Many of the home tours I feature are the work of Copenhagen-based Norm Architects, and with good reason – I’m continuously inspired by the way the buildings they design are sensitive to their surroundings, adapted to the needs of the people who live in them, and utterly beautiful both inside and out! And today I have another fantastic example to share with you.
Surrounded by meadows and forests in northern Zealand, the private Sandbjerg Residence sits in a secluded nook of trees. The exterior is a tribute to traditional Danish country houses, complete with a thatched roof, shuttered windows, decorative cartwheels and a chalky matte render. The inside, however, is a different matter: sophisticated and contemporary, with lofty ceilings that give it the air of an elegant boutique hotel.
The main living section of the house consists of a series of open spaces which flow easily into one another. Grey-marble floors and smoked-oak furniture create a cohesive feel, while changes in level define the threshold and individual function of each area. The overall look is refined and sculptural, but the raw, earthy palette and natural textures provide an important link with the external architecture. What’s more, the materials used – stone, leather, linen, wood – have all been chosen for their durability and ease of maintenance, and will become more beautiful with time and use.
The centrepiece of the house is the dining area, with a huge table designed for entertaining, plus an oval-shaped bar cabinet with elegant grooved sides. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood it with natural light, and their distinctive arches are echoed in the wall nooks, where marble plinths from Menu are used to display favourite ceramics.
The bedrooms are sleeker and more contemporary, with swathes of crisp white wall interspersed with warm oak panelling, some of which contains hidden storage and built-in display shelves. The master bedroom is particularly beautiful, and I love the way tall mirrors (the ‘Amore’ series, designed by Space Copenhagen for &Tradition) add a decorative element without detracting from the overall simplicity. Large oak doors open up to reveal the ensuite bathroom, whose grey tiles and grooved basin stand give a nod to the materials and shapes used elsewhere in the house.
Obviously this is a large and luxurious place, but there are plenty of useful ideas that could be translated into other homes, big or small. The pinky-beige walls are perfect for anyone looking for a warm yet understated neutral base, and the textured look is easy to achieve with mineral-based paint (Bauwerk Colour has a good range). It’s also a great example of how bespoke carpentry can maximise storage and reduce clutter, and how materials and shapes can be used as recurrent motifs to create interiors that hang together nicely, without being boring or overly similar.
How about you? What do you think of this beautiful project, and are there any ideas you’d like to borrow for your own home?
All photography via Norm Architects
I’m in love with the oval shaped bar cabinet. Can you share the name of the designer or a shop where to buy this?
I suspect it was custom-made for the house, but take a look at Poiat, Kam Ce Kam and Warm Nordic, which all have oval-shaped bar cabinets.