A Copenhagen Family Home Full of Inspiring Details

When you've been writing a blog Scandinavian interiors for over thirteen years, the same talented people are bound to pop up over and over again. Out of the 2968 posts I've published, the Copenhagen apartment of Freja Bak Josias (then Petersen) in 2019 still remains etched in my memory. 

Trends have moved on a whole lot since 2019, but also Freja's too. In the five years that have gone by, Freja has completed her studies and now works as a 'Constructing Architect and Master in Building Culture', and has also moved into a new apartment with her partner and adorable daughter Ruth. And with that, a distinct new decorating style has emerged. 

Freya's beautiful apartment is high up in the rooftops of Copenhagen - which lends itself to high sloped ceilings and old wood beams. But what really stands out to me is the use of colour - which includes door frames and skirting boards painted in pea green, vibrant art, a red ladder, and orange lamps. It's playful, yet calm and adds a touch that feels very 'now' while still feeling personal and relaxed. 

Keep a look out for how high ledges have also been put in use for display purposes and also for the montage in Ruth's room - so pretty! Enjoy the tour! 

What a lovely home - truly inspiring! 

Is anyone else looking around their home and thinking 'maybe I should paint those door frames? I might need a little orange lamp for my home too - so cute! 

What inspires you most about Freja's Danish home? 

See more lovely corners over on her instagram @frejabakjosias. 

You might also like to take a peek at 12 ways to add colour to your home Danish style. 

It's 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) here in Malmö today which is the hottest September day on record. I think a cooling dip in the sea is in order. 

I hope you have a happy Wednesday!

Niki

Photography courtesy of @frejabakjosias, shared with kind permission. 

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Iconic Design, Art and Vintage Treasures in a Beautiful Danish Home

Warning: this incredible Danish home will make you want to get the paint brush out this weekend. Whether that's to paint the walls or a vintage find remains to be seen, but the subtle (and at times, bold) use of colour in interior stylist Eva-Marie Wilken's home sure is inspiring. 

But it's not only the use of tones - the combination of pattern, art, sculpture, iconic design pieces and small accessories make her home truly unique - and while there's a lot going on, the calming tones and minimalist look ensures plenty of visual breathing space. 

So, buckle up friends, and get ready for an inspirational joy ride! 

I love how Eva-marie dares to be bold. This cobalt blue desk was a simple off-white colour when she first discovered it and has been turned into a statement piece with an unexpected splash of paint. See below for the 'before'. 

These large openings from room to room are a common feature in Copenhagen turn-of-the-century buildings and allow the light to flow through the space. I love this glimpse into the sitting room where sculptures have been wall mounted beside art. 

Notice the stainless-steel dining chairs (seen more clearly in the lead picture) - a big trend in the world of interiors right now. 

Playful touches can be seen in many corners of Eva-marie's home giving the space a whimsical touch. Notice how she has played with shape - for example in the image above three round items have been grouped together to create balance. 

Fortune favours the brave, as they say, and this recently painted yellow door makes a wonderful focal point in the kitchen. 

Eva-marie's love for different mediums also shines in the pale pink master bedroom where art, sculpture and decorative lamps have been grouped together. Notice how she also uses 'negative space' (i.e. areas of the room left blank) to train the eye and create a sense of calm. 

Dark brown and mustard hues work beautifully with the pink and create contrast. 

There's something wonderfully decadent about the bathroom - and yet it also has an old school feel about it at the same time. It's fun to see the use of wallpaper! Note that while it looks like a wall-to-wall carpet in the image above, it's a stone floor, so no one need panic! 

Wow, I so enjoyed this tour, it spoke to me in so many ways. I loved all the design elements (every item was unique and while it served a purpose it also added interest from a visual perspective). 

I also loved the use of subtle tones and the art. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Eva-marie's wonderful Danish home?

You can see more pictures and get some Danish fashion / styling ideas over on instagram at @evamariewilken.

