The Handmade Home of a Danish Architect and Carpenter

Yesterday I was wondering around a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) store in search of a tool and I found myself mulling over how good Scandinavians tend to be at fixing things around the home - and how this has inspired me over the years. The truth is, a lot of things that require attention are relatively simple to fix - and it can feel really empowering to get out a tool box - saving yourself time and money in the process. 

But architect Mette Kirk (@kirkarkitektur)and her husband Henrik Balle - a carpenter at Silkeborg Byg go design, have taken DIY to a whole new level. The talented pair have renovated their 1935 house in Aarhus entirely by themselves - even creating the kitchen cabinets, bathroom storage and other units from scratch. Ready to feel inspired? 

The entirely unique kitchen cabinets in white and wood were designed by Mette to capitalise on space.

Wall units like this wooden one designed by Mette and built by Henrik have become increasingly popular in Denmark lately. My Copenhagen-based friend Caroline Bahrenscheer recently launched a beautiful version for cups, available here. 

The dining space is filled with fab Danish design pieces including wishbone chairs, BT001 pendant lamp, and a Formikami table lamp.

A beautiful parquet floor from Hørning Parket has been laid throughout the house. 

This style of built-in cabinetry (made by Henrik) is ideal for small bedrooms as it makes use of every inch.

I love the built-in bedside table nook - such a clever addition! The lamp is the Louis Poulsen Ring Crown.

Henrik also built the wooden bathroom cabinets (look at the detail!) - which add a wonderful warmth to the space as well as gallons of open and closed storage space! The loo is from Ifö and the floor was found at Flisegalleriet. 

What an inspiring home. 

It would be so useful to be able to whip up incredible cabinets and storage units at whim, don't you think? And of course, Mette's eye for design is simply wonderful too! 

Do you have enough storage in your home, or has Mette and Henrik's house inspired you to add more? 

Perhaps more importantly, how much do DIY do you do? Are you the type to get out a toolbox if something needs fixing or do you prefer to call a handyman? I've learnt to dabble (although Per does the majority!) - but we're on nowhere near the level of building incredible units like the ones in this home!

Would you like to feel inspired by other architect's homes today? Here are some lovely ones: 

A Swedish architect design her own home

The calm home of a Swedish architect

An architects serene home in Copenhagen 

Have a great start to the week friends!

Niki

Photography: Mette Kirk, shared with kind permission

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A Beautiful Copenhagen Home Full of Festive Cheer!

Christmas is a time for visiting old friends. And I feel we're doing exactly that today. You might remember earlier this year I took you on a tour of Mette Helena Rasmussen's art-filled Danish home. The date was 13th January - which marks the final day for taking down Christmas decorations in Scandinavian calendar, - and her home was looking fresh and ready for the year ahead. Today, I thought it would be fun to revisit her home and see what it looks like all decorated for Christmas, after all, the Danes have such a wonderful sense of style! And boy, is it full of festival cheer! Think figurines perched on picture frames, little decorations hung on the wall, stars, candles, red berries, and a big tree festooned with pretty pieces. And best of all, many of the pieces were bought second-hand. Welcome to Mette Helena's home in Amager, Copenhagen which she shares with her two children. 

Paper stars are a popular choice in Scandinavia - and you can choose to leave them plain or add a lightbulb so they glow at night.

This brown paper star* is similar. 

Potted evergreens on the balcony help to add that touch of greenery we're missing at this time of year. Throw in a sheepskin*, blanket* and even some fairy lights and you'll create a a really 'hyggeligt' spot! 

Simple pinecones on each place setting add a warm earthy touch to the Christmas table, while mix and match chairs and a subtly creased white linen tablecloth* help to add a relaxed touch. 

Mini trees with one or two simple decorations help to add a festive touch to different areas of the home - or if you live small, are an ideal solution! Look closely at the side table and pictures frames and you'll see subtle touches everywhere. 

I can imagine finding 'forgotten' decorations until March - it usually happens in my home right after someone has clambered into the loft. Do you find this too? 

How pretty is this Christmas tree? I love that no two decorations are alike. 

Much of what this home so cosy at Christmas is the details. And this homemade garland above the door is exactly what I'm talking about. hearts, bells, candy cane and toadstools all play a part in the Scandinavian Christmas scene! 

In the children's bedroom a white jewellery holder has been used as a makeshift Christmas tree. I also spy homemade paper Christmas stars. My children used to make these at nursery school and we still hang them on our tree each year. 

