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A Rare Peek Behind The Facade of Copenhagen's Colourful Nyhavn!



No trip to the Danish capital would be complete without visiting Nyhavn, a 17th century waterfront, canal and entertainment district lined with brightly coloured townhouses, bars, restaurants and historical ships. But have you ever wondered what lies behind the colourful facade? Photographer Céline Hallas, husband Daniel, children Samuel (15) and Sienna (11) and their "very beloved dog" Yoda reside in an apartment with side views onto the canal. I caught up with Céline to find out more about what it's like to live in the famous district, her love of colour, collecting art and secret Copenhagen tips!



How did you get hold of your apartment? I can imagine it's pretty tricky to get hold of one?!
I really don't know how it happened. We had sold our old home without finding a new place to live and actually had to move in with my parents. We were looking in a totally different part of Copenhagen, but while we were sitting there in my parents' basement, constantly looking at what was for sale, this apartment in Nyhavn kept haunting my dreams with it's beautiful details and colourful courtyard. We fell in love with the apartment, not the area. We really didn't know the area and the fact we now never want to live anywhere else is pure luck!



What do you love most about living in Nyhavn? 
I love being surrounded by culture and history and even though it becomes part of everyday life, I always feel so blessed when I return home each day and see the colourful houses - this is home! To live by the water feels like an amazing gift. Sometimes when I open the windows in the early morning and smell the sea, I have to pinch myself to believe I'm not dreaming.


Are there any challenges? 
Sure there are! Tourists LOL! I sometimes feel they forget that this is our home with all that comes with it and not just a place where they can ensure the perfect picture to document their trip to Denmark!

I love the colour in your home - how do you decide on each shade?
I have always been obsessed with colours and colour combinations and it has always been my strength. So for me, it's more instinctive then sitting down and deciding on a colour. I find inspiration all over the place. I primarily use Farrow & Ball, the colours are all so beautiful.


Do you have any tips for anyone looking to use more colour?
Don't be scared, what's the worst thing that can happen? Maybe you'll have to re-paint it to get it right -  it's so worth it. Life is so much more fun when you fill it with colour.



You have some wonderful pieces of furniture in your home, what are you drawn to?
I'm not into one style, I'm into great design and quality. I am drawn to pieces with colours, but I'm very selective about colours, it has to be just right, I'm very colour sensitive. If something has a 'wrong' tone it makes me depressed, I wish I was kidding but it affects me a lot.

Where do you shop for furniture? 
We primarily buy at auctions - Lauritz and Bruun Rasmussen. But we also find a lot at dba (a Danish online second hand shop).


Do you have a favourite piece? 
I think I have three! Our green couch from VITRA - beautiful to look at and even better to relax in. Our dressing table - it's hard to find a piece of furniture that brings so much joy. And our amazing post modernist floor lamp called Callimaco from Artemide, it just make me so happy to look at!


I love all your art, have you been collecting for a long time? 
Art has always been an important part of my life and I have had some of the pieces wfor years - such as the Wiinblad and Richard Mortensen. Over the last few years, my husband as really started to enjoy art in a new way and we both really love filling our home with it. 

Who are your favourite artists?
Wiinblad will always have a special place in my heart! But within the more contemporary art scene, I love Eske Kath, his work is loud, poetic and colourful- and I must say, that talks to my heart! I also like Farshad Farzankia and Evren Tekinoktay.














Do you have any secret Copenhagen tips?
I don't know if I have any - but if you are into art, I would recommend swinging by Bruun Rasmussen when you are visiting Nyhavn. It might be an auction house, but it feels like an ever-changing art
gallery.












How fun to take a peek behind Nyhavn's facade. I often look up at the open windows and wonder what lies beyond!

Thank you so much for inviting us into your home Céline!

You can see more pictures of her home and insights into family life in the district of Nyhavn here.

I particularly loved the gallery walls - it's especially refreshing to see a children's bedroom with more mature artwork, which could help them to appreciate the beauty of art in a different way. What do you think?

Another thing that's really interesting about the Danes is that they are massively forward thinking and as a result, big trend setters. If you like to keep your home bang up to date, it's worth taking note of  the colour schemes, materials, patterns etc in this home - they'll almost certainly be a hot trend next year!

For more 'great Dane' inspiration I'm loving a Danish home that's sunny on the inside, the fabulous Danish home of an interior designer and a warm and inviting Danish home.

