Finn Juhl's furniture was never meant to be static design objects – they are active participants in the homes and lives they become part of. In a new series, we unfold the story of Finn Juhl's furniture as it enters contemporary homes, shaped by the residents' personal choices, atmospheres, and ways of living.
In the heart of central Copenhagen, Emma Faller, a design student, lives with her partner, football player and co-founder of the clothing brand Another Aspect, Nicolaj Thomsen, and their young son, Erik. Their home is a compact yet charming two-story apartment, thoughtfully furnished with carefully selected pieces and personal artworks that together create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Growing up in a family of architects, Emma has been surrounded by design from an early age, while Nicolaj's interest has developed over time, along with the wish to invest in lasting design classics. Both value good craftsmanship and, in their own words, have "always admired people who take pride in what they do." But when they moved in together a few years ago, it became clear just how differently they had lived.
"At that point, Nicolaj had a full apartment, and I just had a small room, so I moved into his furniture – which wasn't easy," Emma explains.
"For example, he had six identical chairs around the dining table, and I found it a bit too grown-up and maybe a little too coordinated to have that many matching chairs in one setup," says Emma, who prefers to mix design classics with vintage finds and flea market treasures. Their kitchen is also built from reclaimed teak elements salvaged from an old doctor's residence.
Nicolaj adds, “Emma has a much better eye for putting things together than I do. I know what I think looks nice, but when I lived alone, my home was mostly a lot of beautiful furniture that each had its own separate presence. It wasn’t until we got together that things started to feel cohesive…”
“And gain patina!” Emma laughs.
Because if there’s one thing this couple doesn’t do, it’s treating their furniture as untouchable. They care deeply about longevity and hope their pieces will be passed down through generations. They’d hate for their friends to feel like they couldn’t sit in “the fancy chair” – on the contrary, they welcome signs of wear and time. Their 48 Sofa Bench in natural leather is a perfect example.
"The sofa bench was one of those pieces that instantly felt like mine. When we lived in Oslo, our close friends visited us, and their two-year-old got hold of some markers and left a red line on the leather seat. They were so apologetic, but honestly, we think of it as a sweet memory. I've gotten used to it, but every now and then I notice it and it reminds me of that visit and our time there. You can’t really make a piece of furniture feel like home if you’re always worried about keeping it pristine," Emma says.
Nicolaj chimes in: "For us, it's unthinkable to buy a beautiful piece of furniture and not use it. Our big sofa has patches where our dog chewed it. That’s why we choose pieces that will still look good in five or ten years, even if they’re well-worn."
He admits that it stings a little when a brand-new piece gets its first mark. But once that’s over with, it becomes easier to relax and truly enjoy it.
"And leather just has this amazing way of showing patina – it evolves just like we do, and you remember each stage it's been through."
– Nicolaj Thomsen
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.
At Home with Alberte
Roughly 70 kilometers outside Copenhagen, in the countryside, a family collective has become home for Alberte Whitta and her husband Christian. During the pandemic, they swapped city life for open fields, timbered houses, and being close to family – and have slowly begun to shape the old farmhouse to their taste. Their style is simple and Scandinavian, and they share a deep love for Danish design – especially the organic shapes of Finn Juhl. In their dining room, two Hulsø Shelves in oiled oak add warmth to an otherwise light and minimal interior.
“It’s important to us that our furniture is made to last – the kind of quality that can be passed down through generations and eventually given to our children.” And we’re very drawn to the artistic nature of Finn Juhl’s designs. My parents have a summerhouse in Gudmindrup by the sea, and they love the shelf because its shape reminds them of waves. But it could also look like a majestic bird in flight,” Alberte says.
Soon they'll be tearing down walls and creating a large kitchen and family space on Christian's parents' side of the farmhouse – and the Hulsø Shelf will have a place there too. It's not the only Finn Juhl piece on their wish list.
"I'd love a long dining table with 108 Chairs around it. Though my mother insists they have to have armrests, so maybe it'll be the 109 instead. It’s both beautiful and comfortable. You can actually sit in it all evening," Christian says.
Even though Finn Juhl's furniture has long since achieved the status of design classics, they continue to live on with renewed vitality in the homes they become part of.
The series 'Living with Finn Juhl' explores how these pieces carry meaning – not as unchanging icons, but as dynamic elements in personal spaces. In part 2, you’ll meet, among others, Iohan Ørum and Yujung Kim, who combine high-quality design furniture with innovative works by upcoming designers and iconic vintage finds.
