The ‘Getaway House’ is a recent project by acclaimed Swedish architecture studio Claesson Koivisto Rune – a striking, cubist retreat nestled in the woods and overlooking a lake in western Sweden. The earthy, minimalist interiors were completed with finishing touches by Kasthall, demonstrating how a well-placed rug can elevate a space. Below, everything you need to know about the project
Rugs have come a long way from their traditional roles of providing warmth, insulation, and plush surfaces in a room or helping to define different areas within a space (though they still do these things brilliantly). Today, they play a key role in shaping a room’s mood – bolstering its character by adding texture, colour, an element of surprise, or a layer of visual interest.
“There’s a new momentum for rugs in their own right within contemporary design. No longer are they solely included in interiors as practical elements for framing sofa groups or dining table sets,” says Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of renowned Swedish rug brand Kasthall. “Rugs have an elegant beauty derived from colours and soft, natural, high-quality materials. They can add contrast with their artistic, crafted and handmade qualities. This is the couture of design.”
Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
One space where rugs have been used beautifully to enhance the home’s features is the ‘Getaway House’ – a project by the acclaimed Swedish architect studio Claesson Koivisto Rune, in collaboration with Kasthall. Perched on a pristine lake near Borås in western Sweden, the architectural masterpiece – crafted from glass, steel and concrete – is built into the slope and appears to hover above the ground. Expansive windows that wrap around the cubist house give way to unparalleled, sweeping waterfront views.
Rugs have an elegant beauty derived from colours and soft, natural, high-quality materials. They can add contrast with their artistic, crafted and handmade qualities. This is the couture of design.
Mirkku Kullberg, CEO of Kasthall
The ‘Fogg’ rug, designed by Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg for Kasthall. Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
Kasthall and Claesson Koivisto Rune have long been working together on various projects, and Kullberg notes, “It’s always exciting to be part of a project with a dialogue between nature, architecture and design – it’s where the true magic happens.” Magical is indeed the perfect word to describe the house’s surroundings: nestled in the forest, enveloped by the quiet tranquillity of nature and the gentle lapping of waves – a mood reflected in the house’s interior design as well.
The ‘Getaway House’ is Claesson Koivisto Rune’s innovative spin on what they dub ‘deluxe compact living concept’. The modern, functionalist house – spanning 65 square metres – comprises four cube-like structures set at a 45° angle to optimise lake views and minimise reflection. With an open plan layout, every nook and corner has been maximised, while crisp natural light floods each room.
Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
The interiors take their cues from the local landscape: calming, earthy hues prevail, with browns, beiges, greys and whites forming the core palette, punctuated by occasional splashes of blue and black. Clean-lined forms meet natural materials like wood.
“When working with minimalistic architecture, spatial planning, material choices, details, colours, light and the interaction of these elements form the complete experience,” says Kullberg. “Minimalism is not puritanism, it’s about a carefully created match of selected interior elements, furniture, lighting, crafts and industrial perfection, combined with a design language of surfaces and tactile experiences.”
The ‘Tegel’ rug, designed by David Chipperfield. Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
This sentiment is echoed in the Kasthall rugs selected by the homeowners, Anna and Patrik Johäll, for their retreat. The chosen pieces – David Chipperfield’s ‘Tegel’, Gunilla Lagerhem Ullberg’s ‘Fogg’ and ‘Tiles’, a special-edition rug by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Kasthall – all feature a round shape to soften the sharp edges of the house.
Take, for instance, the hand-tufted bouclé rug ‘Tegel’, whose multi-tonal design instantly brings depth to the room. While it makes a statement, it also ties together the rest of the space's decor. Elsewhere, ‘Fogg’, with its long, luxurious, pure linen fringes, introduces a rich, tactile element to the living area.
“The comprehensive architectural and design approach guided the selection of rugs for the interiors, drawing inspiration from a sense of quality, timelessness, and an authentic vision for the future use of the ‘Getaway House,’” says Kullberg. “Kasthall rugs have a certain integrity related to the design, a certain Nordic simplicity, colour world and materiality that naturally resonated with the values and moods of the place. Silence is the true luxury, and a value that people search for more and more.”
Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall
The 'Tiles' rug, a special-edition piece designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Kasthall. Photo: Courtesy of Kasthall