Dinesen’s Wood-Centric Showroom Opens in Brooklyn: Experience Living Art!

Brooklyn’s latest pop-up goes beyond the usual fleeting retail concept, offering a deeper, more enduring experience. The esteemed Danish woodworkers, Dinesen, have created a temporary yet transformative space on Vanderbilt Avenue, showcasing their world-renowned wooden planks not just as a product but as a key element of a serene living space. The Dinesen Apartment, designed by renowned Danish architect David Thulstrup, offers visitors a unique, immersive experience, resembling a tranquil sanctuary that demonstrates the transformative power of high-quality materials.

Occupying two levels in a building sculpted by SO—IL, the setup is more than a mere display of Dinesen’s famed oak wood. Thulstrup cleverly integrates the wood as a central, stabilizing feature that ties the entire space together. Wood flows from the floors up the walls and even forms the staircase in a display of Layers Oak, creating a cohesive environment that feels as if a tastefully decorated home has been opened for public viewing.

The primary material used here is Dinesen’s Layers Oak in the Classic variant, providing a calm and elegant canvas. Thulstrup adds complexity and texture with Layers HeartOak, which features natural fissures joined by delicate butterfly joints, celebrating the wood’s organic origins and inherent “flaws.”

Furniture in the apartment is thoughtfully placed in deliberate arrangements, featuring pieces from Thulstrup’s Arv Collection for Brdr. Kruger and John Pawson’s designs for Dinesen, dressed in Sahco’s Levino fabric. The setup avoids feeling overly curated; instead, it achieves a comfortable, lived-in vibe, albeit temporarily. Danish vintage items from designers like Arne Jacobsen and Severin Hansen for Dagmar enhance the space, blending Scandinavian craftsmanship from different eras into a harmonious design. Thulstrup notes, “I enjoy mixing different eras and styles – contemporary, classic, and crafted – to create a serene, grounded atmosphere intended to decelerate the passage of time.”

Every aspect of the apartment, from the way natural light dances on the wooden surfaces to the muted tones of Bléo paints like Sand and Suede and the tactile richness of the textiles and soft furnishings, echoes Thulstrup’s vision of a calm, grounded retreat.

“Our profound appreciation for materials, traditions, and the artistry of Scandinavian design’s golden age is something we share with both Dinesen and David Thulstrup,” says Dagmar. They contribute with reissued pieces by Danish legend Severin Hansen, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the project.

The intricate carpentry, including a stunning half-turn staircase, built-in bookcases, and elegantly designed doors, was expertly crafted by Ocular, a Danish carpentry duo. Layers of texture are added through textiles from Kvadrat, Sahco, and Magniberg, along with small, finely crafted objects like Thulstrup’s Penumbra piece for Georg Jensen and select hardware from FSB, enhancing the space with subtle, sophisticated details.

More than just a showroom, the Dinesen apartment serves as a functional residence, a venue for events, and a gathering place. Visitors are encouraged to explore and interact with the space as if it were their own home, emphasized Thulstrup, aiming to create a space to be experienced, not just viewed through the lens of social media.

This Brooklyn installation marks Dinesen’s inaugural fully-realized project in the United States, following a similar concept executed in Copenhagen with John Pawson. This venture represents a new chapter, deeply rooted in the American landscape yet unmistakably reflective of Danish essence.