The Awe-Inspiring Private Kitchen of Noma Head Chef René Redzepi

You can kind of guess that one of the most highly acclaimed chefs in the world would have an incredible kitchen. And the private sphere of René Redzepi - Danish chef and co-owner of the two-Michelin star restaurant Noma in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of Copenhagen, Denmark certainly doesn't disappoint. You'd think the hand crafted bespoke Garde Hvalsøe kitchen in oak, steel and burnished brass and Dinesen HeartOak plank floors would be enough to make a statement in their own right - but there's also that magnificent open fire place and those charming wood beams to contend with. While his restaurant was voted the best restaurant in the world in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014, I'm nominating René's kitchen for the best kitchen 2020 award. Take a peek and see if you agree! 

A few months ago, I spent a wonderful evening at the Garde Hvalsøe headquarters in a former car assembly garage in central Copenhagen and I have to say, the level of craftsmanship that goes into their kitchens (and other cabinetry) is incredible. I wish you could run your hand along the surface and open and close these drawers! The supper was superb too (even if it wasn't made by René!).

There burning question (sorry, couldn't resist!), is what appliances does the head chef of Noma choose for his own kitchen? The answer: a Grand Cuisine hob and oven. 

You can really see the beauty of the Dinesen wood in the above picture. It's made from 30 mm thick planks in mixed widths (350-500 mm and length 2-6 metres) with a white oil finish. So stunning, don't you think?

So, what do you reckon? Is this also one of the most beautiful kitchens you've ever seen?

I'm also curious to know, have you ever eaten at Noma? I've tried to get a table a few times but never succeeded. It's still high up on my wish list though!

Curious to see a few other magnificent kitchens today?

A fresh mint green kitchen
A calm kitchen made from wood
The inspiring black kitchen of an interior designer

Also:

10 beautifully simple ideas to steal from a Swedish kitchen
Our summer cottage kitchen (plus get the look!) and a tour of my kitchen at home (if only it was this clean and tidy today!).

Have a lovely day!

Niki

Photography courtesy of Garde Hvalsøe and Dinesen

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The Colours in This Danish Home (and Wardrobe) Will Be Hot in 2020!

How about a little respite from all the Christmas craziness today? I was scrolling through Instagram over the weekend and stumbled on the fabulously funky, colourful home of Trine Staberg Petersen (well worth a follow on instagram if you love danish interiors and fashion!). Trine lives in Copenhagen with her husband and three children and has decorated her home with vintage furniture and accessories in an array of colours ranging from deep red and caramel, to earthy green, chocolate and lavender. Many of these shades are set to be big in 2020 and I love the way Trine has combined them. But my favourite thing of all? The retro soda stream! It took me straight back to my starlight express roller boots and walkman sport! Keep a look out for it in the tour!

I hope you enjoyed this tour as much as I did!

Did you spot the soda stream? FYI it's available online here.

The lavender / dark brown combination in the bedroom really caught my and is set to be really big in 2020. I also love the combination of light pink with red - it breaks every rule in the book, but hey, rules are there to be broken, right?! 

Is there anything that caught your eye? 

I guess you know what's coming - yep more colourful Danish homes! I say it a lot, but if you want to   look into a crystal ball and know what's coming, you just need to look into the home of a Dane! 

Embracing the blues in the home of Michael Schmidt

A rare peek behind the facade of Nyhavn

Home tour, how to add colour the Danish way

Looking for Scandinavian Christmas inspiration? This archive is full of it! I'm also super excited to share a very Scandi Christmas inspiration round-up with you tomorrow (perfect, if you're looking for some simple, last minute decorating ideas). Hopefully see you then!  

Have a cracking start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography Trine Staberg Petersen - shared with kind permission

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A Colourful, Vintage Inspired Danish Home At Christmas

Go'morgon! How was your weekend? We had a birthday girl in the house (me!) and my sister came over from London to celebrate, it was so much fun! I have to admit I'm feeling a little ropey this morning. But, the cheerful Danish home of Louise, blogger behind Mor till Mernee, her partner and two children Merle and Neel never fails to put a smile on my face, especially at Christmas time! Decked out with multiple trees adorned with brightly coloured vintage decorations, homemade advent calendars, fairy lights and other festive touches, it's fun, personal and cosy! I caught up with Louise to find out a little more about Christmas in Jutland! 

I love how you have decorated your home - it looks so festive!

It's my favourite time of the year, except for the weather - in Denmark it's so rainy in December and I don't love that! But I love Christmas, the decorations, the tree, the time spent together. 

Look at that pup! Adorable! 

Every December I think "this year I'm going to really enjoy the run-up - baking with my family etc and then things just get crazy, do you find the same?

Christmas is always such a busy time, but every year we really try to take the time to just be. When the school holidays start next week, we'll be spending lots of time together as a family just doing nothing. 

I love the sound of that Louise! Your decorations are so pretty and unique, where did you find them? 

My decorations are very dear to me. Some are from my childhood; others are from my grandparents and some are bought vintage. I love vintage Christmas decorations, every year I by a new second-hand piece.

I love the trees in your house, can you tell us a little more about the ornaments? 

We decorate our trees with vintage pieces and also pieces that have been made by the children. They are a joy to unpack every year.  

