Ina's Summer House Retreat

When the experienced interior architect Ina Janine Johnsen created her very own summer retreat on the east coast of Norway after many years of living abroad, she brought some rather foreign ideas back with her to the Norwegian seaside. The family kept coming back to their homeland for their summer holidays. Then, after having spent two weeks at eight different locations during one of their trips back home, Ina realised that the family desperately needed a place of their own. At the time, they were living in London, and while they had just had two little ones, they decided to take back the Norwegian summer.. Since then, they have all moved back to Oslo, and the cottage is now being used as a second home.  Today, the wooden buildings are painted in black, but the interiors look more like something out of a Cape Cod landscape, than a basic cabin from the fifties. Ina has also been inspired by American modernistic architecture while at the same time making use of the established Scandinavian tradition of building with wood. The active hostess, who is also a popular food blogger, has created a unique retreat which works on all levels for her family. And next to it, there is the little guest house of course. view feature...

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Ocean Colour

This old house of La Flotte that was once a munitions depot has a page in the history of the island. It was the front post at sea, defending the interests of France against the English who had invaded La Rochelle... Since then, this barricade has been turned into a row of cabins, side by side like ramparts looking out on to the beautiful Ré Island. Completely redesigned, the house rises from its past; a monochromatic home with gentle shades of white and grey punctuated with red accents. Roland and Michele wanted to create a space that contrasted their surroundings with its own harmonious nuances; yet the atmosphere remains that of the ocean. The taste of beautiful things, noble materials and curtains, with subdued, light linens; the rooms all have a different charm. Small, they are no less comfortable in this holiday home with the ocean view and multiple nuances. view feature...

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Balancine, Guest house at the edge of the sea

On the picturesque Ile De Re a marvellous 18th Century house, entirely renovated, opens its doors to reveal an interior full of charm with refined decoration. In the heart of vibrant St Martin, Balancine was purchased by Roland and his wife Michele who have a passion for interior decoration and adore hunting for antiques. As often in these small villages at the edge of sea, this guest house one of a series where they are all of the same appearance. “As much as possible we preserved the original materials of the beams and floors, but we increased some parts so that they are more luminous.” The interior pays homage to its location and is reminiscent of a boat; antique and shop bought finds live in harmony with rope and netting, as well as vintage fabrics and linens. Admittedly not very large, it is in spite of this very equipped and comfortable, keeping true the original style. view feature...

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Decorated to Effect

To Eva everything can always be a tad more fun, exciting and interesting. The interior combines both the ancient with the modern and a room touched by the souvenirs from their travels abroad. Everything helps to emphasize and enrich that feeling of beach house and seaside hotel. view feature...

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The Soldier's Croft

Michael, a freelance Art Director who works daily in Copenhagen, bought this little gem of a place as a second home in Sweden some 15 years ago. It was originally built as a soldiers croft in the early 1900's, named after the soldiers that were given a piece of land to build a house on after returning home from battle. During the renovation, Michael peeled everything back to reveal the bare constructional bones of the place. This was certainly not a bad idea, for the full timber is now seen, raw and untouched, both in the kitchen and the first Hall. When it came to the ceiling, beautiful beams were soon revealed and Michael was in no doubt that they should remain visible, giving the room a great sense of atmosphere and size. view feature...

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With a touch of nostalgia

On a large plot in the pleasant Rørvig is a wonderful nostalgic cottage with all the qualities the Lip family sought when they were looking for a great family getaway. It was also a house that would fit into Karina Lips passion for nostalgic knickknacks. The 1944 house near Nykøbing Sjælland is situated near the water, so the family can indulge their passion for sailing. They own a boat that Mr Lip and their two teenage boys frequently sail and taken fishing trips. The site is huge and makes a perfect place for a family gathering every summer. Karina decorated the rooms with a mix of old world charm and English country style. Everything is decorated with heart and there is room and space for play and relaxation, the couple have spent much time making sure everything is handy. All rooms feature nice, small collections, flea market bargains and white painted furniture; with all sorts of accessories such as candlesticks, pillows and blankets in gorgeous colours and patterns. The many coat racks, shelves and various storage slots make it easy to keep order. ”Overall, this is where we find peace, are creative, relax and find time with our family.” view feature...

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Casa Frattini, Italy

Looking out onto the delightful Tuscan coast of the Argentario peninsula between Florence and Rome is this splendidly elegant seaside villa designed by the renowned architect Michele Bonan. Its style is based on the colonial villa designs of with a colonnaded façade, louvred shuttered doors, bright colours and decorated wrought iron balconies, and it also benefits from a luxurious garden sloping down to the sea, with eucalyptus, olive, cypress, lemon and palm trees. Gloria and Marcello, the Florentine owners of this impressive house, wanted to keep to a traditional island style, and the interior decoration very much follows what is established by the exterior, and all the art objects, prints, furnishings and furniture and every last small detail are all of maritime or naval subjects. In the entrance hallway there is a wrought iron framework on which to hang coats, hats and to store the collection of English-style walking canes, along with a small model of a sailing boat. Once beyond this hallway which leads into the two lounges on the ground floor, one is immediately astonished by the radiant style and refined elegance of the harmonious interiors, which are always in a colonial style and maritime themes. The two lounges are decorated with large wickerwork chests with leather clasps and handles – as used for storing tea or spices on 18th century clippers, as well as maritime prints, books and boat models. The dining room has a strikingly lavish and refined appearance. The pale blue colour of the walls recall the sea of the Antilles, the mahogany floor is also the preferred material of luxurious boats, and the large silver conch shells on the table and the silver candelabra above based on the forms of pineapples and tropical foliage all hint at ocean themes, as do the white porcelain urns, and the pale prints in white frames and the mirrors on either side of the staircase. Upstairs is the private area of the house, with three elegant bedrooms and a further lounge with a spacious terrace which offers a spectacular views of the bay and the sea. view feature...

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