An Eclectic Home In The Heart Of Copenhagen

It's Friday friends! The weekend calls for something, don't you think? And today, I'm chatting to Ann Poulsen, a Dane who's passionate about DIY, sustainability and making her home feel as personal as possible. Velkommen to her beautiful Copenhagen apartment, decorated in a sea of colours, and adorned with art, vintage items and lovely, unique touches. 

Where do you live?

I live in an apartment in Copenhagen in an area called Island Brygge. 

Who do you share your home with? 

My boyfriend, Tim. He moved in a few months ago which explains why I haven't mentioned him in the renovating process on my instagram :)

What do you do for a living? 

I study Danish at Copenhagen University and also work in Langsamt, a store with a focus on sustainability. 

What is important to you when decorating your home? 

To design a space that feels like home and where I want to spend a lot of my time. Our home is our base. I feel best when things are tidy and I'm not surrounded by too much clutter. But it's also important to me that my home feels lived in. I also like my personality to shine through. I love to be creative and create a personal home where the decor is mainly made up of recycled and vintage finds. 

I love the tiles in your kitchen - where are they from? 

I bought them from a shop here in Copenhagen called Alverdens Fliser. I've always loved the herringbone pattern but there were so many colours to choose from! In the end I want for the beautiful blue and I've never regretted it! 

Your home is a wonderful, eclectic mix of colour and pieces - where do you find your inspiration from? 

I feel very inspired when I walk around secondhand shops. It always feels like I'm stepping back in time and it's fun to see the various trends from the past - I find the mix interesting. I also get a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram. 

 

Can you tell us a little about the colours you've chosen? 

In my bedroom I've chosen a mineral paint called Dusty Rose from Jotun Lady. It gives the room a raw, beautiful look and changes depending fin how the light hits it. In my kitchen, I've used Modern Beige from Jotun Lady. And in my living room, I've applied the yellow Gullhår from Jotun Lady. The green is from Bech & Jørgensen (colour code: 2014-N048). 

You have a lot of art on your walls - where do you buy it from?  

I like to buy posters from the exhibitions I have been to - it gives them a little history and art galleries always sell the finest art! I also buy a lot online. 

Did you make the piece in your bedroom (to the left) yourself? 

Yes! I made it around a year ago. It's quite easy to make with PU-foam, a canvas and the colour of your choice! 

Finally, what do you love most about your home? 

I love that it feels like home to both Tim and I. It's liberating to know I can decorate it however I like, and completely in my style. I don't think I will ever finish renovating - it's a never-ending project! 

Now that Tim's moved in, do you think he'll want to have a say in the decorating? 

No, not at all actually - he couldn't care less! He's really great as he never complains about the mess I make when I'm renovating either - and it can go for on for weeks! 

Thank you so much for telling us about your home Ann! 

You can see more snapshots and follow Ann's latest home decorating projects here. 

I love all the tones Ann's picked for her home - especially the blue tiles in the kitchen - refreshingly unique!  

Is there anything that stood out to you?

How about a few other Danish homes to enjoy over the weekend? Here are some of my favourites: 

Welcome inside the home of a Danish interior design consultant

On trend ceilings, art and books galore in a Danish home

A dreamy Danish home full of arts, books and design

Well folks, that's it from me this week. I hope you've enjoyed all the inspiration! Thank you so much for all your comments, I love reading each and every one of them - they're part of what makes this space a great community of fellow Scandic-design lovers! 

Trevlig helg!

Niki

Photography: Ann Poulsen

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8 Ways To Create Cohesion In Your Home - Danish Style!

Home decorating is such a personal process. And in my mind, the warmest most inviting and unique spaces are usually made up of a wonderful mix of pieces collected over time. But combining furniture and accessories from different eras (and styles) can also make it tricky to achieve a cohesive look. This is where the 'röd tråd' (red thread) comes in. In the world of interiors, the Swedish term röd tråd refers to a theme which connects every room in your home in order to achieve a wonderful, considered, cohesive look. 

The chances are, you already have a röd tråd throughout your home - whether conscious or subconscious. But if you feel your home lacks cohesion, the good news is, it's easier to achieve than you might think! The answer lies in repetition. Pick a theme such as an accent colour (like blue, green, or yellow etc) a material (such as brass, chrome or rattan) or even a shape and repeat it several times in each room throughout your home. It can be as subtle or strong as you like. Allow me to illustrate this using a beautiful danish home (after all, the Danes are masters at this type of thing, right?). 

Dane Kinne Andersen has achieved a wonderful flow throughout her Copenhagen home by connecting each room with a yellow accent. Subtle it may be, but the touches create just the desired effect. I picked out eight props that Kinne has used for a cohesive look: 

1. Brass touches: metallic brass touches help to emphasise the yellow accent colour in every room of Kinne's home

2. Vases (see top picture): a beautiful yellow vase in the kitchen 'visually' binds the space with other rooms in the house. 

