Dinesen Country Home: Tradition Reimagined in Jutland

Established in…

1898, Danish hardwood flooring company Dinesen is a fifth-generation family business that prides itself on quality, craftsmanship and collaboration, sourcing wood from family-owned forests in Germany and France.

Each tree is aged between 80 and 200 years old and individually selected, which underscores the company’s longstanding prowess and prominence within the world of timber manufacturing

Strengthening…

its commitment to the artistry of traditional woodwork, the company has just unveiled a new project: the refurbishment of a thatched roof longhouse situated in the rugged reaches of southern Jutland. Built in 1885 and formerly a Dinesen family home, the charming residence has been transformed into a stylish guest house thanks to Danish architect-designers Mathias Mentze and Alexander Ottenstein.

Wood is…

aptly the star of the show, applied generously throughout the home in surprising ways using different species, joinery details and color variations to create a sense of depth and immersion in a way that honors the house’s historical past while introducing a meticulously calibrated modernity.

Tonal layering establishes a sense of cohesion and cosines on the ground floor. One can easily trace the color variations as they blend into one another, starting with the pale white-soaped Douglas Fir floorboards, leading on to the comforting ochre painted walls enhanced by the richer tones of pear wood and walnut door frames made by Danish brand Cassetta. An open photographic shot through the home shows this inviting color flow to full effect, as soft neutrals gradually ‘build’ warmth towards a sage colored kitchen, chosen to reflect the surrounding forestry and verdant fields. The kitchen is decorated with walnut and pear handles and is entirely bespoke, crafted by longtime Dinesen collaborators Garde Hvalsøe whose aesthetic is rooted in the Nordic design tradition enhancing the rural feel of this Scandi-style abode.

Dinesen…

and Mentze & Ottenstein have a strong collaborative methodology working closely with expert artisans and makers like stonemasons, blacksmiths, upholsterers, ceramicists and leather worker, as well as other architects and designers. Indeed, along with the bespoke furniture pieces conceived by the Danish architects, the home features tables and chairs from Dinesen’s iconic John Pawson series, noted for their simple, cubic silhouettes crafted from oak and fir planks in a signature sleek style.

In the kitchen…

more artistic connections are observed in the form of wooden bowls and jars, hand-turned by carpenters in Georgia and originally drawn up by Danish duo Peter Møller Ramussen and Christian Vennerstrøm, who are architects as well as product designers.

Strong suggestions…

of this being a heritage home have been refreshed and modernized for a more functional and contemporary feel. These include a set of barn-style oak doors in the living room that can be used to separate the spaces for more privacy, and low-set rustic ceiling beams. These original ceiling structures feature throughout the home – some painted white, others oiled for a darkened look – and serve as a visual connector to Nordic folk culture and the traditions of rural cottage-style living in Southern Denmark.

Furniture…

has been chosen sparingly, guided by a love for the understated, the refined and the discreet. Along with the Pawson items, rooms are decorated with custom-made tables and minimalist mid-century collectibles sourced from antique specialist Jamb London in the UK. The onus though is on the fir timber walls, floors and ceilings which guide and shape the ambiance thanks to their distinct natural colors and patterns. In this way, shared areas such as the living room, hallway and kitchen are light and airy, while more private environments such as the study and dining room are cloaked in warm amber hues.

The dining room…

also ushers in a cozy and intimate setting with floor-to-ceiling custom shelves crafted from ash with an oil finish, applied as a means of deeply intensifying the color and bring to life the aesthetics of grain. The shelves and their handsome array of Georgian wooden bowls overlook a series of bespoke chairs by architect-artist duo RønholtKurz, whose designs are informed by the interiors they’re intended to occupy. In this case, the chair’s rounded frame, curved legs and irregular seat reflect the modern organic style of this Jutland retreat described by the practice as traditionalism that has been “reseeded”.

Moving upstairs…

wood slat wall panels create a cocooning atmosphere adding sound control and insulation, as well as simplicity and order to the overall look and feel of the sleeping quarters, where alcove beds evoke the coziness of a remote woodland lodge.

Designed…

to resonate with key Nordic design principles of functionality, simplicity, and a connection to nature – the upstairs decor balances warmth, minimalism and farmhouse charm by emphasizing clean lines and the raw texture of the wood grain, fostering a connection to the outdoors, and creating a soothing and grounding atmosphere that allows the beauty of artisanal details to shine through.

In a world…

increasingly shaped by technological advancements and homogenized trends, the Dinesen home is a unique country residence where care is invested in every corner and meticulously executed design has the main purpose of honoring the work done by human hands.