“Lightning struck us when we met at a bar in 2012. We immediately fell in love, moved in together, and a year later we owned [this] apartment… and I had a ring on my finger.” Needless to say, it’s been a whirlwind romance for Pia and Jeppe. While they were certain of their love for one another from the beginning, they weren’t exactly sure what they were looking for in a new home. Original wood floors, natural light and a gorgeous ceiling, however, immediately hooked the two when they stepped inside this 1890s apartment. It was the first one they toured in Oslo, Norway and one of those moments when you can’t quite describe what you’re after until you see it and, “Eureka!” — it’s crystal clear what you want.
While the apartment hunt was a quick and painless process, decorating has proven to be a bit trickier. With a goal of creating a “dark and dusty place of calmness and serenity,” the couple set out to only fill their home with pieces that they absolutely loved. Determined to not fall into the trap of just buying for utility, they stuck to two simple rules: they both had to instinctually love an item, and if they couldn’t picture still having it after their 20th anniversary, it was a no-go. They admit to growing a bit anxious to reach the finish line, but the process taught them something in the end. “In the beginning, we looked forward to everything being done, but after a while, we understood that we really loved the process of decorating. Our style really was made by putting two pretty different minds together. No compromises in our home, just ideas melting together and creating new ones! We love each other, and we love creating our style together,” the two say.
Pia is most thankful that she gets to share her lovely home with “a person who can make every boring day into an adventure.” This fall, that adventure will get even more exciting when they welcome home a little bundle of joy – their first child! It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place for her to grow up. Take a peek inside her newly-completed nursery and the rest of what friends call Pia and Jeppe’s “curiously designed museum,” after the jump. Enjoy! —Garrett
Photography by Pia Martine Gautier Bjerke
via Design*Sponge