Off topic, but can we all take a moment to admire the pink HAY candle in a classic Skultuna Lily candleholder too? I love it when Danish and Swedish design come together!

3. Art: paintings and illustrations that contain your chosen röd tråd (whether that's a colour, shape or material) are great for creating cohesion between rooms. 

4. Furniture: in order to achieve cohesion, your accent colour doesn't need to be the exact same shade - it could be a darker or lighter version. In Kinne's sitting room, an Arctander chair in a yellowish shade as well as a brass magazine rack and vase help to tie the space in with the rest of her home. 

5. Bed linen: Kinne has opted for pale yellow bedding in the master bedroom for a wonderful sunny vibe - and of course, to tie the space in with the rest of her home. These days you can buy bedding in every shade under the sun (try Etsy*) - perfect for adding an accent colour to your boudoir! 

6. Paint: mix up your favourite hue and apply it to a wall, door frame, or in this instance, a chest-of-drawers. 

 

7. Flowers - you're probably drawn to flowers in your favourite colour already, but if not, and you feel your home lacks 'flow', think about the colours of the leaves and petals on the plants and flowers you buy. Here, a pop of yellow from a sunflower adds a vibrant touch to Kinne's nightstand.

8. Towels and robes: bathrooms are such a big investment. So much so, that I've always been loath to go all out with an accent colour (even if I do fantasise about pink tiles!). Call me safe, but a neutral bathroom will stand the test of time and you can still go wild with an accent colour using accessories such as towels and robes, just like Kinne! 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you like the idea of a red thread? Perhaps you already have a theme in your home - in which case I'd love to hear about it. 

Oh, and I couldn't resist adding in a garden shot - simply because the outdoor season has been extended indefinitely this year! Loving the French bistro chair / rattan combo, how about you? 

See more of Kinne's beautiful Østerbro home over on her instagram @kinneandersen. 

There are also a load more Danish homes in the archive. If you decide to pour a coffee and head off for more inspo, keep an eye out for that röd tråd! 

Niki

Photography: Kinne Andersen

*affiliated link which means I'll make a teeny amount of money if you click through and buy something (at no extra cost to you). 

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Keeping It Real In a Danish Family Home In The Heart of Copenhagen

Ever feel like everyone else's home is 'insta-perfect' while yours is a constant battle to keep tidy? Allow me to let you in on a secret, you're definitely not alone. Not even the homes you see on instagram are picture perfect all of the time. I know, because I recently asked around on a recent blogger tour and was secretly thrilled to learn most of my contemporaries' homes were a little messy - just like mine. It's called life - and it should be celebrated once in a while, don't you think? So, friends if you left the house littered with Lego and half-drunk mugs of coffee this morning, Sarah's Copenhagen home will feel wonderfully refreshing! The Dane owns a small shop called 'The General Store' and lives with her six-year-old son Sylvester in an apartment in Østerbro. Together, they've filled the space with bold colours, harlequin patterns, Scandinavian design pieces, art, books, candles and toys. And best of all, she's captured the space just the way it is. Welcome to Sarah's relaxed world! 

One of my favourite captions from Sarah's instagram:

"What I say: 'I am just going to the bathroom', What they hear: 'family meeting."

So funny - sounds very familiar, I must say! 

Harlequin floors like the one in Sarah's hallway are surprisingly easy to create. All you need is measuring tape, string, a pencil to mark the floor and paint. For a more subtle and classic Scandinavian approach, you might prefer a light grey and white version as seen in this Swedish kitchen. 

The pink wall provides a perfect backdrop for Sylvester's delightful paintings. 

What a great collection of Lego! I guess it is Danish after all. 

My sister and her husband call tidying up the house after a day of their 3 and 5 year old playing 'square oneing' i.e. "time to square one the house" - I love that! For the more OCD among us, I thought I'd share a pic of the same corner after Sarah has 'square-oned' it! 

What a feast for the eyes! 

You can see more snapshots of her Copenhagen home over at @look_good_in_blue (don't miss the ones of her summer cottage too!). 

Fancy taking a peek inside a few other family homes today? I love these:

12 child-friendly ideas from a happy home in Berlin

A charming and eclectic family home in Paris

A Cheerful and bright Dutch family home

Before we all shoot off, I'd love to know: are you a bit of a neatnik or is your home of the more messy variety? Or perhaps you fall somewhere in between? 

Have a wonderful, relaxed start to the week!

Niki

Photography: Sarah / @look_good_in_blue - shared with kind permission

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6 Ways To Create A Timeless Home - Scandinavian Style!

You're likely to have seen this apartment before. I first featured Karen Maj Kornum's home back in 2015, and then again in 2017 and even included it in my book The Scandinavian Home (I'll never forget the day I spent there!!). The fact is, I could probably feature this home in ten year's time, and it would still feel relevant. So, what makes Karen's living space stand the test of time, while others feel distinctly out of date after a few years? I've compiled a list of 6 'timeless' lessons to learn from her stunning Frederiksberg home! 

