The Calm, Earthy Home of A Danish Design Collector

Tjena! Hur är läget (how's it going?!)? I'm nearing the end of my first week back in the studio after the holidays and slowly cranking into action - but it's sort of painful! Know the feeling?  It's also distracting when the sun's shining and it feels like the rest of Scandinavia are still on holiday - including Danish photographer and stylist Marianne Jacobsen. Judging by her (pretty wonderful) instagram feed, Marianne is currently chugging through Europe by train. It's trips like these, as well as nature, Scandinavian design, minimalist spaces, light, art and architecture which inspire Marianne's daily work and the way she decorates her home in Aarhus, Denmark. Designed by famous architects Friis & Moltke in 1969, her house is full of timeless Danish design pieces as well as other collector's items in calming, earthy tones. I caught up with Marianne to find out more about her minimalist style and what's next on her wish list!

How would you describe your style?

My style is Scandinavian, minimalistic, delicate, eclectic and with a cosy / warm atmosphere (Danish!). I'm also very conscious about choosing a style that fits perfectly with my home. My house was designed by the famous Danish architect Friis & Moltke in 1969 and the architecture is inspired by Le Corbusier. I prefer to live with natural materials like wool, wood, stone, marble and leather. 

Le Klint lights

Alma light, Poet sofa*, The Poster Club* sells prints like this one (and ships worldwide)

How do you choose pieces for your home?

I love to live with carefully selected, beautiful Danish classic furniture and also timeless design pieces from other countries. I love Italian design like Cassina, but I do primarily opt for Danish design, since I love the deep roots we have in beautiful craftsmanship.

Montana Show shelves in 'latte' (I love this Danish storage - and have used the same brand in Allie's room).

Do you have a favourite possession? 

My absolute favourite is my Poet sofa* with sheepskin from House of Finn Juhl - such a beyond beautiful and timeless iconic piece. Likewise, I love my CH07 by Hans J. Wegner in walnut with leather seat and my Show shelves in latte from Montana!

Moebe shelves / desk, Series 7 chair, Gubi wall light*

What do you have your eye on next?

I'm dreaming about the Tabouret Méribel & Berger by Charlotte Perriand (Cassina) and the PK61 by Poul Kjærholm (Fritz Hansen).

Auping bed, VV Cinquanta Wall light

They million dollar question for us hoarders, how do you keep your home so clean and decluttered? 

I just love to live minimalistic and with calm, earthy tones. It's just the way I am since I'm an organised soul that loves to live with few, very beautiful and significant pieces in my home. My mantra is 'less is more'. It's natural for me to declutter my home, but not too much since I like my home to feel cosy. 

Thank you so much for taking time out from your holiday to tell us about your lovely home Marianne!

If you'd like to see more pictures of Marianne's home and latest photography / styling projects hop on over to her instagram or homepage. They are a feast for the eyes!

There's also a load more beautiful Danish homes to drool over in this archive (just saying!).

Anyone else a huge fan of Danish design? I noticed the other day, almost my entire wardrobe is made up of Danish design - with some of my favourite go-to brands being Day, Birger et Mikkelsen, By Marlene Birger and Stella Nova.

Eeeek. Suddenly feeling a trip over the Öresund bridge (AKA 'The Bridge') to Copenhagen is in order... the Swedish crown is so weak right now though, I might have to keep the trip under wraps - not sure how popular it would be with Per!!!

Have a happy Thursday guys - nearly POETS day - WOOHOO!

Niki

Photography and styling: Marianne Jacobsen

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This Light-Filled Danish Summer Cottage is Available to Rent This Summer!

Looking for a Scandinavian adventure? This summer house on the Danish coast of North Zealand is waiting for its next guests, and looking at the pictures, I'd like that to be you or I! Described as a 'undisturbed sanctuary close to the waters edge' it's everything a Scandinavian summer house should be. Simply, yet practically furnished, it's full of light, natural materials and has a wonderful seamlessness between the indoors and outdoors. Ready to dream of summer days on the Danish coast? 

Could you imagine spending your summer here? I'm picturing a glass of wine on the terrace on a lovely, sunny day! 

See more pictures - and find out more about booking this cabin as a holiday rental over at Landfolk. 

The way the doors open up to the outside remind me so much of our little cabin. I'm so hoping to stay there this weekend and finish the kitchen - I hope I can share some pictures with you soon. 

