Colour Class #15 — Elegant Calm with a Colourful Edge

Photo credit Céline Hallas

For Colour Class #15, we return to Copenhagen, where Herle and Rasmus, founders of Finders Keepers, have transformed their bedroom into a peaceful retreat, creating a space of serenity within a home otherwise known for bold colours and vibrant design.

Their goal was to introduce a sense of calm and plenty of storage, moving away from traditional neutrals to create a look that feels understated but unique.

In this Colour Class, we’ll uncover how carefully chosen, expressive shades can add personality to a tranquil bedroom, achieving a sense of balance without sacrificing style.

Location: We journey to the heart of Copenhagen, where Herle and Rasmus, founders of Finders Keepers, reside. Their classic apartment is a true Copenhagen gem, with lofty ceilings and beautiful stucco detailing that reflect the timeless elegance of the city’s architecture.

Mission: The mission was to create a calm and understated bedroom with ample storage in a home otherwise known for its vibrant colours and bold, expressive style.

Colours: There were three key goals on the to-do list when we began designing the bedroom for Herle and Rasmus: 1) Plenty of storage, 2) Create a calm space, and 3) Make sure it’s anything but boring.

To establish a foundation of visual calm, we painted every surface the same colour – ceiling, walls, and woodwork were all given a soft, warm greige. Colloquially called “Basic Bitch,” this shade says it all; it prefers to slip into the background, which is a remarkable quality for a colour to have. It’s not the star of the room, but it provides exactly the right level of tranquillity, all without defaulting to plain white walls.

The star of the room is, in fact, the wardrobe, which we custom-designed to suit Herle and Rasmus’s needs. Every detail was considered, from storage for small items to large ones, hanging space, and deep drawers – everything. We also made a bold design decision: rather than a tall wardrobe, we opted for a wide one, leaving space to display Herle’s beloved vintage finds from their travels or, as it turns out, Rasmus’s flourishing plant collection – a living array that shifts and grows over time.

Although Herle originally wanted a brown wardrobe, we couldn’t resist adding a bit of character to suit the home’s lively personality, choosing the soft green shade “Pomelo” for the base units and a playful “Rosehip” red for the drawer handles.

The rest of the room is minimally decorated, with small, wall-mounted side tables painted green to add a pop of colour beside the bed and a Verner Panton chair with pink cushions providing a vibrant touch at the other end of the room. Otherwise, the palette remains neutral, with natural cotton curtains and a heavy linen bedspread in fresh white. This is a room created for calm, but it’s also one that can evolve – who knows, there may be a floral headboard someday, but for now, tranquillity reigns.

The lesson in this Colour Class is that even if you’re seeking a calm bedroom, it doesn’t have to mean an endless parade of whites and creams. You can add personality without overwhelming the sense of peace.