Holiday home filled with design classics

We fell head over heels in love with “Paradise Island” on our first visit 40 years ago, and because of our interest in the furniture and design house Paustian, we pressed our noses flat against the windows of the “Paustian House.” We had the opportunity to buy the house 26 years ago, and we’ve enjoyed every single minute. The summer house is the hub of our family, which consists of Katrine and me, along with our six children from previous relationships, their boyfriends and girlfriends, and friends. We all love the house, and it doesn’t really feel like summer unless we’ve been there. We call the house Ras Smed’s House.

It’s completely peaceful here, and the unique natural surroundings provide the most beautiful setting for a relaxing vacation. Here you’ll find Europe’s only desert, the most beautiful heather-covered hills, and the finest sandy beach. From Ras Smed’s House, we walk along the Kærlighedsstien trail to the harbor, and from the edge of Nordbjerg, we enjoy the view out over the desert and Flakket. We walk to the lighthouse through the desert, along Nordstranden, or through Pakhusbugten—and all the way out to the island’s eastern tip, Totten, where we can see a large seal sanctuary.

We buy our fresh lobsters straight from the fishing boats at the harbor, and we love watching the sunset at Orakel Bar and having our morning coffee at Ricco’s. Neither place seems like anything but a fairy tale, and neither makes a big deal of itself, but both offer an immense depth of joy and the pleasure of life. Just like a stay on the island.