Interiors

A Hygge Home In Country Vic For Former Danish Expats

After nine years living in Copenhagen, Lewis Schulz and Nina Johansen returned to Australia seeking a Scandi-inspired house.

They worked with Hygge Design to create their own home embracing hygge and passive design principles appropriate for their family and location in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

The completed house tells a story of the family and allows them to do more of what they love with ease.

Written
by
Amelia Barnes
|
Photography
by
|
Editorial styling
by

Cabins in Scandinavia (where the owners previously lived) inspired the design of this new home in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

The black timber-clad home was designed to blend into its bush surrounds.

Windows frame the landscape from within.

The moody ‘Danish-noir’ kitchen.

The kitchen is sleek and refined.

Ceramic tiles add texture to the kitchen splashback.

Various ceramics from Designstuff and Ferm Living.

Carlie Fraser of Hygge Design says the completed home enables a life well lived.

Artwork in library shelves by Dinusha Joseph. Poppy side table and Toulouse sofa both by Anaca Studio. Vintage Falcon chairs from Invisedge.

 

 

The home’s cabin-like interiors are styled with vintage furniture and bookshelves. Artwork in library shelves by Dinusha Joseph. Poppy side table and Toulouse sofa both by Anaca Studio. Vintage Falcon chairs from Invisedge.

‘Comfortable leather chairs for reading (iconic Norwegian Falcon chairs, a nod to Nina’s heritage), a playful rug from Muuto, and a welcoming Toulouse sofa with sculptural lines from Anaca Studio all make for a cosy, relaxed space to unwind and connect with loved ones,’ says Carlie.

‘Lofoten’ photographic artwork by Maegan Brown (coincidentally taken where Nina and Lewis honeymooned). Poppy side table and Toulouse sofa both by Anaca Studio.

 

Vintage Falcon chair from Invisedge.

‘We really wanted to tell their story through design,’ says Carlie.

Green tiles in the bathrooms remind Nina of her childhood home.

Scandi timbers meet soft colour.

Oslo bed head by Heatherly Design.

The house tells the clients’ unique story and allows them to do more of what they love with ease and simplicity.

Writer
Amelia Barnes
Photography
Editorial styling
14th of October 2024
Interior design + decoration
Interior design (materials + fixtures)
Passive house design

Simone Schenkel

Joinery

South Coast Kitchens

Windows

Thermotek

Location

Woodend, VIC/Dja Dja Wurrung Country

Lewis Schulz and Nina Johansen discovered Carlie Fraser of Hygge Design when looking to create a Scandi inspired-house in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

Nina was born in Norway, and the couple had lived together in Copenhagen for the past nine years, so they were interested in a familiar style of home when returning to Australia.

Given the beautiful vista of their Woodend property, Carlie took a ‘less is more’ approach to the project, driven by three key principles: simplicity and functionality; sustainability; and hygge.

Carlie describes the hygge concept, ‘It is about an atmosphere and a feeling. It is a daily practice — about being with the people you love, a feeling of home.

‘It is togetherness, warmth, relaxation and the simple pleasures in life – about being in the moment and appreciating the little things in our daily lives.’

The home’s cabin-like interiors — styled with vintage furniture and bookshelves to display cherished pieces — support this practice.

‘Comfortable leather chairs for reading (iconic Norwegian Falcon chairs, a nod to Nina’s heritage), a playful rug from Muuto, and a welcoming Toulouse sofa with sculptural lines from Anaca Studio all make for a cosy, relaxed space to unwind and connect with loved ones,’ says Carlie.

In contrast to the black timber-clad facade, and the moody ‘Danish-noir’ kitchen designed with White Pebble Interiors, the living and dining spaces are playful, featuring ample north light and cool-toned blue and green accents.

Carlie says the completed home is an expression of Lewis, Nina, and their children that enables a life well lived.

‘We really believe the home reflects Nina and Lewis so well. It tells their unique story and allows them to do more of what they love with ease and simplicity.’

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