Discovering Hygge in Copenhagen & Bringing It Home
As an interior designer, I’ve always been drawn to the way spaces can shape our daily experiences. I knew Hygge was a concept, but it wasn’t until my family and I traveled to Copenhagen that I truly understood its essence. It clicked for me—not as a trend or a style but as a way of life. And more importantly, I saw how it can be woven into our homes to create spaces that nurture us.
What Is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is a Danish term that embodies a feeling of comfort, warmth, and well-being. It comes from a word meaning "to give courage, comfort, joy" and is speculated to have origins linked to the word "hug." More than just coziness, Hygge is about creating an atmosphere of togetherness, relaxation, and contentment. It’s not something you buy; it’s something you cultivate.
Many people associate Hygge with a neutral, minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic—think white walls, candles, and chunky blankets. But true Hygge is about how a space feels rather than how it looks. It’s about thoughtful living, being present, and surrounding yourself with objects and experiences that bring you joy.
The Hygge Lifestyle in Copenhagen
Experiencing Copenhagen in the fall was an eye-opener. The Danish embrace of Hygge was everywhere, from the warm glow of candles in every window to the way people gathered outdoors in courtyards, enjoying meals with real plates and glasses, even in the chilly air. There was an emphasis on connection—on slowing down and appreciating the simple moments of life.
In a city where winters are long, dark, and cold (much like Berlin, where I currently live), Hygge is a way to counteract the gloom. It’s a survival technique that makes the season not just bearable but enjoyable. It reminded me that our homes should be a refuge—a place where we can truly exhale and be at peace.
How to Incorporate Hygge Into Your Home
Inspired by our time in Denmark, I’ve been thinking about how to bring more Hygge into my own life and the spaces I design. Here are some ways to create a home that nurtures well-being, warmth, and connection:
1. Thoughtful Organization & Decluttering
A clutter-free home is a stress-free home. Everything should have a place, making it easier to maintain a sense of calm. When you come in from a long day in the cold, the last thing you want is to be greeted by chaos. If it’s not worth making a place for, it’s not worth keeping.
2. Creating Rituals Around Mealtime
In Denmark, we noticed how intentional mealtimes were. At home, we always eat breakfast and dinner together at the dining table, but I want to elevate this experience—turn it into a ritual. I’ve rearranged a nearby closet to store napkins and table essentials so my son can help set the table. I’ve also invested in one beautiful candle holder, making it a tradition to light a candle at dinner each night. When the sun sets at 4 PM, that little flicker of light feels like a moment of magic.
3. Making Time for Comfort & Joy
Hygge is about being intentional with your time. I’ve curated a private Pinterest board of cozy winter activities, mostly recipes and baking ideas—small comforts that I can look forward to. Taking the time to indulge in things that bring joy, whether it’s a warm drink by the fire or curling up with a good book, makes the season feel special.
4. Gathering Your People
One of the most striking things about Copenhagen was how people made an effort to connect. Moving to a new country, not knowing the language, and trying to build a community has been challenging, but I’ve learned that reaching out is key. Come winter, having people over for a shared meal or a casual evening can be a form of Hygge. Even as an introvert, I know the warmth of good company can make the darkest months feel lighter.
5. A Capsule Wardrobe for Ease
While I haven’t fully committed to a capsule wardrobe yet, I see the appeal—less decision fatigue, more intentionality. Streamlining your wardrobe can be another form of Hygge, making daily routines smoother and freeing up mental space for what truly matters.
The Heart of Hygge Interior Design
At its core, Hygge interior design is about creating a home that serves you, rather than the other way around. It’s about designing a space that allows you to be present, to relax, and to enjoy life. Whether that means layering soft textures, curating a meaningful collection of objects, or simply ensuring your home functions seamlessly for your family’s needs, the goal is the same—to create a sanctuary where you can exhale.
If you’re ready to bring Hygge into your home and create a space that is as beautiful as it is functional, Jamie House Design is here to help. Let’s design a home that truly supports your well-being. Contact us today to get started!
