The Hygge Lake House

In the Flint Hills region of north central Kansas, you will find Tuttle Creek Lake. Tucked in at the north end, you will also find a quaint Airbnb called “The Hygge Lake House.” It’s a new and upcoming Airbnb aiming to make you feel like you’ve arrived at a Nordic retreat, perhaps just of off Skärgården in the Stockholm archipelago. With stunning views of the lake from the living room, in the rolling Flint Hills, I’m sure you’ll find a weekend here to be quiet, relaxing and cozy. Set 20 miles from the Little Apple, aka Manhattan, home to Kansas State University and all the amenities of a college town. You can’t ask for a better setup.

My task was to bring the elements of Hygge and Scandinavia to this lake house. There’s really only one place to go for all the things I needed, so I ventured to the big blue & yellow furniture store, famous mostly for their Allen wrench building methods, their Scandinavian hieroglyphic instructions manuals…and their meatballs! I bought two enormous bags of throws and pillows. 13 pillows to be exact. You need texture -LOTS of texture- and layers to create that hygge cozy, comfy feel. The Scandinavian style embraces mod furniture, so this rich cognac-leather sofa plays an important role in this living room. I added tall sculptural branches with greenery to help make the space feel more organic. I styled the coffee table with an oversized book about Swedish Lighthouses, a mini “Dalahäst” or Dala horse, plants and a bowl of natural elements. I filled the sofa with Swedish folklore print pillows, a high contrast black and white throw, and of course an extra soft sherpa blanket. Texture, people. Texture. Books both old and new bring interest and add the element of height to any decor scheme you are aiming for. Here side tables and nooks get heightened by them.

What is Hygge? ( hyg·ge pronounced Hue-Guh )
Is a Danish word used to acknowledge a special feeling or moment. It can be alone or with friends. At home or out, ordinary or extraordinary but it is always cozy, charming and special. Just like this Hygge Lake House!

SWIPE FOR BEFORE & AFTER

Plants are essential to make your space feel like you care. Adding faux or live plants will make any space feel more inviting and homey. In 2021, you can buy faux plants that are incredibly lifelike. I added greenery throughout the entire main floor. We hung white baskets off the gorgeous rustic mantel above the fireplace, and filled them with greenery. During the winter, it’s an easy switch to swap the plants for candle lights in these fun hanging baskets to keep the hygge going, winter-style. The fireplace is filled with cozy candles, and I topped it off by laying two birch branches above.

I played off the matte gold, midcentury Sputnik chandelier hanging above the dining area by highlighting with matte gold round baskets on the wall caddy corner to it. It helps your eye continue within the same sheen. Playing off the lights of the chandelier, I placed a square mirror tray underneath. It will catch some of the beams of light from above during those long evening hours of playing board games. The right lighting is critical to making any space scream cozy and hygge. Wall fixtures, the perfect ceiling lights, and soft candlelight is a key to creating a cozy space.

Scandinavians love bringing natural elements inside. Wood floors, live plants, birch logs, draping white sheep skins over their bed or sofa; we love it all. The Scandi-style features high contrast accent walls mixed with wide open white spaces. A common technique is using wallpaper as a pop of color here and there. This airbnb has a really modern grey soft floral branch wallpaper in the bathroom complimented with a grey stained wood shiplap wall. It’s beautiful!

As an Airbnb host, the list of things to consider with design and comfort is long. To help the owners, I brought in refillable amber glass bottles for soaps and lotions. It creates an extra, boutique hotel feeling, rather than messy cheap plastic bottles by the sink/shower. Easy for your guest to find and use what they need, plus it saves on Mother Nature as well. I use these glass bottles at my own house and they are amazing.

“Here for Hygge” is the wording I choose for the custom chalk art I added to the Airbnb. It sums up, in one sentence, this cozy Hygge Lake house. I see guests enjoying many cozy nights by the fireplace, all snuggled up on the sofa, or outside taking in the views over a game of KUBB, an old Viking yard game. Leaving the stress behind and having a hygge-fantastic time.

5 easy ways to make your home Cozy and Hygge

1. Spruce up your Bedding & Sofa. Layers and lots of pillows, throws and soft blankets. Try a Blanket Ladder or Basket, fill it up with textures.

2. Candles, real or LED. Adding ambiance and glow.

3. Use the Right Lighting, add wall fixtures, mirrors, set the mood..

4. Accentuate the Fireplace; if you don’t have a fire place, create a large candle area on a decorative tray.

5. Bring in fresh Flowers. Add greenery. Even Faux plants gives a nice touch.

Have a Hygge time

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