#YellowtraceTravels // Copenhagen, Denmark.

Nyhavn Copenhagen. Photo © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

#GreatDesignTour2014 crew. What a great bunch of…  people.

Dearest Yellowtracers,

Have I got a treat for you this week or what? Like, srsly – I’m hyperventilating from the excitement here. Why? Because it’s the (unofficially official) Denmark Week on Yellowtrace. Hip hip – hooray! All you Insta buddies would be well aware of my fairly recent trip to the glorious Copenhagen. I was extremely fortunate to have been invited by Great Dane Contract on this incredible trip, who generously hosted me and 6 other amazing designers (& awesome people) for an entire week of ultimate design inspiration known as #GreatDesignTour2014. Simply put – it was f*cking amazing.

We saw and did so much in a week, so in the spirit of celebrating the good – I will do my best to share as much as possible during this week, and for the rest of the month. Today is one big overview of what we saw and did, and from tomorrow we will be taking a more detailed look at a few things such as (and in no particular order) our very special tour of three Danish Furniture Factories (OMG – awesome!); our visit & dinner at the The Apartment transformed by Ilse Crawford for a special 2 month residency (which scored an 11 out of 10 on Dana’s trusted cry-o-meter ); visit to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (my top 5 all time favourite architectural experiences); our stay at the latest boutique hotel in Copenhagen (where we experienced a fire evacuation in the middle of the night which was slightly hilarious); I will also introduce you to our newest contributor – a young architect originally from Australia now living in Copenhagen who is giving us a first hand insight into one of the coolest temporary structures in Copenhagen; and last but most definitely not least – a very special interview with one of my favourite designers working today – Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi. Holy mother of God!!! Do you get it now? Yes, this is why I’m almost peeing my pants from the excitement.

A Night at The Apartment During The Residency by Studioilse // Copenhagen, Denmark.
Interview // Stine Gam & Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi.
#YellowtraceTravels // Great Dane’s Danish Design Factories.
Hotel SP34 // Copenhagen, Denmark.
#Yellowtrace Travels // Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark

See all other #YELLOWTRACETRAVELS posts.

One of the canals running through the Papirøen Island, the latest hip and happening place in Copenhagen. Image courtesy of &Tradition.

&Tradition’s spunky new showroom on Papirøen Island, which launched during the week we were visiting. Images courtesy of &Tradition.

&Tradition’s spunky new showroom on Papirøen Island, which launched during the week we were visiting. Images courtesy of &Tradition.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Riverbed by Olafur Eliasson at the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen. Photo by Anders Sune Berg, courtesy of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

There were tears. The Residency by Ilse Crawford at The Apartment. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Hotel SP34 Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

OX Denmarq Studio. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

FREDERICIA Furniture Showroom. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Moller Factory Tour. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

From the moment I landed in Copenhagen and my feet touched the incredibly solid, perfectly patterned parquetry floor at the airport (which, btw, dates back to 1960 and still looks and feels absolutely incredible!) I just knew I was in for a real treat. Let’s face it – when even the airport is a beautifully designed public space that feels more like a gallery than a transit area, you know you’ve arrived in a country where design is treated like oxygen – it’s simply a way of being, almost a necessity. In Denmark, design is seamlessly integrated everywhere and in everything. For someone like you and I, this is a truly exhilarating realisation and I can safely say that no other place I’ve had the pleasure of visiting to date has given me a truer design experience – one which is so authentic and deeply steeped in tradition. Sure, we’ve all heard about Danish & Scandinavian design – it has been one of the most influential aesthetics amongst professional designers and design aficionados alike. It’s one thing to know it, and another to experience it. Being there simply felt elegant – the whole time.  Beautiful detailing, design classics, longevity, quality, symmetry and capacity to communicate craftsmanship through genuine commitment to design are just some of the reasons why I was dying a little each day. In a good way.

I really could go on and on about this week, but I will let the photos do (most of) the talking. I will however leave you with a little list of places I’ve visited and loved. Make sure you put them on your list next time you visit. On another note, I also just want to salute my travel buddies who have been the best bunch to spend a week with. There was plenty of laughter, some tears, swollen ankles, fire evacuations, train trips, great conversations and stupid jokes. Ok, and a little bit of alcohol – sure. We were also welcomed with open arms by all the Danes we visited, officially and unofficially. I am literally still blown away as to how much I loved Copenhagen and it’s people, how many amazing things we saw and how awesome this trip really was. Anyway! Back to the list. Scroll down to see it.

A Night at The Apartment During The Residency by Studioilse // Copenhagen, Denmark.
Interview // Stine Gam & Enrico Fratesi of GamFratesi.
#YellowtraceTravels // Great Dane’s Danish Design Factories.
Hotel SP34 // Copenhagen, Denmark.
#Yellowtrace Travels // Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark

HAY House Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Yvonne Koné Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Studio Oliver Gustav. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Nyhavn Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Munthe & Balthazar Bar Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Cafe Paludan Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

University of Copenhagen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Beautiful cafe at the Designmuseum Danmark. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Wegner exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Atelier Sarah Gade & Mads Johansen. Photos © Dana Tomic Hughes / Yellowtrace.

