and carefully thought-through architectural frame for the 75-square-metre terrace, which can be accessed from the main building’s living room.
The house is covered in untreated cedar. Its characteristic silver-grey colour fits beautifully into the sand-and-lyme-grass landscape. The shingle roof gives it a homogeneous look. The house is like a sculpture, with great attention paid to light and detail. Møller was inspired by a visit to San Francisco and the iconic Sea Ranch, a 1960s development that saw the first shed-style homes and put an emphasis on a relationship between residential architecture and its surrounding landscape.
The house is covered in untreated cedar. Its characteristic silver-grey colour fits beautifully into the sand-and-lyme-grass landscape. The shingle roof gives it a homogeneous look. The house is like a sculpture, with great attention paid to light and detail. Møller was inspired by a visit to San Francisco and the iconic Sea Ranch, a 1960s development that saw the first shed-style homes and put an emphasis on a relationship between residential architecture and its surrounding landscape.
Living the Simple Life in Sweden
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: South of Stockholm, Sweden
Size: 40 square metres; one bedroom plus open-plan living space
Architect: Kjellander + Sjöberg
Builder/project manager: Sommarnöjen
Proximity to nature and pared-back living have long been at the core of Swedish holiday mentality. A summer house is somewhere to escape hectic everyday life and scale back while swimming, fishing, berry picking and foraging for mushrooms. As modern technology progresses, many Swedes still want their summers to be about the simple life – just with really good broadband.
This new home outside Stockholm was built to be a space for socialising and living well in the holidays, supported by modern building techniques and creative architectural thinking. The couple who commissioned it have an everyday house on the same plot of land, so this is their holiday folly.
“As it is an additional house, we focused on the basics, the things we really need rather than what we think we need – it’s a perfect example of the Swedish term lagom,” one of the homeowners says.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: South of Stockholm, Sweden
Size: 40 square metres; one bedroom plus open-plan living space
Architect: Kjellander + Sjöberg
Builder/project manager: Sommarnöjen
Proximity to nature and pared-back living have long been at the core of Swedish holiday mentality. A summer house is somewhere to escape hectic everyday life and scale back while swimming, fishing, berry picking and foraging for mushrooms. As modern technology progresses, many Swedes still want their summers to be about the simple life – just with really good broadband.
This new home outside Stockholm was built to be a space for socialising and living well in the holidays, supported by modern building techniques and creative architectural thinking. The couple who commissioned it have an everyday house on the same plot of land, so this is their holiday folly.
“As it is an additional house, we focused on the basics, the things we really need rather than what we think we need – it’s a perfect example of the Swedish term lagom,” one of the homeowners says.
The terrace is less than 10 metres from the dock. “We wanted to spend more time outdoors with friends and family, and this house is as close to being outdoors as you can get. The outer walls are moveable and you can pull them across the glass facades, which is great when the sun is blazing. That way there is also no need for curtains.”
The house can be used all year round, with its wood-heated pool outside and stove inside. “In the winter we invited people to go skating on the lake. We also had drinks and cooked food together on the terrace.”
The house can be used all year round, with its wood-heated pool outside and stove inside. “In the winter we invited people to go skating on the lake. We also had drinks and cooked food together on the terrace.”
A Treasured Inheritance in Russia
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Asya Korobeinikova and husband Ivan; their daughters, Margarita and Veronika; Asya’s mom, Natalia Naumovna; and Barry the cat
Location: Near St. Petersburg, Russia
Size: 130 square metres
Holiday homes are a beloved tradition in Russia. Most iconic are the tiny Soviet-era dachas in the suburbs of major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. The dacha pictured here stands surrounded by greenery in the middle of a huge plot of land. Though there is no solid fence, there is a feeling of solitude here.
The home’s cladding is more ornate than is popular today: from the outside, the house has remained nearly unchanged over the past half-century. Maybe one day the lining or cladding will need to be replaced, but in the mean time the goal is to preserve the history and spirit of the time.
The Russian Dacha: From Imperial Residence to Country Cottage
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Asya Korobeinikova and husband Ivan; their daughters, Margarita and Veronika; Asya’s mom, Natalia Naumovna; and Barry the cat
Location: Near St. Petersburg, Russia
Size: 130 square metres
Holiday homes are a beloved tradition in Russia. Most iconic are the tiny Soviet-era dachas in the suburbs of major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg. The dacha pictured here stands surrounded by greenery in the middle of a huge plot of land. Though there is no solid fence, there is a feeling of solitude here.
The home’s cladding is more ornate than is popular today: from the outside, the house has remained nearly unchanged over the past half-century. Maybe one day the lining or cladding will need to be replaced, but in the mean time the goal is to preserve the history and spirit of the time.
The Russian Dacha: From Imperial Residence to Country Cottage
“The house was built by my great grandfather in the early 1960s, based on my great-grandmother’s design,” says owner Asya Korobeinikova. “The family gets together here in the summer and the winter: the dacha was built when my mother was a little girl, then I spent holidays here, and now my children come here.”
