Simplicity is the truest form of sophistication – and designer couple, Andreas Engesvik and Jannicke Grung’s waterside cabin is no exception. A minimalist bolthole less than 50sqm in size, the sweetly named ‘Krabbebu’ (‘crab shack’) is a testament to Norwegian design principles as it effortlessly blends into the landscape, mirroring the beauty and simplicity found in the surrounding nature.

A coastal location, Engesvik discovered him and his family’s own slice of paradise for them to spend long weekends together among the green and rocky landscape of Ny-Hellesund. The family worked closely on the project with Oslo-based firm, KIMA arkitektur, to carefully consider the cabin’s natural position. The chosen design references local fishing huts in its aesthetic and materiality, with a structure which was built by craftspeople from the region.

From the exterior to the interior, Norwegian natural materials take centre-stage, with large windows on either side framing swoon-worthy views of the sea and countryside. Muted tones, uncluttered spaces and Scandinavian design elements elevate the cabin showcasing that minimalism isn’t just in the aesthetics; it’s a way of life.

In the heart of the home is the modest open-plan kitchen where Engesvik and Grung chose materials that stayed true to their Norwegian roots. Locally sourced pine wood cabinetry has been combined with a Lundhs Antique work surface which spans from one end of the room to the other. Naturally grounding and a suitable material for the demands of family life, the warm brown and eye-catching blue crystals of Lundhs Antique complement the surrounding colours of the landscape, whilst offering long-lasting durability and beauty.

Simple to set up, flexible and with sustainability at heart, the design of the kitchen is called ‘sanke’, highlighting its open construction. Seamlessly blending with the sleek silhouettes of the cabinetry, the Lundhs Antique worktop shows that simplicity reigns supreme in this unfussy and uncomplicated kitchen.