A protected merchant’s house

Finnish Jasmin’s family rented an 1880s merchant’s house near Copenhagen: “Being surrounded by beauty eases homesickness”

“I could imagine moving here,” Jasmin thought while visiting Copenhagen. A few months later, she was already living with her family in a former merchant’s house, charmed by its mullioned windows and tile stove. “For our furniture, moving to Denmark was a return home.”

Author Anni Nissi

Images Mikko Kaaresmaa

July 1, 2025Lue suomeksi

The family’s rental home sits in the idyllic suburb of Rungsted Kyst, north of Copenhagen. The residential part once served as a merchant’s house. “It was the romantic mullioned windows that first stole our hearts,” Jasmin says. On the other side of the protected building is a retail space that used to be a small colonial goods store.

In the summer of 2024, their five-member family was driving from Central Europe to Finland via Denmark. It was an exceptionally sunny day in Copenhagen, and the couple was captivated by the city’s layered history and the art and design found everywhere.

“I told my spouse I could see myself living here,” Jasmin recalls.

Only two weeks later, Jussi—who works in finance—received a call about a job opportunity in Copenhagen. The decision was ultimately easy, though it meant selling their beloved home in Kauniainen, Southern Finland. Once the sale went through, Jasmin decided to order the Carl Hansen & Søn Wishbone chairs she’d been dreaming of. They were delivered straight to Copenhagen, and two shipping containers of memories and everyday items followed.

Residents Jasmin, 40, and Jussi, 40, both of whom work in finance, live with their children, ages 10, 9, and 4, plus Peppi the Labrador Retriever and Elsa the Jack Russell Terrier.

Home A 242-square-meter rental home in Rungsted Kyst, near Copenhagen. Built in 1880, this former merchant’s house is divided into two floors of living space and a commercial property.

Jasmin, Jussi, and the family’s three children

Jasmin, Jussi, and their three children have settled into Denmark comfortably. Most of their furniture was shipped from Finland in sea containers; only the sofa, houseplants, and a few decorative items were purchased locally. The 444 armchair is by Artek.

The family initially stayed in a temporary apartment in central Copenhagen, but before long, they had a chance to rent an apartment in an 1880s house in Rungsted Kyst, 28 kilometers from the city. On the other side of the protected building is a commercial space that once housed a small shop. Its shelves were stocked with foodstuffs imported from the colonies.

“I’ve watched a lot of Nordic noir series, and maybe that’s why I pictured us in a 1970s home with large windows. But then the old tile stove and mullioned windows stole my heart.”

In the living room, an Artek 444 chair and, in the background, a K-chair, with a dog relaxing on the soft rug

This home has many armchairs: in the foreground is Artek’s 444; in the background is the K-chair, a nod to Finland. At each end of the table are Vitra’s DAW chairs. “It would feel strange to me to buy a sofa with matching armchairs. I like having a variety of seating options,” Jasmin says. The floral cushions are by Svenskt Tenn.

To me, home means…

its residents. In our home, life is meant to be seen: the dogs are allowed on the sofa, and playtime can continue in the kitchen. When our children got excited about the printer, they covered the walls with pictures they printed.

I am inspired by…

colors. In our previous home, we had no white walls at all—only dark green, burgundy, ash blue, and turquoise. I don’t see why I’d get a clear glass vase if I can choose a pink one.

An acrylic painting by the resident, a Wishbone chair, and Artek’s “Nauris” pendant lights in the dining area

The extendable dining table and sideboard are by Danish brand Skovby. Known as Wishbone, the CH24 chair is among the most iconic pieces in Danish design. Jasmin painted the acrylic artwork herself. Royal Copenhagen dishes will remind them of their time in Denmark in all their future homes. The table also has Marimekko’s Urna vase and a blue carafe Jasmin found at a local shop.

A tile stove, a painting, and designer furniture in the dining area.

The tile stove is functional, but it hasn’t been used yet. The hanging lamps are Alvar Aalto’s A333s, nicknamed “Turnips.” “Books and plants mean a lot to me, so it felt bittersweet to leave some of them behind when we moved.”

