A year ago today my family and I were enjoying three precious days exploring Iceland. Little did we know, as we caught that early morning flight back from Reykjavik, what exactly the next twelve months would entail.
During this time, I must admit there have been moments when I’d wished we’d never made that flight, and many more when I’ve longed to be back experiencing that dramatic otherworldly landscape. So, you can imagine how excited I was to discover an incredible new holiday home just 45 minutes from the country’s capital.
Designed by KRADS, an architectural studio with bases in both Denmark and Iceland, this recently finished project has been shaped by its surroundings both inside and out.
Sitting carefully on a densely overgrown hill, KRADS have skilfully made the most of the impressive views of Iceland’s deepest and coldest lake, Thingvallavatn, known locally as Þingvallavatn.
The blackened-timber house is built on three staggered levels following the natural slope of the plot. The roof, which is turfed in local grass and moss also partly slopes towards and with the terrain, ensuring the whole building connects seamlessly with its astonishing surroundings.
Taking 4-5 years to complete, this dream home belongs to the Danish singer and songwriter Tina Dickow, her Icelandic husband, musician and composer Helgi Jónsson, and their three children.
Inside the decoration is kept clean and simple, with natural materials used throughout to support the feeling of tranquility that the staggering panoramic views the mountains Skjaldbreið, Jórutindur and Hátindur beyond command.
With timeless finishing touches from the likes of NORR11, Hay, Muuto and Iittala, the biggest extravagance has to be the indoor thermal bath, which sits in the middle of the home’s living room. But don’t worry, when not in use it conveniently converts into a luxurious daybed.
Perhaps that could be something my husband and I should consider incorporating into our Liverpool home too?
To find out more about the company behind this project, visit the KRADS website.
All photographs by Marino Thorlacius.
Like this post? Then why not read The Warm Minimalist Kitchen by Nordiska Kök.
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