[Advertisement – this post is based on a press trip, but all words and opinions are my own]
After a visit to Georg Jensen’s HQ and a look around the inspiring home of Thomas Schlosser Svendsen, the final day of my recent trip to Copenhagen was spent exploring the wonderful world of Garde Hvalsøe.
You might not recognise the name, but you’ve probably seen Garde Hvalsøe’s stunning kitchens and cabinetry in magazines and on interiors websites – they even appear in the homes of several renowned chefs, including René Redzepi of Noma fame. Founded in 1993 by Søren Hvalsøe Garde and Søren Lundh Aagaard, the company brings together high-quality materials, honest craftsmanship, minimalist aesthetics and impressive functionality, and it handmakes designs to customers’ exact specifications. The results are beautiful and practical kitchens, many featuring distinctive finger-jointed edges and floating units, together with walk-in wardrobes, bathroom storage, wine rooms, chairs and more. Importantly, every piece is created to last for decades, and the focus is very much on timeless design rather than fleeting trends.
The day started an hour north of Copenhagen in the sprawling Gribskov forest, where Garde Hvalsøe’s workshop is located. Here, we watched the production process at first hand, from cutting the raw planks of wood (which are allowed to rest and dry for three years) to plaining, assembly, sanding and oiling. We also saw how single kitchens are cut from the same, long plank to ensure continuity in grain and colour, and how sections of veneer (used on some designs to increase strength and stability) are carefully matched and glued to give a seamless finish.
The skill and dedication involved were clear at every stage. Apprentice cabinetmakers in Denmark train for at least four years, and the top students are awarded medals by the queen – I wasn’t surprised to hear that every member of the Garde Hvalsøe team has been a recipient! I was also glad to learn that the company uses sustainably grown and harvested wood, mostly sourced in Denmark or Germany, and discourages clients from specifying exotic species that might be endangered or have large carbon footprints associated with their transportation.
After lunch, we headed back into Copenhagen to see a finished kitchen in the house of interior designer Susanne Rützou. Designed in the 1930s by leading Danish modern architect Vilhelm Lauritzen, this elegant brick villa was previously the home of Søren Hvalsøe Garde and was used briefly as Garde Hvalsøe’s headquarters – in fact the company’s sign still hangs outside! The kitchen he installed is still in place – a testament to its longevity – and has acquired a wonderful patina with time and use. The units are made from rich oak and topped with a black marble counter; there’s also a dark-stained island, plus an extractor fan disguised as a shelf – one of Garde Hvalsøe’s trademark designs.
We also had chance to wander around the rest of the house, and it’s beautiful – relaxed and welcoming, with vintage pieces (Georg Jensen among them) and travel mementos that each tell a story. Every room is bathed in soft light, and large wood-framed windows look straight onto a leafy garden – I found it hard to believe we were in the middle of a busy capital city. I loved the original parquet floor, the built-in shelves around the doorway between the living room and the master bedroom, and the way warm antique wooden furniture sits against swathes of crisp white. It’s a home that’s full of soul and personality.
To round the day off, we headed to Garde Hvalsøe’s showroom to see more of its designs in action. We’d actually been there the evening before, for a delicious dinner at tables adorned with Georg Jensen candles, vases and cutlery (a few photos below), but it was great to be back in daylight. It occupies a former car garage hidden away in a central Copenhagen courtyard and was designed by architect David Thulstrup, whose other projects include the stunning VIPP Chimney House. It features five different kitchen set-ups, a walk-in wardrobe, a bathroom, a wine room and a hallway, all surrounded by lots of open space and left largely undressed to help visitors envision them in their own homes. I was particularly taken by a sleek smoked-oak kitchen, and by another featuring versatile marble shelves that fix into slots and can be rearranged in seconds.
Garde Hvalsøe’s creations can be shipped all over the world, and a member of the team will come to site to install them in person. They’re far from cheap, with the price tag reflecting the skill and quality involved, but honestly: if I could afford one of the kitchens, there wouldn’t be a moment’s hesitation. They truly are beautiful and only grow more so as the years pass – an embodiment of timeless, considered design.
Many thanks to Garde Hvalsøe and Georg Jensen, who hosted the trip and covered my travel, accommodation and expenses.
All photography by Abi Dare
Leave a Reply