After going via a divorce, artist Simone Polk says she wanted a “smooth touchdown.” She discovered a light-filled condo 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 buddies, and served as a backdrop for her work…
LIVING ROOM
Wall shade: 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 Then I bumped into an outdated good friend at a celebration, and she or he launched me to a bunch of divorced ladies. The very first thing they instructed me was, ‘Type 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, after 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Couch: outdated Ikea ‘Färlöv’ wearing a sage linen cowl by Bemz.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 mild: Akari 21A.
“My home could be very calm, however I’m like Monica from Mates — I cover all of the litter within the closets! This condo has a extremely huge walk-in, and for those who opened it, every little 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 dwelling as ‘beige,’ which could be a shorthand for bland. However I like heat, buttery tones. Like while you have 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 e book in my father’s bookcase that was full of footage of all these lovely rooms. I bear in mind pondering, Ought to I dwell 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 largest tree we may discover. We may barely carry it dwelling.”
DINING ROOM
Wall shade: 4524 from Flügger. Desk, hutch, and ground lamp: classic. Eating chairs: “Outdated Kai Kristiansen chairs I discovered 20 years in the past in a classic store.”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 stated 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 liked. I began as an inside stylist, and I’d make work to deliver to set. Then individuals started asking if they might 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 immediately. For a number of years now, I’ve been photographing my artwork at dwelling. It’s been a recreation changer to permit purchasers and collectors to see a portray this fashion 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 condo have been a post-divorce present 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 like being in his dwelling simply as he left it. Louisiana is at all times price a visit exterior town, and the road Bredgade within the heart of Copenhagen has lots of nice galleries.”
BEDROOM
Mattress: Zara Dwelling. Bedding: Zara Dwelling. 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 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 dwelling, the place I’d layer items of paper onto a canvas. That jumping-on-the-bed accident turned the beginning of Patches, my hottest collection.”
Marble desk: flea market discover.
“I like the French author Valérie Perrin. Recent Water for Flowers was probably the most lovely 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 searching stool. My dad provided it to me once 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 dwell right here.”
Thanks a lot for sharing your house with us, Simone!
P.S. Many extra dwelling excursions, and this reader’s husband constructed her an introvert nook.
(Images by Nana Hagel.)
