For over 125 years, Dinesen has crafted extraordinary wooden floors from nature's finest trees. Their historic family home in southern Jutland, Denmark, stands as a testament to this legacy.

Built in 1885 from local clay bricks, this thatched-roof longhouse has recently been transformed by Copenhagen design studio Mentze Ottenstein. Surrounded by forests, meadows, and lakes near the Dinesen wood factory in Jels, it now serves as an elegant brand showcase and guest house, blending heritage with modern sophistication.

As you enter, you'll notice how each room flows naturally into the next, with colours shifting from bright to cozy dark tones. The spacious kitchen, painted in forest green, features handmade cabinets and wooden handles crafted from walnut and pear wood. Handmade ceramic bowls add warmth to the countertops. 

“We've maintained a consistent colour for door frames and ceiling beams while introducing a gradient from room to room, starting with brighter colours and ending in what used to be a family living room, which is now decorated as a cosy dark-walled library,” say Mathias Mentze and Alexander Ottenstein, founders of Mentze Ottenstein.

The designers envision the space evolving organically: "We hope to come back and see the library filled with books, cabinets full of textiles, and furniture pieces from Dinesen's friends and partners speaking to each other in a unified experience."

The living spaces showcase both old and new furniture. Light oak floors run throughout, while custom-made tables and chairs in honey-coloured ash wood sit alongside carefully chosen antique pieces. The living room has transformed into a welcoming library with dark walls, creating a perfect spot for reading or quiet conversation.

Upstairs, the hallways and small rooms are painted in warm golden yellow, making the space feel intimate and welcoming. Throughout the house, gentle lighting from carefully placed lamps creates a comfortable atmosphere both day and night.

What makes this house special is how it mixes old and new. The original features - like the thatched roof, traditional windows, and fireplaces - were all carefully restored in the early 2000s. Now, these historic elements blend seamlessly with modern comforts and contemporary furniture.

Originally a family home, the house now welcomes Dinesen's guests and design clients, offering them a peaceful retreat in the Danish countryside. "A space is like a portrait of the people who inhabit it," reflect Mentze and Ottenstein. "We have attempted to draw a portrait of where Dinesen is today through choices that allow for change."

The home features soft lighting by Christian+Jade and Wästberg, with staircase and glass elements by Nina Nørgaard. Mirrors and frames are by Cassetta, chairs by RønholtKurz, and carefully selected antique pieces sourced by London-based Jamb London enhance the historical elements throughout.

Photography by Monica Grue Steffensen