Spaces

BLACK AND WHITE

19th November 2013

Admittedly, the interior of this home might not be for everyone – after all, it’s so white and minimal and pristine. Could I imagine living in a space like this all the time? Probably not – I’m not that neat – but I can imagine escaping to this light-drenched home that manages to appear both energizing and yet wonderfully serene.

Villa Yxlan, Erik Andersson 05-2012

Villa Wallin is located on Yxlan in the northern Stockholm archipelago, and was designed by Erik Andersson Architects for a budget of €150,000 – which seems pretty remarkable in itself when considering the result. The house was designed using a strict 1:3 ratio – it measures six metres in depth and the same in height, and eighteen metres in length – while the windows are square in form and have the same size, granting the building a sense of balance.

Villa Yxlan, Erik Andersson05-2012

The simplicity of this approach makes perfect sense when you consider the location, as the house is surrounded by pine trees and spruces, and sits lightly within its wooded setting. A terrace runs around the building, so the owners can soak in the sun throughout the day. Glazed panels on two sides further connect the living space with the location and grant views out to the sea.

Villa Yxlan, Erik Andersson05-2012 tumblr_mwh0k2Ioi21sij10fo6_1280

Again, a black house might not be to everyone’s taste, but I love richness of this horizontal pine cladding, which is painted black using Falu Rödfärg – a traditional Swedish paint that can be traced back to the 16th century. The crisp white interior provides a sharp contrast, with ‘colour’ – black again, alongside grey and timber – provided by the mimimal furnishings and by the always striking VP Globe Pendant Lamp.

Villa Yxlan, Erik Andersson05-2012

Personally, I’d cosy up this living space with more rugs and textiles, but in its simplicity and connection with the landscape, Villa Wallin is a striking example of restraint.

Villa Yxlan, Erik Andersson05-2012

For more photos and floor plans, see this post on ArchDaily. Photography by Åke E-son Lindman.