Cecilie and Bo’s unexpected sanctuary: Falling in love with tiny house living
We adventure to the heart of Jutland to visit Cecilie, Bo and Albert in their charming 70s holiday home not far from Silkeborg. The family lives in Amager in Copenhagen, and while their beautiful little holiday home now holds the status as their beloved sanctuary away from an otherwise hectic city existence, it wasn’t part of the plan. But stumbling upon this 70s gem, they fell in love with it.
“We weren’t really supposed to have a holiday home, but look at us now” Bo says. “It has just given me so much more than I ever thought possible,” Cecilie adds “taking your city kid into the muddy countryside is oddly satisfying when we are normally surrounded by asphalt as far as the eye can see.” Sharing their holiday home on Landfolk, they have enjoyed also being able to offer other families the same opportunity – something they truly appreciate after experiencing the impact that getting away from the city and everyday life in this way can have on your life.
Falling in love with tiny house living
When the family first discovered the listing for this little house, their thoughts were just that – that it would be too small for their family and ruled it out. But they couldn’t quite let go of it and decided to visit the house, and despite its size, and overwhelmingly brown interior and dark wood, they were completely smitten.
Freshly fallen snow, a crackling fire and crisp winter air made the little house feel incredibly welcoming, and in that moment they looked at each other and knew that they simply had to buy it. “I looked at our realtor and told her that we would like to make an offer, and I actually asked for a little discount – seeing as we are in Jutland after all” Bo laughs, “but she told us that she has two others coming to view it the following day. I looked at her and said “no, they won’t” and that was it. It was ours.”
The 70s home was theirs. The little house with a vibe that reminded them of a sauna with its wood clad walls and brown interior. A little cigar case they would soon decorate and make their own through carefully making it fit their personal aesthetics – while keeping the integrity of the original 70s design. To their delight, this sanctuary has offered them more than they had both anticipated the first time they laid eyes on it.
We weren’t really supposed to have a holiday home, but look at us now.
Embracing the house’s tiny frame and making the most of what living with less square feet means, they have made their holiday home a place that truly stands out from the rest of their lives. It has inspired them to live in a simpler way when they are there, with less things, and more time to waste. In a good way. Because at the heart of the holiday home experience, and the need for a break from everyday life, lies the desire to just be together. And their choice to lean into the tiny house living, has enabled them to do just that – enjoy undisturbed time with each other in a framework with less distractions and a slower pace.
A simpler life
The pace of everyday life feels like it’s ever increasing, so taking a break away from it – where we can slow down and enjoy peace and quiet and each other far away from the to-do lists and expectations of life at home becomes more important than ever before. For Cecilie, Bo and Albert this means embracing the contrast that their holiday home life offers.
“Everything here feels a bit different” Cecilie says, “I’m not quite sure what it is, but there’s no TV or internet and we just have birds chirping and a quiet calm here. We have always appreciated taking a break from the routines of everyday life, and checking ourselves out of the hamster wheel, but we have always done it abroad and never really thought that this could offer us the same.”
It’s all about embracing the simple life and peeling all the unnecessary elements away. The fewer things the better.
Life is just a bit simpler when they spend time at their holiday home and creating small rituals around how life there differs from their life at home, is essential. They make less sophisticated food, even though the kitchen offers everything they need, they make buns every morning and Albert has toys there that makes his face light up each time they arrive – lots of which are local second hand finds. “Second hand shops are just not the same back in Copenhagen as they are here” Cecilie underlines, “so we are always on the prowl for hidden treasures.”
“It gives us so much energy to get a well-deserved break and to see something different than Amager (red. Copenhagen)” Cecilie says. And sometimes that break doesn’t depend on an easier life, more luxury or an itinerary full of experiences. They embrace the original low kitchen counters, toast marshmallows on a fire in the garden and don’t really pack much when they travel.
“It’s all about embracing the simple life and peeling all the unnecessary elements away. The fewer things the better,” Cecilie underlines, “when we travel, we never fill our suitcases. We really try to leave things behind because life is just so much easier when you have fewer things. It really has an impact on you, and that is part of why we love it here so much.”
Sharing is caring
In a time where individuality is championed above all else, there is a crucial part of human nature that is being unintentionally ignored – our need for, and joy in, being in community with people around us. Opening our minds to a more communal way of living can mean sharing our spaces with others, and that is something that both Cecilie and Bo see as something really valuable.
“We really enjoy being a part of Landfolk and experiencing how wonderful the people booking through the platform are. It’s like they are making a more conscious choice than people who just book through the generic platforms – people who really value being in a beautiful and personal space. And it’s so nice to be a part of a community that creates lovely experiences in this way,” Cecilie says.
Finding your own sanctuary away from everyday life
Cecilie, Bo and Albert have mastered the art of finding a balance between enjoying their life in the city and escaping the hustle and bustle to slow down and enjoy time with each other. Read on to discover their insights and find inspiration to create the mental and physical framework for your own space.
1
Curate your space
We live by the mantra ‘Surround yourself only with things that either serve a practical purpose or that you find beautiful – and therefore make you happy. And preferably both.’
2
Leave everyday life at home
For us, ‘small living’ and ‘slow living’ are interconnected – it’s easier to create a calm environment with less clutter and that calm is what we dream of experiencing when we spend time in our holiday home.
3
Travel light
We each have one garment case we’re allowed to fill and we always bring a small bag of laundry detergent – just in case. Like most people, we end up wearing our favourite t-shirt every day anyway.
4
Embrace analogue living
While Albert does enjoy iPad time, we have a child who prefers the analogue life, and we don’t compromise on reading books, playing games or spending time outside together.
5
One in, one out
We have one rule, especially with Albert: before going to the thrift store, he will gather some things to hand over in case he finds something he wants to bring home and we are mindful of how we curate our thrifted items.
6
Sharing is caring
Embracing ‘tiny living’ and not cluttering the house with personal items makes it easier for your guests to feel at home. Create an environment that invites them to slow down.
Experience Cecilie and Bo’s holiday home for yourself. Book it here.
