The Vipp Pencil Case – a serene guest suite in Copenhagen
Over the past few years Danish homeware brand Vipp has launched a series of bookable accommodation options, dubbed the ‘Vipp Hotels’, across Denmark and southern Sweden. I’ve loved the look of every single one and the fifth, which has just opened in Copenhagen, is no exception.
Located in the former industrial area of Islands Brygge, just across a bridge from the city centre, the ground-floor space occupies part of a converted 1930s pencil factory and has been nicknamed the ‘Pencil Case’. Inside, it’s been completely renovated by interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard and now consists of an open-plan kitchen and dining area, a double bedroom and a bathroom, all carefully considered to create a calming haven for guests while honouring the building’s Bauhaus-inspired architecture.
Throughout, the decor blends airy white walls with a palette of neutral shades that range from soft beige to warm grey. Wood also plays a recurring role and again pays homage to the building’s past: it used to be the home of Viking, manufacturer of Denmark’s iconic yellow school pencils, before functioning as a showroom for wooden flooring specialist Dinesen. Indeed Dinesen ‘HeartOak’ planks are laid in every room, with their natural cracks preserved and oak butterfly joints locking them in place.
The furniture and accessories mix pieces from Vipp’s own collection with tactile natural materials and eclectic artworks. In the kitchen, sleek ‘V1’ aluminium units and perforated metal wall lamps are offset by hand-woven baskets and a circular ‘Cabin’ table crafted from solid oak, with a lantern-like paper pendant emitting softly diffused light that’s ideal for laid-back meals. A plaster wall sculpture by Cecilie Vår Norsahl greets guests at the entrance, and textured ceramics line the factory-style windows.
Accessed through pocket doors, the bedroom beyond is a pared-back sanctuary in relaxing tones. A simple low-slung bed is flanked by marble-topped side tables and large figurative paintings, with an open rail for storage. Linen bedding and a bouclé pouf – one of the latest additions to Vipp’s selection – create layers of softness and warmth, as do floor-to-ceiling Kvadrat curtains.
As for the bathroom, it’s small but offers a great blend of form and function, with white walls and a clean-lined white sink unit leading to a black-tiled walk-in shower. A wall-hung mask adds a surprising twist to the monochrome scheme.
“Vipp Pencil Case is not your average hotel room,” says Cloos Mølsgaard. “More like a studio or atelier, it elicits an artistic ambience and holds a rare quietude in the midst of the Danish capital.”
And the perfect finishing touches? A selection of Viking pencils along with a Vipp pedal bin – two time-tested Danish classics whose designs haven’t changed since their creation almost a century ago. A fitting tribute to the building’s former life and Vipp’s own history, and handy for any guests who find the beautiful surroundings suddenly spark their creativity.
The Vipp Pencil Case is available to book here, with a two-night stay priced at €1,000. You can see the other Vipp hotels here, here, here and here.
All images courtesy of Vipp
