Winter in Copenhagen: Design, Color, and Hygge Inspirations with Jaz Bonnin

Jaz Bonnin is an Interior Designer based on the North Shore, and the founder of Mercurio Design Studio. We recently sat down with her to debrief on her trip to Copenhagen, and get some recommendations for design enthusiasts who are planning a trip.

Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background?

I’m an interior designer based on the North Shore of Massachusetts. I just started my own studio, Mercurio Design Studio this past fall. I come from a strong design studies background: I studied Interior Architecture and Adaptive Reuse at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), as well as Conservation Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. I’m inspired by designers and artists who push traditional boundaries — everyone from Carlo Scarpa and Jørn Utzon, to Alexander McQueen, David Bowie, and Grace Jones.

What drew you to Copenhagen?

I first fell in love with Copenhagen during my undergrad years at RISD. My initial love for this wonderful city started when I spent a semester abroad. Up until now, I had only experienced Copenhagen during the warm and sunny seasons of summer and fall. The Danes really know how to adapt to the seasonal changes in light and color, so I was curious to experience firsthand how they embraced the cold, gray weather of winter (my favorite season!)

Did you go into your trip with a schedule, or did you leave it open-ended?

Since winter is the off-season in Copenhagen, I took my trip day by day, leaving plenty of time to meander around, pop into boutiques and cafes, and enjoy every cozy nook I could find—there was no shortage of those. Unexpectedly, my trip lined up with Copenhagen Fashion Week, so in addition to stunning interiors and architecture, I got to see some incredible outfits.

Tell us about your first impressions when you arrived — did anything in particular draw your interest?

In both fashion and interior design, I was delighted to see bold pops of color. It was an antidote to the muted weather and a reminder that you can have simple, minimalist design without sacrificing playfulness. I came back with a strong note to embrace bold patterns and colors. I’m not a huge fan of the “quiet minimalism” trend, so seeing a sort of “loud minimalism” with punchy colors on full display was really refreshing.

I was also thrilled to see that outdoor dining was alive and well in Copenhagen. Even though the winter climate is very similar to Boston’s, the outdoor dining culture was noticeably different. The city still felt warm and welcoming–families with small children, new mothers with prams, friends meeting for brunch, were all eating and drinking outside despite the colder temperatures. Every restaurant along the sidewalks flaunted the warm flicker of candles, heat lamps and patio heaters, while others donned blankets and sheepskins draped on chairs.

This was so refreshing to experience, especially since Boston streets tend to become so lifeless and slushy in the winter. I saw it as a reminder to break free from our typical winter hibernation in Boston and embrace the cozy feeling that the winter season brings. I really feel it would help to alleviate seasonal depression. Why not keep the party going all year round?

What inspired you? Are there design elements or ideologies that you’re excited to bring into your projects or your own home?

The Dane’s conscious decisions made around materiality, like using local hardwoods and familiar historical color palettes, helped to reinforce a local Scandinavian vernacular and cozy feel. Designers there are also very aware of how even the smallest details—door handles, handrails, and other functional elements—can impact a space.

Denmark is home to a particularly inspiring group of designers and trailblazing design-thinking, making it one of my favorite countries to visit when I'm in need of some fresh design inspiration.

We’d love to hear your recommendations for someone planning a trip to Copenhagen! What were some of your favorite stops along your trip?

Favorite Design Attraction: Copenhagen is home to an endless array of amazing museums. On this trip, I made it a mission to visit the Chair Room at the Designmuseum Danmark. Their extensive collection of original furniture and fixtures by Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Henningsen, and many others is incredible. It’s really inspiring to see such iconic pieces side-by-side and learn more about how they were created. It’s heaven on Earth for any industrial designer or architect, as far as I’m concerned!

