It's Like a Rainbow Exploded in This Danish Home

Kelsey Mirando
Updated

They say when you can’t find what you’re looking for, make it yourself, and that’s just what Lisbeth Beck did when she and her husband began building their family home in Horning, Denmark, from scratch two years ago. Moving out of Aarhus, the country’s second-biggest city, and into the smaller suburb gave them the opportunity to have the best of both worlds. “There were elements of our Aarhus apartment we wanted to bring with us, like high ceilings and large kids’ rooms,” Lisbeth says. “The key things we were missing there were light, nice floors, outdoor space and a bigger living area.” That wish list became a cornerstone of their new home's design.

Then came the real fun: decorating. True to her Danish roots, Lisbeth favors a pared-down aesthetic. However, she took a unique approach, creating an eclectic mix that proves Scandinavian modernism and hygge aren’t mutually exclusive. (Read: you can have the cozy state of mind without the whole crackling-fireplace-and-fuzzy-socks nine yards.) With tons of color and healthy doses of both old and new, Lisbeth keeps things neat and minimal yet still majorly comfortable. (We shouldn't be surprised considering she runs an amazing Instagram vintage shop.) Here’s how you can get a similar feel in your own place:

Think color, color, and more color: Lisbeth's dining nook is a feast for the eyes, and her taste-the-rainbow palette makes all the difference. That's not to say there aren't any neutral moments, though. “Concrete floors, glass, and wood give our home a sense of Nordic minimalism,” she says. “With this base, it’s easy to add vintage pieces and color—all the stuff that makes it a cozy place to be.” In a deep sea-green, the family’s Corian tabletop is super easy to clean and maintain; the colorful plates and cups are flea market finds.
Store the functional, spotlight the pretty: The trick to keeping your kitchen cool, not cluttered? Take a cue from Marie Kondo and only give public real estate to the pieces that bring you joy. “I built this open shelf specifically for this wall to display some nicer things,” Lisbeth says. “It’s a really quick and easy way to add personality.” A designated spot also allows extra breathing room elsewhere in the space, reducing any sense of visual clutter.
Pair up old and new: Balance the clean lines and geometric shapes of modern pieces with laid-back vintage prints and secondhand finds. For example, Lisbeth reupholstered her sculptural living room chairs—scored at a local flea market—with a botanical-print fabric found on eBay. Similarly, her wood-frame Arne Norell sofa, also vintage, sits behind a Flower Table by Swedese with a very contemporary vibe. P.S. It’s all good, old-fashioned fun in here. “We keep our TV in the office/guest room and use our living area for reading, playing games, and hanging out,” Lisbeth says.
Don't splurge on art (unless you want to): “In our home, art adds playfulness and personality,” says Lisbeth. “I look for original pieces, lithographs, or vintage posters. There’s no right or wrong when picking art.” On the other side of the living room, Lisbeth anchored the wall with a Montana Furniture console, a classic Scandinavian modern design piece found in many Danish homes. Then, she layered in books, objects, plants, and two lithographs by Danish artists, one by Mogens Andersen (left) and another from Erik A. Frandsen (right).
Go for unexpected color combos: “I tend to pick warm pastels like dusty blues and pinks to make the space inviting,” says Lisbeth. “Then I look for something that will add contrast, like a bright turquoise vase or a stripe.” In her bedroom, Lisbeth paired a soothing blush Montana Furniture nightstand with menswear-inspired H&M Home bedding. How to get the look? Choose colors opposite each other on the color wheel, then pick a hue a couple notches to either side for a twist.
Do hygge your own way: Hygge is all about piling on the snuggly texture, but for a more modern look, forgo wintry wool throws and think soft upholstery instead. “It’s really important for us to have a cozy home that feels like us, which is maybe why I love DIY projects," Lisbeth says. In her daughter's bedroom, she fashioned a scalloped headboard out of bright poppy velvet, creating the same level of comfort without any bulkiness. “It was a really fun and easy project that took about two days in total,” she adds.
Maximize your space, no matter how small: Why not reimagine an empty nook as a mini office that doesn’t skimp on function, like Lisbeth did? A built-in desk and cabinetry keep the minimal floor space uncluttered, while a DIY pegboard seriously ups the corner's usefulness without breaking the bank.
Think of decorating as an evolution: Lisbeth’s throw pillow philosophy is just as go-with-the-flow as the rest of her home: “I buy new pillows on a regular basis—it’s such an easy way to change the look,” she says. “But I rarely throw out the old ones. I keep them in the closet and then sometimes redecorate combining old and new. I also like to sew my own pillows, especially from Liberty London fabrics.” Sticking to shades of blue and red ties this guest-room space together without being too matchy-matchy.
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