Today’s house tour is a stunning home in Norway. Situated in a small town called Gjøvik, an hour north of Oslo, this family home was designed to merge with its stark yet stunning natural surroundings.
Gjøvik is situated in a beautiful part of eastern Norway, close to Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s largest lake. The house is built on a hillside in the breathtaking Norwegian woods, sloping towards the lake. The large windows seen throughout the home act as frames for the beautiful views outside, while also seamlessly connecting this home to nature and making it feel as one with the landscape outside.
Narrow cladding has been used to decorate the exterior of the home. This design choice isn’t based purely on aesthetics but it’s a deliberate choice so that over time, the cladding will fade and blend in even more with the surrounding landscape of Gjøvik. Nordic country homes are almost always designed to seamlessly blend in with the outdoors, making them one with the landscape rather than trying to detract from it.
Inside, the decor is pared back and minimal, yet warm and inviting. This home has been designed as six overlapping cubes of different sizes. Each cube leads on to the next creating an effortless internal flow from one room to another.
This minimalist Nordic home was designed by Norm Architects who describe it as “beautifully blending in with its harsh yet peaceful surroundings – with its humble structure and cosy cubes –, the house showcases the epitome of hygge.” Sometimes going for minimalist decor can seem cold and soulless. But as this home shows it’s possible to combine minimalism with warmth and lots of personality. And as Norm Architects say, this house has plenty of hygge!
The first thing that stands out in the interior is the combination of wood and concrete that work so well together as the contrast of the warm and cool materials balance each other out beautifully. This gives the home a minimalist vibe without compromising on warmth. There are also softer textures like linen and other fabrics throughout the home. Combining different textures in neutral tones is something you will see without exception in Nordic homes as this is so important in creating a space that feels cohesive, warm and inviting.
The wood and concrete theme continues through the home, but each room has its own look and personality too. I am a huge fan of using the same materials and colours throughout the home as it makes your home feel effortlessly cohesive and the flow from one room to another is seamless. That’s not to say each room can’t be different but using some similar design elements and colours ties the whole home together. That’s exactly what we have in this beautiful minimalist Nordic home.
There is something so wild and fascinating about the Nordic countryside as the setting of this home shows. The vast open landscapes, beautiful lakes, and dense forests have a real sense of magic about them. While we can’t all build holiday homes there, it is entirely possible to visit if you’re as drawn to this stark yet beautiful landscape as I am.
I’ve discovered that many parts of the Nordic countryside offer cosy cabins for rent so whether you want to immerse yourself in the Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish countryside it’s very doable. Take the town of Gjøvik where this home is, for example. Gjovik is just an hour from Oslo by car or two hours by train meaning it’s even possible to take a day trip if you’re visiting Oslo. And to make it even easier, you can book Oslo Central Station luggage storage, so you don’t have to take your bags with you.
Whether you choose to visit the Nordic countryside or not, this home is a strong reminder of how important nature is in architecture and interiors in Scandi countries. This home not only sits seamlessly within its surroundings, but the surroundings are reflected inside through thoughtful design, natural materials and simplicity. This idea of bringing the outdoors in is something we can all do in our own homes no matter where they are.
Love this home? Take a peek inside another Scandi home set in the striking Nordic countryside.
All images via Norm Architects
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