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For Aesthetes and Surfers: A New Vipp Guest House in Denmark’s “Cold Hawaii”

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For Aesthetes and Surfers: A New Vipp Guest House in Denmark’s “Cold Hawaii”

April 8, 2024

The latest Vipp guest house sits on its own in a coastal stretch of Denmark known as Cold Hawaii. Vipp is the family-owned Danish design company that gots its start in 1939 with the invention of a pedal-operated steel trashcan. Its design offerings have grown to include modular metal kitchen systems, bathroom vanities, furniture, lighting, even soap dispensers, all with the same industrial-modernist DNA as the original bin. And, of late, the brand has started opening lodgings in enchanted corners of the world.

Their approach is to enlist local design teams to build or remodel existing quarters as vacation rentals that double as Vipp showcases. It’s an idea that has worked extremely well: see, for instance, Vipp’s Tiny Cabins on a Fjord in Norway, The Vipp Mountain Hideaway in Andorra,  and The Vipp Pop-Up Palazzo.

The Cold Hawaii house is an updated 1900 fisherman’s cottage on the North Sea; its 2.4 acres are part of Thy National Park, the largest national park in Denmark—and the only area of the country known for great surfing hence the Hawaii comparison. Caroline Hahn and Ebbe Lavsen, a young architect couple who specialize in historic updates, gave the house a contemporary reinvention using a palette of natural materials.

Pack your wetsuit. The rental is open for booking and still has summer availability. Join us for a look.

Photography courtesy of Vipp.

no neighbors in sight. the house is surrounded by untamed grassland and ocean i 17
Above: No neighbors in sight. The house is surrounded by untamed grassland and ocean in northwestern Jutland. “We kept the original geometry and position with east and west facing gables for wind protection,” says Lavsen. “The west gable facing the sea was once a stable. Farmers and fishermen did not care for the view—the layout was to shield residents from the strong western winds.” 

Those winds are what create the waves. Cold Hawaii gets some snow in winter but the surf scene is year-round: the swells are best from November to March.

the architects gave the structure a roof of douglas fir heartwood that can with 18
Above: The architects gave the structure a roof of Douglas fir heartwood that can withstand the wind and salt air. They used only five construction materials throughout: wood, stainless steel, glass, brick, and aerated concrete. The latter is highly insulating—the walls are aerated concrete mono blocks finished with a textured whitewash both outside and in.
the centerpiece is vipp&#8\2\17;s new v3 kitchen, the latest of its metal k 19
Above: The centerpiece is Vipp’s new V3 Kitchen, the latest of its metal kitchen systems. Its freestanding modules are wrapped in reeded anodized aluminum and can be configured in a range of setups. The island module stands on a floor of repurposed brick laid in sand rather than mortar. The built-in fireplace has a mantel of bush-hammered stone—hammering gives it an orange-peel surface—and is two sided: it opens in the kitchen and adjoining dining area.

Copenhagen interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard furnished the rooms with Vipp pieces—such as the Sculpture Table Lamp in white marble on the island—as well as work by local artists and area craft store and vintage finds.

“the landscape is the guiding star and is framed like a giant painting,& 20
Above: “The landscape is the guiding star and is framed like a giant painting,” says Cloos Mølsgaard. The island is composed of six units and fitted with drawers and cupboards; its extruded aluminum exterior has rounded edges.
a classic vipp 5 gallon pedal bin stands in front of a rebar storage grid that  21
Above: A classic Vipp 5-gallon Pedal Bin stands in front of a rebar storage grid that Cloos Mølsgaard designed for the space.
a built in oak cabinet holds vipp tea and coffee cups, plates, bowls, and other 22
Above: A built-in oak cabinet holds Vipp Tea and Coffee Cups, Plates, Bowls, and other tableware of matte-glazed porcelain.
in the other half of the main room, vipp&#8\2\17;s modular loft sofa is sit 23
Above: In the other half of the main room, Vipp’s modular Loft Sofa is situated to take in the views. Cloos Mølsgaard used a serene palette that allows the landscape to provide the color.
a limestone topped vipp cabin round table is surrounded by vipp swivel chairs i 24
Above: A limestone-topped Vipp Cabin Round Table is surrounded by Vipp Swivel Chairs in the dining area. The hanging light with a perforated shade is the Vipp Pendant.
the downstairs bath curtain was custom made by local fashion designer benthe bo 25
Above: The downstairs bath curtain was custom made by local fashion designer Benthe Boesen of Slow Works—it serves as a privacy shade while letting in light. (See more like in our Trend Alert: Stitched Patchwork Clothes as Window Coverings.) 

The powder-coated steel vanity, sink, and faucet are the Vipp Bath Module—with a powder-coated steel Vipp Soap Dispenser. The doors throughout are contemporary oak renditions of local barn designs and can be opened on top for ventilation.

there&#8\2\17;s one bedroom downstairs, shown here, and two upstairs. 26
Above: There’s one bedroom downstairs, shown here, and two upstairs.
the sand finished brick floor meets a stair of clean lined mortared brick. 27
Above: The sand-finished brick floor meets a stair of clean-lined mortared brick.
the main upstairs bedroom is set under the eaves and has a freestanding wooden  28
Above: The main upstairs bedroom is set under the eaves and has a freestanding wooden headboard. The wood-paneled ceilings upstairs and down are finished with linseed oil.
the sink is positioned on the back of the headboard. 29
Above: The sink is positioned on the back of the headboard.
an old beam turned hanging rack meets a school of fish painted on the wall by a 30
Above: An old beam-turned-hanging rack meets a school of fish painted on the wall by artist Frederik Næblerød.
in addition to double beds, two of the three bedrooms have built in bunks with  31
Above: In addition to double beds, two of the three bedrooms have built-in bunks with storage underneath.
the house rents for €545/night; for more info, including travel details, 32
Above: The house rents for €545/night; for more info, including travel details, go to Vipp Guesthouses.

For more rental houses the world over, browse the Remodelista archive.

Here are two more Vipp kitchens:

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Frequently asked questions

What is Vipp known for?

Vipp is known for its industrial-modernist design offerings, including modular metal kitchen systems, bathroom vanities, furniture, lighting, and soap dispensers.

Where is the latest Vipp guest house located?

The latest Vipp guest house is located in a coastal stretch of Denmark known as Cold Hawaii.

Who designed the Cold Hawaii Vipp guest house?

Caroline Hahn and Ebbe Lavsen, a young architect couple specializing in historic updates, designed the Cold Hawaii Vipp guest house.

What are some features of the Cold Hawaii Vipp guest house?

The Cold Hawaii Vipp guest house features a contemporary reinvention of a 1900 fisherman's cottage with natural materials, a V3 Kitchen, Vipp furniture pieces, custom-made elements by local artists, and oak doors inspired by local barn designs.

How much does it cost to rent the Cold Hawaii Vipp guest house?

The house rents for €545/night.

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