12 Stunning Vacation Homes From Around the Globe
See beach houses, forest cabins and country cottages across the globe where people go to rest, recharge and enjoy nature
Houzz
28 July 2018
It’s almost a cliché: The dream of a little house where we can get away from it all, find peace and spend time with family, all while communing with nature and, ultimately, ourselves. What we picture in those dreams, however, turns out to be far less universal. In Austria, that little house takes the form of an Alpine hut. In New Zealand, 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 vacation homes on Houzz, as we discover what relaxation looks like in Japan’s most popular resort town, on the coastal plains of Denmark and in other places around the world.
Take a trip with us through vacation homes on Houzz, as we discover what relaxation looks like in Japan’s most popular resort town, on the coastal plains of Denmark and in other places around the world.
1. Lightweight in Australia
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two children
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Size: 350 square meters (3767 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2½ bathrooms
Architect: Teeland Architects
Design, interiors and architecture commentator Karen McCartney says that Australia has a long tradition of vacation homes 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 veranda 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.”
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A family with two children
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Size: 350 square meters (3767 square feet); 2 bedrooms; 2½ bathrooms
Architect: Teeland Architects
Design, interiors and architecture commentator Karen McCartney says that Australia has a long tradition of vacation homes 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 veranda 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.”
As land values increased, these original houses were demolished to make way for 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.
“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 that are often elevated in newly renovated or built vacation homes, include breezeways and verandas, and open-plan layouts that celebrate communal living and allow multiple generations to interact.
See these gorgeous Indian vacation homes
See these gorgeous Indian vacation homes
In this Sunshine Coast vacation home, which was originally a late 1970s brick beach house, a material mix of wood finishes, ceramic tiles and raw concrete recalls a simpler time while providing an enduring architectural palette.
“Originally, these simple dwellings in undeveloped areas would be accessed via basic sand tracks or boat,” architect David Teeland says. “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 vacation 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 vacation 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.”
2. A bach in New Zealand
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Ken Crosson and his family
Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Size: 134 square metres (1442 square feet)
Designer: Crosson Architects
In New Zealand, a vacation home is called a bach (pronounced batch). Traditionally, baches were small and constructed of cheap materials such as fibrolite, corrugated iron or reclaimed wood. Alternatives included reworked train sheds and shipping containers. In short, with little civic or legislative oversight, New Zealanders made shelters of whatever worked.
Check out 100 of the best New Zealand homes
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Ken Crosson and his family
Location: Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand
Size: 134 square metres (1442 square feet)
Designer: Crosson Architects
In New Zealand, a vacation home is called a bach (pronounced batch). Traditionally, baches were small and constructed of cheap materials such as fibrolite, corrugated iron or reclaimed wood. Alternatives included reworked train sheds and shipping containers. In short, with little civic or legislative oversight, New Zealanders made shelters of whatever worked.
Check out 100 of the best New Zealand homes
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, siding, 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, in the middle of the home, is open to the outdoors, while the bunkrooms are enclosed. The open bathroom, which has a portable bath, also references the outdoor bathroom amenities common in earlier baches.
3. Family time in the mountains of Japan
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Karuizawa, Japan
Size: 81 square metres (872 square feet)
Designer: Morinoie
In Japan, beaches and mountains are popular vacation destinations. The cool mountain climates especially attract those who want to get away from the hot and humid summer. One of the most prestigious destinations is Karuizawa, near Nagano in central Japan. Only about an hour north of Tokyo by bullet train, the town 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 U.S. missionary started spending summers in the town to avoid the heat. Historic wooden churches and vacation homes designed by William Merrell Vories and Antonin Raymond still stand here, setting the architectural tone for the vacation homes built in this forested area.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Karuizawa, Japan
Size: 81 square metres (872 square feet)
Designer: Morinoie
In Japan, beaches and mountains are popular vacation destinations. The cool mountain climates especially attract those who want to get away from the hot and humid summer. One of the most prestigious destinations is Karuizawa, near Nagano in central Japan. Only about an hour north of Tokyo by bullet train, the town 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 U.S. missionary started spending summers in the town to avoid the heat. Historic wooden churches and vacation homes designed by William Merrell Vories and Antonin Raymond still stand here, setting the architectural tone for the vacation homes built in this forested area.
