A Contemporary Danish Flat

Francophile Style
A Sense Of History

Lars Kristensen's love of all things vintage has not only inspired his career but given his Copenhagen home an air of effortless elegance, too.

'My passion for vintage style goes back a long way,' says Lars Kristensen, referring to the elegant decor of his apartment in the Frederiksberg area of Copenhagen. 'Even as a teenager I filled my bedroom with old chairs, tables and quirky items, which were very different to the sorts of things my friends had in their rooms.'

A period spent living in Paris, where he frequently scoured the local flea markets for interesting finds, furthered his penchant for second hand buys. So it seemed only natural that on his return to Copenhagen in 1996 he would open an interiors shop, called Fil de Fer, selling his treasures from France.

Painted floorboards and white walls are an ideal backdrop for Lars' eclectic collection of furniture and accessories. The framed drawings on the sideboard are by Lars' grandfather, created at a technical school in 1899.

Lars' current home is conveniently situated just 20 minutes by bike from his shop. And perhaps unsurprisingly for this Francophile, it's located next door to a French school and there's a traditional boulangerie just down the road. 'I was won over by this place as soon as I walked in,' he admits. 'Even though it was painted in incredibly dark colours and all the ceilings had been lowered, it seemed to offer endless possibilities.' The main selling points, however, were the fabulous south-facing windows that let in an abundance of light, even on the dullest of winter days.

Renovating this run-down apartment was no mean feat and it took Lars two years to complete all the work. 'I wanted to live there for a significant period before I attempted any of the work,' he explains. 'I believe it's incredibly important to live in a place first so you can completely understand the atmosphere. That way you can be sure that the finished results will be an honest reflection of your style and personality.'