JHD Travels: Venice
When we decided to make the move from Houston TX to Berlin Germany a big deciding factor for me was to travel and show AJ the world. We have a long running list of places to visit still, but we started with celebrating AJ’s 2nd birthday in Venice. He’s not old enough to expect a proper party, he’s young enough to keep strapped in his stroller, these were are reasons. I would have made any reason really, I wanted to see Venice.
When we decided to make the move from Houston TX to Berlin Germany a big deciding factor for me was to travel and show AJ the world. We have a long running list of places to visit still, but we started with celebrating AJ’s 2nd birthday in Venice. He’s not old enough to expect a proper party, he’s young enough to keep strapped in his stroller, these were are reasons. I would have made any reason really, I wanted to see Venice.
Flying within Europe is ridiculously inexpensive. We’re taking advantage.
Venice is like a dream. The lighting is incredible. The buildings are incredible.
Venice is also packed with people. With tourists. Packed. So many rolling suitcases. The food isn’t great, at least coming from Berlin. I’M SURE there are pockets of delicious unspoiled by tourists food. But we didn’t find them IN Venice.
I would love to return to Venice alone though. I want to get my design geek on without dragging my guys through it. It’s incredible to imagine all of the life that’s taken place there. It’s also really wild to see the direct effects of Climate Change. Wild and sad and scary.
If you go to Venice you must roam the cities at night. Grab a slice of pizza from a street vendor, and wonder the streets. It has a sort of magic feeling at night.
Essentially, one day in Venice was good for us. Luckily for us we stayed in nearby Marghera. Here we found really incredible pizza and bakeries, delicious gelato, and an amazing grocery store. After our one day in Venice we went to nearby Murano. It’s a charming small Italian island that revolves around the beautiful Italian glass industry.
We spent a lot of time wandering around the behind the scenes neighborhood. The hidden from the tourists areas. When I travel I want to see how people live. The reason Venice turned me off so quickly was how so much of what we saw were catering to the tourists. I really love when a place can remain itself and still allow people to visit and observe. There just isn’t much to learn by visiting a ton of tourist shops or restaurants that have the same food every other place has.
A big storm rolled in while we were in Murano. We had to rush to the boats to get back through at least a foot of ocean water that was washing onto the walkway to the dock. There’s a huge example of how they’re seeing the direct implications of Climate Change. You can read how they’re handling it here.
At the last minute we decided to take a train, the next day, to Treviso. It’s about a 20 minute train ride from the Marghera train station. Easy. Plus they’re known for Prosecco. Done.
In Treviso we had the best pizza of our lives. I know Southern Italy supposedly has the best pizza, and I’ll surely get there eventually, but for now this is the best. Plus Prosecco. Prosecco all day.
Treviso is built around canals like Venice, but it’s completely different from Venice.
Treviso is the type of town I could live in. Cozy and charming, easy to get around in, but still accessible for daily life. We didn’t see many other tourists either so that was a breath of relief. {Tourists are the worst. ;) ;) }
This quote from Julia Child in her My Life in France book sums up my feelings about travel:
“I didn’t like traveling first-class at all. Yes, it was nice to have a bathroom in the hotel and fine service at breakfast, and I’d probably never visit those grand hotels again, but none of it seemed foreign enough to me. It was all so pleasantly bland that it felt as if I were back on the SS America. ”
Now based in Denver, Jamie House Design continues to offer expert interior design services for high-end remodels throughout the US and abroad. Whether you’re preserving a beloved home or updating a space to better suit your lifestyle, we bring thoughtful design, timeless materials, and unparalleled attention to detail.
If you’re considering an interior design project, let’s create something extraordinary together. Contact Jamie House Design today to discuss your project.
One Year as an Expat in Berlin
We decided that if we're going to make a big move we have to do it while AJ is little. So we jumped. It's been tough. It's hard to have a small child with no network. It's hard to leave a thriving business. It's hard to start again in a country that speaks a different language, tells time differently (military time has been hard to get used to!), and even uses a different measuring system (thanks USA for setting up this fail). It's also been good to not have a car, to walk more (I average 60 miles a month without even trying), to eat fresher foods (markets everywhere), and most importantly to see different parts of the world more easily.
