MAKE THIS MOMENT MATTER IN COPENHAGEN #26

This year, we actually managed to make it back to Copenhagen right in the middle of my maternity leave – my 4-month-old baby girl and I. I took the plunge and pulled us out of our peaceful bubble with our house and garden in the hills, and, as scared as a rabbit and as far-sighted as a goldfish, I boarded the plane with my baby 😅. This year’s event theme: „Make This Moment Matter“ – LET’S GO!

Copenhagen is always worth a visit – I don’t need to tell you that. And as I like to observe myself, I realize that design still plays an incredibly emotional role for me, even during this challenging time as a new mom. While taking a walk in Superkilen Park, I came across one of those places I wish existed everywhere: a repurposed industrial hall that now serves as a public gathering space – complete with a library and café, sports halls, and a children’s playroom. For everyone. Stylishly and thoughtfully integrated, functional biophilic design. I got goosebumps, and I was overwhelmed by the life-affirming compassion behind a society that builds and uses something like this.

I’m still such a visual person 😍! Even amid the hectic pace of life, where I often lack the time and attention to gather all the details about every feature, a story sticks with me with every image, every visual experience. A big plus for work-life balance in my overwhelmed designer brain 😉. Copenhagen is like: Is this a construction site or an urban landscape for hanging out and experiencing events? We’ll never know.

The event itself was – as expected – fantastic: Integrated into the city and spread across all the trendy neighborhoods, object exhibitions, collection presentations, and entire experiences centered on interior design took place in both permanent and temporary spaces. As is so often the case in Denmark: with a much more critical eye for aesthetics than in Germany and with a strong sense of responsibility in the modern furniture industry.

The geopolitical crises have also affected the Danish market. But here – in contrast to “German Angst” – there’s a positive, forward-looking attitude. “The spirit is different,” a colleague told me during a meeting. To me, that makes perfect sense, because it’s foolish to claim that you can rewind politics 20 years and apply it to the present. Innovation driven by the needs and challenges of our time isn’t a luxury – it’s the key to economic survival. That, and integrity 😊. Here in Denmark, design isn’t part of marketing – it’s part of everyday life.

„Make This Moment Matter“ was also the motto of our journey at 3daysofdesign 🤱. Caught between the urge to see everything and the desire to spend quality time with my little one, I, too, had to find my balance to truly appreciate the moment without pressure. Amid numerous showrooms and exhibitions, there were baby exercise sessions on the lawn, breastfeeding breaks in seating nooks, and pleasant encounters at the street food court. Without these intentional breaks, this post would never have been written. In between, I simply took a moment to savor my coffee without multitasking, watch people and clouds, and jot down my thoughts. Hey, but Danish parents seem just as stressed as those in Germany. That reassures me 😅.

But in general, I don't think 3daysofdesign needs any promotion – they're actually trying to keep a low profile (which isn't working). So I can't recommend Copenhagen at all, especially this event – it's really bad 😉😍. Don't go there.