Do you have a favourite tradition?

Every year, we head to the woods in the first weekend of December to pick our favourite tree and take it home. This way, we have a tree in our living room throughout December. The tree is the best decor ever, so why not have it the whole month? We love that! 

Oh, so pretty! 

Has this brightened up your Monday too?

You can also see a full tour of Louise's home (not at Christmas!) here and keep up to date with her latest updates on her blog and instagram. 

Etsy is a great source for vintage Christmas ornaments* (in case you're feeling inspired to pick up some of your own!). 

Up for a little more Danish inspiration today? Hop on over to the Danish home archive! 

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

PS I loved reading all your comments about your Christmas traditions (and your thoughts about Swedish ones) on Friday! Don't forget that you can get 20% off the seasonal collection at Skandinavisk with the code nikijul20 until 16th December - such a bargain and their candles smell divine! 

Photography: Louise / Mor till Mernee - shared with kind permission.

*Affiliate link

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A Magnificent Danish Home With a Touch of Hygge!

I am not sure when we last saw the sun here in Southern Sweden, so we're busy making our own light in a way the Scandinavian's know best: with candles. A few bridges away on the Danish mainland, Helle Rye is doing the same in her magnificent apartment in Aarhus, Jutland. Dating back to 1899, the palatial property features parquet flooring, beautiful period touches and large, awe-inspiring rooms which lead through to one another via double doors. Light and airy the space may be, but Helle has also create a wonderfully cosy home for herself and husband Bo. Look closely and you'll spot sofas laden with cushions and blankets, cosy daybeds and sheepskin throws draped over the back of chairs. Oh, and candles, plenty of candles! Welcome to Helle's hyggelige world! 

I am so curious about the black curtains - my guess is that they are in place to dampen the sound, but they also add a certain cosiness (and drama!) to the space too. UPDATE: Helle tells me that she's put the curtains up to hide some really ugly paintings (it's a rental and they're not allowed to do anything about them!).

Does this scene also remind you a little of a sun lounger under a palm tree? Such a great idea to soak up the winter sun (when it appears!). 

Oooooh wow!  Isn't this lovely?!

There's something incredibly regal about Helle's home - and yet it feels cosy and personal too.

Is there anything in particular that stood out to you?

See more of Helle's magnificent home on her instagram A Nordic Moment (news alert: she's started decorating her home for Christmas and it looks magical!).

There's also a load of other danish homes in the archives, I'm loving this Copenhagen family home,  an enchanting apartment in shades of sea-green and an art-filled apartment in Aarhus.

Hav en dejlige dag! - I hope someone, somewhere is enjoying a little sunshine, and if you are - please send a few rays this way!

Niki

Photography: Helle Rye

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A Dreamy Copenhagen Home Full of Books, Art and Danish Design

Friday totally calls for something fabulous. And when I discovered the Danish home of architectural technology student Freja Bak Petersen I knew I'd found just the place! Freja's Copenhagen apartment is a total dream! Just the glimpse of the books in her dining room in yesterday's Danish home round-up had me searching instagram for more, and her feed was awash with room after room filled with mid-century Danish design pieces, colourful art, stacks of books and subtle details that make the space truly unique and personal. Buckle up friends, you're in a for a real ride! 

Freja found the Børge Mogensen dining table on Scandinavian auction site Lauritz.

I could climb into that classic Kludestolen chair by Bernt Petersen and read all weekend, how about you?!  I also love floating bookshelves it helps to maintain a lovely light and airy feel (unfortunately, we don't have many walls in our home that could support this - do you?). 

Freja built the shelves herself (you can see a slide show of the process, including before pictures, here). So clever!

Instead of ripping it out, Freja kept the original 1920s kitchen and updated the cabinets with a lick of Retro paint by Beckers. The kitchen walls have been painted in Salt, also by Beckers. 

A plaster wall in the living room breaks up the white and adds a load of texture to the sitting room. 

It's the subtle touches in Freja's home, like the colour of the floor, that makes it so personal. "I painted the floors in a very light blue with a touch of grey. I love that they are light blue!" Freja told me. 

The velvet 'Floyd sofa' in matt beige is from the Sofa Company. 

What a perfect way to create room for a home office in a small space without having to stare at your work / study notes from bed! So inspiring! Freja made the desk herself using IKEA legs and a lacquered MDF board. The lamp is from Møller & Rothe.  

Oh, how I loved this home tour. I hope you also felt inspired!

Did anything stand out to you in particular?

I love the light blue floor (Freja has promised to come back with the exact colour code over the weekend. I'll stop by and update the post as soon as I receive it.

In the meantime, you can see plenty more pictures of Freja's home over on instagram here.

It seems the Danish design love fest has become a two-day affair! If you missed yesterday's post, I strongly recommend you pour yourself a coffee and hop over there now - so many dreamy spaces!

Other dreamy danish homes to love over the weekend include a rare peek behind the facade of Copenhagen's colourful Nyhavn, the cool home of a Danish architect and hygge and pops of colour in Hanna Järver's creative home.

Have a fabulous couple of days, friends!

Niki

If you're an interior designer or architect make sure you stop by over the weekend as I'll be announcing a very exciting contest!

Photography: Freja Bak Petersen, shared with kind permission.

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