Project: New England style house
Architect: Nuff Design
Interior Design: Lykke Larsen
Collaborators: Dinesen
Location: London, England
Photography: Andreas Mikkel/Dinesen
Scandinavian notes welcome visitors to the beautiful home just outside London where Lykke from Denmark lives with her husband and their three children. After the couple bought the house two years ago, it underwent extensive renovation. The project lasted 18 months, of which the family spent 10 months staying in the guest cottage. Lykke acted as project manager throughout, coordinating the process with the workers and the architect.
It was especially the garden and the large lot that the couple fell for. The garden encircles the house beautifully, not least in the spring when the rhododendron is in full bloom. The exterior of the large grey wooden house clearly reflects the New England style that provided part of the inspiration. This is especially evident in the large windows, which blur the distinction between house and garden, but the new wood cladding on the facade is also a characteristic New England feature.
It was important for Lykke to create a clean, coherent expression. Nothing has been left to chance; they even decided to move the kitchen to a more central location in the house. From here, the family can enjoy the view of the garden and the swimming pool. The kitchen is the heart of the house, and the light Boffi kitchen, the stacks of firewood, the custom-designed fireplace and the consistent use of Dinesen Douglas planks, clearly reflect the couple’s Scandinavian background and clean, functional style.
The home is held in a very personal style, and the wide, light planks make the rooms seem even bigger. The house is full of soul with a cosy atmosphere, something that was a clear goal for Lykke throughout the process. The family lived in central London for many years before deciding to move out of the city in order to fulfil their dream of having more room and a garden. Lykke’s husband still works in London, while Lykke is about to graduate as an interior designer. Together, they have three children, aged 6 to 9. The children speak both Danish and English.
The couple takes a keen interest in the arts, and they have selected all the art in the home together. Their collection includes old works as well as photographic art and modern paintings. One of Lykke’s favourites is the painting in the living room by the Chinese artist Zhang Xiogang, which they discovered in a gallery in Thailand during one of their family trips. The artist has previously exhibited at Saatchi Gallery in London.
