DO NOT DISTURB

Draped fabrics and a gentle approach to design create moments of calm, pastel-hued privacy in this Copenhagen apartment

Iused to sit on the window ledge in my daughter Freja’s room to drink my morning coffee, looking down at the people on the street below,’ says Johanna Rosén. ‘It’s where the most beautiful light was.’ Now, thanks to a major redesign of this home in the Østerbro district of Copenhagen, Freja has her privacy back and the whole family can enjoy the morning views. Johanna, sales manager for Danish fashion house Baum und Pferdgarten, and her husband Mads, founder of a business that produces sustainable materials for the fashion industry, decided to move their bedroom, as well as Freja and her younger sister Ella’s, to the back of the apartment, overlooking a quiet courtyard. The switch meant that the open-plan kitchen and dining area could be moved to the front of the flat, with an opening created to link it to the expansive living area. Now this home is bathed in natural light and feels more connected to the city below. Of course, no matter how much you love metropolitan living, everyone needs to be able to disconnect from the bustle. To imbue a sense of calm, Johanna has opted for softly draped curtains in light fabrics and pastel colours. They don’t just shade the windows; in the living room, they can conceal the front door, creating a gently protective cocoon. ‘When we pull them across, we leave the world outside and get a feeling that nothing can disturb us,’ explains Johanna.

Cosy can equate to a dark palette, but here, lighter shades of delicate pink and icy blue offer a comforting effect. A highlight is the mustard-coloured floor in the main bedroom and hallway, which required a layer of ship’s varnish to produce just the right amount of sheen. ‘The effect makes me smile,’ says Johanna. ‘The glossy yellow looks insanely beautiful paired with the pink velvet curtains.’

Complementing this positive aesthetic are finds that remind Mads and Johanna of their holidays. ‘The marble tiles in the kitchen were inspired by the interior of a café in Bali and the small mosaic tiles on the bathroom floor were chosen to mimic the feeling of walking along a sandy beach,’ explains Johanna. These memories of sunny climes are combined with typically Scandinavian lighting and furniture designs, both vintage and modern. The result is a tranquil interior with, as Johanna describes it, ‘a feeling of freedom, vacation and wellbeing ’. baumundpferdgarten.com

LIGHTER SHADES OF DELICATE PINK OFFER A COMFORTING EFFECT

EVERYONE NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO DISCONNECT

FROM THE BUSTLE

Living room The coffee table and rug were saved from a recycling station, while the vintage wall light is by Lyfa (pieces are available on 1st Dibs). Two large canvases decorate the room; the one above the sofa is by Dan Schein; the other is by John Copeland. The smaller framed work is by Danish painter Albert Mertz. The ice-blue curtain is from Arne Aksel

Dining area Soft, sheer pink curtains from Arne Aksel give this space a dreamy feel. The long oak table is surrounded by a selection of vintage chairs which Joanna has collected over the years. A ‘PH’ pendant light by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen hangs above

Kitchen Custom-designed by Johanna and Mads, and made by Hangar336, the island is clad in raw iron plates held together by brass bolts. The marble tile splashback that covers the whole back wall was inspired by a café in Bali – you can find similar tiles at Fired Earth. Pink plug sockets from Katy Paty soften the industrial finish of the cabinets. The two leather bar stools are from Rabens Saloner Hallway The yellow and pink paintwork produce an inviting atmosphere. The rugs are from a market in Turkey and the walls are decorated with art from Mads’ collection: the large canvas is by American painter Ryan Schneider

Bathroom This space is dominated by a monumental 180kg stone sink, which Johanna and Mads bought in Bali. Intended to recreate the feel of walking on a beach, the small mosaic tiles on the floor are also a Bali find. The brass taps and shower fittings are all from Danish brand Toni Bedroom Pink velvet curtains from Arne Aksel complement the deep mustard colour of the floorboards. The bed’s headboard is from Rabens Saloner and the bedding is by Aiayu. The brass side table is a Gubi design and the Bauhaus-style table lamp was bought in Berlin. Danish artist Kvium created the two pictures that hang above. In the corner of the room stand a mirror from Rabens Saloner and a small chair, picked up on a trip to Bali. The bespoke wardrobes, with their strip of brass, were crafted by Hangar336 See Stockists page for details