The Good Design Journal
Postcards From Denmark
Each year, Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design invites the world into Denmark’s most iconic showrooms, studios, galleries and architectural spaces — a citywide celebration of interiors, ideas, and the people behind them. In June 2025, Carlie Fraser, Director of Melbourne-based interior design studio Hygge Design, flew north to experience it firsthand.
From sun-drenched courtyards to forest canopies, Carlie took it all in slowly, carefully, with curiosity. And she’s shared it with us; what she noticed, what stayed with her, what made her pause. That’s what you’ll find here. These are Carlie’s postcards, sent from Denmark and written in her own words.
Postcard 1: The elegance of Audo.
From one design lover to another,
Soft light and a dark, moody palette set the scene at AUDO CPH. A beautiful mix of clean lines, tactile materials, and sculptural shapes. The new interiors welcomed a dark and earthy palette, drawing us into warm spaces that felt almost cocooning.
There was restraint in the materials. A clear, less-is-more approach. Tonal layers of Mediterranean rustic colours came through, with darker timbers used throughout. The Monuments exhibition captured it all: timeless form, material richness, and curated stillness.
An evocative exploration of form, texture, and time. Curated by Norm Architects, the exhibition honoured the dialogue between classic and contemporary design. A study in how objects shape, and are shaped by, the spaces we live in.
Postcard 2: Ferm Living = meaningful living.
Hi from Ferm!
Visiting the Ferm Living showroom felt like slipping into your favourite pair of jeans. Timeless, comfortable, and completely livable.
They understand how design shapes the feeling of a space. The showroom was calm and considered, but also characterful. Layered with meaning, it featured an appealing mix of classic pieces and sculptural forms that didn’t compete for attention.
There’s an ease to imagining Ferm at home. The homewares are calm and thoughtful. They’ve mastered the art of marrying functional design with beautiful form — Danish design at its best. Nothing feels overworked, just honest materials and textures that quietly delight the senses. We especially loved the textured glass vases and side tables. These are designs that belong in the everyday.
Postcard 3: Architecture deep in nature.
Hello from South Zealand,
Subtle yet impressive, simplistic yet intricate. Nature and the built form are in harmony here, in a way that feels both deliberate and effortless.
With dappled light filtering through the spring leaves, we spent the morning meandering along a 3km timber boardwalk. Through beech forest, around trees, over quiet streams. Eventually, we reached the 45 metre high hourglass tower. Designed by EFFEKT Architecture, the Forest Tower offers a truly moving experience. Immersed in nature, you can see and feel the changing landscape as you climb toward the panoramic view.
The Danes seem to hold a deep connection to nature and its ability to restore well-being. I felt it too. A sense of happiness and calm, surrounded by forest. It felt like a pause. A moment to step away from busyness and notice the rhythm of the natural world. Even the architecture had humility. It was carefully crafted to soften the edges between built and natural environments.
Postcard 4: Fresh, seasonal, to die for!
Hej,
Denmark is one of those foodie countries where everything is delicious. You can’t go past their smørrebrød, they’re like edible artworks!
Iben’s is my go-to for open sandwiches done properly. Located in Copenhagen, it’s a small, cosy café that quietly delivers quality ingredients, great flavour, and genuine soul. It’s the culinary version of hygge. Each sandwich is assembled with care and intention, and served in a space that feels warm and lived-in.
We ordered the pickled herring and summer prawns with seasonal herbs and dressings, paired with rhubarb and elderflower soft drinks. Everything was bright, cold, and perfectly in balance. So simple. So good.
Postcard 5: Aarhus is a vibe.
Hej,
Creative, welcoming, and cosy, Aarhus ticks a lot of boxes for design lovers wanting to explore more of Denmark.
Just three hours by train from Copenhagen, it’s the perfect size to wander and get happily lost. Cobblestone streets in warm tones lead to galleries, homewares shops, and small creative studios tucked into laneways. The energy is young, but not chaotic. You can feel the design culture without it being overly curated.
The city blends old and new with ease. Aarhus Island is a highlight — a district shaped by residential buildings, restaurants, public bathing spots, saunas, and open green space. It represents what urban living could look like: sustainable, community-focused, and quietly ambitious.
You’re invited to continue the conversation.
Carlie will be hosting a cosy evening at Hygge Design Studio on Tuesday 22nd July, sharing more stories, impressions, and tactile finds from her time in Copenhagen.
Think design, good conversation, mulled wine, and some scrumptious Danish nibbles!
