Architecture Wednesday: Remmarholmen Island Cabin

Have you ever dreamed of your own island, where timelessly stylish buildings would be ready for you and your friends, where you can find a sheltered place in all wind directions and spend your free time peacefully all year round? This weekend or holiday cabin sits on its own tranquil island just a short distance from the mainland and might be the perfect fit.

Remmarholmen island, just 40 minutes from Helsinki City, Finland, is all that and more.

The buildings—main house, guest house and sauna—all have an atmosphere that lends itself to being close to nature, with wonderful little details. The materials used in the interior—granite, glass, oak and rusted Corten steel—create a harmonious and luxurious feel throughout the three different structures.

The main includes an entire length of glass wall facing the sea, with a great room showcasing a sunken conversation pit and fireplace; the dining room and kitchen, with large pantry, finish off the open plan great room while two bedrooms and one-and-one-half bathrooms complete the plan.

The passage from the main building to the sauna and guest house is made easy with wooden paths made of durable Siberian larch and the large terraces around the buildings offer a quiet place regardless of wind direction. The sauna building features a large sauna with views to the water as well as an additional bathroom, while other building contains a kitchen, dining and living area, and bedroom and bath; perfect for guests. There is a separate storage building for hobby equipment and supplies, along with a sturdy jetty where you can helicopter in if you’re so inclined.

And if the design and details that facilitate island living are carefully thought out so are the property's technical solutions: geothermal energy, a desalination system to obtain drinking water from seawater and a wastewater system that meets today's requirements are all thoroughly thought out. There’s an outdoor shower, gas fireplace, motorized sunshades and outdoor lighting that contribute to the enjoyment of comfortable living.

It’s peaceful and sleek place to get away from it all and can be yours for just a hair over $4M.

As always click to emBIGGERate …

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Architecture Wednesday: Back to Nature Compound

This is Church House in Germantown, New York, a private 60-acre oasis at the end of a winding drive through the forest to reveal a complex of wood-clad structures sited along a gentle ridge line with Catskills views.

The buildings, nested in vegetable and flower gardens, include a main house, guest studio, artist studio and gardening workshop, entertaining pergola and barn-garage, all oriented west across extensive lawns, laid-stone walls, meadows and mature trees.

Since 2018, the owners creatively transformed this once-rough hunting property into a secluded sanctuary with a diverse native habitat, including walking trails and a 1/2 acre swim pond with dock and gazebo.

The 2000 square foot primary residence, with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths, emphasizes simplicity and function while maximizing communal space and storage. There are two central living spaces—each with polished concrete floors—that invite gathering while the separate bedroom areas offer independence and privacy. Both the chef's kitchen—with banquette dining—and the living room-library have floor to ceiling windows that access a courtyard framed by a rock formation studded with succulents.

Additional features include radiant floors, energy efficient mini-splits, a large exterior shower and a fire-pit ledge. Wander past a wildflower meadow and hammocks and find the guest studio, a charming artistic retreat. The pergola and outdoor kitchen and dining areas surrounded by lush hydrangea beds can host large dinners. The workshop-potting shed offers both studio space and entertaining amenities.

The property was conceived to accommodate future expansion, the current septic is large enough to support a 5-bedroom home, allowing for an addition or a separate structure, supported by the supplementary 200-amp service.

Privately sited and yet centrally located in the heart of the Hudson Valley between Rhinebeck and Hudson, minutes from Germantown and Tivoli, with special restaurants, shops and culture just outside your door. Truly a unique and personal estate.

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Architecture Wednesday: Kalua Koi Road

For $5.3M you can own one of only a few built estates on 5.95 acres of land on the best stretch of Papohaku Beach, one of Hawaii’s largest white sand beaches, in Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii.

The main home features an open plan living, dining and kitchen area that opens to a covered lanai and views of the beach and ocean. There are two oceanfront suites, each with a private bath, a plunge pool, expansive, Ipe hardwood decking, Fleetwood windows and doors, and custom architectural woodwork throughout. There is also a guest cottage with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and storage lofts, a pool cabana for entertaining, a 15’ x 40’ heated saltwater swimming pool and a separate 3-car garage with an attached rec room.

The property is powered by photovoltaic solar and offers 4,754 square feet of interior living space—in the two dwellings—plus nearly 5,000 square feet of lanais. A mature orchard is planted with many fruit-bearing trees including lemon, tangerine, lime, grapefruit, starfruit, mango, avocado, orange, banana, and coconut.

Unplug and slow down as you meander, meditate and reflect, or stay connected with the fiber optic high-speed internet. Watch whales in the winter and brilliant summer sunsets over the ocean in this family compound, personal retreat, equestrian property, or create your own blue zone.

Embrace the joy of solitude and discover the peace and tranquility of Molokai’s sunny west end, just a 30 min flight from Maui or Oahu. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and some of the richest waters in the Pacific, Molokai’s slower pace of life is an antidote to modern hustle and the return to a more conscious way of living.

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