Who says decorations need to be hung? Coloured baubles look equally pretty in a tray by the bed (or on plats or the windowsill as seen in this Swedish Christmas post). 

All in all, one truly inspiring Christmassy home. 

It makes we want to go all out on the detail this year, how about you? 

Is there anything that stood out to you? 

See more of Metta Helena's home and check out her shop Retro Villa. 

You might also like to check out these posts for plenty more Danish Christmas cheer!

5 jolly holly Danish homes at Christmas

A colourful Danish home at Christmas

Danish Christmas decorations from Georg Jensen in a Swedish apartment

The pretties Christmas baubles this year - mouthblown on a Danish island

Have a great start to the week, stay warm! 

Niki

Photography Tia Borgsmidt 

Styling Metta Helena Rasmussen 

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A Charming A-Frame Cabin on the Danish Island of Orø

Saturday marks the start of 'höstlov' (autumn half term) here in Scandinavia, and many will be packing their bags in search of a quieter week in the countryside. I wonder if Marie Monrad Graunbøl will be heading to her cabin on the beautiful Danish island of Orø? I first came across her cosy A-frame in the Skandinavisk Voices magazine, and since we're in the middle of building our own cabin, I couldn't resist taking a closer look and sharing a few pictures here! Ready to be transported to the Danish wilderness?

Orø is a small island in the Isefjord, an hour or two west of Copenhagen. It's especially popular in summertime, when Danes flock to their summer houses. But actually, one of the best times to visit is off-season, when you can experience the vastness of the wilderness in solitude. 

A picture of Marie's A-frame cabin taken by Mikkel Tjellesen, as seen in Voices magazine. 

Marie spends the majority of her time in Copenhagen, where she runs her visual communications studio Revolver, which offers journalism, editing, creative direction and interior styling services.  But there's nowhere Marie loves to be more than at her cabin on Orø:

"Each time I reach the ferry terminal, I get an immediate sense of tranquillity, I breathe more freely, and my mind seems clearer.... most often I greet the stunning scenery on a late Friday afternoon, exhausted from a week's work and longing for a welcome respite... life slows down at Orø" - Marie.

When Marie and her husband first bought the cabin, it was rundown with a rotting foundation and in need of a new roof.  The pair painstakingly replaced everything inside, ferrying items over from the mainland. It was a slow process, but now their hard work has paid off and they have a wonderful retreat.

Although fairly compact, the couple have everything they need at the cabin, and it's been decorated with a simple yet charming blend of artisanal pieces and vintage finds, creating a wonderful, relaxed feel. 

These days the couple know the cabin and island inside out, as Marie explains in her interview with Voices:

"We came to know all the little signs of the changing seasons, the loud, terrifying noises of pines swaying dangerously in the storm, and the true bliss of entering the house to the warmth of the woodturning stove."

What a perfect place to recharge the batteries, don't you think?

Thank you to Skandinavisk for the kind permission to share these images (hop on over to explore their fragrances - they're simply divine!)

Looking for more dreamy inspiration this week? I love these archives: 

Scandinavian summer cottages

Country-style living

Cabins

Rural retreats

Holiday homes

Speaking of recharging batteries, my family and I are heading to Mallorca tomorrow to visit my sister for the first time in 4 years! We CAN'T WAIT! She lives in the North of the island with her boyfriend Ben and my two nieces. It's so beautiful up there. 

I'll be taking some time out with Per and the girls and will be back here blogging again on Monday 6th November. Feel free to pull up a chair hang around and browse the archives (after ten years of blogging there's a ton of inspiration in there!). I'll most likely capture my trip on Instagram stories if you're curious to see the island. 

Have a wonderful week! 

Niki

Photography: Chris Tonnesen

Voices spread photography: Mikkel Tjelleson

Styling: Marie Monrad Graunbøl / Revolver 

Shared with kind permission from Skandinavisk. 

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Historical Charm and Modern Scandi Minimalism Combine in a Danish Farmhouse

Do you have an image in your minds eye of the perfect house? I have to say, the facade of this Danish cottage comes very close to mine. Thatched roof, whitewashed stone walls and a chimney gently bellowing smoke on a cold winters day - what's not to love? The bad news: It's not for sale. The good news: it's available to rent. Yep, this charming Danish farmhouse in Søllested, southwest of Copenhagen is a new addition to the VIPP portfolio which also includes the VIPP Hotel. Nestled on the incredible Søllestedgaard estate, the former gardener's residence has been beautifully renovated in keeping with the  the time it was built in the late 18th century. Inside, the newly refurbished interior designed by Julie Cloos Mølsgaard combines historical charm with modern Scandinavian minimalism. Featuring three bedrooms and a home office, guests are invited to relax and unwind - or explore the surroundings and make use of the fishing gear to catch dinner in the nearby lake. 

