Tanja has long been drawn to objects with character, particularly those shaped like fruits and vegetables. Over the years, she has built an extraordinary collection of ceramics sourced from Sweden, England and Italy: napkin rings and jugs fashioned as apples and pears; Italian cabbage plates and dishes; delicate vegetable reliefs; and even a charming green pea vase. ‘I’ve always had a weakness for colour and shape,’ she explains. ‘But as I’ve got older, I’ve become more selective. It has to be good quality and something I genuinely feel I can’t live without.’
As with many seasoned collectors, patience has become part of the pleasure. ‘The really good finds are fewer and farther between now,’ she says, ‘but that’s what makes it exciting. It feels like putting together a puzzle – when you find the missing piece, it’s incredibly satisfying.’ This sense of discovery is palpable throughout the house.
The thrill of the hunt
Tanja’s finds are rarely new. Instead, they are unearthed in flea markets and second-hand shops in both Denmark and Sweden, where she and her husband, Henrik, have a summer house. ‘I enjoy flea markets,’ she says, ‘but I often find that the very best pieces turn up in charity shops. You have to look properly: up, down and behind, and preferably make more than one round. Something wonderful might be hidden behind rows of plain white coffee cups.’
‘I often find that the best pieces turn up in charity shops. You have to look properly: up, down and behind, and preferably make more than one round’
Decorating from the walls out
The backdrop to these collections is just as considered as the objects themselves. Wallpaper plays a starring role throughout the home, with patterned designs used to create warmth and cohesion. Only the entrance hall remains undecorated, for now. In the kitchen, a single end wall is papered with a Cole & Son design featuring Tanja’s favourite flower – the geranium – while other rooms each have their own carefully chosen motif.
‘In almost every room, I start with the wallpaper,’ Tanja says. ‘Then I choose the colours and everything else to go with it. I think wallpaper and colour work best as a background – they create much more harmony than plain white walls.’ Longevity is key for Tanja; choices are made slowly and thoughtfully, ensuring the scheme will stand the test of time.
But this doesn’t mean the interiors are static. Tanja enjoys refreshing the mood with small, seasonal changes, moving pieces around, and creating new vignettes as her mood shifts. ‘Sometimes I want things to feel refined and simple. Other times I lean into something more colourful and exuberant,’ she says. ‘For me, it’s all about atmosphere. I want this to be a cosy home where you feel relaxed the moment you step inside.’
A creative counterpoint
The desire for warmth and character is perhaps unsurprising given Tanja’s profession. She works as a prison officer: a role that offers a stark contrast to her home life. ‘After a long day in such a different environment, it’s wonderful to come home to colour, shape and creativity,’ she reflects.
A balance of talents
While Tanja leads the way with colour and collections, Henrik’s influence is equally important. A carpenter by trade, he brings a practical, hands-on approach to the interiors, focusing on furniture, artwork and bespoke joinery. Throughout the house you’ll find pieces he has designed and built himself, including a wall cabinet in the bedroom, a bookcase in the sitting room, and a display cabinet in the kitchen, cleverly adapted using old glass drawers.
‘Even if it might not be obvious at first glance, there are compromises here,’ Tanja laughs. ‘We’re good at making space for each other’s ideas, and we enjoy working on projects together, whether that’s here, or at our summer house in Sweden.’
The result is a home that feels deeply personal, layered with stories and shaped by years of careful collecting. It reveals a sense of curiosity, craftsmanship and a love of objects that bring joy. In Tanja’s world, colour and form are not simply decorative choices; they are a way of life.
Tanja sells vintage homewares via Instagram: @bernhards_container
