The Danish architect’s Japandi oak kitchen
In a beautiful red-brick house in southern Copenhagen, built in the early 1900s, architect Lin Frederiksen has carefully modernised her home with deep respect for the building’s original character. The bespoke oak kitchen from Nordiska Kök is designed to quietly support the architecture. Here, Scandinavian simplicity meets the restrained elegance of Japandi aesthetics in a balanced, architectural expression – where light, materiality and proportion exist in perfect harmony.
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The minimalist oak kitchen from Nordiska Kök was designed and crafted for Danish architect Lin Frederiksen’s beautiful Copenhagen home.
Bespoke oak cabinetry and a limestone worktop bring warmth and texture, reflecting the home’s timeless architecture.
Lin lives here with her husband and their two children. The renovation, led by Lin herself, aimed to give the home a gentle modernisation while preserving its original character. For the kitchen, the heart of the home, Lin had a clear architectural vision: to create a space that feels light, calm and deeply connected to the house.
– It’s a 120-year-old brick house with beautiful proportions and a clear structure. Our ambition was to respect those qualities rather than overwrite them. We wanted to change as little as possible and choose materials and solutions that would last and age well, says Lin.
For the kitchen, Lin envisioned a light, calm space connected to the architecture with timeless, enduring materials. Bar stools by Frama.
The red-brick house from the early 1900s bears traces of neoclassical ideals – simplicity, symmetry and clear proportions.
The Japandi-inspired styling by Danish stylist Marie Graunbøl highlights the light, natural materials and understated beauty — values shared by both Japanese and Scandinavian design traditions. Small bowl by Studio Arhøj.
Rather than creating a strong contrast between old and new, the aim was to let the kitchen support the architecture quietly, while accommodating contemporary family life and everyday routines.
With its minimalist design and smooth oak fronts, the kitchen has gained a warm, tactile presence and an architectural balance that beautifully bridges contemporary design with the home’s original character. Every element is custom-designed with carefully considered proportions, creating a seamless expression and an atmosphere of calm and harmony — just as Lin envisioned. At the same time, the kitchen is highly functional, featuring generous storage, social areas and space for cooking.
Architect Lin Frederiksen with her husband in the light oak Japandi kitchen.
Through a horizontal window, the greenery outside becomes part of the interior.
A built-in bench beneath one of the kitchen windows preserves the natural light while making smart use of the space with discreet storage. Throw by Elvang.
“Nordiska Kök did a wonderful job translating the vision into precise construction choices and solid craftsmanship, ensuring the kitchen reflects our ideas both functionally and aesthetically.”
A defining element — and one of Lin’s favourites — is the horizontal window placed between the upper and lower cabinets, creating a subtle connection to the surroundings. In the afternoon, soft daylight filters through, becoming an integral part of the kitchen’s composition — a clear example of how architecture and design work together to shape space and atmosphere.
Using natural materials and a refined design language defined by clean lines, soft transitions and well-balanced proportions, the kitchen exudes a sense of calm and timeless harmony.
A daybed, designed by Nordiska Kök with integrated storage, offers a tranquil spot for rest, positioned to capture the natural daylight through the window. Armchair by Carl Hansen & Søn. Lamp by Akari for Vitra.
The kitchen’s minimalist, pared-back aesthetic continues throughout the ground floor in bespoke furniture that connects the rooms — also crafted by Nordiska Kök.
– Details were carefully considered during the design process with our kitchen designer — rounded corners, integrated benches and soft transitions between surfaces. These elements gently soften the overall expression, says Lin.
A daybed with drawers in the adjoining room and custom wardrobes in the hallway follow the same lines and materiality as the kitchen. Rounded corners, integrated benches and subtle transitions create a warm sense of continuity throughout the home — while maintaining a minimalist expression in keeping with the architecture.
Rounded corners and soft transitions define the kitchen’s bespoke design, creating a gentle, flowing aesthetic that carries throughout the home.
The window nook and built-in bench create a calm, thoughtfully designed space.
The light oak Japandi kitchen is tailored to the room for a truly bespoke feel. The built-in window bench and centrally placed kitchen island invite relaxation and social interaction. Vases by Maria Enæs.
Lin explains that architecture has always been a natural part of her life.
– My interest in architecture grew naturally from my upbringing. Both of my parents are architects, and conversations about space, proportions and functionality were part of everyday life, she says.
She describes how that background shaped the way she experiences architecture — not just as something visual, but as something lived.
– I’m interested in how spaces feel, how they support daily life, and how small decisions can create calm and clarity.
Designing and building her own home became a way to translate those values into practice.
– This house is both professional in its approach and deeply personal in its use, Lin adds.
Soft curves balance the kitchen’s clean architectural lines, while oak adds warmth and tactility to the space. Vase by New Works. Glass jug by Orrefors.
The placement of the windows — and how daylight moves through the room throughout the day — was a key architectural consideration in the planning and design of the kitchen.
“When looking for a kitchen supplier, it was important for us to find someone who could execute a clear architectural idea in high quality and at a reasonable price.”
The overall vision — to modernise the house while preserving its soul — is reflected in every detail. The result shows how contemporary design and solid craftsmanship can meet a building’s original character without overpowering it.
– When looking for a kitchen supplier, it was important for us to find someone who could execute a clear architectural idea in high quality and at a reasonable price, says Lin, continuing:
– We discovered Nordiska Kök online and, after receiving samples and starting up the dialogue, quickly realised that this matched all our criteria. Nordiska Kök offered flexibility and quality, allowing the kitchen to be tailored precisely to the house and to my vision, while ensuring a level of craftsmanship that will endure over time.
Photo: Line Klein for Nordiska Kök
Styling: Marie Graunbøl
Architect: Lin Frederiksen
In the home of: Lin Frederiksen
About architect Lin Frederiksen
Lin Frederiksen is an independent Danish architect bringing extensive design and project experience from previous roles at FrederiksenArchitects, NOVA 5 Arkitekter and D’Aquino Monaco Inc. She holds a degree in architecture from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture (KADK), and her work is characterized by a holistic approach, where simplicity and functionality are fundamental. Light, space and proportions play a central role in shaping environments that feel balanced and timeless.
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