Maj Henriques On Designing a California-Danish Home

Where I Live

Home excursions and classy abodes of ladies we admire to find their method to design–and the way they’ve created a sanctuary at dwelling that feeds their soul every day. See All

Maj Henriques and her household relocated to the Santa Barbara space from Copenhagen simply a few years in the past. But within the quick time they’ve discovered themselves stateside, the household has already managed to inhabit two enviable properties simply a quick stroll from the seashore. Both have had utterly distinct, life-giving settings. The first was flanked by a wild, grassy meadow, crammed with oak bushes and rambling nasturtiums. And the second—their present dwelling—sits atop the tiny village of Summerland, overlooking a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean, the distant Channel Islands, and the encircling hills and mountains.

Each area she occupies displays Maj’s inherent draw to nature, and her refined capacity to deliver the calming vitality and colours of the reigning Mediterranean local weather indoors.

1 of 19

Maj Henriques Shares Her Sunny Summerland, California Home

The creative atmosphere that hangs about this stunning, sunny home should come as no surprise. As creative director of her own multi-disciplinary design and branding agency, Creative Notes, Maj brings her skills to every facet of her life. She’s transformed the space into somewhere that looks and feels like her family’s own, even amidst the limited confines of renting the property.

Maj’s approach always prioritizes the personal, selecting pieces that exude a strong point of view and can stand boldly on their own in any space, while still feeling accessible and warm. She has seamlessly blended a mix of European designers, both old and new, that at once convey a timelessly stylish sensibility with little need for following the trends of the day.

In Maj’s words, the goal is soulful. As far as not being able to make any dramatic changes to the home, she says, “Being a renter is an exercise in creating a homey and beautiful space that reflects your personality—without renovating.” With cozy corners to sink into, strikingly pared-back visual moments, and pops of vibrant color throughout, we think you’ll agree that she’s managed to do just that.

I share my home with my family. My husband, Frederik, and my two kids—Magne, age sixteen, and Hannah, age 13.

What was your goal in decorating your home?

Interior-wise, I like simplicity. I tend to decorate sparingly with statement pieces that can look good anywhere. The pieces I bring into my home have to be worth the resources spent on them, and therefore need to age well. I like adding personal and unexpected items, as well as both contemporary and vintage.

At the same time, I’m very aware that my home should feel comfortable and welcoming. It has to fit the flow and needs of everyone living in it. My home is where I recalibrate. I love the everyday life spent here.

A home works well when it feels effortless to move from task to task and moment to moment. The goal is for the space to be soulful.

I work from home, so I spend a lot of time in my house. Morning coffee, soaking up the sun on my deck, reading, watching movies, an evening glass of wine, cooking and connecting and checking in with my husband and kids are regular routines I savor. Occasionally we have small, intimate and informal dinners with friends. More and more, I prefer casual and relaxed settings—and this space is perfect for cultivating those kinds of moments.

You have so many exceptional—mostly European—designers featured throughout your home. Can you tell us about some of your faovrite brands and pieces?

My home is filled with contemporary brands like E15, Magniberg, and varied items from the design collective Valerie Objects. The blue desk and stools in the lounge and the blue chair in my bed room are all from Swedish-based Magniberg. A whole lot of my lighting, the unbelievable double-lounger in my entryway, and the multi-colored chairs on the patio are from Belgian duo Muller van Severen, who work underneath the Valerie Objects design label. In my opinion, these are the manufacturers that would be the classics of tomorrow.

I’ve additionally collected items from designers already thought-about to be classics, like Rietveld, Gio Ponti, and Le Corbusier. My solely Danish furnishings is outside manufacturers like Skagerak and Carl Hansen, and I’ve some rugs from Linie Design. The superbly textural rug in the lounge is from a attractive Danish line referred to as Cappelen Dimyr.

Is there a vibe or aesthetic that defines the look of your house?

California seashore city meets Copenhagen—what I seek advice from as CoCal.

How would you describe your model in three phrases?

Simple, sculptural, private.

How has your design sense changed—if at all—to reflect your new California surroundings, versus how you might decorate back in Copenhagen?

Here we have, of course, more focus on our outdoor spaces and the flow from inside to outside. Besides that, I’ve become very aware of surrounding myself with long-lasting quality pieces. I prefer when furniture has a sculptural quality, so that each piece looks amazing from all angles and in many different spaces. This is an important element when you move a lot.