Canadian software salesman Andrew Heneghan had been in Copenhagen for only 48 hours when he met his partner, Martin Reinicke, a local florist and ceramist. Their shared passion for interiors and renovations was a potent common thread: Andrew was once a carpenter, and Martin loves to spruce up homes and other spaces in his free time.

“I remember visiting Martin’s apartment and being like, ‘This guy’s got great style,’” Andrew recalls. A decade since, they’ve now done seven renovations together, including this 1960s studio apartment in Copenhagen that they reimagined with a slightly more open plan to easily host friends and events.

Though Andrew and Martin split their time between here and Gylsboda, Sweden, weekends are spent at the flat. Sunlight streams into the west-facing space, which offers sunset views over one of the city’s three lakes (collectively known as Søerne, or The Lakes)—a perk that sold them on it, despite the space being 450 square feet.

Martin, who made pencil drawings of homes when young, would erase walls, remake them, and draw in furniture; he follows a similar approach when renovating. “It’s always about stripping it to the bones and building from there,” he says, which is exactly what the two did here.

“The home is functional and collaborative, whether we’re having friends over and a DJ on the terrace or hosting houseguests.”
–Andrew Heneghan, resident

The ceilings and walls were pared back to expose the original concrete, which gives the spaces character, Andrew explains. Walls enclosing the entry, and a set of cabinets, were removed to open up the home, and the two replaced the dated finishes and appliances with a brutalist-inspired stainless-steel kitchen that plays off the concrete’s rough texture.

“We’ve really become excited about working with metal and stainless steel,” Andrew says. “We wanted to see if we could create a custom kitchen fitted for this space entirely in metal.”

The couple collaborated with local welders to construct a futuristic kitchen island that has an electric range and storage for utensils and pots and pans. The island and the kitchen cabinets mirror the custom metalwork in the bathroom, where Martin and Andrew installed a matching steel sink with open shelving.

Bright-orange Arne Jacobsen Vola faucets pop against butter-yellow tile in the bathroom; the entryway is now forest green. The couple also rotate the flat’s artwork, provided by gallery Nordværk. The partnership with the gallery, which is owned by their friend Rikke Albrechtsen, fulfilled a dream of theirs to make their home a functional yet collaborative space that would “create opportunities to show art and bring people in,” Andrew says.

The apartment doubles as a gathering place for openings and events and feels extra cozy when the couple host dinner parties or DJ sets out on the terrace. When the flat gets busy, the Hästens bed can fold into a sofa, thanks to a custom frame. “Hosting loved ones here is pure joy,” Andrew emphasizes. “Our friends are always welcome.”

Project Credits:

Interior Design: Andrew Heneghan and Martin Reinicke (@swedish.quarry.house and @gylsbodaresidence)

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