Favorite Interior Design Inspiration: Donna Copenhagen is an Italian restaurant, and I fell in love with the branding and color palette. The glossy lacquered crimson red ceilings, pink marble countertops, pink-rose walls, and etched mirrors everywhere created such a striking atmosphere. I quickly spotted blush-colored velvet &Tradition Loafer Chairs and Gubi Seine Lamps at every tablescape. Everything from the coasters to the menus to the desserts was branded in a signature rosy-hued color palette. It was exciting to see such cohesiveness play out so effortlessly. The space felt uniquely feminine, non-traditional, yet still warm and welcoming.

Favorite day-trip: I highly recommend a visit to Arne Jacobsen’s hometown of Klampenborg. Start with a long stroll through the pastoral Jægersborg Dyrehave, a wild deer sanctuary. Visit the beautiful Hermitage, an 18th-century royal hunting lodge set in the middle of the park, surrounded by flocks of deer. Then head over to the Temple Sea Bath, where you can enjoy a few hours in a hot sauna, a steamy outdoor shower, and a brisk dip in the ocean off Jacobsen’s famous striped swimming docks at Bellevue Beach. This was one of my favorite experiences, serving as a healthy reminder (literally and figuratively) that good design can have a strong impact, even in small-scale settings. The saunas were clad in Aspen wood, with large picture windows facing the shoreline, reinforcing the use of local Scandi materials. The landscape is so deeply influenced by the sea, and you can really feel that reflected in many of the smaller designed spaces.

Favorite Showrooms: &Tradition and the Paustian concept store are both set in historic spaces, with coffee cafes inside their showrooms. I got to sit in a lot of furnishings I’ve been wanting to test out in person. The &Tradition showroom is especially interesting, as it feels like one big, glamorous home filled with beautiful pieces.

Favorite Fashion Spots: Visit Andersen Andersen and Colorful Standard. Both carry lines designed in Denmark and offer a vibrant selection of warm, chunky knitwear and winter accessories. It’s the perfect place to stock up on things like bright pea-green scarves, saffron-colored socks, and signal-orange cardigans. I also loved that nearly everything they carry is unisex. The design-world fashion scene back in Boston feels so lacking in playfulness and vibrancy—these brands offer a much-needed colorful antidote!

Favorite Home Wares Boutique: Studio Arhoj is home to cute, colorful handmade ceramics produced right in the adjoining workshop. It’s a great spot for gifts like cups, plates, and statement ceramics—and you can even watch them fire cups and bowls as you shop.

For Breakfast: Get the cardamom buns and coffee at Bagt—I come back year after year for these! It’s located just a block or two off Bredgade, a street filled with great antique stores, furniture shops, art galleries, and cafes. If you're like me and need another coffee shortly after your morning cup, stop by Frama. It’s a cafe and product showroom in an old 19th-century apothecary space. The contrast of patinated oak millwork with minimalist, monochromatic decor is really cool, done in a tasteful and respectful way.

For Dinner: Pay a visit to Det Lille Apotek, “the oldest restaurant in Copenhagen.” On this trip, I was seeking out more traditional spots and honestly expected this place to be kitschy and touristy. However, dining here was a pleasant surprise! You could feel the history in the walls—there wasn’t a straight line in sight, and it felt super cozy and eclectic. It honestly reminded me of many basement pubs around Boston or Charlestown, but with a unique Danish charm. I highly recommend the roast duck with caramelized potatoes, grainy mustard, and pickled cabbage—very tasty.

For After-Dinner Drinks: Stop by Two Socks Gin Bar and order the “Palo Santo” Gin & Tonic. The place has a warm, candle-lit atmosphere and a drinks menu as thick as a bible. I also highly recommend Strøm Bar, another cool basement spot. My favorite drink of the trip, hands down, was their "Toronto" — a mix of Rye whiskey, Fernet Branca, maple simple syrup, and house bitters. Both bars serve super interesting cocktails, and the atmosphere is casually inviting and cozy in an unpretentious way—the kind of vibe I want to experience more of back in Boston.