At Home with Nadia Shelbaya
In Denmark’s oldest villa district in Østerbro, where majestic homes from the last century line the streets beneath protected trees, jewelry designer Nadia Shelbaya lives with her husband Morten and their two children, Andrea and Sofus. In a villa from 1860, they’ve created a warm, lived-in space filled with vintage finds and carefully chosen design pieces – including a Poet Sofa, which sees plenty of use from adults, kids, and the family dog alike. It was actually one of the first pieces they bought for the house.
"It was my husband who really pushed for it, because I'm not usually drawn to overly iconic design. But I loved the story about how Finn Juhl designed it for his own home – I do the same with a lot of my jewelry," Nadia says.
"And it's the loveliest little sofa I've ever seen. No other piece is as inviting – it's almost like getting a hug when you sit down."
The couple chose an understated upholstery in muted tones – colors they know they won't tire of and that could just as easily fit into one of their children's homes one day. For Nadia, longevity is the hallmark of good design – a universal design language that remains relevant across time and place.
"For me, aesthetics speak more powerfully than design. Where design can sometimes feel abstract or elevated, aesthetics is about the senses – about beauty, lines, and balance," she explains.