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 vacations. “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 vacation. However, when they visited the town in the fall of 2016, the autumn leaves and the trees on the property were so beautiful that they had to go for it.
It was the perfect solution for easy vacations. “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 vacation. However, when they visited the town in the fall of 2016, the autumn leaves and the trees on the property 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 patio where the families like to hold barbecues.
“It’s a new cottage, but the entrance-area walls are finished in a dark-colored cedar, and you get the feel of a rustic old cottage too,” the homeowner says. “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.”
These elements define traditional Japanese homes
“It’s a new cottage, but the entrance-area walls are finished in a dark-colored cedar, and you get the feel of a rustic old cottage too,” the homeowner says. “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.”
These elements define traditional Japanese homes
4. Beach vacation in Florida
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Three generations of an extended family
Location: Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida
Size: 111 square metres (1200 square feet); 2 bedrooms plus sleeping loft; 1 bathroom
Architect: Traction Architecture
In the United States, which has long, scenic coastlines, beach houses are popular for weekend getaways and summer vacations. 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
Location: Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island, Florida
Size: 111 square metres (1200 square feet); 2 bedrooms plus sleeping loft; 1 bathroom
Architect: Traction Architecture
In the United States, which has long, scenic coastlines, beach houses are popular for weekend getaways and summer vacations. 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. Midcentury 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 vacation 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,” architect Jody Beck says.
Exposed roof trusses give the living area an open, airy feeling. Midcentury 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 vacation 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,” architect Jody Beck says.
5. Cozy refuge in Ireland
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Brian Spain
Location: Treangarriv, Ireland
Size: 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Designer: Terence Murphy of Goodform
In Ireland and the U.K., vacation homes can be roughly divided into two main types: Coastal and country retreats. Coastal homes are often small cottages in seaside towns, simply furnished and designed for outdoor living during the summer. Country retreats tend to be cozy and snug hideaways designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
This Irish burrow is a bit of both. Brian Spain had always dreamed of finding a house to restore within the raw, majestic beauty of County Kerry. That dream finally came true when four hill farmer cottages in Treangarriv went on the market.
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, Ireland
Size: 2 bedrooms; 2 bathrooms
Designer: Terence Murphy of Goodform
In Ireland and the U.K., vacation homes can be roughly divided into two main types: Coastal and country retreats. Coastal homes are often small cottages in seaside towns, simply furnished and designed for outdoor living during the summer. Country retreats tend to be cozy and snug hideaways designed to be enjoyed whatever the weather.
This Irish burrow is a bit of both. Brian Spain had always dreamed of finding a house to restore within the raw, majestic beauty of County Kerry. That dream finally came true when four hill farmer cottages in Treangarriv went on the market.
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 [about 40 square miles] – that the interior needed to be comfortable, cozy and uncluttered, using a simple palette of natural materials,” Spain says.
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,” Spain says. “It’s [5½ miles] by car and [2½ miles] 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 hideaway from which to enjoy the ever-changing elements.
“There’s so much going on outside the cottage – an ever-changing landscape of [about 40 square miles] – that the interior needed to be comfortable, cozy and uncluttered, using a simple palette of natural materials,” Spain says.
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,” Spain says. “It’s [5½ miles] by car and [2½ miles] 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 hideaway from which to enjoy the ever-changing elements.
6. All-natural in England
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Mouse Martin, a ceramist who runs the Made by Hands studio, and her dogs, Sid and Maisi
Location: South Cerney, England
Size: 10 by 3 metres (about 33 by 10 feet); 1 bedroom; 1 bathroom
“Everything was upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in this house,” owner Mouse Martin says. “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 in South Cerney, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, is packed with character. Things like old front doors and French grain sacks have gotten a new lease on life as stylish and practical pieces. “It’s a real joy to use old materials,” Martin says. “I had never done anything like this before. Half the world is full of plastic now, but there’s no plastic in here.”
