Anna and Martin's Tiny Handbuilt Cottage Floating on a Swedish Lake

"I've never tried that before, so I'm sure I'll manage it" - so said Pippi Longstocking, and these are the words Swedish florist Anna Starrén and her husband Martin live by. Martin had always dreamed of building a floating cottage from which to explore the lake beside their country home. And when his friend passed away, he put all his effort into turning his dream into a reality. Read on to discover more! 


The starting point was to build a floating pontoon (measuring 5 x 10 metres), upon which the little red and white cottage (measuring 4 x 3.5 metres) was built.  The pontoon is attached to the mainland using a series of mooring lines. 

The house has everything you might need for a relaxing day by the lake including a sleep loft, sauna, isolated floor, wifi, fridge, gas stove, shower, water converter, shower, dry loo, binoculars, bird book, ceramics for 10!, a coffee maker and an anchor! 

Oil lamps are dotted around the little cottage, providing light and heat. The cottage is also powered by 2 x 160 solar panels and a 3x 90 amp battery. 

The kitchen, sofa and ladder have all been hand built to fit the space. 

Anna says: "building this house is one of the best things we've ever done, it's become our year-round refuge."

Come winter, the lake freezes over and the little cottage becomes a perfect spot for ice bathing. 


A whole is cut into the ice so that they can still take a dip after a sauna. 

BRRRRR! 

Could you imagine winter bathing like this? 

If you're ever in Sweden during winter, you must try it - it's such a crazy yet wonderful experience (especially afterwards once you're all wrapped up warm again and nursing a mug off glögg!). Studies have shown it has numerous health benefits! 

See Anna's inspiring instagram feed @starrensannan for more pictures of the floating cottage, as well as their main house. You might also like to stop by Anna's homepage for more information about her work as a florist and upcoming workshops (how I'd love to do one of those - I wonder if she holds any at the floating cottage?). 

Would you like to see a few other unusual properties today? 


Happy lillördag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Anna Starrén with thanks 

LATEST COMMENTS:

  1. This is great! I love that one of their priorities for this tiny cottage was a sauna. Something I cannot relate to but it does make sense if you expected to use it year round. Very Swedish I guess.

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    1. Yes, I know! So fun! In fact, I haven't really seen a hybrid like this before that doubles up both as a sauna and living space while also able to float around. So wonderful - and clever! /Niki

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    2. Agree, very clever. My initial reaction to the post was "but why?!" but as I read more I couldn't help but think it's wonderful and that I want it :-). good for them.

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  2. I know it's very healthy to have a quick swim/dip in a freezing water but just the idea of having to put my bathing suit on makes me shiver. It would have to be a VERY generous offering of glögg to change my mind. Brrr is right.

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    1. Totally agree - a glögg would definitely need to be waiting on the stove! Plus it helps to dive back into the sauna (or under the covers!). /Niki

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  3. This is amazing! No ice bathing for me, but everything else about this little cabin is super appealing.

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    1. Maybe you'd get into the spirit once there Kris? or maybe not LOL! But I agree, it's such an appealing little space. So pretty and cosy! /Niki

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