The Nomad lifestyle

The Nomad lifestyle

Nestled in northern Bohuslän on the Swedish west coast, Hee House is a compact cottage measuring just seven by seven metres in the small village of Hee. Designed by Gothenburg-based architect Mikael Ellsinger and built by local craftsmen, it stands out with its untreated aluminium roof— chosen to endure the coastal weather and now the source of various nicknames.

“Lots of people call it the Moomin house, and our son dubbed it the Hat House early on. It’s sparked a lot of curiosity, with plenty of passers-by trying to sneak a peek,” says Jonna Dagliden Hunt, a freelance journalist and editor who lives here with her husband Christopher and their two sons, Leon and Paul.

The dream of building their own house began two and a half years ago when the couple found the plot online. Having spent her childhood summers in Bohuslän, Jonna longed to return with her own children—originally envisioning it as a holiday home and an escape from the city.

“We loved it so much that we decided to move here permanently from Stockholm,” she says, adding that, luckily, her work allows her to work completely remotely for clients such as The Guardian, Monocle and The New Era magazine.

“I can’t wait to work from here. The house is built entirely from wood, which gives it a peaceful, calming atmosphere. We all just feel completely at home.”

Given the house’s modest size, the interior had to be highly functional. A bookshelf doubles as a wall, a custom-built sofa transforms into a bed, and a terracotta floor was chosen for its durability.

Yet there are poetic touches throughout—such as the shifting light and shadows that animate the space. The perforated shutters, for instance, let in light at specific angles, adding depth and beauty.

“It was important for us to apply the same thinking to the furniture as well as to lighting and charging —functional, yet poetic. Whether it's stools that double as tables or lamps and charging that can be moved around,” Jonna explains. “We wanted to find objects with a sense of playfulness and attention to detail. Pieces we want to keep forever.”

Found in both the bookshelf and the upstairs desk, the Nomad Collection in green and red have become an integral part of the interior. Made from recycled aluminium, the products are hand-cast in Småland, Sweden, using traditional methods. In the bookshelf, the light provides both illumination and a flexible charging source that can be repositioned as needed. At the desk, the integrated power outlet strip blends seamlessly into the smooth pine surface.

“Almost all of the furniture in the house is custom-made, so having lighting that blends in and offers flexible functionality was essential to us,” says Jonna, adding: “The kids love sitting at their desk, adjusting the light as the sun moves through the different corners of the house.”