‘God morgen’ as they say in Danish! How was your weekend? I read that today is referred to as ‘blue Monday’ – considered by some the saddest day of the year. Apparently, it’s down to a number of factors including bad weather (check), long nights (check) and of course this year, a certain word beginning with C! Well, not on my watch friends, because we’re going to be wrapped in a warm bubble of ‘glæde’ as we tour a charming kolonihavehus (allotment cottage) in the Danish countryside! It may be pared-back – but it’s also full of warmth thanks to the carefully selected vintage furniture – as well as the small, joyful details which give this little space, a big heart! Welcome to Danish knitwear designer and interior stylist Gaia Brandt’s world!
Are you familiar with the ‘kolinihave’ concept? These little Scandinavian cottages are built on allotments – and were originally designed to provide shelter in between toiling the soil. These days, they have become a picturesque summer holiday retreat for many city dwellers. I’ve shared more details about this type of Scandinavian housing here.
Usually, there are tight restrictions on how many days a year you can stay – and the water is turned off between Autumn and springtime. But come summertime, these little cottage communities come alive and provide a perfect summer oasis!
As with most Scandinavian summer cottages, the look here is simple, with a focus on bringing the outdoors in.
Look closely though, and you’ll spot lots of wonderful details – a unique pot here, a wall-mounted dolls house there, and lots of mobiles, which draw the eye upwards.
A simple Danish rag rug helps to protect the wood floor in the kitchen.
Playing with over-sized items helps to bring the living room area alive!
Could that be a TV behind the sheet?
An otherwise disused corner of the room has been transformed into a display area for a vintage collection of hearts, dried flowers and other ornaments.
On warm summers day, the doors are thrown open so Gaia and her children can flit between the outdoors and inside.
I bet many a strong coffee has been enjoyed right here!
So lovely, don’t you think?
I can practically feel the warmth on my skin from the pictures (taken by Gaia’s sister Kira Brandt – a talented photographer – for Danish magazine Boligliv.
I’m also finding this tour so inspiring for the tiny cabin Per and I are planning to build this year (more to follow very soon!).
Did you get any ideas for your own home?
I forgot to mention that Gaia is a real dab hand at DIY / crafts. Check out her styling work for magazines here and see pictures of her latest home over on her instagram feed.
And – for more inspiration to brighten up the start of your week, you might like to check out:
Blue Monday? What blue Monday!
Niki
Photography: Kira Brandt / styling Gaia Brandt for Boligliv – shared withy kind permission.
‘God morgen’ as they say in Danish! How was your weekend? I read that today is referred to as ‘blue Monday’ – considered by some the saddest day of the year. Apparently, it’s down to a number of factors including bad weather (check), long nights (check) and of course this year, a certain word beginning with C! Well, not on my watch friends, because we’re going to be wrapped in a warm bubble of ‘glæde’ as we tour a charming kolonihavehus (allotment cottage) in the Danish countryside! It may be pared-back – but it’s also full of warmth thanks to the carefully selected vintage furniture – as well as the small, joyful details which give this little space, a big heart! Welcome to Danish knitwear designer and interior stylist Gaia Brandt’s world!
Are you familiar with the ‘kolinihave’ concept? These little Scandinavian cottages are built on allotments – and were originally designed to provide shelter in between toiling the soil. These days, they have become a picturesque summer holiday retreat for many city dwellers. I’ve shared more details about this type of Scandinavian housing here.
Usually, there are tight restrictions on how many days a year you can stay – and the water is turned off between Autumn and springtime. But come summertime, these little cottage communities come alive and provide a perfect summer oasis!
As with most Scandinavian summer cottages, the look here is simple, with a focus on bringing the outdoors in.
Look closely though, and you’ll spot lots of wonderful details – a unique pot here, a wall-mounted dolls house there, and lots of mobiles, which draw the eye upwards.
A simple Danish rag rug helps to protect the wood floor in the kitchen.
Playing with over-sized items helps to bring the living room area alive!
Could that be a TV behind the sheet?
An otherwise disused corner of the room has been transformed into a display area for a vintage collection of hearts, dried flowers and other ornaments.
On warm summers day, the doors are thrown open so Gaia and her children can flit between the outdoors and inside.
I bet many a strong coffee has been enjoyed right here!
So lovely, don’t you think?
I can practically feel the warmth on my skin from the pictures (taken by Gaia’s sister Kira Brandt – a talented photographer – for Danish magazine Boligliv.
I’m also finding this tour so inspiring for the tiny cabin Per and I are planning to build this year (more to follow very soon!).
Did you get any ideas for your own home?
I forgot to mention that Gaia is a real dab hand at DIY / crafts. Check out her styling work for magazines here and see pictures of her latest home over on her instagram feed.
And – for more inspiration to brighten up the start of your week, you might like to check out:
Blue Monday? What blue Monday!
Niki
Photography: Kira Brandt / styling Gaia Brandt for Boligliv – shared withy kind permission.
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