Real Estate

This Swedish holiday retreat is minimalism at its finest

Off the coast of Sweden, on the rugged island of Gotland, there’s a tiny holiday retreat that proves minimalism can also be cozy. Called Littorinahavet 7, and designed by Swedish firm Skälsö Arkitekter, the one-storey house is located atop a craggy hilltop overlooking an abandoned quarry. Inside, neutral tones and untreated wood finishes abound, with the only pops of colour coming from potted house plants, eclectic accessories, and the surrounding trees. While this kind of classic Scandinavian minimalism can feel a tad empty in large houses, when it’s compacted to 538-square-feet, the result is surprisingly inviting and warm.