From caravan to 120 square meters in Yngsjö

It would take nearly 30 years before Magdalena and Ola Dawidson got their dream house outside Kristianstad. Now they spend as much time as they can in their effortless summer retreat between pine and sea.

Back to their hometown

It actually began already in the late 1990s. Magdalena and Ola Dawidson both grew up outside Kristianstad and found each other through shared interests in their early twenties. Ever since they left the area to study they have been looking for a holiday home near friends and family. When Ola's family went to the sea during his upbringing it was always to Yngsjö, so the dream of a holiday house in that place has always existed.

– Already in the ’90s we looked at a couple of existing summer houses in the same area actually, says Ola and continues:

– Even though we have lived away from Kristianstad for a long time we have a big network here. Besides, we felt that our parents are going to get older and older, so we will need to spend more time down here. It was time to find something of our own.

– But the budget didn't really allow that then, adds Magdalena. Years passed, the couple moved to Göteborg and stayed. They managed to build a villa, but thoughts of a place near their childhood area remained.

– In the mid-2010s we again started looking in the area and sent our parents to look at houses. Then this plot in Yngsjö turned up in 2015. It was one of the few undeveloped plots that faces south, but that also has evening sun, Magdalena explains.

Caravan on the plot

The location was perfect, a sloping natural plot just 300 meters from the sea. The year after they jumped at it.

– It's located exactly where I used to swim in my teens. It felt like coming home – it's our place by the sea, says Ola.

They hired an architect to design a house, but it became both expensive and complicated. The wind went out of the project. When the pandemic hit they bought a caravan, equipped with both a water tank and solar panels, which they placed on the plot. 

– Then we could still stay here and get a feel for the place. But when we came with the caravan the second year the neighbors started throwing worried glances. Then I felt that now we have to take action on this, says Magdalena and laughs.

Modern Sommar 90 with interior style Calm

On the moodboard they had made for the architect there was a house from Sommarnöjen. Magdalena took a closer look at the different possibilities and realized that this was exactly what they wanted: A Modern Sommar 90 (today Modern Sommar 100) with floor plan Hav and interior style Calm.

– Ola is the thoughtful one and I'm the impulsive one. So I contacted Sommarnöjen even though it was in the middle of the holiday. I think it took half an hour before they got back to me. Then it went really fast, she says.

Since the family – besides their daughter Nisha, 18 – also has a dog they chose to adapt the floor plan somewhat.

– We have been able to adjust based on our wishes and needs. Since we are here year-round, in the middle of nature, we realized that we would need a utility entrance. So we converted one of the original three bedrooms into a hall, Ola explains.

Extra entrance and a maximized kitchen

The kitchen was adjusted slightly – the outer edges were removed where you now enter from the new entrance and the area between the stove and sink was maximized. rn– We like to cook, we like to spend time in the kitchen, preferably together with friends. So we wanted to make it as good as possible for that reason, says Ola.rnThe wardrobes in the living room were also moved. They are now in one of the bedrooms and the wall facing the common area can be adorned with artwork. But when the couple suggested that they remove the gable windows to reduce visibility from the neighbors, it came to a stop.rn– The plot is long and narrow and we have neighbors on both sides of us. But the windows were an important part of the overall impression of the house. It was so clear then that the architect came in and said: "You have to trust me on these. It will not turn out well. It's better to screen them with textiles or shrubs." In hindsight we realize that he was right! says Ola.rn– That's exactly the sort of sparring partner you want to have, adds Magdalena. rn

Modern Attefallshus 30 for friends and family

They already knew from the start that they wanted two separate houses. The main house was complemented by a Modern Attefallshus 30, also with interior style Calm. rn– It's so damn nice when you have friends visiting. You cook together and socialize all day, but when you go to bed it's very nice to have your own little place, says Ola. rnIn the back of their minds was also the idea of multigenerational living. rn– When the young ones come with friends they can have their own social life. And if our daughter gets her own family or there are many guests we can move out to the small house, says Magdalena. rnThe buildings are placed with about 2.5 meters between them, slightly offset. The architect also gave good input there. rn– The houses are placed at different heights and now we have tied them together with a pergola solution so that the roof angle continues between the two houses. We are very pleased with that, says Ola. rn

The returning pines

Although they wanted to keep the plot, with the many tall, old pines, untouched, they had to take down some trees. Ola and Magdalena, who themselves project-managed the whole build – "a piece of cake" – enlisted help from relatives and friends. rn– Magdalena's father helped us transport the trees to a sawmill. Sommarnöjen had drawn up the pergola solution and we got them cut to the right dimensions. So the trees have returned in another form – they are the returning pines. And we still have lumber left for future projects if we want to build more things, says Ola. rnFor Magdalena, who has a great interest in gardening at home, it was important to keep the plot as simple as possible. rn– Here we wanted it to be carefree and not so much to fuss with. Here you should just be able to relax and not feel any obligations, she says. rnThe calm interior style contributes to an open and simple feeling that invites socializing and togetherness. rn– We have celebrated two or three Christmases here now. Now we can finally return the invitations, after inviting ourselves to others for so many years. The open large room is fantastic for exactly that. We can easily gather for parties and celebrations and comfortably seat 20–25 people. It should only be relaxation when we come here, says Magdalena. rn