10 places to visit in Copenhagen for design lovers
This is the 3rd of 4 posts about my short business trip to Copenhagen last December. I arrived there with much less time on my hands that I would wish for (only 2 days), but I made by best to visit as many places as possible.
1// Designmuseum Danmark
With its 2 permanent exhibitions, "Danish Design Now" and "The Danish Chair: An International Affair", and several temporary exhibitions at a time, the Danish Museum of Art & Design is a must-see for those interested in the history and current trends of Danish design. I loved the museum's way to display the iconic chair designs in a futuristic set that made me think of a spaceship..
2// Rundetaarn
The Round Tower is most known for its spiral walkway and expansive views of the city from the top. The main function of the tower is stargazing though – it is Europe’s oldest functioning astronomy observatory. The Library Hall serves as an exhibition space and a concert venue.
3// Democratic Coffee Bar
I discovered this place by chance while looking for my morning coffee. Not only their interior is cool, but the coffee is delicious and so are the croissants freshly baked on the spot. It is adjacent to a public library, so people coming here can enjoy free magazines and internet as well.
4// NORR11x101 Pop-up Store
The Copenhagen showroom of NORR11, a Danish design brand launched in November 2011, is filled with furniture and homeware of neutral palette.
5// GUBI Store
My goal was to visit as many famous design stores in Copenhagen as possible while I was there, and I truly tried to explore the shops like Illums Bolighus and Hay House, but I failed.. It was only the beginning of December, but they were literally flooded with people looking for Christmas gifts. But I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the GUBI store situated near the King's Garden. Located in a beautiful 100-year-old building, it showcases the brand’s product lines of furniture and lighting.
6// Palmehus
The old Palm House of the Botanical Garden has stolen my heart. I've been seeing the photos of it on Instagram lately, and decided to check it out. Glad I did, for it was 100% worth the visit! This elegant glasshouse dates from the 19th century and features vintage white spiral staircases leading to an elevated walkway around the central part of it. Prepare yourself to be patient if you bring a camera – it's quite a sauna inside, so your lens will need some time to adapt!
7// Café Atelier September
Design lovers also need to eat something from time to time, so when I passed by Atelier September, a café I heard a lot about on Instagram and design blogs I follow, I decided to give their famous sandwich with avocado on rye bread a try. It was so tasty I even forgot to take a photo of the café's interior!
8// Cinnober Bookstore
Cinnober is a delightful independent bookshop specializing in graphic and industrial design, architecture, illustration, fashion, art and photography. I discovered the shop during an evening stroll around the city's historical center (it is situated just near the Round Tower). The window display was so inviting, that I entered without second thought. The shop also offers a selection of paper products and stationery.
9// Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
This art museum deserves a whole article on its own about it. For now, let's just say that it is my favourite place in Copenhagen so far!
10// Gallery A. Petersen Collection & Craft
The last on my list, but not the least, is the gallery I wrote about in my previous post. A. Petersen Collection & Craft is especially of interest for those who like the fusion of Danish design and Japanese crafts. And don't forget that you still have time until the 11th of February 2018 to visit the fabulous exhibition DESIGN COLLABORATIONS by Lars Vejen!
