Sofie has dressed her home in prints and vintage fabric

Creative corner for children | Søstrene Grene

Pattern mix. Sofie manages to mix patterns with a both harmonic and stylish result.

The beautiful townhouse in Randers is 100 years old, and when Sofie Kirketerp Sjøstrand Boisen moved in with her family two years ago, it needed some loving attention. Sofie and the family gave it just that, and in the home décor Sofie's creative skills and love of textiles has resulted in a personal home with a consistent style in the stately surroundings.

New life to second-hand find. Sofie has made the lampshade from lamp foil and fabric.

Collector. When Sofie sees a beautiful vintage lamp base she often brings it home. There are always both lampshades and bases readily waiting in the work room.

Where does your passion for textiles stem from?

I have always loved beautiful fabric. When I was younger, I was very into clothes, but once I got a home of my own it turned into an interest of interior textiles. It is an easy way to bring personality to the home.

Which textile project are you most pleased with in your home?

I am really fond of the curtains in the living room. I found the fabric in a little store in Sweden when I was on vacation with my family. It was a tiny store and it looked like nobody had touched it since the 90s. It looked almost abandoned. And here I just found the most precious piece of fabric which matches the blue chairs in the living room perfectly. Every time I look at the curtains, I remember that trip to Sweden and the visit to that strange little store. I have a lot of fond memories attached to those curtains.

Stately. From the first floor hallway, you get a peek into the bedroom where Sofie has added fabric behind the glass doors of the cabinets.

With inspiration from the past. Fabric behind glass doors used to be common, and Sofie's adaptation of the new cabinets as such fits the old town house perfectly.

Where do you find all these beautiful fabrics?

I find a lot of fabric in second-hand stores and on flea markets. I have always loved second-hand shopping. I love surrounding myself with items I have hand-picked. Items that have lived a life before and which I myself have attached a story to. I do not just look for piece goods. It can also be old clothes or tablecloths. Or old aprons, which were often made of especially fine fabric. I do find a lot of fabric in normal fabric stores too.

Blue project. The chair in the workroom is a second-hand find which Sofie has re-covered herself.

Simple. With a staple gun you can bring new life to heirlooms or vintage items where the fabric is worn or stained.

Which kind of textiles do you look for?

I love prints, and I prefer the fabric to look like it was made 100 years ago. I was born in the wrong era, I think. I can spot what I like instantly.

Where did you learn to sew?

I learned to sew in school and from my mother. My mother and I still sew together sometimes. I am far from professional, but I just try to see how far the basic techniques can take me. I really love the sewing process. Often, this is where I get new ideas. I sew as often as I can.

Creative work table. Sofie has sewing tools at hand and cabinets filled with fabric in the work room so she is always ready to start a new project.

There are table lamps in almost every room of the house. What is your relationship to table lamps?

I find that it brings a sense of 'hygge' to light a bunch of little light sources in the home. I would much rather turn on all my table lamps than the ceiling lamp. I find the lamps in second-hand stores and on flea markets. I have personally selected every single one, and I always make a new lampshade for them from beautiful fabric. I must have made 100 lampshades by now. I give some away as presents, but I also swap my own lampshades now and then. It is an easy way of changing the look and bringing some sense of newness to the home.

Fabric boxes. Sofie has made a bunch of boxes from cardboard, cotton batting and fabric. The soft boxes have a charming vintage look and matches the mood of the old townhouse perfectly.

Patchwork. From the blanket on the wall sprung Sofie's love of patchwork and the great collection of patchwork items she has today.

You collect patchwork. How come?

I started to get into patchwork when I was in my early 20s. I was at a flea market where I found an old patchwork blanket in a real junk stand among a lot of old iron stuff. It cost me 3£ and a washing. It is the blanket that hangs on the wall in my work room today. It is hand-sewn and probably from the 80s. I love patchwork because you can explore all the prints. Everything that has a needlework sense to it is cool, I think. If you are holding a hand-sewn patchwork blanket this is the only one out there. It is unique. Someone has poured a lot of time and effort into it. You have to appreciate that. If you hang a patchwork blanket on the wall it almost turns into art. And it is great for the acoustics of the room too.

Historic back cloth. The big American patchwork blanket on the wall behind the dining table is approx. 100 years old.

Collection. Little blankets and pillowcases are also part of Sofie's patchwork collection.

A sewing machine is hard to do without. Besides that, I am very fond of my cutting mat and rotatry cutter because they make it much easier to cut fabric straight.

If you want to use fabric with prints but have a hard time choosing, a good rule of thumb is to go for a print with a light background colour. That usually works well and has a light look.

If you have not tried re-covering furniture before, I recommend starting with an old stool that needs a new cover. It is quite easy. You must simply make sure to stretch the fabric enough around the sides. If you want to make a lampshade, you can simply add new fabric to the outside of an old lampshade. It is easier than making the lampshade from scratch with lamp foil. Just make sure to use a smooth lampshade.

Never be afraid to try. It does not have to be perfect. It is needlework and it does not have to look like something that was made in a factory.

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