Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: World Travelers Settle Into a Serene Copenhagen Home
This family of 5 has made 3 continents a home, but their bright and airy roost in Denmark might just be for good
When Tina and Jack Fussell got married, they made a pact to save money rather than buy a house so that they would be able to achieve their dream of living abroad. While such a daunting move may deter some, Jack, a nonprofit consultant and freelance photographer, and Tina, a freelance writer, photographer and author of the well-loved blog Traveling Mama, have managed to bring their dreams to fruition — a feat made all the more impressive with three children in tow. In the years since leaving their roots in Atlanta, the traveling family has made homes in Spain, Morocco and now Copenhagen, Denmark.
About plans to move again, Tina says, "We hope to be here for a while. Denmark is a great place to raise kids, and all three of ours are very happy here. While we miss the sense of adventure and newness that comes along with moving to a new country, I think we might go a little crazy if we had to learn a fifth language!" So for now (and perhaps for good), the Fussell clan is settling in.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Tina and Jack Fussell and their 3 children, Hailey, Parker and Landon
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: Wood furniture is hard to find in Denmark, so Tina treasures the few wood pieces she has.
About plans to move again, Tina says, "We hope to be here for a while. Denmark is a great place to raise kids, and all three of ours are very happy here. While we miss the sense of adventure and newness that comes along with moving to a new country, I think we might go a little crazy if we had to learn a fifth language!" So for now (and perhaps for good), the Fussell clan is settling in.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Tina and Jack Fussell and their 3 children, Hailey, Parker and Landon
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Size: 1,400 square feet
That's interesting: Wood furniture is hard to find in Denmark, so Tina treasures the few wood pieces she has.
Vase: Kahler; pillows: Ikea, H&M, Bungalow and Zara Home
On the house hunt in Copenhagen, the Fussells had their eye on a charming neighborhood near the city center. In fact, when their agent let them know a space was available in their ideal neighborhood, Tina says, "we told the agent before we even saw the place that we would take it."
The aesthetic is clean and pared down, yet warm. In the living room, a pair of simple white end tables with a lush throw, armfuls of patterned pillows, floor cushions and small treasures add richness to a chocolate sofa.
Of course, the family did have a look inside, and they were smitten. With beautiful white floors, a unique attic and gorgeous natural light, the space was impossible to pass up.
The aesthetic is clean and pared down, yet warm. In the living room, a pair of simple white end tables with a lush throw, armfuls of patterned pillows, floor cushions and small treasures add richness to a chocolate sofa.
Of course, the family did have a look inside, and they were smitten. With beautiful white floors, a unique attic and gorgeous natural light, the space was impossible to pass up.
A large blank wall in the living room was calling for major artwork, but rather than spring for a pricey piece, Tina loaded up on materials and created her own painting.
The wooden cabinet is one of the pieces Tina brought along from their home in America. She gave the piece a sleek update with charcoal paint to match their urban space.
Tina furnished her studio with affordable basics from Ikea, then gave the space a personal touch with a massive (and ever-changing) inspiration board, art from favorite independent artists and treasures from the family's travels.
Tables, shelving, frames, lighting: Ikea; calendar: Ink+Wit; artwork: Tollipop and The Black Apple
Tables, shelving, frames, lighting: Ikea; calendar: Ink+Wit; artwork: Tollipop and The Black Apple
"My studio is where I live," Tina says. "I spend more time there than in my bed! I love having a place to create and dream, and I especially love that my kids have their own chairs and supplies, so it's not really my space, but ours."
Creating a house that feels like home is especially important to Tina, since the family has had to set up so many different spaces over the years. Her best tip for settling in quickly? "I always advocate hanging artwork, photos, and truly living in our space."
In the master bedroom, a simple clothing rack from Ikea provides both storage and an eye-catching display, thanks to Tina's careful styling.
Clothing rack: Ikea; coverlet: vintage; bird print: Mai Autumn
Clothing rack: Ikea; coverlet: vintage; bird print: Mai Autumn
Choosing to display clothing in a tightly edited color palette helps the rack look chic and intentional rather than cluttered — other clothes hide behind closed doors.
On what she loves most about their home, Tina says, "I love the white walls, the painted white floors and the fact that my kids can run outside and play. We are within walking or biking distance to great shops, restaurants and cafés, so it feels a little like we have it all."
Chair: bought in the U.S.; cross pillow: Enhabiten; fur: Ikea; ruched pillow: H&M
Chair: bought in the U.S.; cross pillow: Enhabiten; fur: Ikea; ruched pillow: H&M
White floors like the ones in the Fussell home are quite common throughout Scandinavia. "The floors were painted when we moved in, but they were primed and then painted with a high-gloss floor paint," Tina says. "They scratch and nick pretty easily, which completely stressed me out at first, but now they have a nice lived-in look to them that I really like."
And the real secret? "The secret is that they are not always clean! We really do clean them regularly," Tina says, "but I had to accept after the first month of nonstop cleaning that I was going to have to not take the task quite so seriously. We also make our kids eat at the table to at least keep the mess somewhat confined."
