Your Castle or Mine?

There’s a time and place for minimalism, but for everything else there’s Rosenborg Castle.

The expressive Dutch Renaissance style of the Rosenborg Castle
The expressive Dutch Renaissance style of the Rosenborg Castle

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Built near Copenhagen in 1606 as a country summerhouse, the Dutch Renaissance-style Rosenborg Castle was the residence of Danish regents until 1710.

It was only used as royal residence twice, both during times of emergency. Through the centuries, the castle has seen several expansions, but the existing design dates back to 1624.

My visit was a lesson in history of antiques and decorative arts, and how they mirrored the passing of time and the fascinations of the very wealthy.

 

Heroic tapestries, a vitrine of silverware, furniture covered in silk Damask, and parquet de Versailles-style floor in one of the castle’s formal rooms
Heroic tapestries, a vitrine of silverware, furniture covered in silk Damask, and parquet de Versailles-style floor in one of the castle’s formal rooms

 

The walls of the Long Hall with a Throne for Audience are covered with tapestries depicting historical events, while the ceiling is heavily decorated with allegorical sculpture, frescoes and moldings.
The walls of the Long Hall with a Throne for Audience are covered with tapestries depicting historical events, while the ceiling is heavily decorated with allegorical sculpture, frescoes and moldings.

 

Crockery rest on brackets and hang on the pale green wall of a room. This can be easily adapted in modern breakfast rooms or kitchen corners.

I often use the same trick when I do entire rooms or small vignettes. If I want dynamism, I disturb the symmetry by making one side heavier, but if I need to bring stillness to the space, I do a tight symmetrical arrangement. In small places, I like to play with light and shadow to create a mood.

I highly recommend that you visit the Rosenburg Castle and pay attention to high quality objects, decoration and craftsmanship. It is truly enlightening.

 

 

 

Pearl-encrusted relief embroidery of the royal emblem is generously applied to various objects in the castle.
Pearl-encrusted relief embroidery of the royal emblem is generously applied to various objects in the castle.

 

Rosenburg Castle
Øster Voldgade 4A,
1350 København, Denmark