What a perfect place to getaway from it all - and 'work from home' if required!

I'm dreaming about the facade and THAT thatched roof. Beautiful. 

Could you imagine staying here? More details / make a booking here. 

If you're visiting Denmark, I can also highly recommend the design hotel Villa Copenhagen - Per and I had the most wonderful stay there. 

Ha det fint! 

Niki

Photography: Anders Schønnemann courtesy of VIPP Farmhouse.

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Colour tips and Inspiration from a Danish Interior Stylist's Home

A new dawn, a new day... and a whole new month! Let's kick off with some colour! What struck me most about the Danish home of Charlotte Kruse is her home office - a hot topic these days, and this one is very inspiring indeed! But there are some other corners of her home I love too - not least because they include some wonderful pastel hues. I caught up with the interior stylist in Herning, central Denmark, to find out more about her home, sources of inspiration and favourite online stores. 

What do you do for a living? 

I have my own company Studio Decor where I style and take pictures for interior and lifestyle companies. And I also teach small business owners and instagrammers how to style beautiful pictures. 

Who do you live with? 

I live with my boyfriend and our two dogs (Pomeranians) in a small house. 

The arch was added last week - what a lovely addition, I love the soft feel it adds to the space. The white opal glass pendant* is by Louis Poulsen. 

Your house has lovely high ceilings, when was it built, and can you tell us more about the size and layout? 

Our house is from 1926. It's 87 m2 (935 f2) and we also have a workshop that's 27 m2 (290 f2). It consists of a kitchen, living room, dining room, a master bedroom and a second bedroom which I use as a study - it's where I run my business from. 

I love that your home is so colourful, can you tell us more about the tones in your home?

I absolutely love colour and use it as much as I can in my home. Colours make me happy and give the room a special feeling. I really like pastel colours, rose and other warm tones. I love to play around with colour, mix my own (the colour in the kitchen is a mix of leftover paint) and see how the rooms turn out. For the most part, I love the result - if I don't, I'll just try again!

Would you say it's unusual for a Dane to have lots of colour in their home? 

Over the past few years, colourful homes have become more and more popular in Denmark, especially on instagram! We want our homes to be as full of life and personality as we are! 

What colours have you applied to the walls in your home? 

Bedroom: Green Harmony from Jotun Lady

Kitchen: a home-made blend of NCS s2010-Y50R and NCS S3020-Y70R (I used a little more of the latter). 

Living room: Hummus from Jotun Lady

Do you have any tips for anyone looking to apply more colour to their home?

If you'd like to add more colour to your home, opt for toned down hues. They are softer and add a pleasant feeling to the room.

 

You have lots of art in your home, where do you. buy your prints? 

Most of my prints are from instagram collaborations - they are from Desenio and Juniqe. I also have bought some from Permild-Rosengreen and Little Detroit. 

Can you share three styling tips? 

1. Give your home a whole new feel by adding colour

2. Always be on the lookout for cool inter items in thrift stores or Facebook marketplace. You can buy a lot of unique items for a little less! 

3. Use plants and fresh flowers in your home. They bring joy to the room and create a nice atmosphere. 

The patchwork curtains seen above are taking the Danish interior world by storm right now. They are made in Denmark by Arvestykke. I also spy a little wooden stool* just like the ones I have by my bed and vases by Ljungby. 

What are your three favourite online shops? 

Luxo Living, Fabrek and Sakura Copenhagen. 

Where do you do you find inspiration?

I like these instagram, including these Danish accounts: @mariaharmuth, @christinedelmar, @trinesblend and @danicachloedk - but also look a lot on Pinterest! 

Thank you so much for telling us more about your home and sharing all your styling tips, shops and sources of inspiration! 

***

If you'd like to see more snapshots of Charlotte's home and find out about her courses, hop on over to @decorstudiodk or Decor Studio. 

For a total colour fest today, you might also like: 

A fabulous Danish home in a plethora of colours

Home tour: how to add colour the Danish way

Lessons to learn from a colourful yet calm Norwegian home

Do you use lots off colour in your home, or do you prefer neutral tones? I'd love to know!

I'll be back tomorrow with a tour of a wonderful home in Finland, watch this space! 

Niki

Styling and photography: Charlotte Kruse / Decor Studio

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