From a young age, Sif Steendahl Grandorf dreamed of a career in furniture design and crafting, a passion that started with just cardboard and tape. Growing up on a commune, she was surrounded by adults who were always building and repairing, immersing her in creativity. The old workshop doors were always open, and a basement filled with colorful paint pots offered her endless opportunities to explore her imagination. “I spent countless hours creating model landscapes and cities,” Grandorf recalls. “Before long, my cardboard and tape transformed into wood and screws.”
“I’ve always aimed to create immersive room experiences by designing furniture and interiors, but I often struggled to find a place that balanced both innovative design and practical craftsmanship,” she shares. Her love for rearranging furniture and styling spaces began in her childhood home, where she would frequently freshen up her siblings’ rooms and eventually reimagine her parents’ house entirely. “Even when I travel, my first instinct is to reorganize my surroundings to fit my personal style,” she adds.
Now, living in a lively home with her partner Mathias and their two young children, Grandorf has turned her living space into a dynamic playground of creativity. She has designed nearly every piece of furniture in their 75 m² apartment, emphasizing both space maximization and functionality. Recently, the apartment underwent a significant color makeover, as Grandorf sought a bold contrast to her typical pastel palette. “Our home is bursting with color,” she explains. “These vibrant hues stimulate our senses, energizing us and creating a lively atmosphere.”
One of her initial design decisions was to eliminate all doors except for those in the kitchen and bathroom. A long bench she created using drawer modules from a Danish furniture supplier lines one wall. Additionally, she custom-designed a “settle box” to achieve the ideal sitting height. A round table purchased online can comfortably seat up to 30 guests, reflecting the warm and inviting spirit of the home. Above the table, a delicate pink Murano glass lamp adds a touch of charm to the room.
Decorating the wall above the dining area are various prints, including a photograph by Stefan Wesse and a poster from a Marsden Hartley exhibition. Large sloping windows in the sitting room allow light to stream in, creating an inviting ambiance. “I love to think about all the people who have looked out of this window over the years,” she reflects, sharing the story behind the old window salvaged from a villa in Frederiksberg.
In the sitting room, a distinctive bookcase—composed of smaller modules arranged at different angles—holds an impressive collection of glass art and children’s toys. A refurbished glass lamp hangs below, showcasing Grandorf’s talent for discovering treasures at flea markets. Meanwhile, the corridor features a charming wicker chair sourced from @bohemehjem.
Grandorf and her family share their bedroom, where she designed a multifunctional sofa that can be configured in various ways: as a corner sofa, an elongated four-meter-long sofa, or even a large double bed for guests. “It also provides storage for visitors’ duvets and for all of Mathias’s books waiting to be shelved,” she details. To the delight of her children—and herself—there’s a swing in the living room that brings daily joy.
Her colorful home is an ever-evolving canvas. “I thrive on change,” she admits. “Whenever I have a new idea, I act quickly. I rarely adhere to a fixed plan, and often, the results are completely different just a month later.” Adaptations to the bedroom to accommodate her growing family have become second nature. Luckily, Mathias fully supports her creative endeavors. “For years, he’s encouraged me with: ‘Just do it – go for it!’ whenever I propose a new idea. He understands that transformation is my passion.”