I do love the relaxed Danish style, how about you?!

Hav en god dag! See you Friday!

Niki

All photography by Céline Hallas, shared with kind permission. 

LATEST COMMENTS:

  1. Oh WOW, what an incredible apartment – both inside and out! I visited Copenhagen a few years ago and absolutely fell in love with it. The Airbnb we stayed in actually looked quite similar to this apartment!

    -Mike, www.thecraftygentleman.net

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    1. It really is such a special home. Copenhagen is such a wonderful city, I try to go over the bridge to visit as much as possible!

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  2. Incredibly beautiful and cheerful home! Tiny detail - do you have a source for the orange cone candles? I would love to pick some up!

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    1. I'll check with Céline and come back to you!

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    2. I bought them at the Royal Copenhagens flagship store, here in Copenhagen :)

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  3. I love the colour coordination of this house!

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  4. What a lovely apartment--so much color and light! The way the art is hung is very inspirational.

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    1. I love the way they've hung the art too. It's inspired me to start collecting art too.

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  5. Please let us know which Farrow and Ball color is on the floor and which pink color is on the walls in the living/dining/kitchen areas. They look fantastic together! Cheers from LA

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    1. I'll check with Céline and come back to you asap!

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    2. HI
      The color on the floors is Green Blue and the walls of the living room are Peignoir - both Farrow and Ball. In the kitchen, the walls are Anemone by Beckers :)

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  6. This apartment really is lovely. I don't especially care for pink walls in the kitchen, but the rest of the it is wonderful.

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    1. I agree, this apartment is full of charm, and so unique too!

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  7. It looks amazing especially from outside.

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    1. The facade is stunning, I really wouldn't mind returning to this each day!

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  8. Definitely a beautiful place to live, I love these old houses. The great inspiration of adding more colors to life, I sincerely envy the people who are so "courageous" to experiment (but here it isn´t exaggerated and everything perfectly tuning!) Rather calms me a little neutral palette of colors what is is much more boring and more massive ... This house reminds me holidays at grandmothers and such children's films that are caressing for the soul :)

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    1. I love this comment Peta - I agree that the colours are perfectly in tune. Not easy to achieve when you go for bold, off beat hues either!

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    2. Thank you so much - this made me so happy to read <3

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  9. i have sensory overload, love all the art and color, but my eye can't rest on any one thing without jumping to the next amazing item.

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    1. So happy you feel this Augusta! There are so many details to enjoy in this home!

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    2. I know it might not look like it in the pictures. But we actually have a lot with nothing. I'm quite sensitive to mess and to much stuff, so that's how we make up for many bright things. I actually sometimes think of myself as a minimalist in some term, but deep down I know it's not really true ;)

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  10. Excellent use of color.....love all the light fixtures.....and yes if I can be so bold, a list of the Farrow Ball colors would be so cool....Thanks for all the posts...a fan from Canada Bernadette

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    1. Hi Bernadette, I'll check with Céline and come back to you asap! I love the light fixtures too (every time I go back to look through the pictures, I notice something new!).

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    2. Here we go:

      Floores: Green Blue - Farrow and Balls
      Bathroom walls: Green Blue - Farrow and Balls
      Bathroom ceiling: Babouche - Farrow and Balls
      Livingroom walls: Peignoir - Farrow and Balls
      Office walls: Stone Blue - Farrow and Balls
      Siennas room: Red Earth - Farrow and Balls
      Entre: Cinder rose - Farrow and Balls
      Kitchen walls: Anemone - Beckers

      Enjoy <3

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  11. We almost rented an apartment overlooking nyhavn, but we weren't allowed to hang anything on the original walls or paint or even touch them. That seemed a bit daunting with three kids at the time so we passed, but that area is just lovely!

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    1. That's crazy - how could anyone live like that? The home you lived in though, was BEAUTIFUL!! I hope all is well with you beautiful lady!

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    2. There's a lot of homes with those restrictions in this area. we don't have them in our apartment but the one on the 3th floor has a room with the original fabric on the walls too. It's because a lot of the buildings in the area are listed.

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  12. Just another fan commenting on what an original and gorgeous home you have created. I am positively smitten with everything, especially the artwork and Wiinblad ceramics. Truly amazing and refreshing to see.

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  13. This house is beautiful !!!
    Per chance do you know where Celine got the Koinobori (the fish decoration on the wall) ?

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