“When we moved in, we felt the apartment was very crammed and it was quite dark in here. We took down the ceiling and insulated the roof, and we were surprised with how amazing it turned out. Sloping ceilings and the most beautiful light from the sky comes through the windows at the top and create a magic light in the whole apartment”. The sunlight casts light down from the sky, casting a beautiful light on the wood details in the loft.
A home story with Freja Bak Josias
Freja lives in Copenhagen with her one-year-old daughter Ruth and her husband Magnus. The young family of three moved last summer, starting a new chapter in a charming, old loft in Frederiksberg. With a master’s degree in building culture and a profession as a constructing architect, the loft has been renovated with great care, honouring the heritage of the space while simultaneously creating a home fit for the demands of modern family life.
Freja has a keen eye for the restoration and preservation of old buildings. This focus is a significant aspect of her role at Rønnow Architects, where she works with an acknowledgment of and respect for what has been, all while ensuring that historic spaces can continue to be used in the years to come. This particular balancing act has also been essential to Freja outside of work, when she and her husband moved into the loft in Frederiksberg. The couple have prioritized the preservation of the apartment's history and soul while making the changes they desire and creating a comfortable family home.
Last summer, the couple went from two to three, and with that their lives suddenly changed. Both Freja and her husband have regular full-time job schedules and try to make the most of their days, even though it can be hectic. “We really try to slow down our everyday and not rush everything too much. Life with a toddler is crazy, and trying to balance it all can get hectic – but we strive to have a slow and balanced daily routine and cherish the time with our daughter. We usually enjoy long, relaxing mornings, and the afternoons after daycare, and prefer to work in the evenings when she sleeps. We are very fortunate to have the flexibility to do so.”
The heart of their home lies within the kitchen's dining area. A cherished space used for family time and play, as well as meals. Amidst the beautiful wooden surfaces and soft light, we can spot toys laying around, a mini kitchen, and a tiny piano – a charming sign of the daily family life intertwined with an otherwise minimalist interior style.
On each end of the dining table a Social® Tilt is placed. The chairs have become a go-to when feeding their toddler. “We absolutely love the ability to move with the chair while feeding Ruth, the little rocking motion makes it so much more pleasant and fun. She loves it too!”
“We absolutely love the ability to move with the chair while feeding Ruth, the little rocking motion makes it so much more pleasant and fun. She loves it too!”
“The chairs have become so popular in our home, and we're always moving them around to different rooms” Apart from their usual spot by the dining table, they've even found their way into the bedroom, next to the bed, for those middle of the night hours with their little one. “We sit in the chair at nighttime until she falls asleep again. I think she really likes the subtle motion, it calms her down. And its so comfortable for us to sit in too.”
As a new mom she reflects on how everything changed after Ruth came into her lives, and the need for even more functional furniture. “I love how the chairs are so versatile. We find ourselves moving them around the apartment a lot, as they’re handy in so many different settings. I find them quite diverse, and they look so beautiful in every room!”