After going via a divorce, artist Simone Polk says she wanted a “comfortable touchdown.” She discovered a light-filled house in Copenhagen to share along with her 12-year-old daughter, Ava. They’ve since moved on, however right here’s a tour of the house that took Simone via a tricky transition, welcomed new mates, and served as a backdrop for her work…
LIVING ROOM
Wall coloration: Pointing by Farrow & Ball. Work: Simone Polk.
“I used to be with my ex for 14 years, so at first, I felt actually lonely. Then I bumped into an outdated good friend at a celebration, and he or she launched me to a bunch of divorced girls. The very first thing they instructed me was, ‘Kind out custody so you may have the ‘even’ weeks to your self and the ‘odd’ weeks together with your daughter.’ All the ladies had the identical custody schedule. Now, once we don’t have our youngsters, we spend time collectively.”
Couch: outdated Ikea ‘Färlöv’ wearing a sage linen cowl by Bemz. Flooring lamps: Gubi and Akari 20N. Bench and stools: flea market finds. Curtains: &Drape. Rug: Nordic Knots. Pendant gentle: Akari 21A.
“My home could be very calm, however I’m like Monica from Associates — I disguise all of the litter within the closets! This house has a extremely massive walk-in, and in the event you opened it, every thing would fall out.”
Chair: Togo Fireplace chair. Espresso desk: Classic from Eliaselias. Portray: Simone Polk. Flooring lamp: Akari 20N.
“Some individuals have described my residence as ‘beige,’ which is usually a shorthand for bland. However I like heat, buttery tones. Like if you take a look at pictures from the eighties and so they have that golden gentle.”
Bookcase: Flea market discover. Lamp: Helle Thygesen. Portray: Simone Polk.
“As soon as, once I was about 12, I found a e-book in my father’s bookcase that was crammed with photos of all these stunning rooms. I bear in mind considering, Ought to I reside on this room or that room? I obtained carried away imagining it. An area you like can deliver a lot pleasure.”
“”We had our first Christmas right here, simply my daughter and me. As a result of the ceiling is so excessive, we obtained the most important tree we might discover. We might barely carry it residence.”
DINING ROOM
Wall coloration: 4524 from Flügger. Desk, hutch, and flooring lamp: classic. Eating chairs: “Previous Kai Kristiansen chairs I discovered 20 years in the past in a classic store.” Work: Simone Polk. Pendant: classic, comparable. Curtains: &Drape.
“Rising up, I drew on a regular basis. My dad, an artist, was fairly happy with me and stated I’d be an artist, too. Then I forgot all about it, and I had an extended profession in tv. When the channel I labored for closed down, I made a decision to attempt to make work out of one thing I beloved. I began as an inside stylist, and I’d make work to deliver to set. Then individuals started asking if they may purchase the work.”
“First, I offered my work myself, then I labored with a gallery, which takes a 50% reduce, after which I made a decision to return to promoting my work straight. For just a few years now, I’ve been photographing my artwork at residence. It’s been a sport changer to permit shoppers and collectors to see a portray this manner versus in a white-walled gallery house.”
Cupboard and journal rack: classic.
“I’m fairly a romantic particular person, and I like curtains that pool on the ground. The curtains on this house had been a post-divorce present to myself.”
“I beloved sitting on this chair to learn when Ava was watching noisy sitcoms in the lounge.”
KITCHEN
Plate on wall: classic from Notre Nóm. Kettle: Hario.
Desk: flea market discover. Candlestick: flea market discover.
“This authentic watercolor is by Danish artist Jens Uffe Rasmussen. My favourite Copenhagen artwork museum is Ordrupgaard, which incorporates the home of legendary furnishings designer Finn Juhl, and I like being in his residence simply as he left it. Louisiana is all the time value a visit exterior the town, and the road Bredgade within the heart of Copenhagen has plenty of nice galleries.”
BEDROOM
Mattress: Zara Residence. Bedding: Zara Residence. Work: Simone Polk.
“As soon as, when she was youthful, Ava was leaping up and down on the mattress and kicked her foot via a canvas hanging above it. I used to be devastated, and he or she was, too. Then I remembered a way I’d used earlier than I used to be an artist, once I was simply making items for my residence, the place I’d layer items of paper onto a canvas. That jumping-on-the-bed accident grew to become the beginning of Patches, my hottest sequence.”
Marble desk: flea market discover.
“I like the French author Valérie Perrin. Recent Water for Flowers was probably the most stunning novel I’ve ever learn. I’m jealous of anybody who hasn’t but learn her work but.”
Curtains: &Drape. Stool: household heirloom.
“I’m the fifth baby. My older brother inherited a designer chair from my dad that’s value some huge cash, and I ended up with that little foldable looking stool. My dad supplied it to me once I moved out of the household residence, and I’ve had it ever since.”
“We didn’t find yourself staying right here lengthy. I discovered a spot the place I might have my studio in my residence, and that made extra sense. However I felt so fortunate to get to reside right here.”
Thanks a lot for sharing your own home with us, Simone!
P.S. Many extra residence excursions, and this reader’s husband constructed her an introvert nook.
(Pictures by Nana Hagel.)