7 of Colin & Justin’s favourite cottages from around the world

Location: Krokskogen Forest, just north of Oslo, Norway. Highlight: Panoramic views of majestic Lake Steinsfjorden thanks to large expanses of floor-to-ceiling windows in all principal areas of the home. Why they love it: The hillside property’s curvaceous birch-clad interior is undetectable from the unassuming jewel-box structure. “It’s very blonde and ethereal, like something from Star Wars,” says Colin, of the 538 sq. ft. retreat.

Location: Yellowstone Club, Montana, U.S. Highlight: Traditional wooden beams and barnboard find harmony with modernist leanings in this mountain spot. Why they love it: Vibrant pops of colour give this rustic retreat loads of personality, as do eclectic design elements, such as the upcycled globe light made by True North Forage that hangs in the guest suite.

Location: Austin, Que. Highlight: The jet-toned exterior is balanced by bright, white vertical siding and concrete floors inside. Why they love it: A grey cedar walkway bridges two near-identical structures, each a modern take on the classic Canadian cottage shape. The monochrome black exterior provides minimal disruption to the surrounding forest.

Location: Elgin, 70 km southeast of Cape Town, South Africa. Highlight: Exterior seating and dining areas encourage ample alfresco time to drink up the orchard and mountain views. Why they love it: Blurring indoor and outdoor living, this 1,615 sq. ft. retreat features contrasting elements—including those found in the surrounding environment, such as stone and timber with smooth, white finishes.

Location: Santiago, Mexico. Highlight: Acute environmental awareness is at the forefront of this build, which is made up of four pavilions joined by stairways that traverse rich vegetation and 17 large trees. Why they love it: The 1,776 sq. ft. home’s Brutalist architecture might be more common in the city, but concrete, steel, and glass construction evokes a natural rawness that compliments its lush surroundings.

Location: Bay of Fundy, N.S. Highlight: The perforated screen creates a lantern effect at night, and the cabin, supported by Sonotubes, appears to float above the forest floor. Why they love it: The 500 sq. ft. structure was designed by students at Dalhousie University. It is a shelter in its purest form—a central table flanked by sleeping nooks.

Location: Lake Immeln, about two hours northeast of Malmö, Sweden. Highlight: The glass-paneled wall opens almost completely, allowing visitors to feel like they’re outside. Why they love it: This 592 sq. ft. prefab container is part of the Vipp Hotel, a series of rooms designed by Danish brand Vipp. Rather than sourcing inspiration from the land, Vipp referenced large-volume objects, such as planes and ferries, where every inch of space matters.