Step inside this holiday cottage, made for making memories

Louise Winchmann and her husband Jan enjoy their Danish holiday home throught the year, but particularly at Christmas, when it comes to life.

Louise Wichmann’s happiest childhood memories are of times spent at her grandparents’ holiday house, outside Copenhagen, so in 2021 – at the height of the coronavirus pandemic – she bought her own in Vejby, Denmark. The three-bedroom main house has a functional, single-storey 1960s design, but the real draw was the two cottages added to the plot in 1970. As guest accommodation, they meant that Louise and her partner Jan could host up to 12 people – more than enough space for their six children, plus a few more!

After completing the house purchase, Louise gave the place a head-to-toe makeover to make it feel more calm and spacious inside. Ceilings were removed in the central living space to expose the beams and skylights fitted into the pitched roof. The extra glazing makes the house much lighter on dark winter days and that light is amplified when there’s snow on the ground.

Most of the furniture in the place, including the 1970s coffee table, Kaare Klint dining chairs and leather armchair, came from Louise’s grandparents, so it feels lived-in and well loved. These older pieces mix easily with Louise’s contemporary choices, like the Kartell dining table and modern designer lighting. In the dining room, a statement box pendant emphasises the length of the dining table and echoes the sloping lines of the ceiling to put the focus on this as the family’s core gathering place.

For decorations, Louise usually keeps things simple by foraging pine branches and pine cones from her surroundings. Leaves from a chestnut tree are sprayed silver and turned into a Christmas tree garland with strings of faux pearls on metal wire. Louise’s daughters are dab hands at folding silver paper into pretty angels while Louise uses scraps of wallpaper to make kræmmerhuse – cone-shaped decorations trimmed with ribbon. All the gifts under the tree will have matching wrap: simple brown paper tied with wide gauze ribbon and a sprig of pine tucked in.

This living-dining space feels more spacious than it really is, thanks to folding doors to the garden and its lofty ceiling with exposed beams and skylights. Supersized rugs define the seating and dining areas. The couple bought the beautiful kilim rug in Turkey; it brings warm colour into this space, creating a cosier and more intimate feel when the family gathers for meals.

The long pendant light over the table is by Moooi and is decorated for the festive season with large pinecones hung from velvet ribbons in shades of pink and green.

Louise wasn’t keen on the fussy original floor tiles, so they have been covered with a layer of microconcrete for a smooth and simple look that connects all the interior spaces. New kitchen cabinets from Ikea were fitted and the main house’s bathroom redone.

Louise and Jan’s bedroom is plain and simple, but a striped bedspread from JYSK and a striking framed exhibition poster elevate the space to make it feel special.

For Louise, this year will be about setting a new tradition for the family: leaving the city behind and heading to their new holiday home in the countryside where there is space to roam in the fresh air and space to gather together under one roof, remembering old times but also making lots of new memories.

Words Anja Blinkenberg/The Sisters Agency.
Photography: Birgitta Wolfgang Bjørnvad/The Sisters Agency.