I love a good before & after – how about you? And the beauty of today’s transformation is that the century-old cottage was in pretty good nick when Danish psychologist and photographer found it – but needed freshening up (I couldn’t believe the bit about the woodlice infestation below – UGH!). The pair were keen to put their own stamp on the house and add a simple, yet exclusive Scandinavian country feel. Christina and her husband set about working on the exterior and interior as well as carrying out a loft conversion. After 5 months of intensive work, the pair were ready to move in. Excited to see what they did? Here are the before and after pictures!
Exterior
The pair kept the original windows on the main building and then searched for new windows to install on the attached building. They also painted the property a fresh white and brushed down the thatched roof to remove moss and algae as well as added wood decking to enjoy in summertime.
She opted for a handcrafted kitchen with a marble top and brass sink, as well as brass doorknobs. The French vintage were restored in Copenhagen.
Christina picked up the shelves for €20 in a second-hand shop and painted them to match the cabinets.
Wine cellar
Christina’s husband had the *awesome* vision to transform the cellar (used as a fridge in the olden days) into a wine cellar. When they first found the house it was dark, cold, wet and black with woodlice.
“It was so awful, that the first time I saw it, I ran and said to my husband: “I’m never going to buy that house!” says Christina.
Once the unwelcome guests had been cleared, the pair dug down to improve the ceiling height – even adding space for a ‘bar table and chairs’ (sounds like a great speakeasy to me!). They also added a bespoke glass hatch – which although sturdy, was nerve-racking to walk on at first – and something Conrad, the family dog – refuses to walk on to this day!
How awesome! Honestly, if we didn’t have a communal garage beneath our home, I’d start digging! Not sure ours would be this full though! Could you imagine having a wine cellar like this in your home?
Sitting room
Instead of changing the wood floor in the sitting room, Christina sanded it down and added a white lime wash for a lighter look (we did this in our home too and it worked a treat!). They also removed a lot of the storage at the base of the stairs.
Home office
If you work from home – which many of us do right now (I can actually hear Per holding a maths lesson online from my right now!), you’ll know how important it is to find the right spot. Christina earmarked an area in the hall as somewhere she could run her (love the look of those!), edit photos and write – bathed in natural light (made even better by the new window). The table is a vintage find.
Sunroom / Hallway
Christina and her husband are thrilled with the transformation in the hallway – an area which also connects the old cottage with the newer black wood building. They swapped out the doors and tiles and painted the walls with a light beige chalk paint (see for similar).
Note: If you’re on a tight budget and don’t like the look of grouting which has darkened over time, you can clean it with bicarbonate soda, water and a toothbrush. It’ll come out as good as new!
Bedroom
A tremendous amount of work went into converting the attic into a bedroom and living area – including raising the ceiling and erecting a dummy wall to hide the chimney.
Today, the bedroom has a fresh, summery, coastal vibe!
Check out the radiator cover – perfect for covering old, slightly unsightly or wonky radiators. Always check if it’s OK to cover a radiator first though – obvs!
Bathroom
And last but not least, the bathroom! For this room, they decided to start again from scratch (saving only the loo roll holder!). The washing machine has been concealed behind one of the drawer sections – you’d never guess, would you? So clever!
Today, the family love to relax and enjoy the wonderful views out over the Danish coast. Until they start flipping their barn that is. Watch this space for another before and after in the future!
That setting!
Such an inspiring renovation – and a truly beautiful cottage, don’t you think?
The great thing about ‘before & afters’ is that even if you’re not renovating an entire property, there are always small things you can take-away and implement in your own home – like the grouting and radiator covers.
Did you get any ideas?
Follow Christina’s latest projects over at – and keep an eye out for her upcoming (I see there’s going to be a FREE five day one soon!).
And check out the full for some incredible transformations!
Happy Lillördag (little Saturday!) friends!
Niki
Photography by , shared with kind permission.
I love a good before & after – how about you? And the beauty of today’s transformation is that the century-old cottage was in pretty good nick when Danish psychologist and photographer found it – but needed freshening up (I couldn’t believe the bit about the woodlice infestation below – UGH!). The pair were keen to put their own stamp on the house and add a simple, yet exclusive Scandinavian country feel. Christina and her husband set about working on the exterior and interior as well as carrying out a loft conversion. After 5 months of intensive work, the pair were ready to move in. Excited to see what they did? Here are the before and after pictures!
Exterior
The pair kept the original windows on the main building and then searched for new windows to install on the attached building. They also painted the property a fresh white and brushed down the thatched roof to remove moss and algae as well as added wood decking to enjoy in summertime.
She opted for a handcrafted kitchen with a marble top and brass sink, as well as brass doorknobs. The French vintage were restored in Copenhagen.
Christina picked up the shelves for €20 in a second-hand shop and painted them to match the cabinets.
Wine cellar
Christina’s husband had the *awesome* vision to transform the cellar (used as a fridge in the olden days) into a wine cellar. When they first found the house it was dark, cold, wet and black with woodlice.
“It was so awful, that the first time I saw it, I ran and said to my husband: “I’m never going to buy that house!” says Christina.
Once the unwelcome guests had been cleared, the pair dug down to improve the ceiling height – even adding space for a ‘bar table and chairs’ (sounds like a great speakeasy to me!). They also added a bespoke glass hatch – which although sturdy, was nerve-racking to walk on at first – and something Conrad, the family dog – refuses to walk on to this day!
How awesome! Honestly, if we didn’t have a communal garage beneath our home, I’d start digging! Not sure ours would be this full though! Could you imagine having a wine cellar like this in your home?
Sitting room
Instead of changing the wood floor in the sitting room, Christina sanded it down and added a white lime wash for a lighter look (we did this in our home too and it worked a treat!). They also removed a lot of the storage at the base of the stairs.
Home office
If you work from home – which many of us do right now (I can actually hear Per holding a maths lesson online from my right now!), you’ll know how important it is to find the right spot. Christina earmarked an area in the hall as somewhere she could run her (love the look of those!), edit photos and write – bathed in natural light (made even better by the new window). The table is a vintage find.
Sunroom / Hallway
Christina and her husband are thrilled with the transformation in the hallway – an area which also connects the old cottage with the newer black wood building. They swapped out the doors and tiles and painted the walls with a light beige chalk paint (see for similar).
Note: If you’re on a tight budget and don’t like the look of grouting which has darkened over time, you can clean it with bicarbonate soda, water and a toothbrush. It’ll come out as good as new!
Bedroom
A tremendous amount of work went into converting the attic into a bedroom and living area – including raising the ceiling and erecting a dummy wall to hide the chimney.
Today, the bedroom has a fresh, summery, coastal vibe!
Check out the radiator cover – perfect for covering old, slightly unsightly or wonky radiators. Always check if it’s OK to cover a radiator first though – obvs!
Bathroom
And last but not least, the bathroom! For this room, they decided to start again from scratch (saving only the loo roll holder!). The washing machine has been concealed behind one of the drawer sections – you’d never guess, would you? So clever!
Today, the family love to relax and enjoy the wonderful views out over the Danish coast. Until they start flipping their barn that is. Watch this space for another before and after in the future!
That setting!
Such an inspiring renovation – and a truly beautiful cottage, don’t you think?
The great thing about ‘before & afters’ is that even if you’re not renovating an entire property, there are always small things you can take-away and implement in your own home – like the grouting and radiator covers.
Did you get any ideas?
Follow Christina’s latest projects over at – and keep an eye out for her upcoming (I see there’s going to be a FREE five day one soon!).
And check out the full for some incredible transformations!
Happy Lillördag (little Saturday!) friends!
Niki
Photography by , shared with kind permission.
