Danish artist Simone Polk has transformed her 1,431-square-foot apartment in Copenhagen's elegant Frederiksberg district into a warm, light-filled sanctuary that serves as both her personal retreat and artistic gallery. Following her divorce, Polk reimagined the space in an 1898 building as a fresh start, creating what she describes as her own universe through careful attention to materials, colors, and textures that reflect her identity and new beginning.
The apartment features a golden, nostalgic color palette inspired by the nuances of aged pine wood, natural linen, and the pages of old books that stack in every corner. "At heart, I'm a real nostalgic," Polk admits. "I'm drawn to everything that has a yellow or golden tone." The color scheme is anchored by Farrow & Ball's creamy white "Pointing" in the living room, which creates a soft contrast with the powdery sage green of the dining room, establishing a cozy atmosphere that balances melancholy with brightness.
Polk's material choices reflect her desire for authentic comfort through textured surfaces. Douglas fir wood, used for the coffee table, stools, and vintage cabinets, provides warmth and timeless elegance. New linen covers on the sofa and chairs add a modern, Mediterranean accent while maintaining a classical feel. The structured textures of the Togo chair and area rug stand out against the neutral palette of green and gold tones, complemented by paper pendant lights and the warmth of wooden floors.
Vintage elements play a crucial role in the apartment's character, with Polk sourcing treasures from flea markets and second-hand shops to create a more inviting atmosphere than her previous home. A small Douglas fir coffee table displaying an antique water pitcher exemplifies these vintage finds that give the interior its authentic appeal. The magazine rack and corner cabinet in the living room showcase her preference for pieces with history that maintain connections to the past while fostering creativity.
Among the most elegant details are the long, textured linen curtains custom-made by Drape, which Polk gave herself as a symbol of her new life chapter. "I dreamed of curtains almost as long as those in Karen Blixen's former home," she explains, referring to the famous Danish author. "There's something very Parisian and extravagant when the fabric rests on the floor." This theatrical detail adds a touch of carefree elegance to the ensemble.
Nearly all the artwork adorning the walls was created by Polk herself. Over the years, her home had become increasingly empty as she sold her pieces, prompting her decision to keep some works for herself. "I wanted my home to tell something about my work too," she says. The apartment thus functions not only as a personal retreat but also as a gallery—a natural extension of her artistic practice.
Polk's favorite spot is a large cream-colored armchair next to the window in a reading nook that gets bathed in daylight each morning, making it the apartment's most peaceful corner. "I like to read there or simply observe how the light falls and changes the green of the wall," she says. "When I wake up in the bedroom in the morning, this corner always appears different to me."
This attention to changes and traces of time also inspired Polk's most famous painting series called "Patches." The series originated from a small household accident that evolved into a metaphor. "One Sunday, my daughter was jumping on the bed and accidentally tore a just-completed painting," Polk recalls. "Instead of throwing it away, I decided to repair it layer by layer with colored paper elements and leave the spot where the mishap happened visible in a contrasting color." Like the traditional Japanese technique of Kintsugi, she acknowledged that behind every layer, even in life, lies a story.
Throughout her work, Polk explores feelings connected to one's own home, the beauty of cracks, and nostalgia. Her 133-square-meter apartment stands as a testament to these themes, where soft northern daylight floods the series of rooms and art-hung walls radiate tranquility. The space successfully merges personal history with artistic expression, creating an environment where every piece of furniture, color, and texture tells a story of identity and renewal.