Today marks one year of living in Berlin.
We decided that if we're going to make a big move we have to do it while AJ is little. So we jumped. It's been tough. It's hard to have a small child with no network. It's hard to leave a thriving business. It's hard to start again in a country that speaks a different language, tells time differently (military time has been hard to get used to!), and even uses a different measuring system (thanks USA for setting up this fail). It's also been good to not have a car, to walk more (I average 60 miles a month without even trying), to eat fresher foods (markets everywhere), and most importantly to see different parts of the world more easily.
Adjusting to the culture has been a surprising assault. It's Germany. It's not a remote unknown place. We've visited multiple times before moving here. We always loved it. But living in a place shows you a whole different side. It's been surprising. It's been bureaucracy. It's been illuminating. It's like being broken open and starting again. Knowing people from different countries and seeing the world how they see it has been the greatest benefit so far. Let us not talk about the grocery stores, read any expat board and you'll see discussions about the grocery stores. I have been yelled out by a checker. Every expat I know has. My skin is tougher. And sometimes you laugh just so you don't cry.
Being in Europe I was fully expecting the culture and daily life to be, well, more beautiful. It's the romantic concept Americans have of Europe. Disneyland Europe. Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful. But it's also gritty. And dirty. And covered in graffiti. And customer service is nearly non existent. And the beauty of everyday life is basically considered frivolous. At least in Berlin. So I've gone about trying to create my European dream despite and maybe even due to the outside realities. Our beautiful Altbau apartment is decidedly European, very high ceilings, beautiful moldings, enormous beautiful doors with antique brass hardware, and the coveted herringbone floors. Picking up 2€ tulips on the corner. Sitting down for every meal at the dining table. Little things. Deciding to see the beauty regardless of the reality is a new skill I've acquired. And quite a beneficial one.
A surprising thing we've come across living here is the lack of outside influence in everything. We don't have cable or listen to the radio. We never see commercials. We can't read the magazines so we don't buy them. Same with the newspapers. We have an ad blocker on the internet so we don't even see ads there. A basic disconnect with materialism has completely changed how we see things. How we see everything. Even how we see ourselves. Who would you be if you could be anyone at all? What do you love if no one is there to tell you what you should love? What do you wear if you don't know what's in style or considered "cool"? That's what we've discovered. It's overwhelming. It's wonderful.
And while I rarely discuss my personal life in business, I can't discuss our first year without commenting on how amazingly family friendly Berlin and Europe are. Raising AJ here, while not easy- he's still 2, has been a pretty easy transition. Free kindergarten/daycare (Kita) now that we've found one. Playgrounds everywhere (I can think of 7 parks within a few blocks of us, all different and well thought out). Kids are welcome nearly everywhere. Beer gardens have playgrounds. It's brilliant. Kinder cafes (cafes with play areas for kids that serve coffee & baked goods to parents) are a thing here. Bakeries all over the place. One of AJ's first words was croissant. At this stage our lives unapologetically revolve around him and being in Europe makes that very tolerable and most of the time it's even enjoyable.
Jamie House Design has transitioned to me headquartered in Berlin smoother than anticipated. It hasn't been without its bumps and I'm sure Katie has wanted to pull my hair out more than once. But it's been good. The German arm of JHD is not quite off the ground as I'm still muddling through paperwork & regulations. But several projects and amazing clients in Houston has kept me sane. Designing and creating are my lifelines. I can't not do it. I'd do it for free and often do. By being selective with the projects I accept I have had time to work on the business of design. I have organized changes coming soon.
This year has been full of change, good change and exhausting change. While Berlin doesn't quite feel like home, Houston no longer does either. The expat limbo. I'm looking forward to what the next few years hold for us.
Now based in Denver, Jamie House Design continues to offer expert interior design services for high-end remodels throughout the US and abroad. Whether you’re preserving a beloved home or updating a space to better suit your lifestyle, we bring thoughtful design, timeless materials, and unparalleled attention to detail.
