The House of Dinesen, Reimagined by Copenhagen-based Mentze Ottenstein

Q: What is the flooring used in the house?

The flooring is Dinesen Douglas Classic wood, which has been in place since the original restoration by architect Jørgen Overby.

Q: What is the house now used for?

The historic 1885 residence has evolved from a private family home into a brand showroom and guesthouse.

Q: Who designed the custom shelving in the dining room?

Mentze Ottenstein designed the custom shelving in the dining room, made of ash with an oil finish and a grain pattern reminiscent of black elm.

Q: What is the kitchen cabinetry made of?

The kitchen features handcrafted Garde Hvalsøe cabinets painted green, fitted with custom walnut and pear knobs.

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We’ve long written about the work of Dinesen, a multi-generational, family-owned Danish company specializing in exceptionally wide plank wooden flooring. In 2017, we covered the restoration of the Dinesen family house in southern Jutland. In the early 2000s, the Dinesen family, then headed by forth-generation Thomas Dinesen, implored architect Jørgen Overby to restore the house to its roots with a thatched roof, historic windows, dormers, fireplaces, and a carpentry kitchen.

Two decades later, the company is in the hands of fifth generation Dinesen, Hans Peter Dinesen, and the historic 1885 residence has evolved from a private family home into a brand showroom and guesthouse. For this, Dinesen partnered with Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio Mentze Ottenstein to reimagine the estate with respect for Overby’s original restoration. Here’s a view into the updated interiors.

Photography by Monica Grue Steffensen for Dinesen.

the dinesen house is located near the company&#8\2\17;s manufacturing facil 17 — Above: The Dinesen house is located near the company’s manufacturing facilities in Jels, Denmark.

the southern jutland longhouse is marked with a historic thatched roof and loca 18 — Above: The southern Jutland longhouse is marked with a historic thatched roof and locally-produced bricks made from clay sourced from the moraine landscape and farm.

the flooring is dinesen douglas classic wood, in place since overby&#8\2\17 19 — Above: The flooring is Dinesen Douglas Classic wood, in place since Overby’s initial restoration. The walls, previously all in soft white paint, are redesigned in a rich, earthy palette from Linolie & Pigment. The ceiling is painted in Linolie & Pigment’s Aqualinum paint in Mangfoldighed 93.

Mathias Mentze and Alexander Ottenstein, who maintain a research-oriented practice, incorporated historical references through in-depth research and the introduction of additional material and ornamental qualities. While the house displays Dinesen collaborations throughout the years, the space is designed to evoke a sense of home rather than the typically impersonal quality of a showroom.

the dining room is kitted with custom shelving by mentze ottenstein made of ash 20 — Above: The dining room is kitted with custom shelving by Mentze Ottenstein made of ash with an oil finish resembling amber and a grain pattern reminiscent of black elm. Hand-turned walnut and pear bowls from Georgia were designed by Peter Møller Rasmussen and Christian Vennerstøm; bespoke chairs are by RønholtKurz.

another custom ash cabinet from mentze ottenstein in the doorway where a view o 21 — Above: Another custom ash cabinet from Mentze Ottenstein in the doorway where a view of the connecting longhouse rooms is exposed.

another dining area showcases the dining table and bench from \20\24 pawson fur 22 — Above: Another dining area showcases the dining table and bench from 2024 Pawson Furniture Collection for Dinesen by famed British architect John Pawson. The pendant light is designed by the architects in collaboration with Nina Nørgaard.

the pawson collection is designed in dinesen douglas classic with shade detail 23 — Above: The Pawson collection is designed in Dinesen Douglas Classic with shade detail in Dinesen Oak, finished in Dinesen Light Oil, and upholstered in Kvadrat Maple 0112 by Åsa Pärson. “Everything about these pieces is pared back to the logic and poetry of the wood,” writes Pawson.

a collection of local antique furniture pieces are integrated throughout the pr 24 — Above: A collection of local antique furniture pieces are integrated throughout the property. This bench is borrowed from Jørgen Overby, the architect responsible for the house’s first restoration.

the kitchen of handcrafted garde hvalsøe cabinets are painted green as a n 25 — Above: The kitchen of handcrafted Garde Hvalsøe cabinets are painted green as a nod to the countryside location. The cabinets are fitted with custom walnut and pear knobs. The kitchen faucet is the SP Facuet from TONI. and the woven willow pendant lights are handmade by basket craftsman Steen Hedegaard Madsen. The kitchen table and stools are designed by the architects and produced by MSSR Works.

the continuation of georgian wood bowls are displayed on glass shelves in the k 26 — Above: The continuation of Georgian wood bowls are displayed on glass shelves in the kitchen; above is a row of Alexander Kirkeby glassware.

the staircase and glass elements throughout the house were designed by artist n 27 — Above: The staircase and glass elements throughout the house were designed by artist Nina Nørgaard.

the staircase continues with a custom surround designed in almond shaped cutout 28 — Above: The staircase continues with a custom surround designed in almond-shaped cutouts.

the hallway into guest spaces is coated in a deep ochre paint color (oxydbrun g 29 — Above: The hallway into guest spaces is coated in a deep ochre paint color (Oxydbrun Ground Color Paste from Linolie & Pigment) from ceiling to walls. “We’ve maintained a consistent color for door frames and ceiling beams while introducing a gradient from brighter colors to darker, cozier tones,” explains Mentze Ottenstein.

custom bed frames and a block side table with an alexander kirkeby vase. 30 — Above: Custom bed frames and a block side table with an Alexander Kirkeby vase.

another view of the guest room reveals almond cutouts echoed in the footboard d 31 — Above: Another view of the guest room reveals almond cutouts echoed in the footboard design. The table lamp is part of the Vessels for Light series from Christian + Jade.

having functioned a private estate for so long, connecting rooms in the house w 32 — Above: Having functioned a private estate for so long, connecting rooms in the house were previously similar in style. Mentze Ottenstein revised the rooms as separate spaces with individual character, with more color, and by creating hidden rooms within. The chair seen here is a bespoke design by Rønholt Kurz.

a custom alcove bed also in golden ochre. the wall lamp is designed by the arch 33 — Above: A custom alcove bed also in golden ochre. The wall lamp is designed by the architects in collaboration with Nina Nørgaard.

an antique children&#8\2\17;s desk and chair sourced by jamb. 34 — Above: An antique children’s desk and chair sourced by Jamb.

custom built in bunk beds and wallpaper created by mentze ottenstein in collabo 35 — Above: Custom built-in bunk beds and wallpaper created by Mentze Ottenstein in collaboration with ORBI (the Dinesen and Royal Academy summer school) using leaves fromt he local forest. The concept was to raise awareness of the local tree species by using their leaves for printing, where each print is unique.

an antique chair and cabinet in the upstairs hall. 36 — Above: An antique chair and cabinet in the upstairs hall.

“Like any home, the Dinesen Country Home is an ongoing story, a sum of fragments and lives lived as objects have been added and taken away, and replaced by unique items accumulating over time,” Hans Peter Dinesen describes. “We hope that the house will, to an even greater extent, form the setting for countless visits and events of the next several years. The house represents, in the same way as the family’s history, a love and care for traditions and wood.”