A Hygge-Inspired Home in the Hills

A home based on the Danish concept of hygge, this double-storey space with 270-degree city and mountain views was realised by local studio CA Design to feel more like a hotel but with all the comforts of home

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Cheng Hao Chien & Chen Yu An: We designed their first house and so when they bought this next house they thought of us first. 

Can you tell us about them and their lifestyle?

The husband and wife wanted a space that was more like a holiday home, and this area in New Taipei City is well suited to holiday and retirement life. It’s not far from the city but is still away from the hustle and bustle. The abundance of nature also helps them leave the city behind and enjoy their home and the ample open space.

With all of that in mind we landed on the concept of hygge, the Danish way of living that emphasises cosiness, conviviality and contentment. Think candlelight, hot coffee, red wine, pastries and woollen blankets or socks, all shared with close family and friends. Danes have a way of blending these elements naturally.

And because the clients are used to travelling all over the world for work, they enjoy the feeling of living in a hotel. They noted that many hotels attempt to feel more like a home, and they wanted their home to feel like a hotel — which is what we aimed for with our design.

How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?

The main feature in the 160-square-metre home is the incredible 270-degree panoramic views from both floors, so we wanted to bring lighting and views into every corner of the home. We also used moveable furniture throughout, to make the spaces more multifunctional and also give them a more hotel-like feel, which is furthered with elements like the open bath and vanity in the master bedroom. 

Our philosophy is definitely ‘less is more’, and we feel that if the configuration of a home is correct and you choose the right mix of furniture, that’s it! Here we wanted to make the lines of movement neat and smooth, with the communal spaces downstairs and the private spaces on the floor above. 

The white walls in the communal spaces really emphasise the natural light and work with the earthy tones to relax body and mind. Because of the incredible nature views, we used more natural materials, with an abundance of wood, warm, tactile materials and neutral colours.

Images / Hey! Cheese