1. The neutral backdrop: Colours and wallpaper patterns come and go (think Laura Ashley in the 80's!), but white and off-white shades will never go out of style and serve as a perfect blank canvas with which to layer the home. 

2. The statement piece:  Look closely at the back wall and you'll see that it's a picture (or 'wallscape') rather than extra room (Karen picked it up at Bless in Berlin and feels sad that if she ever moves she won't be able to take it with her). Whether in the form of a one-off work of art, unique textiles or a piece of unusual furniture, adding something eye-catching like this will give your home its own distinct character while still maintaining its timeless vibe. 

3. Make it personal: I love the idea that a home is never 'finished'. It might seem obvious, but it's so important to remember to take your time to layer a home over the years with pieces you've collected on your travels, things your children (or ancestors) have made, photographs and favourite books. Sure, you might like to add the odd on-trend accessory, but the bulk of the look should be truly unique and personal to you. 

4. Mix it up: When I interviewed Karen about her home for my book, she said that she loves to blend styles and furniture from different eras. Look closely and you'll spot an entire blend of antiques, vintage finds and contemporary pieces - all of which help to give the interior longevity - and ensure your space doesn't lend itself to one particular era that could quickly become out of date. 

5. Invest in timeless, iconic design pieces: Furniture that has been made by a reputable designer / craftsperson and made from good, solid natural materials can be maintained over time. If you opt for pieces with a simpler design, they'll blend into any room, while still adding a magical iconic touch. 

6. Follow your heart: Sometimes this is easier said than done (trust me, I often feel blinded by trends, especially when I work in the industry!). The thing is, trends are designed to come and go - where as your natural sense of style will likely stay quite consistent over time (give or take - I mean, I wouldn't have a poster of Morten Harket (of A-Ha fame) on my wall these days - yep, clearly always been drawn to those Scandinavian men!)! 

I have to add, I love trends and I notice some wonderful on-trend pieces in Karen's home too (like the Berber rugs) but if you truly want to create an easy-to-maintain timeless home - it's important to decorate the bulk of your home with pieces that you love simply because they hit a chord. 

What do you think? Do you have any other suggestions about what makes a home timeless? If so, please do share in the comment section below! 

If you love Karen's style as much as I do,  check out her online shop (for the most beautiful rugs!) and see more of her interior styling work at Another Ballroom.

In other news, I'm excited to take you on an armchair journey to Norway tomorrow - and have some exciting news which will allow you to bring a little piece of Norway home. Intrigued? Stop by to find out! 

Kram! 

Niki

Photography: Home / styling: Karen Maj Kornum. Photography: Jonas Lundberg

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On-Trend Ceilings, Art and Books Galore In A Delightful Danish Home

The biggest micro trend in Denmark right now: accented ceilings. And I have to say, I absolutely love the idea. One caveat though, I've yet to see a statement ceiling painted in a trendy hue that's not 3.5 metres high with intricate cornicing - needless to say, I won't be painting mine just yet. But can we all take a moment this sunny Wednesday, to appreciate the blue ceiling in the Danish home of interior stylist Helene Katrine? In her Aalborg sitting room, Helene has painted the area overhead in a Dusky Blue hue which works beautifully with the Space shade on the walls, giving the entire look a modern twist. In true Danish style, Helene has also created some fab gallery walls, killer wall-to-wall bookshelves and dotted the space with some of my favourite iconic design pieces. Ready for the tour? You're in for a treat! 

Another on-trend item: the deep pile rug! This one is from Jotex. The sofa is by Hay, and beside it is an Akari lamp by Isamu Noguchi. 

A Bertoia diamond chair* sits beside bookshelves filled with books, porcelain and glassware. Hang on a minute. I also spot my very own The Scandinavian Home book - I have to say, I feel honoured beyond belief! 

The shelves behind the dining table are from IKEA (I think, but I'll double check with Helene in case I'm wrong!). Thonet Era chairs* have been arranged around the table and a Flos lamp* hangs overhead. 

Can we just take a moment to admire that coat?! It's like a work of art! It's from Stand Studio - the brainchild of Nellie Kamras whose designs are inspired by feminine effortless chic, with an iconic Scandinavian simplicity. I couldn't find the coat on the website, but I did see an entire collection of other fabulous ones!

The Pond mirror is by Ferm Living and the Tribeca Chambers light* is from Menu. 

What a beautiful home. I love how Helene has created a style that embodies calm and elegance with a modern twist. 

Are there any elements that stood out to you? I love asking this question as often someone points out something I haven't spotted (or written about). 

You can see more of Helene's Aalborg home over on her inspiring Instagram feed @helenehoue.

I guess you know what's coming, right? Yep, a few other beautiful Danish homes to drool over today. I'm plumping for these delights, come and join me! 

Welcome inside the home of a Daish interior consultant

A Danish summer cottage on North Zealand

A Dreamy Copenhagen home full of books

Happy Lillördag!

Niki

Photography: Helene / @helenehoue

*Affiliate links

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