Danish architects Mathias Mentze and Alexander Ottenstein have replaced the stark minimalism of a thatched 19th-century country house in Jels, Denmark, with a palette of soft, natural colors. The duo, founders of Copenhagen-based studio Mentze Ottenstein, led the renovation for timber flooring manufacturer Dinesen.
A Historic Longhouse with a Contemporary Touch
Built in 1885, the two-story residence was acquired by the Dinesen family in 2004 and served as their private home for 15 years before becoming a guesthouse for the brand. An initial renovation by local architect Jørgen Overby reinstated the building’s original proportions and architectural details.
Mentze and Ottenstein sought to add “personality and identity” to the space, describing their work as “a sort of rewilding of the previously minimalist aesthetic.” They replaced the all-white interiors with colors inspired by the surrounding countryside, alongside contemporary reinterpretations of period furniture and ornamentation.
Layered Colors and Rich Textures
On the ground floor, five interconnected rooms feature carefully curated color palettes. The kitchen is anchored by a soft forest-green Garde Hvalsøe unit and an end wall in a matching tone. At the other end of the house, a dark brown library provides contrast. In between, reception rooms are painted a warm pale yellow.
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“We maintained a consistent color for door frames and ceiling beams while introducing a gradient from room to room, starting with brighter colors and ending in the cozy, dark-walled library,” the architects explained.
Reconfiguring the First Floor
A newly designed staircase leads to the first floor, which has been restructured to accommodate more guest rooms. There are two suites, each with a double bedroom, a walk-through wardrobe, and an adjoining bunk room.
Walls in this section feature a golden ochre shade, while a custom wallpaper with a leaf print echoes the natural surroundings. Dinesen’s signature Douglas fir timber is used extensively across floors, walls, ceilings, doors, and shutters.
Craftsmanship and Custom Details
Mentze Ottenstein designed bespoke furniture pieces using oak and ash, including library bookshelves, kitchen tables, stools, and ornamental beds. The house also features pieces from Dinesen’s John Pawson-designed collection, antique furnishings, and handcrafted objects.
To add richness, the architects selected small objects made from darker-toned woods like walnut and pear, such as a chair by RønholtKurz and wooden bowls crafted by artisans Peter Møller Rasmussen and Christian Vennerstrøm.
The duo collaborated with glass artist Nina Nørgaard to create custom pendant lamps, further enhancing the home’s atmosphere.
A Home for Gatherings and Creativity
Hans Peter Dinesen, the company’s brand director and great-great-grandson of its founder, sees the house as more than a private retreat. It will host collaborators, symposiums, and even a summer school for the Royal Danish Academy’s architecture faculty.
“Mentze Ottenstein has, in many ways, painted a portrait of our family and company—one that respects our roots while also daring to express itself through new shapes and colors,” said Dinesen.
By blending historical elements with bold, contemporary interventions, Dinesen Country Home has been transformed into a space that embodies both tradition and innovation.
Photos: Monica Grue Steffensen
