After going by a divorce, artist Simone Polk says she wanted a “tender touchdown.” She discovered a light-filled condo 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 area that took Simone by 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 Then I bumped into an outdated buddy at a celebration, and she or he launched me to a gaggle of divorced girls. The very first thing they advised me was, ‘Kind out custody so you might have the ‘even’ weeks to your self and the ‘odd’ weeks together with your daughter.’ All the ladies had the identical custody schedule. Now, after 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Couch: outdated Ikea ‘Färlöv’ wearing a sage linen cowl by Bemz.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 mild: Akari 21A.
“My home could be very calm, however I’m like Monica from Associates — I cover all of the muddle within the closets! This condo has a extremely massive walk-in, and if you happen to opened it, the whole lot would fall out.”
Chair: Togo Fireplace chair. Espresso desk: Classic from Eliaselias. Portray: Simone Polk. Flooring lamp: Akari 20N.
“Some folks have described my house as ‘beige,’ which generally is a shorthand for bland. However I like heat, buttery tones. Like while you take a look at photographs from the eighties and so they have that golden mild.”
Bookcase: Flea market discover. Lamp: Helle Thygesen. Portray: Simone Polk.
“As soon as, once I was about 12, I found a guide in my father’s bookcase that was crammed with footage of all these stunning rooms. I bear in mind considering, Ought to I dwell on this room or that room? I received carried away imagining it. An area you like can convey 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 received the largest tree we might discover. We might barely carry it house.”
DINING ROOM
Wall coloration: 4524 from Flügger. Desk, hutch, and ground 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 pleased with me and mentioned I might 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 convey to set. Then folks started asking if they might purchase the work.”
“First, I bought my work myself, then I labored with a gallery, which takes a 50% minimize, after which I made a decision to return to promoting my work immediately. For a couple of years now, I’ve been photographing my artwork at house. It’s been a sport changer to permit shoppers and collectors to see a portray this fashion versus in a white-walled gallery area.”
Cupboard and journal rack: classic.
“I’m fairly a romantic individual, and I like curtains that pool on the ground. The curtains on this condo 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 house simply as he left it. Louisiana is at all times value a visit outdoors the town, and the road Bredgade within the heart of Copenhagen has quite a lot 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 by a canvas hanging above it. I used to be devastated, and she or he was, too. Then I remembered a method I’d used earlier than I used to be an artist, once I was simply making items for my house, 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. Contemporary 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 little one. My older brother inherited a designer chair from my dad that’s value some huge cash, and I ended up with that little foldable searching stool. My dad provided it to me once I moved out of the household house, 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 house, and that made extra sense. However I felt so fortunate to get to dwell right here.”
Thanks a lot for sharing your own home with us, Simone!
P.S. Many extra house excursions, and this reader’s husband constructed her an introvert nook.
(Images by Nana Hagel.)
