At Home With Mikkel Dahlstrøm

Danish photographer Mikkel Dahlstrøm lives in an aesthetic and
beautifully styled flat in Islands Brygge in Copenhagen. Courtesy of Ferm Living, join us on a tour of his inspiring home.

Since moving to Copenhagen in 2019, photographer Mikkel Dahlstrøm has worked on transforming his new build flat in Sfinxen, a modern skyscraper, into a cosy and charming home with room for him and his partner Frederik to relax and unwind. By focusing on high-quality furniture and curated colours, Mikkel succeeds in creating a calm and charming interior design style in a small space.

Embracing Small Living

For many people, big city living equals a tiny living space, and Mikkel's flat is a stunning example of how to live both aesthetically and functionally in a limited space: “I think the key to small living is being highly selective. If something new comes in, something else has to go. Things have to work and be practical here, but they also have to look good. That's why I decorate my surroundings in a relatively minimalist way so that it always looks fairly tidy.”

Visual Calm

Mikkel's beautiful home proves that you don't need to have lots of open space to create a light, airy and calming home. Instead, a tranquil atmosphere is created with careful use of colour and a limited number of well-chosen furniture, lighting and home accessory designs. Clean lines and clear surfaces keep the visual stimulants to a minimum, helping to promote a soothing and relaxing environment.

Curated Colours & Textures

The space is tied together with a limited colour palette of soft, muted tones. Walls are painted in earthy tones in a variety of shades, whilst tactile elements and organic shapes serve to interrupt the pure white style that often dominates new architecture. The addition of natural materials such as wood and linen further helps create a feeling of calm.

Investing in Classic Design

Mikkel describes their furniture choices as classic, but with a bit of edge. "I love our vintage Murano lamp in the beautiful amber colour. When I buy something new, I need to make room for it beforehand, and I strongly believe that it should have a timeless design.” Mikkel has spent many years investing in designs that exude quality: “Over time, it has become a principle for me to spend my money on good design that lasts a long time. For example, I'm quite certain that our bespoke marble dining table will last forever, and it makes me love it even more.”

The Importance of Cosiness

When asked about his favourite place in his home, Mikkel points to the Ferm Living Rico lounge Chair in the open plan kitchen-living room. When the couple were decorating the space, Mikkel's partner suggested putting an armchair in the small nook, an idea that Mikkel initially rejected: “My first thought was that you can't have an armchair in the kitchen, but Frederik kept insisting. Now I have to admit that I sit there quite often, during almost all of the small breaks in everyday life. It's just a nice place to cosy up in,” says Mikkel.

Even if you practise 'small living', cosiness is something that Mikkel believes you should always consider in your interior design plans, regardless of how you live: “For many years I had forgotten about cosiness, and was only concerned with everything looking great. But today I know that, first and foremost, my home has to be a place where I can relax and find the tranquillity that allows me to generate new ideas and continue to develop creatively.”

Feeling inspired by Mikkel Dahlstrøm's home? Shop the look below.