See how this Delhi home celebrates recycled furniture
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Mouse Martin, a ceramist who runs the Made by Hands studio, and her dogs, Sid and Maisi
Location: South Cerney, England
Size: 10 by 3 metres (about 33 by 10 feet); 1 bedroom; 1 bathroom
“Everything was upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade in this house,” owner Mouse Martin says. “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 in South Cerney, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, is packed with character. Things like old front doors and French grain sacks have gotten a new lease on life as stylish and practical pieces. “It’s a real joy to use old materials,” Martin says. “I had never done anything like this before. Half the world is full of plastic now, but there’s no plastic in here.”
See how this Delhi home celebrates recycled furniture
“The house is called Draycott,” Martin says. “Dray meant horse and cott meant cart, so originally it was a cart shed next to the watermill.”
The mill no longer exists, but the cart shed, built in the 1750s, served as an apple store and a garage until it was converted into a house in the mid-1970s. Martin bought it in 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,” Martin says. “Ducks waddle up onto the grass, and there are two otters in the river – Squeak and Whistle!”
The mill no longer exists, but the cart shed, built in the 1750s, served as an apple store and a garage until it was converted into a house in the mid-1970s. Martin bought it in 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,” Martin says. “Ducks waddle up onto the grass, and there are two otters in the river – Squeak and Whistle!”
7. Tiny house in the Austrian Alps
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Up to two vacationers
Location: Tannheimer Tal, Austria
Size: 40 square metres (431 square feet)
Designer: Steiner Art and Design
Builder: Naturbau Gschwend
For Germans and Austrians, vacationing isn’t just a summer thing. In winter, they like to spend their free time 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.
Besides snow and mountains, often all that’s required is a cozy retreat with a log fire and enough space to cuddle under a blanket. And this tiny rental chalet in the Tyrolian Alps, which costs about ₹ 8030000 ($117,000) to build, provides that. Made from recycled-wood modules, it is interior designer Sabine Steiner’s pilot project. It can be customised to your specifications and delivered turnkey-ready.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Up to two vacationers
Location: Tannheimer Tal, Austria
Size: 40 square metres (431 square feet)
Designer: Steiner Art and Design
Builder: Naturbau Gschwend
For Germans and Austrians, vacationing isn’t just a summer thing. In winter, they like to spend their free time 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.
Besides snow and mountains, often all that’s required is a cozy retreat with a log fire and enough space to cuddle under a blanket. And this tiny rental chalet in the Tyrolian Alps, which costs about ₹ 8030000 ($117,000) to build, provides that. Made from recycled-wood modules, it is interior designer Sabine Steiner’s pilot project. It can be customised to your specifications and delivered turnkey-ready.
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,” Steiner says.
“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,” Steiner says. Each element, including the second-floor railing and the fine fabric curtains with Alpine motifs, is handmade.
See how this old-style hut meets glass architecture
“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,” Steiner says. Each element, including the second-floor railing and the fine fabric curtains with Alpine motifs, is handmade.
See how this old-style hut meets glass architecture
8. Thatched luxury on the North Sea
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Sylt, Germany
Size: Two units, each 120 square metres (1,292 square feet)
Architects: Architect and interior designer Stefan Schramm and architect Uwe Hansen
In summer, the German coasts of the North and Baltic seas are buzzing, and not only because of the fish buns, white beaches and fresh air. Another draw is the naturally rustic-looking thatched-roof houses, which are constructed of local materials.
When the owners first bought this place in Sylt, it had little to recommend it besides its proximity to the Wadden Sea. The owners decided to demolish the existing ’80s-style home and commissioned a new building from architect Stefan Schramm. With the help of architect Uwe Hansen, Schramm oriented the new home so that the inhabitants of both units could 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, arch-top doors, old steel window frames and its stone facade. “The facade has a patina because we reused stones from an old building,” Schramm says.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Two families
Location: Sylt, Germany
Size: Two units, each 120 square metres (1,292 square feet)
Architects: Architect and interior designer Stefan Schramm and architect Uwe Hansen
In summer, the German coasts of the North and Baltic seas are buzzing, and not only because of the fish buns, white beaches and fresh air. Another draw is the naturally rustic-looking thatched-roof houses, which are constructed of local materials.
