Inside this Danish residence, the walls are decorated with patterned wallpaper and shelves are filled with ceramics sourced from Sweden, England, and Italy. Tanja has built an extraordinary collection of items shaped like fruits and vegetables, including napkin rings and jugs fashioned as apples and pears. Italian cabbage plates and dishes sit alongside delicate vegetable reliefs and a charming green pea vase in the rooms. The homeowner explains that she has always had a weakness for colour and shape, but as she has gotten older, she has become more selective. She only keeps pieces that are good quality and that she genuinely feels she cannot live without.
The hunt for hidden treasures
Most of these finds are not new. Instead, they are unearthed in flea markets and second-hand shops in both Denmark and Sweden. Tanja notes that the very best pieces often turn up in charity shops. She believes that finding a hidden gem requires looking properly—up, down, and behind—and making more than one round of the shop. Something wonderful might be hidden behind rows of plain white coffee cups, she says. This sense of discovery is palpable throughout the house, and the process has become part of the pleasure. The really good finds are fewer and farther between now, but that is what makes it exciting. It feels like putting together a puzzle, and when she finds the missing piece, it is incredibly satisfying.
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While the objects are the focus, the backdrop is just as considered. Wallpaper plays a starring role throughout the home, with patterned designs used to create warmth and cohesion. Only the entrance hall remains undecorated for now. In the kitchen, a single end wall is papered with a Cole & Son design featuring geraniums, while other rooms each have their own carefully chosen motif. Longevity is key for Tanja; choices are made slowly and thoughtfully to ensure the scheme will stand the test of time.
A practical approach to decor
Despite the careful planning, the interiors are not static. Tanja enjoys refreshing the mood with small, seasonal changes, moving pieces around, and creating new vignettes as her mood shifts. She wants the home to feel cosy where you feel relaxed the moment you step inside. The desire for warmth and character is perhaps unsurprising given Tanja’s profession as a prison officer. After a long day in such a different environment, it is wonderful to come home to colour, shape, and creativity.
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Henrik’s influence is equally important. A carpenter by trade, he brings a practical, hands-on approach to the interiors, focusing on furniture, artwork, and bespoke joinery. Throughout the house you will find pieces he has designed and built himself, including a wall cabinet in the bedroom, a bookcase in the sitting room, and a display cabinet in the kitchen. He even adapted an old glass drawer to fit the space.
The homeowner’s background might suggest a preference for order, yet the home is layered with stories and shaped by years of collecting. It reveals a sense of curiosity and a love of objects that bring joy. In Tanja’s world, colour and form are not simply decorative choices; they are a way of life. She sells vintage homewares via Instagram: @bernhards_container.
