Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Scandi Chic Updates a 19th Century Farmhouse
A fresh palette and simple furnishings have brought this period house up to date while celebrating its original features
This 19th century country house just outside Odense, Denmark, has been renovated in phases over the years. Its interior is now completely modern, but still respects the history of the building. The décor is the perfect mix of old and new and lends the home a warm, personal touch.
Local lore has it that earlier in the home’s history, neither the entire upper floor nor the bigger living rooms were used. It was so cold in the house that, according to legend, three siblings who once lived there used to change in the kitchen and sleep all together in a single room.
Fortunately, this is no longer the case. The previous owners had added good heating and extra insulation, and Lisbeth’s family are now able to use all of the rooms.
Lisbeth and her husband bought the farm 11 years ago. By then, it was no longer used for agricultural production. “No animals are kept in the stables anymore, and now only a few cats and a dog live in the main house,” Lisbeth says.
The renovation was a group effort. “My husband, Casper, can do almost everything himself, and he renovated this house with the help of good friends,” Lisbeth says.
“He renovated the whole of the ground and first floors with one friend, though the basics had already been done by the time we bought the house.
“We changed the tiles in the entrance, hallway and bathroom, and we also plastered and painted all of the walls and ceilings. The staircases, wooden floors and kitchen cabinet doors were painted, too.”
Looking to renovate a property? Find local architects and building designers in the Houzz Directory
“He renovated the whole of the ground and first floors with one friend, though the basics had already been done by the time we bought the house.
“We changed the tiles in the entrance, hallway and bathroom, and we also plastered and painted all of the walls and ceilings. The staircases, wooden floors and kitchen cabinet doors were painted, too.”
Looking to renovate a property? Find local architects and building designers in the Houzz Directory
“After moving in, it took four years until we were happy with the look of the place,” Lisbeth says.
Though her husband was the one who renovated the bones of the house, the interior décor was Lisbeth’s work.
Though her husband was the one who renovated the bones of the house, the interior décor was Lisbeth’s work.
“Our house changes a lot,” Lisbeth says. “I really enjoy spending time at home. I’m the type of person who changes their mind all the time, so I change my décor, because I think there should always be something going on.
“I always get new ideas that I want to try out – if I want to hang shelves on a wall or replace a sink, we just do it.”
“I always get new ideas that I want to try out – if I want to hang shelves on a wall or replace a sink, we just do it.”
Sofas, Ilva. Coffee table, Jysk.
Lisbeth likes to use recycled pieces. She also really relates to the things she has, and often breathes new life into them by moving them around or repainting them. She sells the things she can’t reuse or revamp.
Basket, Ilva. Display cabinet, Ikea.
Browse indoor pots and planters in the Houzz Shop
Basket, Ilva. Display cabinet, Ikea.
Browse indoor pots and planters in the Houzz Shop
Expensive or brand-name items have never been very important to Lisbeth. It’s rather the feeling that an item or piece of furniture evokes that determines whether it’s going to be a part of her home.
“I have a bond with my things and I like most of them. Even a small, cheap dish from a sale can mean a lot to me, because price does not determine what I like,” she says.
“We mix bargains and expensive things at home, and I love coming across nice finds that don’t cost a lot. Things don’t have to be by a chic designer. This makes it easier for me to make changes.”
Lisbeth collected the porcelain and ceramic dishes seen here over many years.
“I have a bond with my things and I like most of them. Even a small, cheap dish from a sale can mean a lot to me, because price does not determine what I like,” she says.
“We mix bargains and expensive things at home, and I love coming across nice finds that don’t cost a lot. Things don’t have to be by a chic designer. This makes it easier for me to make changes.”
Lisbeth collected the porcelain and ceramic dishes seen here over many years.
The sideboard is an old workbench they found in one of the barns. Casper also enjoys building some of the furniture himself.
He built this serving table out of old boards, for example.
He made this display cabinet out of some old boards and windows that had been lying in one of the barns.
The couple painted this JKE Design kitchen when they moved in.
The furniture they built lends a special cosiness to the kitchen, Lisbeth’s favourite room in the house.
Rack, Søstrene Grene.
Lisbeth believes in cooking at home and loves being here to prepare dinner or drink a cup of coffee at the kitchen table.
“It’s just so open, bright, warm and lovely in here. We always eat in the kitchen,” Lisbeth says.
Chairs, nimara.dk.
Chairs, nimara.dk.
Next to the dining area is a small living room, which opens out to the garden and the large conservatory – another part of the house built by Lisbeth’s husband and his friend.
The conservatory lets the family ease into the colder months, and spend more of the year nearly outdoors.
Now, after 11 years at the same address, Lisbeth is finally able to look around and be satisfied, feeling that she and her husband have achieved what they dreamed about.
Hand towel, H&M Home.
Hand towel, H&M Home.
“I’m very happy with everything we’ve done,” she says.
Cabinet, recycled. Bedspread and cushions, Indoor Living.
Tell us…
What do you think of this renovated farmhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Cabinet, recycled. Bedspread and cushions, Indoor Living.
Tell us…
What do you think of this renovated farmhouse? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here Lisbeth Dreymann, 42, her husband, Casper, 44, and their daughters, Karoline, 15, and Mathilde, 12
Location Over Holluf, a few miles outside Odense, Denmark
Size The 4,305 sq ft (400 sq m) house stands on a 64,585 sq ft (6,000 sq m) plot; the original barn buildings now serve as a garage, workshop and storage area
Year built 1887