A COPENHAGEN CELEBRATION

In this gorgeous Danish villa, the tree is up by early December, every room is filled with much-loved decorations, and the whole place comes alive

December arrives and every room comes alive with much-loved decorations

Camilla MØller’s stunning home is an eclectic mix of classic furniture, family heirlooms, contemporary pieces and French vintage finds. Throughout, the walls are painted in white and soft pastel hues, with occasional areas of floral wallpaper making a statement. In the living room, bold colour is introduced with a large red and white rug, which contrasts beautifully with the original wooden herringbone floor.

The house really comes into its own at Christmas. Camilla loves festive traditions, and from early December, her home is decked from top to bottom with the family’s much-loved decorations. On tables, at the windows and on windowsills, Camilla’s carefully grouped items work together to striking effect.

The Christmas tree is generously decorated just like in the classic Danish children’s story,

by Johan Krohn, using a mix of old, new and inherited pieces, as well as Camilla and Claus’s daughters’ homemade decorations. ‘It’s not about colour coordination or fashion – the Christmas tree is decorated with an interesting mix and every single piece is hung with love,’ reflects Camilla.

‘Many of the decorations are like small pieces of art,’ says Camilla, who is fascinated by the craftsmanship, materials and design of these treasures she has collected over the years. The

‘It’s not about colour coordination or fashion – every single decoration is hung with love’

‘Many of the decorations are like small pieces of art’

‘I love being together with my family, decking out our home and dressing the tree together’

festive season is definitely a favourite time of year for the family: ‘I love the cosiness, the decorations, the get-togethers and the giftgiving,’ Camilla says with a smile. ‘And

I love being with my family, decking out our home and dressing the tree together.’

Not surprisingly, Camilla likes to use lots of colour on her Christmas table, such as red candles and red poinsettias along with a fine hand-embroidered blue tablecloth made by her grandmother. This year, the Christmas table features red and green, as well as silver baubles and Royal Copenhagen plates. Hyacinths with the bulbs dusted with silver and the girls’ colourful homemade gnomes are put by each place setting. The traditional

Christmas dinner in Denmark is either roast pork or duck, which the family will enjoy on Christmas Eve. Claus will prepare the meat outside on the terrace in a closed Japanese kamado grill, while the potatoes, red cabbage, prunes, apples and brown sauce are made in the kitchen. And for dessert, it is the traditional (rice pudding) with warm cherry sauce.

After dinner, the family dance around the tree holding hands, before dancing through each room singing Danish Christmas carols. It is only then that the gifts are given out and everyone stays up late, enjoying the fun and the joy of being together.

HOME PROFILE WHO LIVES HERE Camilla Møller, her husband Claus, and their teenage daughters, Caroline and Annabel THE PROPERTY A red-brick villa built on the outskirts of Copenhagen in 1905 HALLWAY Placed in front of the door to the garden, the tree has been decorated with an eclectic mix of old and new Christmas ornaments. A quirky bowl by Bjørn Wiinblad stands on the windowsill WINDOW DRESSING Camilla has hung baubles from Casa Casino on colourful ribbons across the window

HALLWAY A dark wood sideboard from Green Square is the perfect spot to display books and decorative items. Above it hangs an antique French mirror from Fil de Fer PORTRAIT Camilla in her characterful home WINDOWSILL Colourful gnomes made by Caroline and Annabel are arranged alongside ceramic figurines

LIVING ROOM Camilla has placed twisted hazel branches decorated with ornaments from Casa Casino on the mantelpiece. The small black wooden stool is from De Fire Årstider, and the colourful baskets came from Kira DINING ROOM Striking wallpaper from Tapet Café covers the wall that separates the kitchen and dining room. ‘It adds an exciting effect together with the graphic red and white Ikea rug under the dining table,’ says Camilla

DINING TABLE Camilla loves to create drama with a quirky twist and a mix of old and new. Here pink walls and the vibrant rug work perfectly together. Around the inherited dining table sit Wishbone chairs by Hans Wegner, while above hangs a crystal chandelier. The bar trolley is Mathieu Matégot for Gubi and the painting above it, which was passed on from Camilla’s grandparents, is by Trier Mørch. The tall antique candelabra is from Fil de Fer in Copenhagen TABLE DETAIL Royal Copenhagen china, and antique Bohemian crystal glasses sit on a rich blue tablecloth that was hand-embroidered by Camilla’s grandmother

KITCHEN/DINING SPACE Carpenter Flemming Larsen made the cupboards, which have been painted in a soft grey. The dining table is by Poul Kjaerholm and chairs are Hans Wegner. The glass pendants are from Design By Us and the lampshade above the table is from Tine K Home. A French antique candelabra from Fil de Fer sits on the windowsill, while the miniature chairs are from an antiques shop in Monaco