Villa Österlen draws on the form of Skåne's traditional skånelänga farmhouse to create a contemporary holiday retreat for large family gatherings in southern Sweden. Designed by Note Design Studio, the residence is wrapped in textured plaster and topped with a corrugated zinc roof that references the nearby village church. At its center, a double-height living, dining, and kitchen space sits beneath a stained pine gabled ceiling, while expansive glazing and sliding glass doors strengthen connections to the surrounding fields, woodland, and Hanö Bay.
Three bedrooms are positioned on either side of the central living area, with a skylit studio located above the primary bedroom to introduce additional spatial variation. Stone paving extends from the outdoor terrace into the dining space, creating a continuous transition between interior and exterior.
Image Credit: Erik Lefvander
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Modern Farmhouse Retreats
- Contemporary reinterpretations of rural vernacular architecture create differentiated hospitality and vacation rental concepts rooted in regional identity.
- Indoor-outdoor Living
- Seamless transitions between terraces, glazing, and interior gathering spaces support new premium home design models centered on nature-connected experiences.
- Multigenerational Gathering Homes
- Large-format holiday residences designed for extended families reveal demand for flexible layouts that blend privacy, shared amenities, and destination appeal.
Sectors Adopting This
- Residential Architecture
- Regional materials, traditional forms, and modern spatial planning are reshaping high-end rural housing as a platform for contextual design innovation.
- Travel and Hospitality
- Design-led countryside homes offer boutique accommodation operators fresh ways to position rural stays as immersive architectural experiences.
- Interior Design
- Natural finishes, double-height communal rooms, and landscape-facing layouts point to evolving interiors that prioritize warmth, openness, and environmental continuity.