When the owners first bought this place in Sylt, it had little to recommend it besides its proximity to the Wadden Sea. The owners decided to demolish the existing ’80s-style home and commissioned a new building from architect Stefan Schramm. With the help of architect Uwe Hansen, Schramm oriented the new home so that the inhabitants of both units could 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, arch-top doors, old steel window frames and its stone facade. “The facade has a patina because we reused stones from an old building,” Schramm says.
Schramm furnished the two almost identical units with modern elements and refined materials. The home’s resulting Nordic style offers a touch of classic luxury. High-quality materials combine with warm earth tones and classic shapes to instil a sense of peace and relaxation throughout.
Each bedroom comes with an en suite bathroom equipped with a natural stone sink and shower, a spacious tub and a great view of the coast.
Find out what an en suite bathroom is
Each bedroom comes with an en suite bathroom equipped with a natural stone sink and shower, a spacious tub and a great view of the coast.
Find out what an en suite bathroom is
9. Coastal minimalism in Denmark
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Mads Møller and his family
Location: Kandestederne, Denmark
Size: 92 square metres (990 square feet), with a guest annex of 32 square metres (344 square feet)
Architect: CF Møller Architects
Although many vacation homes in Denmark are traditional brick or wood constructions with thatched roofs, there are also more minimalist and modern buildings in the popular vacation destinations across the country. This spectacular example is by architect and owner Mads Møller.
Like most other Danish vacation homes, the house is built in a coastal area – more precisely, in Kandestederne, a beloved vacation spot 9 miles southwest of Skagen, Denmark’s northernmost point.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Architect Mads Møller and his family
Location: Kandestederne, Denmark
Size: 92 square metres (990 square feet), with a guest annex of 32 square metres (344 square feet)
Architect: CF Møller Architects
Although many vacation homes in Denmark are traditional brick or wood constructions with thatched roofs, there are also more minimalist and modern buildings in the popular vacation destinations across the country. This spectacular example is by architect and owner Mads Møller.
Like most other Danish vacation homes, the house is built in a coastal area – more precisely, in Kandestederne, a beloved vacation spot 9 miles 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 vacationers made their way here and two farms were converted to seaside hotels. Today the area has two hotels and 150 vacation homes.
Kandestederne’s history progressed in step with the transformation and development of the Danish vacation home. In the early 20th century, the wealthiest Danes started flocking to seaside hotels for their summer vacations. In the following decades, some started building their own vacation getaways. By the second half of the century, vacation homes were popping up all along the coastline.
Kandestederne’s history progressed in step with the transformation and development of the Danish vacation home. In the early 20th century, the wealthiest Danes started flocking to seaside hotels for their summer vacations. In the following decades, some started building their own vacation getaways. By the second half of the century, vacation homes were popping up all along the coastline.
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-out architectural frame for the 807-square-foot patio, 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 landscape of sand and lyme grass. 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 nearby 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 landscape of sand and lyme grass. 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 nearby 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.
10. Living the simple life in Sweden
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple
Location: South of Stockholm
Size: 40 square metres (431 square feet)
Architect: Kjellander + Sjöberg
Builder-project manager: Sommarnöjen
Proximity to nature and pared-back living have long been at the core of Swedish vacation 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 creative new home outside Stockholm consists of an open living space and a bedroom. It was built with modern techniques to be a place where the owners can socialise and live well during their spare time. The owners have an everyday house on the same property, so this is a bit of a 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
Size: 40 square metres (431 square feet)
Architect: Kjellander + Sjöberg
Builder-project manager: Sommarnöjen
Proximity to nature and pared-back living have long been at the core of Swedish vacation 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 creative new home outside Stockholm consists of an open living space and a bedroom. It was built with modern techniques to be a place where the owners can socialise and live well during their spare time. The owners have an everyday house on the same property, so this is a bit of a 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 patio is about 10 yards 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 movable 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 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 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.”
