*Photo : Christian Høyer & Birgitta Wolfgang*

Location : Copenhagen, Denmark
Profession / passion : Interior Designer
Instagram : @pernille.vest

One Day is an ongoing project sparked by the Covid-19. In the days of isolation we would like to focus on what we do best; bringing people together. Read more about the project here.
We will be posting one new day of someones life every day until we run out of contributors. See our instagram stories to experience these peoples One Day in action.

A text, song or film that everyone should experience.
Soundtrack from "Tales of the Loop" by Paul Leonard-Morgan and Philip Glass, 2020 - it is sad, warm and thoughtful at the same time - for me it will always remind me of this special time.

What is the story behind your profession/ passion?
 I am educated fashion-designer, and worked as such for some years, while also doing some designs for magazines. One problem was that I was not alway satisfied with the styling - so I asked if I could do it my self - that was the start of my styling career - but quickly fashion and interior got mixed - and in the end I had to choose - and for sure furniture, design and art had become my big passion. Beside doing commercial jobs, I've always loved to do editorial and have been connected to different magazines - one at a time. After having co-founded the Danish magazine RUM and working as a freelance member of the core team for 10 years, making RUM an international success, it was time to start something new. So most of the original team left with the idea to start something combining design, architecture and art - this became the creation of a new bi-annual magazine - Ark Journal (instagram @arkjournal). Already after 3 issues, you can get it in more than 32 countries around the world.  

How do you want people to react to your work?
I hope they get inspired and start dreaming. 

How has the current situation affected how you work?  
I had a lot of traveling in spring - all of them is of course canceled - nearly all shoots in Denmark is canceled. Normally I work a lot from home - so that part is not new - the new part is that my assistant is not here - but my husband and two kids are at home - like me - everyone is working, studying from home.  I thought that I would have time for re-decorating my home or reading - but I've used a lot of time trying to be in control of the different jobs - most of them will hopefully happen in the near future. One very interesting project that I did manage to do, was an exhibition at Studio x Viaduct (instagram @studioxviaduct) together with Ark Journal. The shop is closed down - but the owner wanted to do something creative during COVID-19, so she turned the whole shop into 3 rooms - all with a window, and invited 3 different people/companies to show there story. We had just launched Ark journal III, so in our window/room we tried to capture the spirit of the new magazine. Until May 10, you could see the exhibition BETWEEN SPACES from the street.

What is the most inspiring text you read recently?
 Normally I never have the time for reading, but now I have had the time to enjoy Ark Journal in full.  

Define what beauty means to you.
 Everything - it gives harmony, but the challenge is also to see the beauty in everthing - give the beast a chance - change the ordinary to something special.

Function or form?
Form for sure - I choose a lamp because of the design and not the function.

Who do you miss?  
I miss my family - I did not see my mom and brother since COVID-19 closed down our country. I also miss my sister who lives in New York - when things like this happens the distance feels bigger. 

When was the last time you learned something new and what was it?  
Virtual meetings - we do not need to travel as much as we used to, when things get back to normal. Even a birthday meet-up with family in New York happened virtually. We never did that before - but I am sure that this will now turn into a tradition.

Have you actively chosen to live in the city/town you live in?
 I grew-up in North Zealand, but did choose to live closer to Copenhagen. I am living just outside Copenhagen, so I'm still close to the nature. During the lockdown it has been a privilege to be able to go out in the garden and just enjoy the sun. This is also the place where we will start seeing family and friends, when Denmark slowly opens up again.

If you were forced to sit still for one month straight without pursuing your current profession, how would you spend your time?
If I should sit still I would do something with my hands - maybe some sculptures, but if I could, I would love to us the time to get in top shape.  

What does freedom mean to you?
 To be and stay healthy.

Lastly, how do you wish to see this current situation have a positive impact on our lives?
 I think we can learn a lot. It has been amazing to see how fast and well the world manage to collaborate - that we can do big things together, if we have to. Stay home, don't travel so much. Enjoying being a family. Next step will hopefully be that we have learned that together we can also change the climate crisis.

One Day : Pernille Vest - Interior Stylist