After going by means of a divorce, artist Simone Polk says she wanted a “mushy touchdown.” She discovered a light-filled house in Copenhagen to share together with her 12-year-old daughter, Ava. They’ve since moved on, however right here’s a tour of the house that took Simone by means of a tricky transition, welcomed new buddies, 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 Then I bumped into an outdated pal at a celebration, and she or he launched me to a bunch of divorced ladies. The very first thing they instructed me was, ‘Kind out custody so you’ve 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 children, 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Couch: outdated Ikea ‘Färlöv’ wearing a sage linen cowl by Bemz.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 may be very calm, however I’m like Monica from Mates — I conceal all of the muddle within the closets! This house has a extremely huge walk-in, and in case you opened it, every part would fall out.”
Chair: Togo Fireside chair. Espresso desk: Classic from Eliaselias. Portray: Simone Polk. Flooring lamp: Akari 20N.
“Some individuals have described my dwelling as ‘beige,’ which generally is a shorthand for bland. However I really like heat, buttery tones. Like while you have a look at photographs from the eighties and so they have that golden gentle.”
Bookcase: Flea market discover. Lamp: Helle Thygesen. Portray: Simone Polk.
“As soon as, after I was about 12, I found a guide in my father’s bookcase that was stuffed with photos of all these stunning rooms. I bear in mind considering, Ought to I stay on this room or that room? I obtained carried away imagining it. An area you like can carry 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 may discover. We may barely carry it dwelling.”
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, similar. Curtains: &Drape.
“Rising up, I drew on a regular basis. My dad, an artist, was fairly happy with me and stated I might be an artist, too. Then I forgot all about it, and I had a protracted 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 liked. I began as an inside stylist, and I’d make work to carry 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% lower, after which I made a decision to return to promoting my work instantly. For just a few years now, I’ve been photographing my artwork at dwelling. It’s been a recreation 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 individual, and I really like curtains that pool on the ground. The curtains on this house had been a post-divorce reward to myself.”
“I liked 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 unique 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 really like being in his dwelling simply as he left it. Louisiana is all the time price a visit exterior town, and the road Bredgade within the middle of Copenhagen has numerous nice galleries.”
BEDROOM
Mattress: Zara Home. Bedding: Zara Home. Work: Simone Polk.
“As soon as, when she was youthful, Ava was leaping up and down on the mattress and kicked her foot by means of a canvas hanging above it. I used to be devastated, and she or he was, too. Then I remembered a way I’d used earlier than I used to be an artist, after I was simply making items for my dwelling, 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 collection.”
Marble desk: flea market discover.
“I really like the French author Valérie Perrin. Fresh 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 price some huge cash, and I ended up with that little foldable looking stool. My dad provided it to me after I moved out of the household dwelling, and I’ve had it ever since.”
“We didn’t find yourself staying right here lengthy. I discovered a spot the place I may have my studio in my dwelling, and that made extra sense. However I felt so fortunate to get to stay right here.”
Thanks a lot for sharing your property with us, Simone!
P.S. Many more home tours, and this reader’s husband built her an introvert nook.
(Images by Nana Hagel.)