11. A treasured inheritance in Russia
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Asya Korobeinikova; her husband, Ivan; their daughters, Margarita and Veronika; her mom, Natalia Naumovna; and Barry the cat
Location: Near St. Petersburg, Russia
Size: 130 square metres (1,399 square feet)
Vacation 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. This dacha stands surrounded by greenery in the middle of a huge plot of land. Although there is no solid fence, there is a feeling of solitude.
The exterior of the house has remained nearly unchanged over the past half-century. The ornate siding isn’t very popular today and someday may need to be replaced, but in the meantime, the goal is to preserve the history and spirit of the time.
Check out this Russian dacha that brims with optical illusions
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Asya Korobeinikova; her husband, Ivan; their daughters, Margarita and Veronika; her mom, Natalia Naumovna; and Barry the cat
Location: Near St. Petersburg, Russia
Size: 130 square metres (1,399 square feet)
Vacation 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. This dacha stands surrounded by greenery in the middle of a huge plot of land. Although there is no solid fence, there is a feeling of solitude.
The exterior of the house has remained nearly unchanged over the past half-century. The ornate siding isn’t very popular today and someday may need to be replaced, but in the meantime, the goal is to preserve the history and spirit of the time.
Check out this Russian dacha that brims with optical illusions
“The house was built by my great-grandfather in the early 1960s, based on my great-grandmother’s design,” owner Asya Korobeinikova says. “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 vacations here, and now my children come here.”
For a long time, the second floor was just an attic storage space, not used for anything else because of the inconvenient location of rafters, beams and large shelves. 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 parts of the home.
For a long time, the second floor was just an attic storage space, not used for anything else because of the inconvenient location of rafters, beams and large shelves. 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 parts of the home.
All the storage is built-in, planned out by Korobeinikova’s great-grandmother at the design stage. That’s why 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 its time in the attic or on the veranda, where it is warm whatever the weather. Large windows offer a view of the picturesque greenery outside. Repainting the once-blue walls a light green seemingly pulls the verdant surroundings inside. The veranda was never rebuilt, and even the windows are original because the owners love the beautiful design of the frames.
The family spends most of its time in the attic or on the veranda, where it is warm whatever the weather. Large windows offer a view of the picturesque greenery outside. Repainting the once-blue walls a light green seemingly pulls the verdant surroundings inside. The veranda was never rebuilt, and even the windows are original because the owners love the beautiful design of the frames.
12. Vistas of the Russian countryside
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Editorial director Victor Saxon
Location: The Kaluga region, about 60 miles southwest of Moscow
Size: 60 square metres (646 square feet)
Designer: Bio Architects
Although traditional dachas are still beloved, these days many vacationers go for homes that are far from urban centres and take advantage of stretches of unspoiled nature with room for relaxation and architectural experimentation.
Victor Saxon, the owner of this property 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 it The Painter’s House for its scenic views.
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Editorial director Victor Saxon
Location: The Kaluga region, about 60 miles southwest of Moscow
Size: 60 square metres (646 square feet)
Designer: Bio Architects
Although traditional dachas are still beloved, these days many vacationers go for homes that are far from urban centres and take advantage of stretches of unspoiled nature with room for relaxation and architectural experimentation.
Victor Saxon, the owner of this property 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 it The Painter’s House for its scenic views.
“I work in Moscow every day with a two-hour commute, getting in by 11 a.m. Many people who live in the outskirts of the city have about the same commute, but on the subway,” says the owner, jokingly. “I usually stay late in Moscow for business, meetings or sports. I leave the city somewhere around half-past 9, and by 11, 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,” he says.
“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,” he says.
“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,” Saxon says.
Read more:
Kamshet Houzz: A Dreamy Holiday Home by the River
Houzz Tour: A Mahabaleshwar Holiday Home Brims With Luxury
Tell us:
Which vacation home did you like the most? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
Kamshet Houzz: A Dreamy Holiday Home by the River
Houzz Tour: A Mahabaleshwar Holiday Home Brims With Luxury
Tell us:
Which vacation home did you like the most? Tell us in the Comments below.
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I love the way the americans are very relaxed about the sand coming right up to their doors, that to me, says the beach and relaxed holidays. I like that they have rope details everywhere also, very charming
Love it!