DIY Queen from Instagram Transforms Old 70s Cottage into a Colourful Dream
»I often want what other people don’t. We chose the quirkiest house on the market, despite having the luxury of plenty of choices at that time because so much was up for sale,« Katrine Rasmussen explains. We’ve come to talk to her about the holiday home that she and her family have renovated and transformed over the past few years. What appears from the outside to be a classic wooden cottage from the seventies reveals itself inside as an open, bright, and pastel-coloured universe of retro, stripes, and personality.
In her daily life, Katrine Rasmussen is an independent interior designer, helping others optimise their living spaces. She sees possibilities where others have given up, just like with the summer house that didn’t look like anything special on the surface when the family took it over – on the contrary, the house was like a patchwork of additions. Back then, the ground was filled with birdseed and birdhouses (hence the name). The style in the house now is eclectic, personal, and colourful, and Katrine Rasmussen has long recognized that overthinking is wasted in a summer house. Instead, she practises the art of just doing it.
Painting steps has been a lifesaver
On the floor of the long hallway from the entrance, the floorboards are alternately salmon-coloured and pastel green. She made stripes to create a visual illusion that the space is larger than it is, as well as combine colours from the adjacent rooms to create a balanced colour palette.
»It happened, as it often does in my head. I think, oh, stripes would be nice. That’s what I do. Without thinking, what do you actually do with stripes?« It’s usually a longer process with many layers and painter’s tape in between, but there’s rarely time for weeks of curing in a hallway. When she removed the painter’s tape, some paint came off with it, so she had to do a big repair job with a very small brush. »I just sat here and painted. The therapy it has been for me, I simply can’t describe it. It has been a lifesaver to go through so many painting steps as I have out here. You can’t do anything but curl up between two stripes and try not to step on anything«.
It has been a lifesaver to go through so many painting steps as I have out here. You can’t do anything but curl up between two stripes and try not to step on anything.
»And that was actually the turning point out here. Overthinking has held back so many things for me, so having to move forward was probably the greatest therapy for me. My system got used to saying, I’ll just do it then«.
Old Soul, Innovative Layout
Alongside the striped floor, it’s the layout that makes the holiday home so unique. The open space with kitchen, living room, and access to the alcove is atypical for an older cottage, which often features small, enclosed rooms. Here, there’s an opening between the kitchen and what was once a conservatory, and light pours in from a skylight in the ceiling.
»The large open layout here is crazy because when you’re in the living room, you’re actually in a conservatory. But you wouldn’t know that unless you’re me. You get the old soul with you, but I’ve created the functionality of a modern summer house. And I think that’s really special«.
I genuinely feel happy about it when it’s rented out. And I didn’t know I would feel this way until I started. Because it was our place, and how would it be, but the love I receive in return from guests outweighs it.
A New Era for the Family and Holiday Home
Throughout the eight years the family has owned the holiday house, their needs and way of using it have changed. »Back when we took over the summer house, it was about getting a break from Copenhagen on weekends with three young children. But last weekend, my husband and I were here alone for the first time. We sat and enjoyed red wine. It marked the beginning of a new era«.
This has also opened up new possibilities for using the summer house, which is why the Birdhouse became part of Landfolk in 2022. »I genuinely feel happy about it when it’s rented out. And I didn’t know I would feel this way until I started. Because it was our place, and how would it be, but the love I receive in return from guests outweighs it. Everyone appreciates it, so what’s not to like?«
»I genuinely feel proud on behalf of the house for creating a framework for others’ vacations. I know they leave uplifted from here. Objectively, we’ve mostly just given it a fresh coat of paint. But then again, not quite, because every little thing has a love story behind it. And the sum of those things becomes a big embrace of love that they feel when they step onto the striped floor. That makes me proud«.
6 DIY Hacks for the Holiday Home
In an old holiday home, the dimensions rarely match what you can buy in stores. But if you build it yourself, you often get more out of the rooms and the limited space with tailored solutions. Here are our six DIY favourites from Katrine Rasmussen’s holiday home’s transformation.
1
More Beds with an Alcove
An alcove in the living room can create extra sleeping space. Let the profile boards from the wall continue, creating continuity from the old to the new.
2
Create Storage Space Under the Bed
Bedrooms are often small and storage space is limited in old summer houses, so it can be advantageous to build a bed with built-in storage space underneath. Remember to consider mattress dimensions.
3
Update the Bathroom on a Budget
Find a used sink and faucet, paint the glass wall in the shower to create a room within a room, and build storage into the laundry column with a homemade curtain.
4
Give the Kitchen a New Life
By framing the kitchen in plywood, painting the fronts, and adding new handles, an old summer house kitchen can be completely revived.
5
Create Width with Stripes
Horizontal stripes on the floor can make a long, narrow hallway appear wider.
6
Build a Multi-Functional Shelf
A self-built shelf can serve as both a bench, stairs, and storage space.
Experience Katrine's holiday home yourself. Book it here.