In the meantime, I can't resist sharing a few more danish summer home inspiration (you know me!). Check these out: 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

Before and after: a rundown cabin becomes a vibrant Danish summer house

A beautifully simple white Danish summer cabin

Charming details in a Danish allotment cottage

A dreamy Danish summer cottage with an outdoor bathroom

Ha en dejlig dag! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landfolk, shared with kind permission. 

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A Light and Airy Danish Cabin by The Sea

A few weeks back I told myself it was time to wrap up the Scandinavian summer cottage posts and return to the city or year-round country homes. But you know me, I'm never one to stick to the rules - especially my own! I couldn't resist sharing this charming, simple Danish cabin with you today. The wooden structure is situated in a cosy, untouched area on the southern tip of Falster, an island in south-east Denmark. 

Zine bought the cabin in 2020 and has been busy transforming it into a simple, relaxing, light and airy place to spend weekends and holidays. As with most Scandi getaways, mix and match 'loppis' (flea market) finds, open storage and a cosy spot in the sun are the order of the day. Enjoy the tour! 

Despite being potentially a little higher maintenance with the dusting, open shelving gives kitchens a relaxed grab and go feel and also means that your porcelain and vases can be a part of the decor! 

Coffee beans and percolators - the most important items in any Scandinavian home! Remember to make it extra strength! 

Stripes and art with nautical motives are a subtle nod to the coastal location. 

Le Klint Sax - A popular Danish lamp, for good reason! 

When designing our own cabin, I was very much inspired by Danish cabins with high, wood panelled walls and ceilings and a stark black wood burning stove (ours is from Contura and looks similar to this). I love the contrast, the statement chimney but also the promise of warmth! 

I also love the parquet floor; it makes me feel really nostalgic as we had a similar one in my childhood home. Some of the pieces had become loose and I used to pick it a part and then build things with it. I don't think that gamer was particularly popular with my parents. 

Baskets are really handy at a cottage like this - and make pretty wall decor when not in use! There are so many beautiful vintage baskets available on Etsy*. 

I am guessing you can enjoy this cabin year-round thanks to the wood burning stove and insulation (thinking blustery walks along the beach followed by a coffee by the fire!). 

And the good news is, it's 1 hr 45 mins drive from Copenhagen and available for short term holiday lets! Danish island life, anyone? 

See more snapshots from Zine's cabin here. 

Would you like to explore other Danish cabins and country homes this weekend? Take a look at: 

The idyllic thatched cottage of a Danish artist

Before and after: a century old Danish cottage is given a revamp

A Danish cabin by the sea became a lockdown haven 

Right guys, that's it from me. I hope you've enjoyed the tours this week of three very different properties (did you see the artist's home in Kent and Copenhagen apartment).

Have a wonderful weekend, see you Monday! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of Landfolk. 

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A White, Light & Airy Cabin on a Danish Island

One for the minimalists - or simply those of you dreaming of owning a Danish cabin! Kristina, an Interior design consultant, has put her white washed cabin on the Danish island of Fur in the Limfjord, just North of the Salling Peninsula, on Jutlund on the market! The Dane has a penchant for all things minimalist, carefully curating her living spaces with only what is needed and nothing more (I've tried to source as many as I can for you!). Tones are soft and muted, with the odd splash of black for contrast, and the architect of the building (think wood panelling sloped ceilings and beams) shines through to add interest. The look is serene and calm - perfect for an interior designed for relaxing and switching off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life! 

Cabinets - Invita Aarhus, Tap - Quooker, VIPP bin

Washing up liquid - Humdakin

Port wood basket - Ferm Living

The Skovby #452 display cabinet is similar. 

Fritz Hansen 7 chair, Nordal bamboo pendant light

Sofa - Ellos

Quilt - Bonne Mere 

Blinds - Color & Co, 'You' print by Sofia Lind*, 'Motljus' by Sandra Blomén Maschinsky*

Mirror - Sika Design, Umi bench - Make Nordic

Lovely - like a breath of fresh air! - And just waiting for someone to come along and put their personal stamp on it! Sadly if I recall right, you are not allowed to buy a property in Denmark unless you are a Danish citizen. But a girl can dream, right? 

If you fit the criteria and interested - reach out to Kristina here. For all others, you might like to check out Kristina's inspiring feed which also includes pictures of her beautiful house in Randers, Denmark. 

Is there anything you love about Kristina's cabin in particular? Could you imagine spending your summers here? I've heard great things about the island of Fur. Sadly it's a little too far for us to sail to, but we're looking forward to discovering other Danish islands when we set sail this summer. Exciting! 

Would you like to see a few more Danish cabins today? 

