Freja and Magnus Bak Josias were expecting their first child within weeks when they were given the keys to their new home in Frederiksberg, near the center of Copenhagen. The top floor of a two-story, turn-of-the-19th century structure built as workers’ apartments, it appealed to them because of its age and location, hidden behind a street-fronting grand house. And because Freja, an architect specializing in historic preservation, saw how to cast it in a new light.
“I work with listed buildings and with these you tend to do as little as possible,” she explains. “In our case, we had to do a little more than restoration: we changed the original by taking down the ceiling and one of the walls.” This makeover—done in a mere two months—created an open aerie for the family, with a double-height living area and a new kitchen built to fit the wonky existing measurements.
There’s also wall space for the couple’s growing collection of contemporary Danish furniture and art, which like the soaring spaces, lend new life to formerly humble quarters. Join us for a tour and scroll to the end for a glimpse of the construction in progress.
Photography by Theo Theo Agency, unless noted, all courtesy of Freja Bak Josias.
Above: Freja, here with her three year old daughter, Ruth, and expecting a second child soon, has a master’s degree in building culture: “it’s a more technical education than an architect, but not as technical as an engineer.” She’s also trained in sustainability and works for historic buildings specialists Rønnow Arkitekter.
Above: Freya explains that they “removed the existing attic in order to add light from above—the location of our low building in the backyard means there’s no traffic sounds, but the small rooms were dark. Our space used to be two very small apartments.”
The art shown here is from various sources, including Alium Gallery in Copenhagen; the largest is a vintage print by Mogens Andersen. Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: Magnus and Ruth on their Muuto Connect Modular Sofa. The print on the far left is by Copenhagen artist Farshad Farzankia.
Limited-edition prints are a more affordable way to buy original art than buying one-off pieces,” says Freja. “We have so many great galleries in Denmark that produce prints. Magnus and I have been finding pieces for each other and gifting them for Christmas and birthdays or investing together for years.”
Above: The wide floorboards are original: “We had them sanded and treated with lye and white soap,” says Freja. “It was the last time they could be sanded though—they’re very thin now.”The glass double doors open to the couple’s bedroom and the adjacent door to the kitchen. Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: Noah Kopel Levy painted directly on the attic wall, “Noah and I had been talking a bit, because I was looking at one of his pieces, but he had sold the one I really liked,” Freja tells us. “Then he wrote to me months later that he would love to do a mural in our home if we were up for it. We liked the idea, so one day Noah showed up and painted the whole thing while we were at work. It was so exciting to come home and see the results.” Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: “The ceiling wasn’t load-bearing, so we felt confident taking it down. It was such a mess though!” says Freja (scroll to the end for a glimpse). Photograph by Kavian Borhani for Elle.
Above: The family dining ensemble is contemporary Danish: Kasper Thorup’s Mio table and Foersom & Hiort-Lorenzen’s Mat Chairs from Normann Copenhagen. The art on the back wall is another limited-edition print by Farshad Farzankia. The ladder, made by the project carpenter, Richard Bourke, is the only way to access the attic; Magnus, who works in tech, has a small office up there. Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: “We wanted the new materials to be of a quality that matched the original,” says Freja. “That’s why we prioritized putting in a handcrafted kitchen that followed the structure of the house. The oak cabinets are my design and Richard Bourke of Francy & George Woodworking made them happen.” Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: “Richard had to tailor every cabinet and tabletop to the crooked walls and floors,” continues Freja.The counters are stainless steel: “it’s very thin, 4 millimeters, which we love—it gives it a neat look.”
Above: The shelf is by Holsa, a new Danish firm specializing in stainless steel furniture.
Above: Magnus and Ruth at play. The walls throughout were professionally painted an eggshell white; the couple finished the trim themselves using eco-friendly linseed oil paint. The door frames and moldering , now pale gray, were initially leaf green, which Freja selected but ultimately found “waaay too much: I need a neutral base, so that all the other stuff, like art, books, and toys, can make noise.”
Linseed oil paint, Freja says,”is natural and has such a beautiful look. It’s a bit tricky to use and dries slowly, but is really the best paint you can get.” Read about it and other eco alternatives in 10 Easy Pieces: Latex-Free Paints.
Above: A monoprint by American artist Emma Kohlmann from Borch Editions hangs over A Seat in Siena console table. The Pioneer Stools are by Danish designer Maria Bruun for Fredericia.
Above: Freja and Magnus’s Tunnel Bed Frame is from Danish workshop Dialekt. They bought the Jean-Louis Vila print at Musée d’Art Moderne de Collioure in the south of France. Photograph by Freja Bak Josias.
Above: Freja upgraded two Ikea Pax wardrobes by painting the doors. Canvas To Go Bag from Bacci Shop. Photograph Katrine Rohrberg for Bacci Shop.
Above: Freja painted “sun and moon trees” on Ruth’s door: “I love celestial medieval graphics and wanted her room to be fun.” The Alvar Aalto chairs are vintage: Freja says “they’re the best children’s chairs—you can sit on them as an adult.”
Above: Ruth’s Yomi Junior Bed is from Charlie Crane in Paris. Le Big Mushroom Lamp is available from Oeuf NYC.
Above: An instant mural created from Belarte Studio’s Climbing Monkeys wallpaper. “Ruth likes jungles at the moment, but it’s easy to change,” says Freja, “we previously had a seascape and may change it again to something more calm.” 
Above: The family on the go in Frederiksberg.
Floor Plan
Above: In addition to opening up the attic, Freja took down a wall to create the kokken alrum, open kitchen. The stue, living room, is flanked by the two vaelrelses, bedrooms. The bathroom is the space they plan to tackle next.
The Renovation In Progress
Above: The apartment had small rooms and low ceilings.
Above: The exposed attic in progress, post-cleanup.
Above: Richard Bourke of Francy & George Woodworking built the kitchen to fit.
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