Highlights from 3 Days of Design 2024 | The Ask og Eng apartment

One of the things I enjoy most about Copenhagen’s annual ‘3 Days of Design’ is the chance to peek inside spaces that aren’t normally accessible to the public. There are open showrooms, innovative installations and exhibitions in unusual places, but my favourites are always the real-life homes. And my first highlight from this year’s festival is an example of just that – a beautiful and very inspiring apartment designed by Norwegian studio Ask og Eng.

Over the years I’ve featured various Ask og Eng projects, including the house of founders Kine and Kristoffer, so it was a joy to meet them in person and see their work first-hand. The couple – a former environmental geographer and architect – launched the company in 2016 after struggling to find a responsibly made kitchen system for their home. They decided to create their own using sustainable bamboo, and when friends and family started asking for the same, Ask og Eng was born. It has since branched out to cover all aspects of interior design, as well as offering bamboo furniture and a curated collection of objects crafted by independent artists and makers.

The apartment on display during 3 Days belongs to writer Emily Nathan, who initially approached Ask og Eng about a new kitchen. The project soon expanded in scope and the resulting spaces, created by Kine, Kristoffer and Copenhagen-based interior designer and stylist Kate Imogen Wood, are nothing short of stunning. I often talk about soft minimalism (in fact I’ve written a book about it!), and this home is the perfect embodiment of it. It’s pared-back yet cosy, with a palette of pale neutral tones warmed by natural materials and layers of inviting texture. Moreover, it’s about mood as much as aesthetics, and the first thing that struck me as I walked through the door was the calm, relaxed atmosphere – I could have happily kicked off my shoes and lingered for hours!

Set at the heart of the apartment, the living room features Ask og Eng’s dark-stained bamboo coffee table, plinth and wall-hung shelving unit. Their boxy shapes are offset by a snuggly bouclé sofa, a voluptuous Monstera plant, tactile linen lampshades and lots of organic forms, including a striking glass-fibre ‘Evoke’ planter from Ferm Living. I loved the way every detail has been carefully considered, with vintage paintings alongside woven cotton artwork by Amsterdam-based Textures by Noora, Danish ceramicist Viki Weiland’s handmade ‘Pebble’ wall vase artfully dressed with a single leaf, and wavy bowls and sculptural candlesticks carved from jacaranda wood by designer Alessandra Williams in collaboration with East African artisan cooperative Asili.

Set beyond double doors, the main bedroom is a simple, airy space that feels incredibly soothing. A bank of tall built-in wardrobes provides plenty of storage to keep things clutter-free, and the bed is draped in linen bedspreads that pool gently on the floor. Again, texture plays a vital role, with a rattan-fronted cabinet, hand-stitched abstract art by Britt Fabello and a recycled-paper pendant light adding depth and tactility to the minimalist decor.

The kitchen – the initial spark for the whole project – showcases Ask og Eng’s ‘A Collection’, which fits IKEA’s standard ‘METOD’ system. It’s actually quite a small room, but it doesn’t feel at all cramped thanks to a very clever layout. Full-length units on one wall face upper and lower cupboards on another, adding balance to the space and drawing the eye towards the window. The awkward diagonal end wall, meanwhile, has been put to good use with a built-in window seat featuring storage drawers beneath, and there’s a section of open shelving for displaying treasured objects and ceramics. The use of matching bamboo for both the fronts and worktops also makes the room feel larger by removing visual boundaries between the different elements. I particularly liked the TONI Copenhagen tap, whose classical expression contrasts beautifully with the clean, contemporary lines, and the perfectly imperfect paper-clay wall sconce from Goma Design Studio.

I found myself very drawn to the dining room, and not only because of the pile of macarons waiting to be devoured! It was actually the pendant light – another recycled-paper creation – that caught my eye, forming the perfect focal point over Ask og Eng’s ‘A10’ dining table. The latter is a minimalist take on traditional farmhouse tables, conceived as an informal gathering place for friends and family, and it suited the understated decor brilliantly. Other standout pieces in the space included a tactile dripped-glaze vase by Pia Engström Agesen and a trio of folded clay wall sculptures by Sarah Kvejborg.

I also had a quick look inside the nursery, which features uplifting sky-blue walls alongside earthy browns and beiges. It’s a colour palette that would work well in all kinds of settings, not just kids’ rooms, but here it’s given a whimsical childhood touch with a wave-edged pendant light and a checked canopy over the cot.

So there you go: a gorgeous home to kick off my coverage of 3 Days of Design, and one that proves minimalist spaces can be wonderfully cosy and liveable. It certainly inspired me, and I hope these photos inspire you, too!

Find out more about Ask og Eng and shop its collection of bamboo furniture and objects here. Going forwards, the Copenhagen apartment will be available to visit by appointment on select dates for those keen to see Ask og Eng’s ‘A Collection’ and other pieces in person.

All photography by Abi Dare