Lighting, cabinet, mirror: Ikea; birds: Brinja København
Lighting, cabinet, mirror: Ikea; birds: Brinja København
A few personal details enhance the bathroom's basic palette of white tile and gray sink top. A pale blue rug and mocha-colored towels soften the space, and pretty glass jars hold essentials.
Sculptural twig hooks on the bathroom wall hold favorite jewelry.
Twig hooks: Urban Outfitters
Twig hooks: Urban Outfitters
In the boys' shared room, matching natural wood beds and bedding in neutral tones keep the small space feeling calm and peaceful.
Beds, striped blankets: Ikea
Beds, striped blankets: Ikea
After moving so many times, Tina has learned by necessity to pare down their belongings — which results in a space that is beautifully organized, even with three children in the house.
Artwork: Matte Stephans and Dazey Chic
Artwork: Matte Stephans and Dazey Chic
"I think storage is key and being extremely organized," Tina says. "This is the largest place we have lived in years, so we are always editing our things so we don't feel like the walls are going to close in on us. If something is not useful, beautiful or sentimental, then it will likely be heading to the charity shop."
Mobile: Flensted
Mobile: Flensted
In daughter Hailey's room, paper decorations and framed DIY typography made from Japanese washi tape add a sweet touch.
Chair, lighting: Ikea
Chair, lighting: Ikea
A parade of horses looks neat and orderly lined up in the window ledge from biggest to smallest.
Favorite artwork, a vase of branches and decorative boxes line the top of Hailey's dresser.
Artwork: The Black Apple
Artwork: The Black Apple
For a quick and inexpensive update, new knobs from Danish brand House Doctor give Hailey's dresser a custom look.
One of the loveliest things about the Fussell home is the effortless blending of styles, the natural result of the family's having traveled widely.
"I feel as though everywhere we go and everywhere we have been has influenced the people we are, the way we live and the home we make together," Tina says. "I want to live among my travels, feel them around me when I wake and when I go about my day."
Mirror: bought in Morocco
"I feel as though everywhere we go and everywhere we have been has influenced the people we are, the way we live and the home we make together," Tina says. "I want to live among my travels, feel them around me when I wake and when I go about my day."
Mirror: bought in Morocco
"Traveling and moving to so many diverse places has also made me extremely open to new ideas," she adds. "I am constantly changing things up in my house, trying new things, because I really have very few fears when it comes to designing a space for us to live in."
Print, rug: bought in Morocco
Print, rug: bought in Morocco
The dining room, seen here dressed for a party, is a light and sunny space. The star of the show is certainly that gorgeous turquoise cabinet.
"I bought it here in Copenhagen, but it is from Eastern Europe," Tina says. "When I opened the doors and breathed in the scent of the wood inside, I was immediately transported to my closet in Morocco, and I couldn't leave the store without it. Maybe it's silly to buy something because of the way it smells, but I just had to have it. It is also hard to find wood furniture in Denmark, so it is an extra-special find."
Lighting: Normann Copenhagen; striped vase: Kahler; black bike basket: Design House Stockholm
"I bought it here in Copenhagen, but it is from Eastern Europe," Tina says. "When I opened the doors and breathed in the scent of the wood inside, I was immediately transported to my closet in Morocco, and I couldn't leave the store without it. Maybe it's silly to buy something because of the way it smells, but I just had to have it. It is also hard to find wood furniture in Denmark, so it is an extra-special find."
Lighting: Normann Copenhagen; striped vase: Kahler; black bike basket: Design House Stockholm
The kitchen is bright and airy too, with sleek modern appliances, floating white shelves and carefully chosen accessories in black, white and wood.
Bowl: Lucie Kaas
Bowl: Lucie Kaas
A corner window allows the sun to stream in over the kitchen prep area.
Bread box, cutting board: Joseph Joseph; basket: Muuto; storage jar: Orla Kiely; print: Whimsy & Spice
Bread box, cutting board: Joseph Joseph; basket: Muuto; storage jar: Orla Kiely; print: Whimsy & Spice
Wooden utensils, favorite cookbooks and frequently used tools stay within reach on the counter.
The coffee bar keeps all of the essentials at hand, with a cheerful print marking the spot.
Print: Made By Girl
Print: Made By Girl
Does she have a prized possession? "When you have moved 20 times in 13 years, lived on three continents and sold everything you owned twice, possessions become a tricky subject," Tina says. "If asked at the right time, I might say that I have no prized possessions other than my husband and kids, which of course are not really possessions but what I prize."
"But if the house were burning down," she adds, "I know I would running around like a madwoman, grabbing photos and the artwork and trinkets we have collected from our travels. I may even beg my husband to help me haul the turquoise cabinet out of the dining room very quickly."
Tina's final word for any Houzz readers who may be dreaming of living abroad: "Do it! It's crazy and wild sometimes, but life-changing and amazing, too!"
Tina's final word for any Houzz readers who may be dreaming of living abroad: "Do it! It's crazy and wild sometimes, but life-changing and amazing, too!"