SHOW HOME

Iconic Danish designer Poul Kjærholm's archive gets a new lease of life at the family residence on the resund strait, courtesy of his children and Fritz Hansen

- ALICE GODWIN

The coastline of sandy beaches, forests and luxurious villas that lies north of Copenhagen is sometimes referred to as the Whisky Belt for its affluent residents, who enjoy the good life over a glass of fine spirit (rather than a pilsner beer). In the town of Rungsted, there is one inimitable villa overlooking the Øresund strait, conceived by architect Hanne Kjærholm in 1962 and filled with furniture made by her husband, the esteemed Danish designer Poul Kjærholm.

Known for his exacting precision and ability to harness the greatest potential of materials, Poul Kjærholm occupies a warm place in the hearts of Danish design lovers. The achingly beautiful simplicity of his furniture makes it appear far beyond its time. Surrounded by these pieces in Rungsted, the designer’s son Thomas Kjærholm reflects: ‘We almost took it for granted that this is how we live.’ On a grey autumn morning, Thomas has generously opened the doors of his family home. He moved back 12 years ago and has since restored the villa to how it appeared in the 1960s, with nearly all the same pieces of furniture (though not the original versions).

One of the oldest is the ‘PK4’ lounge chair designed in 1952, made when Poul had just graduated from the Danish School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen. Conjured up from steel and woven halyard rope, the sleek design was facilitated by the welder father of fellow Danish designer Knud Holscher and sold for a minimal fee to other students. The chair was reissued this year by the interior design brand Fritz Hansen, which has long collaborated with the Kjærholm family.