It's been a while since I've updated you on the little cabin we're building in the grounds of Per's family's summer cottage (see our plans here). Word on the street in the Bjärehalvön is that the build will start in September (so exciting!). It's kind of crept up on me though and now I'm in a panic. This week, I started looking at windows and doors. It's safe to say, I'm starting from scratch with this, but learning fast. And I've narrowed it down to two options (hopefully):
1. Doors that concertina up - like these fine specimens from Outline, seen here in a small Danish cabin of Lena at Peekaboo design. The beauty with these is that they still have a traditional touch but create a wonderful seamlessness between inside and out.
2. The other option is to go for doors that open separately, like in this charming summer cabin below owned by Lina Kjellvertz (I once featured her fabulous Mallorcan house), designed by Sommarnöjen (Velfac sell similar doors).
At this stage, I'm not even sure if option one is possible with, but it's worth investigating - so I thought I'd throw it out there.
Which do you think would work the best?
Curious to see more Scandic-inspired tiny cabins today? I love:
Or for something a little different, the before and after pictures of a Mercedes sprinter van which was converted into a tiny camper van are incredible!
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
Niki
Hi Niki,
ReplyDeletefirst of all I have to say that I´m in love with your blog. I visit the web every single day!!!.
I have a long concertina door between the house and the patio and I have to say that over the years, the weight of that long door has lower down the door itself which is very annoying, so i´ll go for the second option.
Have a nice weekend,
Gema
Thank you so much for your advice, this is super helpful! And thank you for your kind words about my blog too, I'm so happy you stop by each day :)
DeleteHi Nikki,
ReplyDeleteI'm also in love with your blog and have used the posts as inspiration in two house renovations. I think the second option is better because you have the option of opening only the doors you want. With the concertina windows, I think they open only to one side and unless fully open, take up quite a bit of space on the deck they open out to.
Good point. We’ll be using one section as the front door (effectively), so it’ll be really important to only open one section at a time. Ps I’m so happy MSH has been a source of inspiration for your renovations!
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ReplyDeleteHi Niki! Longtime reader, first time commenter :) I just love your blog and never miss a post, thank you so much for all that you do! For your question: I feel like Option 2 is the more versatile! If you have a rainy day or a slightly cooler day, Option 1 is all-or-nothing. But Option 2 gives you the ability to only open one set of doors, keeping the living space a little more protected and comfortable.
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy this post prompted you to make your first comment - thank you so much for your valuable advice. When you live in Sweden it can be four seasons in one day - so weather is a massive consideration!
DeleteHi Niki, I have read your blog every week for years now and it is a big inspiration to me. Thank you! Interestingly, I am building a similar cabin/tiny house in VT, USA this year on my husband's family's land... In terms of glass doors I am wondering if you have considered featuring windows that have no pains as it does make for a different view of the outside landscape. As shown here: https://www.outline.dk/design-og-tilvalg/daylight-smalle-rammer/
ReplyDeleteFrench doors are may absolute favorite and for your choices I would go with option 2. To save deck space where I am building in the forest we are using sliding doors.
Looking forward to seeing how your project turns out!
Best, Taj M.
So exciting that you’re also building a small cabin. Vermont is a beautiful part of the world!
DeleteWe have considered clear panels, but actually the view isn’t that great which is why we thought we’d go for the cross style. Having said that, I waiver daily! It feels like such a big responsibility this project. Do you feel the same, or do you feel you’re on track?
I will agree with those that commented before me, option 2 I think is better. I like the idea of Option 1, that fully opened indoor is outdoor feel, but I think it might not be as versatile or practical as two or three french doors. Maybe practical is not needed in a vacation home used only in a summer time (?) but I think in climate like yours you might get more use out of having separate doors. Better control. Maybe the accordion door allow you to open only a pane or two without having to open the whole thing, I don't know, but I think multiple doors is better. Maybe there are good slider doors that would allow you to open separately but doesn't take any valuable deck space? Good luck.
ReplyDeleteI’m happy you’ve also plumped for option 2. It was our original idea, so Per will be really happy. And I agree that it will be much more practical for us!
DeleteI like the idea of opening up the space completely, and there's a 3rd option you might have ruled out, but worked for us in Florida. It's a wall of panels, that stack back and to the side when fully opened. I believe it's the same as you featured in a previous post: https://www.myscandinavianhome.com/2021/05/a-swedish-summer-oasis-on-island-of.html
ReplyDeleteI love that Swedish cabin - such a summer paradise! This is also a good solution and something to consider, thank you for the idea.
