I could not help but consider of Goldilocks and the Three Bears after listening to about Silke Bonde’s existence in the Danish countryside. In the city of Birkerød, Silke, her husband Kasper, and their two youngsters downsized from a 3,000-sq.-foot dwelling to a person with “a small backyard and every little thing we need.” They get lake sights and mother nature walks, but they are also 30 minutes from Copenhagen. Not far too big, and not also smaller, every thing looks just correct. Consider a look…
UPSTAIRS Dwelling House
Couch: Erik Jørgensen EJ315 3-Seater. Coffee desk: Hans J Wegner. Side dresser: Moebe, comparable. Floor lamp: Isamu Noguchi Akari 9A. Ceiling pendant: Flos IC Light-weight. Bookshelf: Moebe. Mirror: Moebe.
On transferring to the countryside: My husband and I had been drawn to the way of residing we grew up with, close to h2o and trees. There is one thing charming about just about every season here. Winter season in Birkerød means early sunsets and snow. Spring is hopeful when we all over again really feel the warmth of the solar. Summer months is swimming and being up late in the brilliant evenings.
Sofa: Erik Jørgensen EJ315 3-Seater. Facet table: Moebe, very similar. Mirror: Moebe.
On downsizing: When we moved to Birkerød 6 a long time back, we acquired a lovely significant household. But when our to start with baby, Norr, was born, we discovered it way too large. Cleaning 300 square meters [about 3,000 square feet] and preserving a enormous yard wasn’t anything we required to commit time on. So, we downsized and acquired our present-day home. We like it so a lot improved.
On evenings upstairs: Following dinner, we go upstairs to rest prior to the youngsters go to mattress. We have a ground mat for practicing tumbling, and we examine textbooks. It’s my most loved time of day. I grew this avocado plant from a seed. This spring, it will transform 6!
Lamp on bookshelf: Oluce Atollo Glass Desk Lamp. Ceiling pendant: Flos IC Mild. Bookshelf: Moebe. Desk: Hans J Wegner.
On minimalism with kids: Lots of persons, together with Danes, would probably assume my home is too empty, but I just cannot consider creatively if there is much too substantially things. That explained, I do observe allowing the flooring movement with toys and thrust back again in opposition to my want to preserve every thing tidy! And when they develop out of points, it’s really common to invest in and market used toys on different Danish apps.
PARENTS’ Bed room
Headboard: handmade, equivalent. Duvet protect: bought in Mexico.
On parental resilience: When it comes to parenting, the intensity of the obligation has surprised me the most. And also what we as parents are able of. I really feel so substantially much better than at any time before. We have been by means of four wild yrs with young young children, but we’ve made it.
Crib: Ikea Sniglar. Gingham child linens: Studio Feder.
On weekend jaunts: Growing up in a smaller town in Jutland, I did not have a lot access to tradition and I want my children to grow up with it. Now, we’re only 30 minutes north of Copenhagen, so it’s good to be ready to obtain live shows, layout museums, and the food items scene. New cafés and restaurants are popping up all the time, and we try out something new each and every go to.
DOWNSTAIRS Kitchen:
Pendant: Vilhelm Lauritzen VL45 Radiohus Pendant. Chairs: TAKT Cross Chair. Framed photograph: Print by George.
On wintertime strategies: Being social is energizing when it is dim and cold. We commonly have pals about for coffee. For me, the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ signifies cozying up with excellent meals, cherished ones, and laughter. The point that the concept is now spreading to other elements of the entire world is just superb.
Kitchen area: Ikea. Cupboards: Reform Foundation.
On renovating: The renovation was so satisfying — the improvements felt great! For illustration, rather of 3 tiny home windows struggling with the lake, we merged them into one particular huge window. And we moved the stairs, which blocked the lake check out, to the reverse corner of the eating room. When the renovation was concluded, I couldn’t stop staring at the lake. Since we are superior up on a hill, we see the adjust of the seasons so evidently.
Kitchen: Ikea. Countertop: Reform Linoleum. Fork & knife print: Silke Bonde.
On a cupboard makeover: We have an Ikea kitchen but applied a organization referred to as Reform to add different fronts. The white cabinets brighten up the kitchen, and the inexperienced linoleum countertop presents it an edge. We really like the minimalist search of the round handles. Decades from now, we could adjust out the fronts for a totally unique search, alternatively of obtaining a total new kitchen.
KIDS’ Bed room
Duck print: Warmgrey Tail. Rainbow print: Silke Bonde. Bookcase: Montana Furnishings Shelf 1112.
On rising up with character: When I was a female, I used so quite a few hrs on little initiatives outside the house. My grandmother taught me the pleasure of bouquets, birds, and the modify of the seasons. We typically wrote each and every other letters, the place she would explain her backyard garden at that specific moment.
Pendant: Paris au Mois d’août. Crib: Ikea Sniglar. Basket: Ikea, equivalent. Moomin poster: Ikea, related.
On free of charge play: Young children have to satisfy anticipations at household, faculty and public spaces, but in character they can just be themselves. When we consider the little ones outside the house, we try out not to carry nearly anything and instead allow them obtain points to engage in with them selves. Even when we’re merely strolling house from university, we all deliver new energy, and my shoulders drop completely.
OFF-Website STUDIO
Artworks: Silke Bonde.
On doing the job in and out of the household: I labored from residence for about five yrs, which was terrific most of the time. But following this 2nd maternity depart, I wasn’t able to ignore the domestic mess, and I missed acquiring colleagues. Luckily for us, I located a close by shared studio with other artists. Now, in the morning, I set the children in our cargo bike and experience to daycare and then to my studio.
Artworks: Silke Bonde.
On acquiring you: For a long time, I’d been performing with watercolors — I love the unpredictability of the hues on moist paper — but I received worn out of flat paper. So, I began experimenting with unique procedures to try to make it 3 dimensional and alive. I found that I liked chopping and folding paper. Now, soon after 7 yrs of doing work as an artist, I really feel like I’ve at last landed on the proper shelf. I sense the drive in my complete physique to make paper artwork, and if I could, I would function all night time. I hope my art is a everyday reminder of the significance of mother nature and using the time to see the attractiveness in every depth.
Thanks so a lot, Silke! You are excellent.
P.S. Much more household tours, such as a 175-sq.-foot studio apartment and a New Zealand residence with a yellow door.
(Images by Nana Hagel images of the bed room and offsite studio are courtesy of Silke Bonde.)
