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Hygge-style home

A modern kitchen with white high-gloss cabinets and an island, Nolte Kitchen.

Vanessa (@hyggeliges.zuhause) lives beautifully hyggelig with husband Johannes and their two daughters Emilia (4 years) and Matilda (2 years) right in the middle of the wine region Deidesheim. They moved into their city villa in 2016. Ever since, Vanessa has been decorating her home in a minimalist yet cozy Scandinavian design. Their two pets, Bahiya, a Rhodesian-Ridgeback dog, and Lou, a British-shorthair cat, are always part of the action too. The heart of their home is their open kitchen. She reveals more about her hyggelig home in the following interview:

Scandi style with heart – Vanessa has created a family home in her townhouse that combines calm, warmth and design.

GlossaryWhat is the Hygge style?

The Hygge style originates from Denmark and represents warmth, comfort, and the art of turning home into a place of wellbeing. Clean lines, bright colors, natural materials such as wood and linen, and soft lighting characterize the look. Hygge is especially noticeable in the kitchen: Open shelves, charming details, atmospheric lighting, and practical storage solutions create a welcoming atmosphere where enjoyment and community take center stage. Here, it's not just about cooking – it's about living.

What does the Hygge trend signify for you and how did you discover it?
For me, Hygge means coziness in a clean and straightforward atmosphere. Even before moving into our house, I was interested in interior design and mainly found inspiration on Instagram. This developed my passion for high-quality, beautiful decorative objects and furniture. The decisive point, I think, was our backpacking tour through Iceland in 2013. 

Does your character reflect your interior design?
I would say yes. Personally, I love spending my free time at home, creating a home full of comfort for my family. Decorating and gardening provide balance to my demanding job. I love creating a cozy atmosphere through candles in beautiful holders or flowers in vases. Even in the morning when preparing breakfast, I like to reach for the lighter and light a scented candle.

What does Hygge in the kitchen mean to you?
To me, it means lighting a lovely scented candle, making my coffee, and serving breakfast or dinner on beautiful tableware. For me, lovely Scandinavian tableware, stylish spice mills or a beautiful dishcloth are a must for the eyes. It makes everything immediately more enjoyable. Oh yes, and my beloved, incredibly practical runner – pure Scandinavian style!

What role does your kitchen play on your Instagram account (@hyggeliges.zuhause)?
A big one. I actually get the most likes on my kitchen pictures. Competitions or collaborations around the kitchen also get extremely positive responses. It shows what an important place the kitchen has in other families' lives as well. 

White kitchens – timeless, bright, versatile

White kitchens represent clarity, brightness and timeless elegance. They make rooms appear larger and match any style – whether modern, classic or minimalist. Combined with wood, stone or black, stylish contrasts with personality are created.
A modern, bright kitchen with white cabinets and a rug, stylishly designed by Nolte Kitchen.

What is the idea behind Küchensonntag?
With Küchensonntag I introduced a hashtag under which other "Blogger" and followers can post their kitchen pictures. This way, a large community is created to always find new inspirations around the topic of kitchens.

How do you bring coziness and warmth into a clean white kitchen?
With calm colors like beige, gray or anthracite, scented candles and beautiful textiles! I really like keeping everything within one color family; you shouldn’t decorate too colorful or wild, this is exactly what creates Hygge!

What significance does the kitchen have for a hyggelig atmosphere in the house?
The kitchen is the central focal point. Because our kitchen has an open layout, I can see everything at once, cook and bake, and at the same time spend time with my children. I love when they interrupt their playing because it smells good in the kitchen and they want to taste or help. Add some nice music, wonderful.

What are beautiful moments in the kitchen for you?
When my girls climb onto their step stool and watch me cooking. I also love to get up in the morning, slowly brew myself a coffee, and prepare a healthy cereal in a beautiful bowl. Healthy, unprocessed food is for us just as much a part of the Hygge-lifestyle as beautiful coffee mugs!

What significance did the kitchen have in your interior planning? Did it influence it or did you rather have an overall vision?
The kitchen had to be clean and play a central role. It was also important for us that visitors could be „part of it“ when cooking. When friends come over, we usually all sit together at the kitchen island, drink a good glass of wine, and I prepare the food. Our children play in the living room and therefore are part of it too. A closed kitchen would not have been an option for us. Many people are bothered by having cooking scents throughout the entire house. I cannot share this attitude. I particularly love it when the house smells like healthy, freshly baked bread, for example.

A "København" poster is displayed on the wall in a modern kitchen with white cabinets. Nolte Kitchen.
Matching the Hygge style, Scandinavian details.
A dog lies on a pillow next to a cat in a sunlit living room.
In this home, even four-legged friends feel comfortable.
A modern, bright kitchen with white cabinets and a rug, stylishly designed by Nolte Kitchen.
The straightforward design of the kitchen brings calm and order into Vanessa's home.

Are there any personal dos and don’ts for you when it comes to "Einrichtung"?
Yes, personally it should neither be too colorful nor too dark. It's important to stay true to yourself and feel comfortable!

What influence did your children have on the design of the kitchen?
My children should always be able to be around, therefore the open design. And it needed to be practical, hence elements like a pull-out pantry unit that the children can open by themselves and have everything clearly visible when they want to help.

What does the inside of your kitchen look like? Team inner organization or rather creative chaos?
This is a funny topic. I would say my husband and I complement each other quite well. He is responsible for the "outer" order - everything is always polished to a shine - and me for the "inner one". I love sorting my spices or organizing my various nuts, grains and flours into pretty storage containers! But we too have a so-called "junk drawer"- I think I don't know anyone who doesn't have one in their kitchen!

Counter at the kitchen island and a television in the kitchen. Is the kitchen the center of your home life?
Personally, sometimes I enjoy sitting at the kitchen island and watching the news in the morning when I'm alone. Yes, definitely the center of my home life!

You are an animal lover and have pets. Did your pets influence your furnishing choices? Did you have to consider anything due to your pets?
My animals have no influence on my furnishings, i.e. I don't buy, for example, a black leather sofa just to prevent stains from being visible or to make it easier to clean. However, my furnishings do influence the pet products we purchase. The scratching post or dog blanket, for example, must absolutely fit into the overall decor. That really isn't always that easy ;-).

In your opinion, what are the 3 most important points to consider when planning a kitchen?
1. High-gloss vs. matte fronts. We have high-gloss fronts, but today we'd prefer matte fronts, it's simply more practical with children! And today I also find it "more modern".
2. Plan a kitchen island! This creates incredible comfort and makes the kitchen even cozier, because people can gather around it, and you can decorate it incredibly beautifully!
3. A window that creates brightness and a pantry – an absolute must-have for me!

What does life in the kitchen mean to you?
Many shared hours with family, friends who visit, and preparing good, healthy food. That's our Hygge lifestyle!

More information

In our kitchen journal you will find even more inspiration for the individual planning and design of your dream kitchen.

A modern kitchen with light cabinets and a large window, stylishly presented by Nolte Kitchen.
View here

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