Ringing the changes
Eva-marie Wilken’s Copenhagen flat is continually evolving as she mixes colours, design eras and styles to express her personality through looks that are eclectic and creative, but never chaotic
This listed Copenhagen flat has an evolving mix of colour, design eras and style
“It was well proportioned and elegant; perfect for unleashing my vision!”
THE PROPERTY
A 187sq m three-bedroom apartment in Copenhagen, Denmark. It dates back to 1919 and Eva-marie purchased it in 2018.
When Eva-marie Wilken first viewed her flat in Copenhagen, she was blown away by the bay windows and decorative ceilings. To the front are large formal living spaces, including a hall, living room, dining room and studio. Smaller rooms at the back are split into a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and second office.
‘My work as an interior stylist (evamariewilken.com) takes up a lot of space,’ she says. ‘I’d outgrown my apartment and needed somewhere bigger.’ Eva-marie lived here throughout the two-year renovation.
‘I used the old courtyard loo during the bathroom refurb,’ she says. ‘And while the kitchen was being done, I used the bathroom as a makeshift kitchen, which was pretty hard. As it’s a listed building, the renovation had to be carried out carefully and I’ve kept many of the original features, such as the square tiles in the kitchen. But I had the windows upgraded with sound-proof glazing and brass handles.’
For the décor, Eva-marie used mood boards to create a palette of pastel shades, mixed with feminine wallpaper, sculptural lighting and classic mid-century furniture. ‘I thoroughly enjoy the way old and new come together in an apartment like this. In the digital era, it’s wonderful to run down the worn stairs and think of how life used to be.’
Eva-marie has a knack for combining styles and colours. ‘Mixing something extravagant with something simple, and something formal with something organic creates a fun interior. I love sculptural lamps, especially when their geometric forms are contrasted against a painting from a different era, or long velvet curtains. My look doesn’t consist of one particular style and is influenced by several periods and directions. I’m constantly changing and rearranging things – that’s my life. Eventually I might get bored, though, and move again – the idea of renovating and decorating somewhere new always inspires me.’
Living room
‘The blue sofa is around 40 years old, but I’ve never found anything more comfortable. I painted the artwork on the far wall myself.’ Arranging the seating away from the walls has made this large room cosier and more sociable.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Achilles small powder blue sofa, £1,625, Loaf, has a similar look. Cottex five arm lamp, £450, Scandinavian by Design. Flair cushion in Rose Tweed, £50, Normann Copenhagen, would work here. For a similar pink rug, from £119, try Made
Living room nook
‘This is my reading corner. My parents bought the armchair in the 1950s and it’s perfect here.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Sebastian Herkner inspired green Bell side table, £384.30, Mobelaris. Formakami JH4 rice paper lamps, £166, &tradition at Made in Design
“As it’s a 100-year-old Grade A-listed building, the renovation was carried out carefully, and I’ve kept many of the original features, such as the square tiles in the kitchen”
Kitchen
‘I kept the layout of the kitchen the same with the sink under the window, but installed new units and dark wood worktops to contrast. I love the old white tiles. They’ve been there for generations – they’re beautiful.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Babette poster, £49, Permild & Rosengreen. Ferm Living small hooks (used as unit handles), from £35, Amara, would also work here. Otoro glass pendants, £99.95 each, Nkuku, are a similar style to these
Studio
‘The old workshop shelves provide ample storage for all of my art kit. You’ll often find me in here devising mood boards, painting furniture or creating artwork.’ Gold-lined lampshades give this functional space a touch of luxury.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Three bay galvanised steel shelving unit, £95.99, Racking Solutions, is a good alternative. For a similar wall colour, try Dorchester Pink, £47 for 2.5ltr, Little Greene
“Mixing something extravagant with something simple, and something formal in style with something organic-looking, creates a fun interior”
Studio
‘This room off the dining room has been designed to act as a multifunctional art studio, study, workshop and office.’ Soft pink walls give the room a stress-busting calm and soothing mood.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Palm Leaves wallpaper, £72.25 a roll, Cole and Son at Jane Clayton & Co
Main bedroom
The combination of charcoal grey and ballet-slipper pink gives this space a smart but feminine feel.
This room is all about contrasts: functional bare wood floorboards sit alongside a silky velvet bedspread and Eva-marie left the print of the historic photo unframed for a more contemporary look.
BUY THE KEY PIECES Try
Geisha framed poster, £49.95, Juniqe. Bloomingville cotton cushion in Yellow, £50; Bazaar wall lamp, £121, are both similar styles, Nordic Nest
Bedroom reading corner
‘I found this armchair at an auction and had it reupholstered in a cretonne fabric that dates back to the 1950s – the same as the chair. The curtains in this room were made to cover the entire wall when drawn, for a luxurious, cocooned feel.’
BUY THE KEY PIECES Ferm Living Thin Lines wallpaper, £52 a roll, Nunido. Try Eileen Gray inspired side table, £111.75, Mobelaris. Globes smoky glass pendant light, £449, Dwell, has a similar look
WHAT I’VE LEARNED
“I’m not as confident about colours as you might think. Both living rooms had to be repainted three times because I couldn’t quite get it the way I had in mind. I never compromise and say ‘that’ll do’, though, because it’s worth getting it right. I just keep trying”