In furniture, I value…

Danish design. For some of our older family pieces, moving to Denmark really was a return home. We also have many Finnish and Swedish classics, plus just the right amount of Ikea and Søstrene Grene.

My home reveals…

that I enjoy painting. I was an avid painter in my youth, and a few years ago I got inspired to start again with my children. I worked up the courage to hang some of my acrylics on the wall, and since then I’ve created pieces for my friends, too.

“In Denmark, I’m fascinated by the layers of history, the reverence for design, and people’s directness.”

In the living room, mullioned windows, a tile stove, a sofa, and several armchairs

Jasmin takes inspiration for her paintings from the seasons and the colors of her interior. “I believe combining different shades creates its own harmony.”

As a decorator, I am…

determined, and I avoid compromises. I’m not afraid of strong colors. I buy furniture and pieces I know will work in any home. By choosing only items and design classics I truly love, I don’t have to worry whether they match.

In Denmark, I’m charmed by…

the layered history, the reverence of design, and people’s directness. They ask straight questions and get to the point quickly, which suits me, as I’m a bit like that myself. Respect for design is visible everywhere.

The teak serving cart was bought from a cottage neighbor, and the brass candlesticks are from Danish flea markets. The small vase is Marimekko’s Flower. “We like to keep our books where we can see them, because I think it makes it more likely we’ll pick them up.”

What makes our daily life easier…

is where our home is located. The ice rink is close, the school is within biking distance, and we can take the train to work in central Copenhagen. And now we can also drive to places like Germany and Italy.

I especially appreciate…

our yard and the freedom it brings. Our children are used to living in a single-family house, so it’s wonderful there’s room for soccer and hockey goals, plus a trampoline. One end of the house gets morning sun, and the other gets it from late afternoon on.

The large lawn of the yellow house, where the children can spread out to play

The family appreciates having a yard where the kids can play sports and the dogs can run free. Depending on the season, they bring out the soccer or hockey goals from the shed.

The patterned wool rug is surprisingly practical and forgiving in a home with dogs and children: spills can simply be wiped away. Upholstery can be cleaned with fabric cleaner.

In the everyday dining area, an old china cabinet and Series 7 chairs around a round table, with double doors leading outside

From the doors opening onto the yard, the children can go right from the breakfast table to the trampoline. Jasmin painted her parents’ old china cabinet white 20 years ago. It was in storage for a while, until it found the perfect spot in their Danish dining area. When buying a Smeg fridge-freezer, Jasmin first considered practical white, but she ended up picking a mint ice cream color. The chairs are Fritz Hansen’s Series 7. The wool rug is from Ikea.

A black-and-white kitchen with glass doors

The black-and-white kitchen with glass doors isn’t Jasmin’s favorite, so she picked up colorful storage baskets from Søstrene Grene for a splash of color and to hide containers.

If I could do something differently…

I’d paint or wallpaper the walls in bright colors and get a more functional kitchen—at least swap out the glass cabinet doors. In Denmark, you have to return a rental to the exact condition it was in when you moved in, or you lose your deposit. That means painting and replacing cabinet doors aren’t possible.

In the bedroom, a rattan headboard and a painting by the resident

The headboard and lamps are from Ellos, and the nightstands are from Ikea. “I painted this piece years ago for our living room to match some Marimekko Kivet pillows in similar shades.”

Natural light filters into the bathroom through the mullioned windows.

Natural light filters beautifully into the bathroom. There’s also a bathtub, which is a good substitute for a sauna.

I’m happiest when…

we have guests, whether they’re from Finland or Denmark. Getting together with friends also gives me a chance to sit in an armchair and appreciate our tidy home. I used to think everything needed to be perfect before guests arrived. Now I take a more relaxed approach: we can cook together.

When I have extra time…

I take the dogs for a long walk by the sea and visit Denmark’s wonderful museums. Being surrounded by beauty eases my homesickness.

A large daybed in the eldest child’s room and plenty of colorful pillows.

The daybed in the eldest child’s room is from Ikea, and it’s used whenever friends stay overnight. “We have pillows everywhere, and not all of them are even out. The boys once tried counting them, but it turned out to be impossible,” Jasmin says.