For a long time, the second floor of the house was just an attic storage space, not used for anything else because of the inconvenient location of rafters, beams and large shelving. Korobeinikova decided to expand into the space and got rid of the old cabinets. Now the large, bright attic is one of the family’s favourite areas in the home.
For a long time, the second floor of the house was just an attic storage space, not used for anything else because of the inconvenient location of rafters, beams and large shelving. Korobeinikova decided to expand into the space and got rid of the old cabinets. Now the large, bright attic is one of the family’s favourite areas in the home.
All of the storage in the home is built-in, thought out by Korobeinikova’s great grandmother at the design stage. Therefore no large furniture clutters the rooms. Despite the modest size of the house, there is a sense of spaciousness. For Korobeinikova, this interior is first and foremost an exciting adventure, in which retro finds from various corners of the property, vintage items with a history and DIY accessories are mixed together like pieces of a puzzle.
The family spends most of their time in the attic or on the verandah, where it is warm whatever the weather. Large windows offer a view of the picturesque greenery outside. Repainting the once-blue walls light green seemingly pulls the verdant surroundings inside. The verandah was never rebuilt, and even the windows are original, because the owners love the beautiful design of the window frames.
The family spends most of their time in the attic or on the verandah, where it is warm whatever the weather. Large windows offer a view of the picturesque greenery outside. Repainting the once-blue walls light green seemingly pulls the verdant surroundings inside. The verandah was never rebuilt, and even the windows are original, because the owners love the beautiful design of the window frames.
Vistas of the Russian Countryside
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Victor Saxon, editorial director of Rambler.ru
Location: Kaluga region, about 100 kilometres from Moscow, Russia
Size: 60 square metres
Designer: BIO-architects
While traditional dachas are still well loved, these days many holiday goers go for homes far from urban centres, which take advantage of vast stretches of unspoiled nature that provide room for both relaxation and architectural experimentation.
Victor Saxon, the owner of this plot in the Kaluga region outside Moscow, had long thought about building a modular home here. The end result was inspired by the hills of Los Angeles, container homes in London and Russia’s own unspoiled wilderness.
The DublDom home was built in a factory and assembled on-site, installed on a foundation and connected to electricity mains and water within a few days. The standard design was modified to accommodate landscape features: the building hangs over a precipice, so a ladder was added to make it possible to climb up to the terrace.
At first, neighbours in the village would tour the home and marvel. They nicknamed the place ‘The Painter’s House’ for its scenic views.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Victor Saxon, editorial director of Rambler.ru
Location: Kaluga region, about 100 kilometres from Moscow, Russia
Size: 60 square metres
Designer: BIO-architects
While traditional dachas are still well loved, these days many holiday goers go for homes far from urban centres, which take advantage of vast stretches of unspoiled nature that provide room for both relaxation and architectural experimentation.
Victor Saxon, the owner of this plot in the Kaluga region outside Moscow, had long thought about building a modular home here. The end result was inspired by the hills of Los Angeles, container homes in London and Russia’s own unspoiled wilderness.
The DublDom home was built in a factory and assembled on-site, installed on a foundation and connected to electricity mains and water within a few days. The standard design was modified to accommodate landscape features: the building hangs over a precipice, so a ladder was added to make it possible to climb up to the terrace.
At first, neighbours in the village would tour the home and marvel. They nicknamed the place ‘The Painter’s House’ for its scenic views.
“I work in Moscow every day with a two-hour commute, getting in by 11 am. Many people who live in the outskirts of the city have about the same commute, but on the subway,” the owner says. “I usually stay late in Moscow for business, meetings or sports. I leave the city somewhere around half-past nine, and by eleven I’m already home. For an adult man with chores in the family and at work, this is a pretty good option, to be on the road. You are immersed in your thoughts while you are behind the wheel, and you cannot answer phone calls. In an urban rhythm I often didn’t have time to switch between work and home. I do not think it’s necessary for everyone, but in my case it works perfectly.”
“This is a place for contemplation. I have already gotten used to a vista with no traces of human activity, no pipes sticking out, no electricity cables, just a natural landscape where horses graze,” says Saxon.
Tell us
Which of these relaxing homes would you like to retreat to? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like the story and save your favourite images.
More
Find a professional on Houzz to help with your next home project
Tell us
Which of these relaxing homes would you like to retreat to? Share your thoughts in the Comments, like the story and save your favourite images.
More
Find a professional on Houzz to help with your next home project
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two children
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Size: 350 square metres; two bedrooms, two bathrooms, one powder room
Designer: Teeland Architects
Design, interiors and architecture commentator Karen McCartney says that Australia has a long tradition of holiday houses made of lightweight materials. Particularly iconic are seaside cottages constructed out of fibro, a cement sheeting faced with wood battens at the joining points, which was commonly coupled with a tin roof.
“These houses were very simple and often owner-built, so plumbing was elementary and toilets were famously outside. The verandah was key, as living outdoors was, and is, very much part of the Australian holiday experience,” she says. “Because these were unpretentious places and were often built on land of little value – at the time – these modest holiday homes weren’t reserved for the wealthy but had a much broader demographic (in the 1950s and 1960s) and were part of the Australian idyll.”