NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL
Located in the idyllic forest of Hareskoven near Copenhagen, this open-plan apartment is transformed at Christmas, with understated and natural decorations
In an idyllic forest location, an open-plan apartment is transformed by finds from nature
Interior decorator and photographer Lene Samsø combines her home and work life in her new apartment in the idyllic forest of Hareskoven, where she creates lifestyle, food and design articles for Danish and international magazines. She also styles and photographs interiors catalogues and works as an interior designer for both private and corporate clients. And as soon as she switches into ‘Christmas mode’ her home transforms into Santa’s workshop, where she makes festive decorations, wraps gifts for photoshoots and tests her festive recipes.
Throughout the whole floor, Lene has created an open-plan living and working space that she shares with her two children and their dog Figo. Alongside this, the apartment features a loft with exposed wooden beams and, while not large, it has been cleverly arranged to ensure every square metre is well used. The open-plan layout accommodates three separate zones: a kitchen, a dining area, and a TV space with a corner sofa. A three-metre-long table has been placed centrally and serves several functions - dining table, worktable and desktop. Made from old scaffolding boards that have been sanded down, lacquered and mounted on a trestle base from Hay, it is surrounded by Eames chairs.
Lene starts working on Christmas articles well ahead of the festive season itself, usually in the autumn. ‘For the last months of the year, the room is gradually filled with props, ornaments, branches, and all sorts of things that I use in my job. It may sound a bit messy, but it is
‘I prefer natural decorations and tend not to experiment with much colour’
quite cosy and really adds to the festive atmosphere,’ she says. ‘It’s so lovely when guests come by as I can try out my ideas and get some feedback.’ There are festive touches all around her home, most of which are understated and classic. ‘I see so many of the new trends through work, so when it comes to decorating my own home I have a more traditional approach. I prefer natural colours and tend not to experiment much. I mostly keep to brown, grey and greenish-blue. There may be a year when I’m suddenly fond of purple or another colour, but it usually passes,’ she laughs.
Organic elements also play an important part in the rest of her home, where the large windows let in plenty of natural light and dark-stained flooring creates a warm contrast to the white walls and ceilings. Wood features a lot, supplemented by bamboo, wool, leather and ceramics, while kilim cushions and rugs provide a vibrant contrast to the natural palette. ‘I love to surround myself with rustic bowls, vases and pots, which are beautiful statement pieces in their own right. At Christmastime, I fill them with foliage from hedgerows and the forest, found on our walks with Figo. Nature’s own ornaments, such as pine cones and larch branches, immediately become festive when you gather them on a tray or place in a vase and decorate with baubles.’
Lene likes to hang branches above the dining table, decorated with pretty ornaments. Or she may place one, undecorated, against a wall, or directly on the Christmas table. ‘A branch that has been lying on the forest floor and has acquired a patina can be one of the most beautiful things. It adds a touch of “elves and magic” to the Christmas decorations,’ she laughs.