Header: Heid Lerkenfeldt
Josephine Yaa Akuamoa, the founder of File Under Pop studio, and Garde Hvalsøe have reunited once again, this time to personalise the designer’s new home and studio in Paper Island, Copenhagen. Relocating the original Garde Hvalsøe kitchen from the old File Under Pop studio into the new building was the biggest challenge of the design.
File Under Pop Casa at the Paper Island
Former Danish navy armoury and a national newspaper warehouse, which lent its name to the revitalised Paper Island, offers a quiet coastal getaway. The island is defined by wooden maritime gates and a distinctive diagonal roof element that references the city’s harbour architecture. Warm ash wood is the main element of the design, alongside limestone that mirrors the sandstone harbour walls and the surrounding yellow brick buildings. The interior design of the new object is inspired by the island and historic harbour warehouses.
Three-floor residence
The natural light-filled residence spans three floors, with a shared garden. The kitchen and dining area are housed on the ground floor, while the bedrooms occupy the middle level. The third floor offers an airy, adaptable retreat for entertainment or quiet contemplation. The Garde Hvalsøe’s enduring Solid model kitchen was made from ash wood with a zinc frame. Wide planks cover finger-jointed drawer fronts, brought closely together, to appear as a single plank. Upper cabinets are made of the Japan-inspired Koshi-do fronts, designed in collaboration with OEO Studio.
The 3daysofdesign debut
The challenging endeavour of moving the kitchen, which had already been used, to a new location was further complicated by time constraints. The project started just seven weeks before the 3daysofdesign, one of the biggest design festivals in Europe. File Under Pop Casa’s launch was scheduled during the event, meaning everything had to be finished before June 10th, 2026. The entire kitchen and everything else were demolished, including the bathroom, the staircase and wooden panels spanning throughout the house. Every week, a new level was being constructed, moving material up and down a small ladder.
Natural colour palette and furnishing
The home is dominated by natural, soft and warm shades, with a colour palette ranging from pale warm white to Provençal dusty beige-rose on the stairs. A File Under Pop colour, Deep River, a hue between green and dark brown, was used to accentuate the doors. Lighting design by Davide Groppi achieves its true beauty in the interaction with the object it illuminates.
Wood, raw stone, and ceramics cover approximately the same parts of the house, residing in balance and harmony. The acoustic qualities of the materials contrast with each other, ranging from the resonance of ceramic to the grounding sound of stone and the comforting sound of wood. Artworks add a special touch to the house that’s embellished with works by Farshad Farzankia, Cathrine Raben Davidsen, Vilmer Engelbrecht, and Mathias Malling Mortensen.
The furnishing of File Under Pop Casa
The dining chairs are made by Agapecasa, while the Reading Chair by Finn Juhl is paired with a Tulip table upstairs. The Erei sofa was designed by Elisa Ossino Studio for DePadova, while Dux-manufactured beds are complemented by Tekla bed linen and bathroom towels. Astep lamp and Vittorio Nobili’s Medea chair furnish the first floor, while tailor-made wardrobes and travel memorabilia add a touch of personal history.
The Paper Island space, made in collaboration between Josephine Yaa Akuamoa and Garde Hvalsøe, resonates with warmth and character, demonstrating a lifelong circular use of the old, relocated kitchen.