Normann Copenhagen Showroom. Image courtesy of Normann Copenhagen.

Designmuseum Danmark // (Not to be confused with the KUNSTmuseum – there I said it), Designmuseum is Denmark’s largest museum for Danish and international industrial design and applied arts in Scandinavia. Previously King Frederik’s Hospital, the building dates back to 1752-57, it was refurbished in 1920 to suit museum purposes by the architects Ivar Bentsen and Kaare Klint. The museum is relatively compact, but it packs a punch and it’s simply beautiful to visit. We were lucky enough to see the incredible Wegner – Just One Good Chair while we were there. So good. Also, the museum garden (the Grønnegård) is particularly beautiful, as is the cafe – a study in pared back Scandinavian design and sublime detailing. Go there.

The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art // Located 40km north of Copenhagen, it has gained a reputation as a museum in touch with the zeitgeist of the contemporary art world. It’s superb. A dedicated post to follow.

&Tradition Showroom // Located on Copenhagen’s hippest new spot Papirøen (Paper Island), this young Danish brand has enlisted the expertise of Norm Architects who have built a cluster of minimalist “houses” in a former warehouse. Coined as ‘The Village’, the showroom is a hybrid between an art installation, a warehouse, a small village and a larger cityscape.

FREDERICIA Furniture //With standout classics like the Spanish Chair, J39 Dining Chair, Mogesen Sofa, personal new favourite Hunting Chair, and future classic Haiku Sofa by GamFratesi, FREDERICIA is a brand with design and production deeply embedded within the company, and a legacy passed down by Andreas Graversen and Børge Mogensen since 1911.

Cafe Paludan // This place made us get off our bikes and take a detour – it was that good. It’s located in the heart of Copenhagen, right next to the University, which is also an amazing place to visit. The interior is filled with old bookshelves, and has a cosy library-like atmosphere. Bring your own book or borrow one from the cafe, while you enjoy a cup of coffee at Paludan Bogcafe (another unfortunate name I’m afraid).

Illums Bolighus // Denmark’s premier department store, which in the mid 1920’s pioneered a concept that had never been seen before: a store with fully furnished interiors, where textiles and furniture interacted with art. To this day, their visionary approach to product curation and display windows have kept their finger on the pulse. Great place for gift shopping – P.S.

OX DENMARQ // This young Danish company specialising in furniture made from high quality metal frames & vegetable-tanned leather, with an expanding portfolio which includes materials such as marble, brass and copper. Their shared studio is one of the most inspiring creative co-working spaces I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting.

The Apartment // The Apartment is a liaison of 20th century furniture, contemporary art and design, showcased in the elegant setting of an 18th century apartment in Christianshavn, in the heart of Copenhagen. From August 22 to November 2, Studioilse led by Ilse Crawford moved into The Apartment, filling it with life as well as furniture. If there’s one thing you do in Copenhagen, make sure it’s visiting this place. Needless to stay, separate post to follow.

Hotel SP34 // A new boutique hotel in Copenhagen’s old Latin Quarter – a bohemian area with high ceilings, cool restaurants, vintage shops, churches, bars and universities. Super handy and cool.

STAY Apartment Hotel // Located on Islands Brygge, STAY is a study in Scandinavian minimalism – a fun and fantastic place to stay with seriously giant rooms. Previously featured here.

Studio Oliver Gustav // Oliver Gustav is a creative consultant with an artisanal approach to interiors. His studio, showroom and boutique in central Copenhagen offers unique & limited edition pieces from a carefully curated edit of international designers and artists. It’s sublime. Oliver is also easy on the eye and seriously lovely to boot. Tell him I said hi.

Yvonne Koné // Just up the road from Oliver Gustav is the gorgeous leather accessory shop (bags & handbags) set in the most delicious jewel of an interior, also designed by Mr Gustav. What a clever man he is. In fact, the whole street where Yvonne Koné & Oliver Gustav are in (Store Strandstræde) is super cool and well worth the trip. It’s literally right next to the famous Nyhavn so you can’t miss it.

Grill Royal // Go here for a great fitout and Fabulous Fast Food – burgers, oysters and stake.

Kødbyens Fiskebar // Located in Copenhagen’s meatpacking district, The Fish Bar is all about fish and shellfish – and it’s yum. The interior is designed by Space Copenhagen, who – I swear – have to be the most good looking architect duo ever. Seriously ridiculous. Take a look for yourself (p.s. they are even hotter in real life. Just mind-blowing).

Normann Copenhagen Flagship Store //1700 sqm of design pleasure where lifestyle products like furniture, lighting, music, fashion and home-wares await. Previously a water distillery, a theatre, sound studio and a cinema, the store retains the spirit of a historical building, now adopting the label of one of the coolest design stores in Copenhagen.

HAY House // Last but not least, the magnificent HAY House, which is located in the heart of Copenhagen, overlooking the famous fountain on Østergade. It’s a must.

See more cool stuff in Copenhagen on Yellowtrace.
See all other #YELLOWTRACETRAVELS posts.

Yellowtrace Promotion proudly brought to you in association with Great Dane Contract. 

[Unless otherwise noted, all photos © Dana Tomic Hughes/ Yellowtrace.]