The Raven House: Peaceful Seaside Home -- Nordic Design & Northern Lights

Set along Iceland’s south coast in the quiet village of Stokkseyri, Skálavík: The Raven House is a serene retreat shaped by sea, sky, and story. Inside, natural textures meet clean lines — soft linen, warm wood, and muted tones that echo the landscape beyond. A sculptural raven watches over the space, a nod to Icelandic legend and the spirit of reflection that lives here. Step outside to the rhythm of ocean wind and open horizon — a place to breathe, restore, and simply be.

Steps from the North Atlantic Ocean sits Skálavík, in the quaint seaside town of Stokkseyri along the famous south coast. Experience this light and airy open-floor-plan house that highlights minimalist Scandinavian style while retaining a historic charm, as the original home was built in 1933 in Reykjavik and moved here. It’s an unusual story for a special home.

The space offers two levels of living and bedroom areas, perfect for a couple or small family. In fact, there’s an outdoor play area right next door for the kids. Our decor is a mix of old and new, with rich textiles and natural fibers throughout the home that offer a clean, yet warm and inviting vibe. All modern amenities are here, like Wifi, a Smart TV with streaming, a washer and dryer, and under-floor radiant heating that is guaranteed to make your toes do a happy dance.

Living Spaces

After a long day of exploring waterfalls and glaciers, come back and relax in our comfortable, laid-back living room. There’s plenty of seating, so stretch out and get lost in a good book or sip a steaming cup of tea while taking in views of the town beyond the French doors.

Thoughtful design elements blend clean, neutral tones with natural materials and rich textures for a comforting, peaceful aesthetic. The abundance of windows allows the natural light to illuminate the space by day, and just may provide unforgettable views of the Aurora at night if you’re lucky!

The downstairs living room is perfect for a little downtime in front of the TV. The 55” HDTV offers streaming, so kick back with an Einstök or other craft beverage and curl up on the comfortable sofa with a throw blanket.

Kitchen & Dining

You’ll feel like a celebrity chef in the modern, fully-equipped kitchen, with high-end appliances and spacious counters. With a refrigerator, induction cooktop, microwave, oven, and dishwasher, making your own meals will be a breeze.
Get your morning caffeine fix—we even offer a bean grinder to start your day with the freshest cup of Joe. Cookware, dishes, cutlery, and even basic seasonings are available, so just show up with your groceries, and the rest is taken care of.

Use the small kitchen table to serve a quick breakfast before a day of adventures. When it’s time for a home-cooked family meal, gather at the dining table in the open living/dining area. With seating for eight, this beautiful dining set makes a striking backdrop for any meal. The natural-fiber pendant light casts a warm glow, making the space feel warm and intimate.

Bedrooms & Baths

The upstairs bedroom offers a queen bed and is the absolute definition of cozy. Here you’ll discover luxe bedding and textiles, lovely rose and neutral tones paired with white for a clean look, and windows for natural light. It makes a peaceful retreat at the end of a long day.

The downstairs has two bedrooms. The first is a perfect room for kids, with two comfortable twin beds. This room features cozy blankets, beautiful vintage furnishings, convenient reading lights, and windows that let in the cheery light.
The second downstairs bedroom has a double bed and, like the other bedrooms, offers peaceful sleeping accommodations with a cozy bed, a super-soft faux-fur blanket, unique furnishings, and decor.

Enjoy hot showers in the walk-in shower downstairs in the pristine full bathroom. We offer complimentary soap, shampoo, and a hair dryer for our guests’ use. There’s nothing like stepping out of the shower onto radiant heated floors!
The laundry room with a washer and dryer is also located on the first level downstairs.
The convenient half-bath upstairs has a commode and sink.

Outdoor Amenities

Greet the dazzling sun or go Aurora hunting on the upstairs deck that is accessed from the living room through glass French doors. Enjoy views of the water and the village from a distinctive vantage point. Our large shared yard is great for letting the kids burn off some energy, having a picnic of Icelandic delicacies, or just lying and watching the clouds go by.

We have a driveway with parking for two vehicles on site. Please do not park along the curb in front of the house.

Please enter the house on the lower level. Guests need to be able to use stairs.

We ask that our guests please remove their shoes upon entering the foyer and not wear them inside.

Please crack the bathroom window when showering to let moisture escape.

The entire house is open to our guests except for the attic.

Iceland is an environmentally friendly society. Almost all the heating in this home is provided by underfloor geothermal power; Iceland's electricity is hydroelectric, and Icelanders are pretty strict recyclers. The bin with a blue lid in the kitchen is for recyclables, specifically plastic, cardboard, and paper. Trash is under the sink. And a compost bin is also under the sink in the basket. Compost must be placed inside a compostable bag.

Please take out trash, recycling, and compost when you leave. The blue bin under the stairs of the upstairs entrance is for recycling, the brown bin is for compost, and the gray bin is for trash.

Stokkseyri is a placid village by the sea along Iceland’s south coast. We make a great stop for those making their way around the island on the Ring Road, as there’s a lot to see and do in our little town, and we’re close enough to the major sights to do some great day trips and use Skálavík as your home base.
We’re 10-15 minutes from Selfoss and about an hour from Reykjavik or the Keflavik Airport.

See Iceland from a different viewpoint by booking a kayak tour with Icelandic Kayaktours (Kayakferðir) to see wildlife and unforgettable scenery. It’s even safe for the kids, and they’ll love catching a glimpse of a curious seal.
If you prefer to stay on land, you can take a stroll around the village. There’s a church with a cemetery across the street, and we’re a short walk to the swimming pool and playground.

Get up close and personal with the iconic Icelandic horse over in Eyrarbakki. Taking in the vast Icelandic scenery from the back of one of these shaggy equines should be on everyone’s bucket list. Bakkahestar and Sólvangur are close by and both very reputable. It’s a great experience for all ages, as these horses are very gentle and easy to ride.

Ready for a hike like no other Take the 30-minute trip to Kerið crater, a volcanic crater formed thousands of years ago that is now a lake with a hiking trail around the rim and another down by the water for a different perspective. The minerals in the water give the water an aquamarine tint that is incredibly striking and makes for a great Instagram photo!

When the family chef wants the night off, head to Selfoss for a nice selection of dining, shopping, and entertainment. In the mood for pizza and burgers, Icelandic style Visit Kaffi Krús, where you can keep it healthy or go all in. Their dessert selection is downright dreamy.
Not everyone can always agree on where to eat on vacation. The answer to indecision is Mätholl Selfoss, a former dairy barn that houses eight restaurants and two bars in a beautifully designed space. Choose from wood-fired pizzas, upscale bistro fare, tacos, and more.

Selfoss also has a great selection of locally owned shops and boutiques. When looking for souvenirs or gifts for everyone back home, head to Handverksskúrinn, which sells all sorts of lovely handmade items, from traditional Icelandic sweaters (lopapeysas) to children’s toys and accessories.
Or if you’re feeling adventurous, check out Nytjamarkađur Selfossi, a second-hand store featuring housewares, knick-knacks, and decor. Who knows what you may find there!

When you’re ready for true adventures, waterfalls, glaciers, and black sand beaches await, all just a short car ride from our home. We hope you get to experience what is so special about our little island.