DeleteMaybe consider as well if you want to risk having doors that swing to the outside in case it is a rainy and/ or windy day and you can't immediately close them, or simply enjoy having them open even if it is raining. I live in Ireland and we opted for a sliding door instead for these reasons. Also we did neither have a roof overhang over the door nor enough space in front of the door (outside) to have any kind of door swinging out there, what with the garden furniture and the plant pots being in the way. But if you have enough space and/ or a little roof outside I agree with most of the others here that your second option is the best. What ever you opt for I hope you'll be happy with the result and enjoy your new cabin! Best wishes and thanks for your great blog! Anke
ReplyDeleteI dm guessing the weather in Southern Sweden is similar to Ireland - we need to be prepared for anything! Thank you so much fir sharing your thoughts , really helpful!
Deletekeep it simple
ReplyDeleteeasy to repair and use
you want to be on vacay
So true!
DeleteI enjoy reading your blog each morning while I have breakfast. I'm not adding anything to the discussion now, but I agree with other commenters that option 2 is a good choice for aesthetic and practical reasons. I really like the look of option 2 above and also you can just open one door at a time if the weather isn't so great. It does mean that outdoors you might have two wings (doors) sticking out but there are those types of hinges that mean a door can open and sit flat back against the house.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your thoughts Sally! Option 2 is definitely sounding like the better option, not least for practical reasons as you rightly mention! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog each day at breakfast time xx
DeleteLove your blog, how do you always find these awesome homes!
ReplyDeleteI would go with option 2.
Thank you so much Sonja! Ps noted on the vote for option 2, it’s looking good for that one!
DeleteDefinitely option two, it works better in the scandinavian climate throughout the year. But also a question: did you considere sliding doors at all? Thanks for you inspiring blog Niki. -M
ReplyDeleteThank you for putting in your two-pennies worth, very helpful! Sliding doors are also something to consider. I’m hoping to go to a local showroom soon and will take all these ideas with me!
DeleteGreat job. Your post is very informative.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the best choice is option 2. Have you considered how option 1 will work with strong winds?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love your blog, congrats!
P.
Thank you for sharing this. It can be so windy here - well worth thinking about!
DeleteLike others, I love the houses and ideas you profile. Please keep it up! I prefer Option B for practical reasons. Our 'holiday' home in the Marlborough Sounds (actually we have turned our lives upside down so this is our main home and the city pad is for when we need to be at work in the city) is in an area that has water access only so getting tradespeople out there is expensive; we had to get our Option A doors adjusted as they dropped once the house 'settled' and the last closing door still scrunches a bit as it shuts. If you go for Option B I wonder if you can get the doors to swing right back against the house, as this really does restrict your furniture placement. In our city pad we have glass ranch sliders - they concertina into a one and a bit panel when open. Wonder if you could get something similar with internal glass panels so you keep the look you're after?
ReplyDeleteThis is so helpful, thank you! I’m going to look into how far back the doors for option 2 can go. Ps your house sounds absolutely incredible, I’m not surprised you spend most of your time there!
DeleteI vote for Option 2 as well. One more thing to think about, as the days get cooler you may not want the entire "wall" open, only one part of it. Thanks for putting it out to all of us who read your lovely blog. I want to do something similar on my island property next year so I'm looking forward to watching the progress and seeing it come to fruition - yay for the Brantmark's!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kirsten! Exciting that you’re thinking of doing something similar (love the sound of your island property’s already!). I’m a little nervous about our project for some reason, which makes me feel even more grateful for the help!
DeleteHey Niki - you've got such a great blog - I've been reading it and getting ideas from it for years!
ReplyDeleteI'm in a sub-tropical location in Australia, so we have our doors open most of the year, so my idea of what would be better might not suit you in Sweden. But, I'd go for option one - if you get good quality bi-folds, with good quality adjustable fittings, you shouldn't really have an issue. If not, stacker sliding doors are great too. So lovely to slide back and open up the entire space (except for the size of one door).
I live in a cottage, and space is always a problem, so French / hinged doors are always take up too much space on their swing-back. Also, if you have a problem with mosquitoes, midgies, etc. it's hard to put screens on French doors, but not a problem with sliding.
Just one more thing to consider - while I do love looking at doors, such as in your photos here with all the glass panels, if you've got a view, it can really take away form the view - always looking through little panes of glass.
Good luck with whatever way you go - can't wait to see the photos!
Thank you, great to hear all your thoughts on this - really helpful! I wish our climate was sub tropical, sounds wonderful!
DeleteI think option 2 is the best one.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is really nice to read, I like it.
Wishing you a good start into this new week and lots of success.