Cathrine & Marie-Louise Brandenborg · Aarhus · Denmark

Interview

Cathrine and Marie-Louise's Christmas is about to change

For twins Cathrine and Marie-Louise Brandenborg, Christmas means everything. Now, that they are both mothers their way of celebrating Christmas is about to change.

Cathrine & Marie-Louise Brandenborg
Aarhus · Denmark

November 2023

For twins Cathrine and Marie-Louise Brandenborg, Christmas means everything. Now, that they are both mothers their way of celebrating Christmas is about to change.

Love of reading under open skies. During the bright Danish summer nights, Maria likes to sit under the pergola and enjoy a good book.

What made you fall in love with outdoor living and designing outdoor living spaces?

I have always been passionate about designing outdoor living spaces. Being outdoors, under the open skies, is simply lovely. It gives me energy, and it is as if you think better. More freely. Working with plants in the garden is particularly exciting because it is so challenging. Have you remembered to feed them? Have they been watered as they should? I like the pace of the process because there is no speeding things up in the garden. It is liberating in a way. Just think how long it takes for a small seed to turn into a flower. When you have had a go at cultivating your own summer flowers, you start respecting nature in a new way.

Grape buffet. Green grape vines adorn the ceiling of the orangery and make it easy to pick a grape or two on the way to the garden.

Relaxation. Luna the dog has found a soft spot for a nap in the warm orangery.

What is your favourite place in your garden?

The greenhouse, no doubt. My greenhouse is my playground. This is where I think big thoughts, toss a few seeds in the ground and test myself. This is where I enjoy the now and the process. It is also where friends and family gather around the table and enjoy a glass of wine on a summer day and perhaps pick a tomato or cucumber. I use the greenhouse all year round because I can feel that it fills me with energy.

A special place. The grand orangery holds many memories. In fact, this was where Maria and husband Anders had their wedding ceremony.

When spring comes, and the days grow milder, what are you most looking forward to in your garden?

I look forward to sitting in the sun under a blanket and just enjoying that spring has finally sprung. The first rays of spring sunshine are almost magical. Sowing and transplanting seedlings is also a wonderful process. Inside, my windowsills are overflowing with sprouting seeds, which will soon be planted out in my greenhouse. The first sign of spring is the blanket of little snowdrops and tulips spreading across the ground. It is so uplifting.

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Take a break in nature. The garden has many options when it is time for a rest.

How is summer spent in your garden?

We use the garden all year round, but summer is the absolute height. All the flower beds are filled with herbaceous perennial, roses and summer flowers. In the pots, dahlia and summer flowers too. It is buzzing with life. I love having friends and family over for a barbeque in the garden. It seems the garden really comes to life when we have guests.

Ready for a dip. With the lovely outdoor spa bath, Maria brings a sense of vacation and relaxation to the terrace.

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How do you use your garden during the cold months of the year?

When it is miserable and cold outside, I try to create a bit of ‘hygge’ in the garden with torches and candles, or even ice lanterns which I make myself. The most important spots are by the front door and in front of the kitchen window. It is nice to have something beautiful to look at. In my greenhouse and on my terrace, I put lots of candles, pine cones and branches of spruce on the tables to create a genuine atmosphere of ‘hygge’. I try to create a fairy-tale atmosphere.

Have a seat. Do like Maria, and set up several seating areas in the garden. Some in the sun and some in the shade. This way, there is always a comfortable place to sit for you and your guests.

At what times of day do you use your garden?

I eat breakfast on the terrace, which is close to the house. Even when it is raining, I can sit out there, because it is covered, and I have actually also installed a heater on the wall, like the ones you see at cafés. I use the terrace from May to September. Having a covered terrace really prolongs the outdoor season. Even if it is raining a bit, you can still gather your friends around the barbecue. At the weekend, I enjoy having a cup of coffee or a glass of white wine on a bench near my garden pond. It is a sunny spot, and sitting by the water is special. And when there is a heat wave, the pond is excellent for cooling your feet. If it rains, or if it is cold, I head for the greenhouse, which I can heat up in about 20 minutes. The greenhouse offers perfect shelter against the elements, and is a great place for family ‘hygge’. I have a work station for pots in the garden that I use when I am working with flowers. It has a pent roof, so I can work dryshod even in rain. This is where I keep all my pots, sticks and strings for binding.

Flower joy. When the garden is in full bloom, there are flowers top to bottom.

What are some of your garden dreams?

This summer, we are planning to build a big, new terrace and a nice wide pergola. I spent a lot of time dreaming about finishing these projects. I think it is going to be really great.

Oasis. Surrounded by greenery, it is easy to get lost in day dreaming.

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There is a huge assortment of both colours and sizes. I currently have more than 40 different sorts in my garden. I am particularly fond of the Queen of Sweden rose. It is in bloom all summer and simply divine.

They give a lush look and are available in green, blue, grey, white and yellow nuances. My favourite is the blue-grey hosta. They are so beautiful.

They are lovely all summer and well in to autumn.

It brings height to the flower bed and is so beautiful to look at that most people make a stop when passing by it.

It comes in many colours, blooms for a long time and looks great in bouquets.

It is greatly satisfying being able to fetch herbs for the kitchen, so go on and plant plenty of these in the kitchen garden.

Growing cucumber in the greenhouse is easy and there are many special sorts. My favourite is the Crystal Apple.

'Hygge'. Both two-legged and four-legged enjoy the garden.

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Incorporate the elements of fire, water and earth into the design of your outdoor living spaces. You can light up your balcony with torches, lamps or lanterns with candles. A large zinc planter or a bowl filled with water and flowers introduces a water element. Plant lots of plants in pots and planters on your terrace, or in window boxes if you have a balcony.

It is a good idea to have a number of places where you can sit down in the garden. A bench in the sun, and another bench in a sheltered position. It entices visitors to move around the garden and enjoy the various spots. It brings life to the garden.

Make sure to organise all your garden things so you always know where to find them. You may like to keep your gardening gloves, seeds, twine, fertiliser, plant labels and sprayer in a small wooden box, which makes everything look very inviting. Any unused flowerpots can also be stacked in the box. If you have space in your garden, it can be a good idea to set up a potting bench where you can work with your plants and flowers.

If space is limited, it is a good idea to use all available surfaces. A covered terrace or balcony is ideal for hanging flowerpots. Lots of them, preferably – for an interesting mix and a fantastic atmosphere. String lights are also a nice touch. Pure ‘hygge’. If you have a half-wall or a whole wall for that matter, make sure to make the most of it. Use it for hanging up folding chairs when not in use. Or you can hang a box on the wall and use it as a shelf for some of your gardening things. You can also plant herbs in deep beds on wheels. They can easily be moved around the garden so that you always have lettuce, parsley or chives to hand.

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