Jari and Anna Visuri never thought they’d live near the coast. Even though they founded the outdoor furniture company Skargaarden to withstand the elements, they didn’t see themselves pushing those limits in their corner of the world. “Light and warmth are scarce resources for long periods of the year in Sweden,” Jari says.

But that was before they came across a 4,300-square-foot plot in the small fishing village of Bönan. Set outside the city of Gävle, the land held an expanse of trees that acted like a verdant curtain concealing the Baltic Sea. They jokingly admit that they originally didn’t plan to get out of the car—but as they explored the area, the couple found a ramshackle cottage and a deck leading out to the water. The stunning views and unmistakable potential gave them the confidence they needed to rethink where they’d call home.

“We liked the idea of creating a Scandinavian version of a midcentury-modern house,” Jari says. “We drew a lot of inspiration from the Stahl House in Los Angeles. Naturally, there’s a big difference between a house in the hills and one located on the coast, but for us, the priority was the view.”

This would be the second construction project the pair would take on together, and they pictured living with their two children in a straightforward layout where floor-to-ceiling windows beckoned everyone outside. It turned out that the existing cottage couldn’t be saved, even though the deck was sturdy—but they weren’t discouraged.

“The advantage of starting with an empty lot after demolition was that we could think freely about how we wanted to live,” Jari continues. “While starting from scratch creates greater freedom, it also requires you to make more complex decisions.”

An L-shaped layout spanning over 2,000 square feet places the common areas nearest to the water and the four private bedrooms closer to the trees. The living and dining spaces look out onto the sea, connecting seamlessly with outdoor spaces that eclipse the overall size of the home. A separate guest cottage provides privacy for visitors, and complements the main structure’s aesthetic. If there’s one main difference from this property and its L.A. inspiration, it’s that the windows are set slightly lower to account for a stronger roof—Sweden gets plenty of snow, after all.

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An L-shaped layout spanning over 2,000 square feet places the common areas nearest to the water and the four private bedrooms closer to the trees. The living and dining spaces look out onto the sea, connecting seamlessly with outdoor spaces that eclipse the overall size of the home. A separate guest cottage provides privacy for visitors, and complements the main structure’s aesthetic. If there’s one main difference from this property and its L.A. inspiration, it’s that the windows are set slightly lower to account for a stronger roof—Sweden gets plenty of snow, after all.

“We wanted the house to blend into its surroundings and to not stand out too much,” Jari says. “Hence the bespoke cedar panels on the exterior that we designed ourselves, which have turned a beautiful silver-grey over time, and the defined wall sections above the windows. We think it gives the house a unique expression.”

They also didn’t follow the trend of wide windows accentuated by light-colored walls. Instead, the interiors are what Jari describes as “cozy,” complete with charcoal paint accented by dark leather and marble furnishings. “We’re not minimalist types with white everywhere,” he says. “We feel more at home with warm hues that represent a tasteful nod to the ’70s.”

The rich palette of the interior is reflected by the outdoor furnishings, which naturally come from the couple’s line. “The best way to make sure they measure up is to test them in their natural environment,” he notes. “Only then can we really say that they stand the test of time.” A long dining table and chairs are set between a grassy area and a pool, alongside smaller seating areas positioned toward the water in the shade of a pergola. Everything was completed over the course of fifteen months in November 2017.

Since then, the outdoor furniture has changed—in fact, the latest 2022 collection is featured in these photographs—but the home has stayed the same. They wouldn’t want it any other way. “Having lived by the sea for a few years now, we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” Jari says. “There’s something special about living on the coast, and some people—just like us—probably don’t understand the allure until they have experienced it for themselves.”

Related Reading:

An Idyllic Swedish Summer House Channels Japanese Vibes

Modern Meets Traditional in a Swedish Summer House

Project Details:

Architect of Record and Structural Engineer: Kjellander Sjöberg Arkitekter / @kjellandersjoberg

Landscape Design: Bengtson Design / @bengtssondesign

Interior Design: Kvadrat Interiör / @kvadratinterior

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