Nestled amid forestry, open meadows and rivers lies the Dinesen Country Home — a traditional southern Jutland longhouse built in 1885 with a thatched roof and paned windows. Rooted deeply in the Dinesen family’s history, the house embodies the values and craftsmanship integral to the Dinesen legacy.
Guest house — Denmark
Architect: Jørgen Overby, Mentze Ottenstein
Photographer: Monica Grue Steffensen
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Douglas Classic
Thickness 35mm. / US 1.4"
Width 300mm. / US 11.8"
Length 8 m. / US 26' 3"
Lye and White Soap
Situated near Dinesen’s headquarters and production site in Jels, and just a short walking distance from Orbi, a creative hub hosting annual residencies for architects in partnership with Dinesen and the Royal Danish Academy, the Country Home sits at the heart of the Dinesen story, reflecting its commitment to tradition, collaboration and curiosity.
With interiors thoughtfully reimagined by design duo Mentze Ottenstein, the space seamlessly blends historical character with a vibrant, contemporary aesthetic. Now a guest house, it retains the warmth and welcoming spirit of a family home.
In 2004, architect Jørgen Overby restored the house, reinstating its original character and architectural integrity after modernisation had eroded much of its unique charm. While Overby’s restoration preserved the core structure, Mentze Ottenstein introduced more material and ornamental qualities to the house in 2024.
Wood takes centre stage on the material palette, as it should. The minimal furniture series designed by John Pawson for Dinesen, crafted in Douglas fir, seamlessly integrates into the home. Its clean, simple lines create a striking contrast alongside antique items and custom furniture by Mentze Ottenstein, made from ash and finished with oil for a warm amber tone.
Frames from Cassetta in darker woods like walnut and pear also help provide a sense of grounding alongside the light Douglas floors, treated with lye and white soap. Hand-turned walnut and pear bowls from Georgia, designed by Peter Møller Rasmussen and Christian Vennerstrøm, further enhance the narrative of craftsmanship and collaboration. This spirit is echoed throughout the space, from the carefully curated antiques by Jamb London and glassware by Alexander Kirkeby to the contemporary design elements, creating a harmonious blend of history and modernity.
The house is a testament to collaboration, with key contributions from a range of craftspeople and designers. Soft lighting is provided by Christian+Jade and Wästberg, while glass elements by Nina Nørgaard and bespoke chairs by RønholtKurz add unique touches to the interior. The careful curation of furniture and accessories creates a dialogue between past and present, heritage and innovation.
In the past, people lived with heirlooms passed down from generation to generation; objects with meaning and stories tied to them; more than just aesthetic value.
“We believe that the narrative—the stories these objects carry—is important and has its own aesthetic quality.” Says Mentze and Ottenstein; “We want the space to tell the story of all of Dinesen’s wonderful collaborations over the years and to maintain a certain authenticity in being a “home” more than a showroom.”
The kitchen, painted in a soothing shade of green, echoes the home’s rural surroundings, while the walnut and pear kitchen handles provide refined, tactile accents. Throughout the house, colour continues to delight—the small upstairs chambers are painted in warm golden ochre, fostering a cosy, intimate atmosphere.
More than a mere showcase of design and materiality, Dinesen Country Home is a space filled with stories, craftsmanship, and collaboration—a place that invites future generations to add their own chapters.
