Houzz Tour: A Scandinavian Dream Home in a London Flat
Danish design, from midcentury classics to newer creations, pepper this stylish yet cosy city apartment
When Christina Thaisen and Anders Borch relocated from Denmark to London for work, they were looking for a flat in a friendly neighbourhood where they could create a tiny slice of home.
The summer that Christina Thaisen and Anders Borch fell in love, Anders had to move to London for work. As Christina was still studying in Denmark, the couple maintained a long-distance relationship until six years ago, when Christina transferred to a school in England. The pair have lived together in London ever since.
They’ve created a homely nest in an apartment in Bermondsey, south-east London. Since then, they’ve also welcomed their son, Carl Bille, and started their own business, a Scandinavian interiors shop called Nabo.
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In their first years in London, Christina and Anders lived in a number of temporary homes, but when they found their current flat, they were immediately sold on it – not least because of the surrounding area.
“London is many cities that have grown together into one big city, but Bermondsey still feels like a small village, so we’re really happy that we live here. We deliberately looked for something in this area,” Anders says.
Christina agrees that the village atmosphere is what makes this neighbourhood special. “There are small shops where we can buy local vegetables, flowers and meat. And we run into the same people over and over again because they also live in the neighborhood. It’s nice.”
“London is many cities that have grown together into one big city, but Bermondsey still feels like a small village, so we’re really happy that we live here. We deliberately looked for something in this area,” Anders says.
Christina agrees that the village atmosphere is what makes this neighbourhood special. “There are small shops where we can buy local vegetables, flowers and meat. And we run into the same people over and over again because they also live in the neighborhood. It’s nice.”
Bermondsey is perfect for a couple who love the metropolis, but also like having everything close by. On top of that, the flat is a good size and offers fantastic views. “When we saw the apartment, we had no doubts. We said we wanted it right away,” Christina says.
It’s located in The Jam Factory, a converted industrial building that was built in 1902 and converted in 2003 by SimpsonHaugh Architects.
It’s located in The Jam Factory, a converted industrial building that was built in 1902 and converted in 2003 by SimpsonHaugh Architects.
Having the interiors shop has affected their style in the flat. “We have things you see in Denmark, because I’m looking to Denmark a lot in terms of value and design, even though we live in London,” Thaisen says.
The couple have no plans to return to Denmark: life in England is good, and with their international outlook, they’re more likely to travel out into the world than move back onto Danish soil.
Still, they take Danish design with them wherever they go. Both Christina’s parents and grandparents are into interior design, and several of the pieces in this apartment once belonged to her father and grandfather. The daybed, for example, was her father’s childhood bed, and the coffee table is from her grandfather’s old home.
“My grandfather was very interested in good design and having a home with room for guests. It’s a concept I’ve inherited: the things we have in our home must be used, and life must be lived.
“In addition,” she says, “it makes me happy to think that many of the things we surround ourselves with have a story and that we’re helping to build on it.”
“In addition,” she says, “it makes me happy to think that many of the things we surround ourselves with have a story and that we’re helping to build on it.”
It’s no coincidence that Scandinavian design is the main focus of the couple’s online shop. Not only is it beautiful, it’s incredibly popular outside of Denmark.
“I also really like the combination of functionality, simplicity and aesthetics that Scandinavian design stands for,” Christina says. “That’s one of the basic ideas I hold to when I’m finding things for Nabo or working as an interior design consultant in London.” That being said, she doesn’t have exclusively Danish things at home.
“I also really like the combination of functionality, simplicity and aesthetics that Scandinavian design stands for,” Christina says. “That’s one of the basic ideas I hold to when I’m finding things for Nabo or working as an interior design consultant in London.” That being said, she doesn’t have exclusively Danish things at home.
“I think it’s important to decorate a home in a way that reflects who we are and accommodates the life we want to live,” Christina says. “I also think there are many really talented contemporary Danish designers and artists, so it’s important to support them so that we can build on our history of Scandinavian design.
“When we continue to reproduce old furniture, we make it very difficult for new designers and artists, and that is a shame,” she says. “So on Nabo, I focus on newer designers and artists as well as original vintage furniture.”
“When we continue to reproduce old furniture, we make it very difficult for new designers and artists, and that is a shame,” she says. “So on Nabo, I focus on newer designers and artists as well as original vintage furniture.”
When Christina decorates her home, she makes a point of not crowding it with too many things.
“I’d rather have a few good things, and not too much at home. It stresses me out if my house is stuffed with objects, and I’d rather wait for the right purchase than buy something else to use temporarily,” she says.
“I’d rather have a few good things, and not too much at home. It stresses me out if my house is stuffed with objects, and I’d rather wait for the right purchase than buy something else to use temporarily,” she says.
At the weekend, she likes to go to the many flea markets in the city and look for small treasures. When she’s not doing that, she and her family spend time in the parks or small restaurants in their area. Their favourite is a good Sunday roast at a pub around the corner, enjoyed by themselves or in good company.
“The kitchen is my favourite part of the apartment,” Christina says. “It’s decorated in a way that feels most like me, so I feel comfortable with the style. It’s obvious that when you rent a home, there are some limitations that you have to work around, like we did.
“There are actually many things we would change in the apartment if we could, such as the choice of materials, some parts of the kitchen and the layout,” she says. “But there are also many things we’re really happy with, such as the open spaces and the large windows,” she says.
“There are actually many things we would change in the apartment if we could, such as the choice of materials, some parts of the kitchen and the layout,” she says. “But there are also many things we’re really happy with, such as the open spaces and the large windows,” she says.
The couple can’t tear down any walls, because they’re only renting the place. “I still couldn’t help painting a few walls to make it a little more us, though” Christina says.
Moreover, they made sure they decorated it exactly as they want to, and so far they’ve succeeded in creating a stylish and cosy nest here in the middle of the city. The next big décor decisions? Replacing Carl Bille’s bed and getting a new sofa.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Scandi-style home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Moreover, they made sure they decorated it exactly as they want to, and so far they’ve succeeded in creating a stylish and cosy nest here in the middle of the city. The next big décor decisions? Replacing Carl Bille’s bed and getting a new sofa.
Tell us…
What do you like about this Scandi-style home? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here? Christina Thaisen, 28, Anders Borch, 40, who run interiors shop Nabo, and their son, Carl Bille (2½)
Location Bermondsey, south-east London
Property An apartment in a converted industrial building built in 1902
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms; about 100 sq m