If you’re considering an interior design project, let’s create something extraordinary together. Contact Jamie House Design today to discuss your project.
My Berlin Ikea Kitchen
The kitchen design process has been excruciating. Our beautiful pre war apartment did not come with a kitchen, or any lights, or any cabinets of any kind. Tis normal here. That means however that until we got the keys I couldn't measure or really get down to designing the kitchen. So six weeks of living without an actual kitchen has been pretty terrible, not the worst, but pretty terrible. Luckily the landlord provided us with a little stove and a sink to get us by. My industrious husband found a little refrigerator on Ebay (they use Ebay like Craigslist over here) so we were functional.
The kitchen design process has been excruciating. Our beautiful pre war apartment did not come with a kitchen, or any lights, or any cabinets of any kind. Tis normal here. That means however that until we got the keys I couldn't measure or really get down to designing the kitchen. So six weeks of living without an actual kitchen has been pretty terrible, not the worst, but pretty terrible. Luckily the landlord provided us with a little stove and a sink to get us by. My industrious husband found a little refrigerator on Ebay (they use Ebay like Craigslist over here) so we were functional.
Fast forward to today and our Ikea kitchen is being installed. Not without issue but I'll get to that. My main inspiration was this image and the Tobi Fairley designed kitchen from her Riverside Penthouse project.
See more of my inspiration here.
Now onto the kitchen Tobi designed. I normally don't love beige. I do happen to be completely attracted to this tone of beige lately though. It has grey undertones rather than yellow. All of the 90s beige was yellow undertones and it just feels dirty now. But what I truly love is the combo of the beige and lavender. I mean gahhhhh! I've been trying to work lavender into anything for the last couple of years. This lavender as a MODERN accent is very special. Not too sweet. Not little girl lavender.
OK my decision to go with Ikea. While in the states I design custom kitchens with custom, usually job built, cabinetry I just don't have those resources here. Sure I'll get them, but in the meantime we need a kitchen. And we're renting. And honestly Ikea cabinets have the best efficiency and organization for our small space and large needs.
After seeing this Ikea kitchen I figured I could pull off the look in a different but satisfying way.
So after designing it all I realized it was too boring for me. So blah. We can't change the backsplash, it's white square tiles. We have a galley kitchen, nothing like this or Tobi's open concept with island layout. When I laid it out it felt very mom jeans. Very norm-core. Very me. But a bit too bland so no beige.
So here we are with my plan for a green kitchen. Green! I love green. I had an angel reading a couple of years ago saying I should wear more green and I'm trying to go literal with that, whatever that means.
I incorporated the beige to break up the green. You're looking through the window seeing the radiator BTW. The pantry cabinets step back to leave room for the door to open. We have to have the washer and dryer in the kitchen. Well at least the washer because it needs to use the sink plumbing for water. While I suppose we can put the dryer anywhere with an outlet I prefer to not have a dryer in my bedroom or living room.
The counters are a marble look solid surface material. To be honest I'm not sure what it is. It's not like anything I've seen and no one's been able to translate it into anything meaningful for me. And honestly I don't care. It's a good look, solid surface, and I'm moving on. This shows wood floors but we don't have wood floors sadly. We have white squares. Lot's of white square tile in Berlin.
Well our kitchen didn't turn out like this. Many changes were made on the fly during installation yesterday. They're finishing up today so we'll discuss more soon. Crazy how my inspiration picture isn't at all what I ended up designing. That's how it goes. Take inspiration and make it yours. I'll leave you with a shot of end of the day yesterday. Don't judge.
Now based in Denver, Jamie House Design continues to offer expert interior design services for high-end remodels throughout the US and abroad. Whether you’re preserving a beloved home or updating a space to better suit your lifestyle, we bring thoughtful design, timeless materials, and unparalleled attention to detail.
If you’re considering an interior design project, let’s create something extraordinary together. Contact Jamie House Design today to discuss your project.