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Brand New Abode Close to the Sea

Building a new house right next to the water implies a specific set of challenges. The facade must withstand salty winds and the house should blend into the environment. This is what the Ullman’s bore in mind when they built their two-story villa a stone’s throw away from the sea in Träslövsläge.

Dinner with a view! The family can look down at the sea from the patio. Table, Bauhaus. Chairs, Kartell.

Dinner with a view! The family can look down at the sea from the patio. Table, Bauhaus. Chairs, Kartell.

The marble countertop continues all the way to one of the exits to the porch. The kitchen is tailor made by the local company Himlekök.

The marble countertop continues all the way to one of the exits to the porch. The kitchen is tailor made by the local company Himlekök.

By mixing natural wood with gray, the couple have created a captivating contrast between the cupboards.

By mixing natural wood with gray, the couple have created a captivating contrast between the cupboards.

The living room, which expanded after the family recently added an addition to the house, has a couch from Bolia, a mat from Layered, a black floor lamp by Arne Jacobsen, a Tom Dixon flash table circle and an inherited chandelier.

The living room, which expanded after the family recently added an addition to the house, has a couch from Bolia, a mat from Layered, a black floor lamp by Arne Jacobsen, a Tom Dixon flash table circle and an inherited chandelier.

When the Ullman couple had their first baby, they decided to leave their hectic city life in Stockholm to build a new house on the west coast. They love spending time out in nature – they both run and Johan surfs. When they found the lot, situated in the calm village of Träslövsläge, the pieces all came together.

– The lot was owned by Etikhus and we built our house in collaboration with them and an architectural firm, which genuinely heeded our requests. One of the important aspects for us was for the house to be compatible with our lifestyle. we're both social, like to cook and have people over, Jennie says.

A spacious kitchen with a large cooking area and in conjunction with these, an exit to the porch. These are all examples of things high up on the couple’s list. The solution was a hallway part in the kitchen that then turns into a long marble countertop with storage underneath, stretching along the cooking area all the way to where the porch is accessed.

– We can set loads of small dishes here and, depending on the weather, eat either inside or outside, Johan says.

Under the pergola on the porch there is a dining area as well as a grilling area

Along the edges of the porch there are plantation boxes where the couple grows vegetables and herbs. From the porch as well as from the balcony, which is facing west, the family has a beautiful view of the sea.

– We were inspired by houses painted in copperas but needed something even more durable. We painted the wooden facade with a grayish oil glaze that resists the salty winds better. We mixed the paint ourselves to get exactly the shade we wanted. It felt important that it would melt into the surroundings with the sea and the stone walls, which are built from residual material from when the lot was dug up, Jennie explains.

Just as the couple requested, the ground floor revolves around the kitchen and dining area. But after a few years they realized that the living room was a little too small. Adding 21 square meters was enough to give them not only a larger living room but also a completely new separate room, in which there is a champagne table with metal and wood bar stools, custom made by a local company. The room with its furniture brings wine tastings and social gatherings to mind, something that suits the wine-interested couple perfectly.

The family likes Danish / Scandinavian design and focuses on minimalist décor, without getting impersonal. The inside as well as outside features a lot of natural materials such as wood, stone, concrete and marble.

The family likes Danish / Scandinavian design and focuses on minimalist décor, without getting impersonal. The inside as well as outside features a lot of natural materials such as wood, stone, concrete and marble.

Instead of a headboard in the bedroom, the couple built a wall to fit a walk-in closet.

Instead of a headboard in the bedroom, the couple built a wall to fit a walk-in closet.

Next to the dining area, the chairs from Coop provide an excellent lounge experience. Unwinding in one of the chairs here after dinner is just wonderful.

Next to the dining area, the chairs from Coop provide an excellent lounge experience. Unwinding in one of the chairs here after dinner is just wonderful.

Between the kitchen area and the living room, there is an open space forming a natural connection between the person cooking and the people in the bar stools - perfect for when the family has people over for dinner.

Between the kitchen area and the living room, there is an open space forming a natural connection between the person cooking and the people in the bar stools - perfect for when the family has people over for dinner.

– We also chose to have two entrances to the room, with industrial glass doors with black forging. With its large glass sections facing two directions, the room is reminiscent of a sunroom, even though it is completely isolated, Jenny says.

On the ground floor there is also a laundry room, a bathroom with a shower and a sauna, plus an extra room that serves as a playroom and office. If the ground floor is a social masterpiece with perfect spaces to spend time with family and friends, the upstairs is of more private character and accommodates three bedrooms and a large lovely bathroom with a tub, but also a living room with an exit to the large beautiful balcony.

- It was the first time we built a new house and we learned a lot, but in general we are very pleased with the design of both our house and the garden, Johan concludes.
 

Personal
 

Family: Jennie, 37, and Johan Ullman, 40, with the kids Leon, 4, and Adele, 2.
Occupation: Jennie works at Himlekök and Johan is a sports doctor.
Home: house in Träslövsläge on the west coast in the municipality of Varberg, Sweden. The architecture is modern classic. The construction started in fall 2014 and was finished in June 2015. The house is 185 square meters distributed between two floors, with a 40 square meter garage and storage. The yard is 776 square meters.

ARTICLE CREATORS
Photographer, Stylist
Garden, Homes
Karin is the interior designer who decided to become a photographer. After several years at IKEA, she began freelancing and her main focus today is in interior and still life.
"That I can combine my two biggest passions,photographing and styling, in my job is my biggest strength".
Her work can be seen in some of the large Swedish interior magazines, such as Sköna Hem, Plaza Interiör and Allt i Hemmet, but also international.
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Writer, Stylist
Homes, Design & Decor
Writer, stylist and photographer who loves life in general, but with particular passion about interior decoration, garden and food. Make articles for magazines, Swedish and international. Likes to bend body in different yoga positions, go skiing and enjoying life with husband and three children.
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