Thank you so much for stopping by My Scandinavian Home today, I hope you have a wonderful weekend and leave feeling full of new ideas! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @evamariewilken

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Before & After: A Dated Danish Home Gets a Fresh and Vibrant Makeover

Often when you look at pictures of interiors the design looks so effortless, almost as if someone has waved a magic wand and everything has just fallen into place. Anyone who has carried out a makeover by hand will know this is far from the truth (the sheer labour of love that went into our cottage bedroom this winter remains etched in my mind!). Halfway through you might wonder why on earth you've taken the project on, and the result might not always be perfect (speaking for myself here!) but the connection you feel with your home afterwards makes the work feel completely worthwhile!

Artist Katrine Brandt and her husband bought an early 20th century brick house (known simply as No.14) in Skanderborg, near Aarhus Denmark six years ago and have taken on the task of updating it by hand. Starting many of the rooms again from scratch, the pair have been busy installing a kitchen, transforming a laundry room into a light-filled workspace and giving the bathrooms a fresh update. The rooms have been mainly furnished with second-hand finds and many of Katrine's own artwork can be seen on the wall. Here are some before and after pictures so you can witness the renovation first hand! 

Kitchen - before

The IKEA kitchen was in need of a fresh update. Katrine installed new units in blue (a theme you'll see throughout the house) and sanded down the wood floor in order to remove the varnish which had turned yellow with time. The ceiling has also been plastered and painted - with spotlights added. 

Kitchen - after

Sitting room - shelving before

In my experience, Danes love to create wall-to-wall bookshelves around a doorway - which is a great way to create space for plenty of books! Katrine and her husband built these shelves and cupboards by hand. You can find more details - including step-by-step pictures and measurements in this instagram post. 

Sitting room shelving - after

The result is simply beautiful! It's also provided plenty of coveted open and closed storage. Note the ceiling lamp from one of my favourite Danish brands - Le Klint! 

The walls have been painted in Jotun 'Gullhår' and the curtains are simple ones from IKEA. The chair was found in a friend's loft and given a new lease of life with a set of new cushions. 

A 'kakelugn' (tiled masonry oven) is in full working order and perfect for colder days! 

The art on the wall is by Katrine and can be purchased via her online shop Made By Brandt. Note how the shelves have been painted the same colour as the wall for a smart, seamless affect. 

Utility room - before 

I know a thing about making over laundry rooms - except this one is different. Recognising the beauty of the room and how much natural light it has, Katrine and her husband decided to transform the space into a light-filled workspace.

Utility room - after

A simple, DIY make-over, the pipes are still in place under the desk and a built-in desk has been added over the top. Dark red drawers and a blue chair add a touch of colour to the space. 

Downstairs toilet - before

Bathroom make-overs can be eye-wateringly expensive and tiling etc requires a lot of skill. But sometimes a simple refresh is all that's needed (just as we did with our downstairs loo) - a lick of bathroom-friendly paint, a new cabinet and sink and a shelf was just what this 'powder room' needed, and no doubt saved gazillions of Danish Crowns in the process! 

Downstairs toilet - after

I love the mood lamp in the corner. If you look closely, you'll spot various forms of ambient lighting throughout the entire home - all of which help to create the cosy 'hyggelig' feel the Danes are so good at. 

Bathroom - before 

The bathroom featured a separate bath and shower before being reconfigured. Opting for just a shower has made it so much more spacious and touches of blue (code S 1515-R90B) ensure the room remains in keeping with the look and feel of the rest of the house. 

Bathroom - after

Such a lovely transformation - I love the subtle pastel shades throughout, adding a hint of colour and interest without feeling overbearing. There are also some lovely details throughout - including lamps, ceramics and art. 

The house is still very much a work in progress. If you'd like to follow their decorating journey, check out @nr.14a. 

Is there anything that stood out to you about Katrine's home? 

If you love a before and after as much as I do, check out:

Makeover: a dark house becomes and fresh and bright home

A Copenhagen home is transformed into a fresh family home

A dated house becomes a vibrant summer cottage

Stor kram! 

Niki

Photography by Katrine Brandt, shared with kind permission. 

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