Why are Danes so happy? According to the UN’s annual World Happiness Report, Denmark consistently ranks among the world’s top three happiest countries. A significant aspect of this relates to the relationship with good design and overall happiness in homes.
A survey conducted by The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen found that 73% of people who are happy with their homes are generally happy, and 15% of the 13,480 people surveyed directly attribute their happiness to their satisfaction with their homes. There is a powerful correlation between our homes and our well-being.
Designing for happiness
At BoConcept, this is central to the ‘Art of Living Danishly’ campaign spotlighted by their new Global Artistic Director, Helena Christensen. The campaign asks, what does it mean to live well? It’s the central question Danish design sets out to solve with its functional, timeless pieces, elegantly crafted to enhance the flow and feeling of a home.
In her new role, Helena is helping to shape this exciting new chapter for the brand, offering her unique experience and perspective. About her approach, Helena says: “Design is more than the details of aesthetics, it’s about how it makes you feel when you walk through the door.”
“I love the feeling of waking up feeling grateful and happy about the space I’m in,” says Helena. “I like feeling curious and inspired by the objects in my home and look forward to coming back home after a workday or a trip away. Your home should reflect your personality and make you feel at ease.”
Read on to discover Helena’s favourite ways to bring out the joy in her living space.
Consider the shape of things
Which shapes have the innate ability to induce happiness? For Helena, the organic forms of the Charlotte Høncke Sweet Art collection do just that. “Charlotte’s designs very much fit into my aesthetics,” says Helena. “The organic yet playful armchair, the colourful hues and feel of the textiles. I feel happy as soon as I look at them.”
Sculptural and sensorial, with a playful feeling, the Sweet Art capsule fuses artistic expression with the sweet shades and shapes found in the Danish bakery.
Create cosy corners
Never underestimate the healing powers of a cosy corner, or ‘hyggekrog’, which roughly translates as a ‘nook’. It is the place in the room where you love to snuggle up with a blanket, a book, and a cup of tea for the ultimate cosy experience. “In Danish culture”, says Helena, “we have a word for creating moments of cosiness: ‘hyggelig’.”
For Helena, her ‘hyggelig’ place encompasses “a lot of candles, indoor plants and spaces you can throw yourself down with a book”. One of her design philosophies is to “use every corner”, so there is always somewhere to sit and read.
Discover the joy of collecting
Helena’s interior aesthetic is inspired by everything around her. “I have always been a collector, since I started travelling at a very young age, and somehow my interior aesthetics evolved around curious and unique objects found on my travels.”
Open display units like Calgary are perfect for arranging and displaying personal photographs and keepsakes to evoke happy memories and reflect who you are. “My home very much reflects my inner universe almost as an extension of who I am and what I love”, says Helena.
Mix clean lines with eclecticism
According to Helena, BoConcept’s aesthetic is characterized by “timeless, elegant, classic pieces with very clean lines.” These designs create the perfect foundation to layer with her eclectic style.
“Every place I’ve ever lived is filled with objects that I collect from all over the world. My walls are full of art”, she says. “And when you pair an eclectic home with furniture pieces that have simple organic shapes, the combination creates a very good balance.”
Create a sense of tranquillity
Then there’s finding space for calm. For Helena, this means getting close to nature. In the summer, her favourite place to be is “perched in the living room right by the open doors, watching the rain pouring down during storms or quietly watching the birds outside”.
The way to achieve this is to place a chair or sofa next to a window, ready to watch the world go by or feel the sun on your face. “When I decorate I am inspired so much by the soul of the place; the natural surroundings. It’s a simple way of living and interacting with nature and the outdoors always has an immediately calming effect for me.”
Infuse your space with colour and texture
Colour provides a huge dopamine boost for Helena: “I have collected textiles since I was very young and have always had a passion for patterns and colours”, she says, attributing some of this to her Peruvian (on her mother’s side) heritage. “I enjoy mixing them up, sometimes in ways that challenge the norms of how colours and patterns go together.”
Décor powered by happiness is about more than just aesthetics, it’s about creating spaces that resonate on an emotional level. As Helena says, “My home is a true extension of how I feel inside, and I personally feel that this is what a home should show – your inner spirit.”
Source + Photo Credits: BoConcept