A charming and relaxed Danish cabin by the sea

A light and airy coastal cabin

A light-filled Danish summer cottage that's available to rent

Before and after: a rundown cabin becomes a summer cottage

A little danish cabin in the woods

Happy Lillördag (little Saturday)! 

Niki

Photography courtesy of @_rosemille - shared with kind permission.

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Travel Diaries: Design Hotel Villa Copenhagen

Unpaid Press trip*: 

Living a short hop over the famous Öresund bridge from the Danish capital city, I'm used to day trips to Copenhagen - but staying the night is something of a major luxury! Especially when it involves a design hotel (you know me!). Housed in the century-old former Danish post and telegraph office, the magnificent Villa Copenhagen is a short hop from the central station - making it easily accessible from the airport - and wait for it, Malmö! Hooray! When Per and I were invited to visit on a press trip a while back, we had grand plans for the weekend, but once inside the lobby, these quickly fell by the wayside in favour of seem R&R. Think incredible architecture, drool worthy interior design and a rooftop lap pool (warmed with the excess heat from the hotel's cooling system). Read on to discover more about our stay at Denmark's latest 'conscious luxury' design hotel - maybe you'll be the next to visit?

Step inside the hotel and the frenetic sounds of the city fall away as you're transported into another world. Designed by Danish archive Eva Harlou, the former courtyard, has been transformed into a lobby under a magnificent glass dome, and serves as a reception (although there is also an option to check-in remotely which comes in handy in the current climate) and a gathering place for tourists and Danes alike. A perfect setting from which to start my stay - and await Per with a glass of Prosecco!

Unless travelling alone, I'm a little sceptical about eating in hotel restaurants - mainly because I feel I should be out discovering one of the city's many haunts. But KONTRAST, the in-house brasserie has a street entrance, giving the feel of an independent restaurant. Plus, executive chef Tore Gustafsson and his team have pulled out all the stops. The dishes take inspiration from the southern gastronomic world of Europe and North Africa and made using local ingredients (including some from the hotel's own hidden garden). True to Danish stye, the presentation, explosion of flavours and wine selection of our taster menu were absolutely impeccable - as was the 'masked' service! 

It also helped that the setting was beautiful too - combining the historic decadence of the building with the rawness of nearby neighbourhood of Vesterbro.

The interior design has been a strong talking-point since the hotel opened on 1st July, 2020 - not least because of the fabulous and sustainable Earth Suite - so I was falling over myself to get to our room (nothing to do with the Prosecco, I promise!). 

The hotel had appointed several design and architecture firms to ensure that the interior design matched the magnificent grandeur of the Neo-baroque facade. With 390 rooms to decorate, I can imagine this was no easy feat, but it quickly became clear to me, they had achieved that and more!  

With views out over Tivoli Gardens, we may have been in the heart of a vibrant city, but our room was a picture of calm and serenity - and somewhere I could imagine actually living! It was beautiful. 

The rooms are blessed with high ceilings, herringbone floors and a calming muted colour scheme. Danish decadence at its finest! 

For the design, interior design firm Universal Design Studio took inspiration from grand Copenhagen residences and the work of Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi to create spaces that combine the past and the present. Natural materials, custom-designed furniture, smooth marble surfaces and touches of brass help to bring the rooms to life - and sent my design heart a flutter! 

After a trip to the hotel lap pool and a stint in the sauna, we returned to the room to find the bathroom stocked with hand soap, hand moisturiser and shampoo and conditioner from the SKOG - calm of the boreal forest - collection by Skandinavisk. Per was especially happy - it's been his favourite ever since our weekend at a friend's cabin in the woods. And he's not even the preening type! 

We woke up - incredibly well rested - to a sunny Autumn morning in Copenhagen and after enjoying the hotel breakfast (who doesn't love an omelette bar and a strong danish coffee? - But if a buffet breakfast isn't your thing, I noticed the hotel also has a wonderful in-house bakery) we headed out for a wander through the streets of the Danish capital before making our way back to Malmö by train. 

All-in-all, a heavenly stay in Copenhagen! 

If you could also use a little 'conscious luxury' and like the idea of surrounding yourself with fabulous Danish design - Villa Copenhagen is waiting for you! 

Definitely one for the travel files, for when we're free to roam again. 

Oh, and if you feel like splashing out, everyone is talking about the Suites. Next time, perhaps! 

Niki

All photographs by me except the first one which is by Stine Christiansen

*Disclosure: Villa Copenhagen covered our hotel expenses as part of a press trip, however I was not paid to write this piece and was under no obligation to feature the hotel on any of my channels. As always, I only ever write about interiors I love and think you will too. 

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